About John M. Collins
John M. Collins is an executive coach, leadership facilitator, and author. He specializes in helping people, teams, and organizations having a mission of high public consequence.
As the Executive Director of the Forensic Science Center for Occupational Integrity, John has spent most of his career as a tireless advocate for leadership, professionalism, and healthy organizational cultures in forensic science. He started Critical Victories, his private practice, in 2013 after retiring his award-winning, 20-year career in forensic science, having served as the director of forensic science for the state of Michigan and authoring two pioneering textbooks on forensic science leadership and public policy. As a facilitator, John’s range of experience is unmatched, having facilitated corporate strategic planning sessions, as well as highly sensitive domestic and international meetings on behalf of the United States Government. John’s career highlights include his part in the forensic investigation of the Atlanta serial bombings, which included the bombing of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta (for which he received a commendation from the Department of the Treasury), as well as his 2013 participation in a historic meeting with Attorney General Eric Holder and other experts to discuss solutions to gun crime following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. In his practice, John utilizes a unique method that combines principles of executive coaching and leadership education with forensic analytical methods that quickly and accurately identify opportunities for his clients to improve their professional effectiveness. John has a master’s degree in Organizational Management and is formally certified as a senior HR professional by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In 2012, John was trained as a professional coach by the College of Executive Coaching. Laboratory Experience Director of Forensic Science | State of Michigan 2010 - 2012 Crime Laboratory Director | DuPage County, Illinois 2000 - 2010 Forensic Scientist | DuPage County, Illinois 1998 - 2000 Forensic Scientist | BATF Laboratory | Atlanta, GA 1996 - 1998 Forensic Scientist | Georgia Bureau of Investigation 1993 - 1996 |