The University of Houston Fire Marshal's Office ensures that all buildings and activities meet Fire and Life Safety Codes as adopted.

The University of Houston Fire Marshal's Office consists of the following individuals:

Chris McDonald – Executive Director Fire and Life Safety/Fire Marshal #701

After serving four years in the U.S. Navy, Chris started his firefighting career with the El Paso, Texas Fire Department in 1989. His assignments included: firefighter/EMT, Driver, Inspector, Juvenile Fire Setter Program Coordinator, Arson Investigator, Fire Academy Instructor, Field Training Officer, Lieutenant, and Captain. After he retired from El Paso, he joined the University of Houston Fire Marshal’s Office as a Deputy Fire Marshal and quickly moved up the ranks to Assistant Fire Marshal and then Fire Marshal. Chris is a state-certified Firefighter, Fire Investigator, Fire Inspector, Instructor, Skills Examiner, and Head of Department – Prevention. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and is a Fire Executive Management Training program graduate at Sam Houston State University.

Sharon Pellas – Program Manager II

Sharon is a native Houstonian who graduated from the University of Houston in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English Literature. Her career at the University of Houston started in 2007 as a college work-study with the Department of Public Safety. In 2011, Sharon joined as a full-time staff member and has since been promoted several times within the University of Houston. Currently, she is the Program Manager II for Campus Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, and the Office of Fire Life Safety. Sharon is a proud Staff Council Representative for Administration and Finance, as well. Sharon volunteers a lot for campus events as part of her Staff Council role, including events such as Cougar First Impressions.

Marcus Hicks – Assistant Fire Marshal #702

Marcus has worked for the Houston Fire Department for 34 years. He has 26 years of experience working in the Life Safety Bureau with 18 of those as a Senior Inspector. Marcus holds several state certifications including Master Certified Firefighter, Master Certified Inspector, Basic Fire Investigator, and Plans Examiner 1. He has an associate degree in Fire Technology from Houston Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Education from Sam Houston State University, and an Executive Master's degree in Public Administration from Texas Southern University. Marcus Joined the University of Houston as a Deputy Fire Marshal in 2021. 

John Garcia – Assistant Fire Marshal-Sugarland/Katy

John started his career with the Houston Fire Department in 1981 at the age of 20. After serving 40 years in the department, he served in several divisions, including Operations, EMS, Fire Prevention, Fire Training Academy, Public Education, Internal Affairs, and Special Operations. In 1991, John received his first promotion as an engineer, followed by Fire Inspector, Captain, Senior Inspector, and Chief Inspector. John has 28 years of experience serving in the Life Safety Bureau, with ten years as Chief Inspector.
John holds several state certifications, including Master Certified Firefighter, Master Fire Inspector, and Fire Instructor I and II. He has an associate’s degree in Fire Technology from Houston Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management from the University of Houston Downtown, and an Executive Master’s degree in Public Administration from Texas Southern University. John joined the University of Houston as Deputy Fire Marshal in 2023.

Stuart Sherman – Assistant Fire Marshal -Victoria Campus

Stuart started his firefighting career with the Midland, Texas Fire Department in 1986. There his assignments included; Firefighter/Paramedic, Fire Inspector, Arson Investigator, Fire Instructor, and he carried the rank of Captain. Stuart carried his training to the Victoria Fire Dept., where he carried the rank of Fire Marshal. After his retirement from Victoria, he joined the Texas Commission in Fire Protection as a compliance officer and then moved into the oilfield as a safety officer. Stuart began his tenure at the University of Houston-Victoria in 2016 as the Assistant Fire Marshal and Emergency Manager. Stuart holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in management. Stuart graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and holds state certifications of Firefighter, Fire Investigator, Arson Investigator, Fire Inspector, Instructor, and Peace Officer.

Philip Rey – Deputy Fire Marshal #711

Philip has been in Fire and Emergency services since 2008, where he started as a Volunteer Firefighter, worked for an Ambulance service as an Advanced EMT, and was an Emergency Dispatcher in New Mexico. He began his career as a Firefighter with Doña Ana County Fire Rescue in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 2016, where he worked for the last seven years. Philip held the positions of a Firefighter, Hazardous Materials Technician, and Driver Operator. Then was promoted to Captain-Fire Prevention Specialist, where he worked as an Inspector, Fire Investigator, and Plans Examiner. Philip holds certifications through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection as a Basic Structural Firefighter, Basic Fire Inspector, Basic Fire Investigator, and Plans Examiner. He is working on attaining his Bachelor's in Fire Administration – Fire Investigation. He joined the University of Houston Fire Marshals Office in 2023.

