Michael Drawhorn

Michael’s passion for providing public safety and security was shaped during his early years.  The son of a Chicago Police Officer and a Registered Nurse, he learned first-hand what it means to be a servant to the community.  At 21, he joined the Illinois State Police as a road Trooper, patrolling the west side of Chicago.  To this day, he still calls it his “best job ever,” often saying “I would have paid the ISP to let me do it.”

At the ISP, Michael earned several promotions in rank, and held command positions.  Specialized assignments during his career included homicide investigations (CSI), director of ISP Recruiting, and Chief of Staff to the Director of the Illinois State Police.  Concurrently, Michael earned his MBA (MM) – with Distinction – from the Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management, majoring in Corporate Strategy and Finance.

After the ISP, Michael applied his skills in the corporate world as a Partner at a premier Global HR Consulting firm.  Here, Michael specialized in leadership and executive talent management, talent assessment, and organization development.  His primary role was to help companies align their leadership accountabilities, skills, and performance to corporate strategy.  He led global teams to advise complex decisions of some of the world’s largest companies. He also lived nearly a decade in Asia, as the leader of his firm’s Southeast Asia HR Consulting operation.

Michael's passion for public safety and security lured him back. He became President of COPS and FIRE Personnel Testing Service in 2024.  His police experience, combined with this business sense and deep talent management background are a perfect fit for the mission and vision of the company. Michael’s core commitment is to ensure COPS and FIRE is a diligent servant to the communities who entrust us to help them fulfill their talent objectives.