Heberto Villarreal serves as the Project Manager for Training, Learning, and Development at the Institute for Homeland Security (IHS) at Sam Houston State University. In this role, he supports the development and coordination of training programs designed to address critical infrastructure protection needs across the Transportation, Energy, Chemical, Healthcare, and Wastewater sectors. He also assists with professional development initiatives to ensure program objectives are met and aligned with practitioner needs.

Mr. Villarreal additionally serves as a community liaison for critical infrastructure stakeholders in the South Texas region. His professional interests include Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), with a focus on risk management, compliance, and workforce development. He is particularly interested in supporting CIP professionals as they navigate emerging security and resilience challenges.

Mr. Villarreal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Spanish from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi and a Master of Science in Security Studies with an emphasis on Critical Infrastructure from Sam Houston State University. He is currently pursuing a Master of Legal Studies in Risk Management and Compliance at Texas A&M University School of Law.