Antwyne Johnson – Deputy Fire Marshal #712

Antwyne's fire service began with the Houston Fire Department in 1994. He promoted to the rank of Engineer and also served as a community liaison with the department. Antwyne came to the University of Houston after 27 years of fire service and two years of emergency management with the Texas Division of Emergency Management county liaison officer-Waller County.

Antwyne holds several state certifications, including master firefighter, fire officer II, fire instructor II, Incident command, driver/operator, and emergency medical technician.

He is a proud graduate of Alvin Community College with an associate's in process technology, a bachelor's in political science from Texas Southern University and a graduate Certificate in Advanced International Affairs from the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.

Ernest Johnson – Deputy Fire Marshal #714

Ernest has been in the fire service and public safety for over 37 years, joining the Houston Fire Department in 1983. Ernest moved through the ranks from firefighter to Fire Inspector before coming to the University of Houston and serving as a Deputy Fire Marshal. During his time with the Houston Fire Department, he served in various roles including a firefighter, engineer operator, paramedic, paramedic preceptor, paramedic skills instructor, and fire inspector. While working for the Houston Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office, Ernest was on the Special Operations Inspections Team and was responsible for pyrotechnic, conventions, and special events. He has also worked closely with the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Special Events to help ensure public safety for events such as Freedom Over Texas and the Super Bowl. He holds several state certifications including Structural Firefighter, Fire Inspector, Paramedic (EMT-P), Pyrotechnic Operator, Flame Effects Operator, and Special Effects Operator.

David Harrison – Fire Safety Technician #721

David has proudly served as a Fire Service Technician for the University of Houston Since July 2022. His journey in the fire service industry started in his hometown of Utica, New York, as a Service Technician for ABC Fire Extinguisher Co. LLC, and continued in Fort Lauderdale, Florida employed for Broward Fire Equipment, where he was responsible for performing annual fire and safety equipment inspections and general maintenance of fire suppression and safety equipment. His proficiencies include high and low-pressure compressed gas cylinder pressure testing, installation and service of fire suppression systems & equipment, and repair of compressed gas valves. He attained certification for Hydrostatic Testing of high- and low-pressure compressed gas vessels, tanks, and hoses, from Hydro-Test Products, Inc. of Stow, Massachusetts. David graduated from Builders Academy of Houston, Texas, in 2020, earning two diplomas - for Real Estate Inspection and Residential Construction Professional Builder.

Sara Walker – Fire Safety Technician #722

Sara is new to the Fire and Life Safety Department at the University of Houston. She graduated in 2021 from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, where she contributed to Tuberculosis research. Previously, Sara held positions conducting inspections for kitchen and biochemical laboratory equipment. Currently, she is the Fire and Life Safety Technician, inspecting and maintaining campus-wide AEDs and fire doors.

Christina Martinez – Health Inspector #731

A native Houstonian, Christina began working for the University of Houston in 2011 as a student worker for the UH Police Department. After receiving her BS in Mathematical Biology, Christina continued working for the UH Police Department before moving to the UH Fire Marshal’s Office in 2015 as a Food Safety Specialist. As a Food Safety Specialist, Christina ensures all dining locations on campus are compliant with the Texas Food Establishment Rules. She also oversees the temporary food dealer’s permits, which include bake sales and student-run events. In addition, Christina has volunteered for the campus events Cougar First Impressions and March of Dimes.

Latoya Mathis – Health Inspector #732

Latoya is a Food Safety Specialist with the UH Fire and Life Safety Department. She is a native of Waelder, Texas, where she spent several years in the food industry as a Dietary Account Manager and a Cafeteria Manager. Latoya received her Bachelor’s in Dietetics and Human Food Nutrition at Prairie View A&M University. Latoya is a certified food manager.

Teshawna McKnight – Health Inspector #733

Teshawna McKnight is a Prairie View A&M University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a community focus. Mrs. McKnight has over seven years of experience in community, environmental and a four-year background as a consumer health inspector specializing in food, nuisance, and pools for Galveston County Health District. In addition, she is a member of health organizations Texas Environmental Health Association and the National Environmental Health Association. Teshawna is also certified in First Aid CPR & AED, a Food Manager, and trained in Emergency & Risk Management, to name a few. She is presently working on obtaining her Registered Sanitarian, and her mission is to promote, ensure, implement, and create health and safety of consumers, emphasizing the importance of overall health and educating others on how they can create a healthier lifestyle.