Madison Reporter

John "Flan" Flannery serves as the Director of Public Safety and Risk Management at Madison College, demonstrating a dedication to the safety and welfare of the community. In his spare time, Flannery enjoys pizza and visiting his ancestral home in Ireland.

Flannery, who acquired the nickname "Flan" from classmates during his childhood, has a diverse background in law enforcement. His varied roles have included positions such as a police chief in a small village and overseeing emergency and logistical planning at Wisconsin State Park. Flannery reflected on his journey, stating, "I was a police officer and started teaching at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. I then became the Associate Dean of Public Safety and head of the Police Academy. I started at Madison College in January 2019."

He expressed his satisfaction working at Madison College, particularly due to its open enrollment policy, which aligns with his desire to change lives through education. "Anyone can enroll to get an education to improve their circumstances, and the fact that each of us plays a part in that is just incredible," he explained.

Flannery has contributed to shifting the public safety culture at the college from one focused on enforcement to one that supports students. "When I first came here, the public safety culture was focused on enforcement, which siloed us from the rest of the college. I started a Public Safety Advisory Committee comprised of employees and students," he said. This committee evolved into a student-only body, aimed at giving students a voice in shaping public safety initiatives.

He fondly recalled a notable event, President Biden's visit on April 8, 2024, which required flexibility and coordination. Flannery commended the staff's efforts, noting the Secret Service's praise as "one of the better agencies they have worked with."

When asked about his strengths, Flannery credited his approachability and empathy, traits he attributes to his mother, Catherine Flannery, an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement. "Also, growing up with 13 siblings, I learned to negotiate and work with different personalities," he added.

Flannery stays connected to his Irish roots by visiting the Flannery homestead in County Mayo, Ireland, annually with his family. "We visit neighbors and get together for a ceilidh when we go there," he shared, though he admitted, "Unfortunately, I can’t sing."

Flannery is one of the profiles featured in "Profiles from the Pack," a series highlighting Madison College's employees, students, and alumni.