Scott G. Erickson is the CEO and founder of Second Line Strategies. He brings extensive senior leadership experience from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he helped shape national security, public safety, and stakeholder engagement strategies at the highest levels of government.

As the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Partnership and Engagement at DHS, Scott led the Department’s efforts to strengthen relationships with state and local officials, law enforcement leaders, and the private sector nationwide. In this role, he oversaw public-private partnership initiatives, intergovernmental outreach, and external stakeholder strategy at a time of evolving homeland security threats and operational complexity.

Prior to that, as Deputy Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Scott played a central role in shaping Department-wide strategy and advising senior leadership during periods of national crisis. He worked closely with cabinet officials, senior White House personnel, and national security stakeholders on high-impact initiatives—including the Department’s response to nationwide civil unrest in 2020—helping to coordinate federal engagement and operational posture across multiple components.

Earlier in his career, Scott spent nearly two decades as a uniformed police officer in California, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges faced by law enforcement and the importance of ground-level perspective in policymaking.

Scott founded Second Line Strategies to continue his mission of public service—this time as a strategic advisor to companies operating at the intersection of government, security, and innovation. He now works with clients in the homeland security, public safety, and emerging technology sectors to build credibility with government stakeholders, align with policy priorities, and drive results in Washington.