Here at the Office of Emergency Management, we believe in quality service to the UH environment and our broader community. This would not be accomplished without our incredible staff. Meet our staff:

Ginger Walker, Director of Emergency Management

A native Houstonian, Ginger Walker has worked on the UH campus for over 25 years. After graduating from Texas Tech University, she traveled the world alongside her husband who served in the United States Marine Corps.  A few years later she settled down in her own hometown of Houston accepting a position in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance.  She has worked in the executive office of Administration and Finance, UH Police Department, Department of Public Safety, Campus Safety and now in the Office of Emergency Management.  

Ginger served as the Deputy Director for many years before accepting the position of Director of Emergency Management in 2020.  Ginger joined the Office of Emergency Management in 2012 as the Emergency Management Specialist focusing on all facets of emergency management.  Not only does she have extensive knowledge of emergency management in a higher education setting, she has a unique asset in that she has either developed or been directly involved in all of the emergency plans within the Officer of Emergency Management since its inception. Ginger holds a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credential from the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), a FEMA, Level 1 Continuity of Operations (COOP) Practitioner Certification, COOP Instructor Certification, FEMA Basic Instructor Certification. In addition to continuity planning, Ginger is trained as a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Facilitator and also a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM).  Ginger enjoys the higher education environment and especially collaborating and coordinating with other departments, colleges, divisions, Big 12 colleagues, higher education partners as well as state and county counterparts.

Maia Solomon, Emergency Management Specialist

Maia Solomon grew up north of Houston in Tomball, TX. She has obtained a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, a master’s degree in homeland security studies, and a graduate certificate in emergency management from Sam Houston State University. Maia joined the Office of Emergency Management in June of 2023 as an Emergency Management Specialist. Maia brings experience working in emergency management and higher education.

When Maia is not working, she enjoys catching the latest movies, exploring the ever-expanding food options in downtown Houston, and spending time with her family.

Kenneth Cochran, Emergency Management Specialist

Kenneth Cochran began his career in emergency management during his military service in the United States Army. He was previously assigned to a CBRNE Enhanced Force-Package, as an antiterrorism officer at a Legal Operations Detachment, and served as the Noncommission Officer in Charge of Task Force West’s Medical Section during Super Typhoon Yutu.  He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Unified Public Safety Administration with a dual concentration in Emergency Management and Fire & EMS administration. 

Before joining the University of Houston Office of Emergency Management in January of 2025 as an Emergency Management Specialist, he worked in the fire service, law enforcement, and in emergency management at the local government level. In 2024 he was invited to be a guest speaker by FEMA for the National IPAWS Convention. In total he brings over 15 years of working knowledge with him.