The bright yellow shirts worn by our security team not only stand out for our students, faculty, and staff should they need assistance, they also reflect the caring, can-do attitude of these professionals.
The full-time team includes Security Manager Ericka Ojaniit and Security Officers Lamont Clayton, Rodney Hasan, Ernie Ostrove, Jose Rivera, and Jerry Silcox, along with part-time security Charles Gunter, Keith Longmire, Willie Williams, and Bill Womack. Ericka is supported by David Robinson, Director of Risk Management and Security.
Should you ever have questions or concerns about student safety, seek out one of our security officers or call 704-943-4630. Consider adding this Country Day security number to your contacts.
“Always be aware of your surroundings and trust your parental instincts,” says Officer Ojaniit. “If you see something, say something. Be informed and aware.”
The Security Team also has a few reminders for parents during drop-off and pick-up—a time of day that requires your full attention given the volume of cars and pedestrians moving about campus.
- Keep your children buckled up until they reach the drop-off spot.
- Put your cell phone away in the school parking lot so you can be fully aware of your surroundings.
- Monitor your speed at all times on school grounds.
- As you pull away from the drop-off line, be sure to watch for and give right away to people in the crosswalk.
And Remember: When visiting campus during the school day, please make sure to check in at the Levine reception desk or a divisional office to get your visitor’s badge. This is an important measure to ensure the safety and security of our community.
Working together, our Security Team, parents, faculty, and staff can give our children a safe environment to learn and grow.
Meet the Team
Did you know that our Security Team has more than 125 years of combined law enforcement and military experience?
Ericka Ojaniit recently retired from CMPD after a 30-year career in law enforcement and rank as a Lieutenant. Her early years were spent on patrol in Charlotte before being promoted into leadership roles. Her last assignment was overseeing all School Resource Officers for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Prior to her law enforcement career, she served in the Army National Guard as an 88M truck driver and then officer for a construction engineer unit. Ericka is married and has two adult sons, and a dog named Peanut. In her free time, she loves to travel, thrift shop, and go for long walks, especially on the Florida Gulf Coast beaches. She shares, “I’ve been given this wonderful opportunity after retiring to work at Country Day, and it’s been such a rewarding experience to be around such hard-working and kind students, staff, and teachers.”
Rodney Hasan was born and raised in Rochester, New York, where his love for sports shaped his character and earned him a football scholarship to Delaware State University. After college, he discovered his calling in the security field while working in Atlanta, and later built his career in Charlotte. For 17 years, Rodney served as a Security Lead with CMS, allowing him to balance his role in safety with coaching football, basketball, and track to mentor young people. He also gained supervisory experience with Allied Security at SouthPark Mall, leading a team of officers in a fast-paced environment. Rodney is married to an educator and is a proud father and grandfather, who enjoys traveling, watching sports, and spending time with family. He says, “My journey—from student-athlete to security professional and coach—has been guided by the values of integrity, hard work, and service, and I remain committed to protecting and uplifting the communities I serve.” Rodney lives by the motto: 1% better every day!!!
Jose Rivera was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New Jersey, where he grew up playing baseball as a catcher. He proudly served in the U.S. Army for four years and recently retired from CMPD after 23 years. Jose is the proud father of six, with his youngest just starting kindergarten this year! In his free time, he enjoys hunting, going to the beach, spending time with my family, and cheering on his favorite sports teams. He says, “I’m excited to be part of the Charlotte Country Day community and look forward to serving and protecting the entire Buccaneers family.” Jose lives by the motto: Faith, family, and service above all.
Jerry Silcox began working at Country Day in February, just days after retiring from CMPD, where he spent the last seven years of his career as an SRO (School Resource Officer). A military veteran, he served 10 years in the U.S. Army. Jerry says, “I am very passionate about my job and responsibilities. My family is the most important part of my life, and I take seriously my responsibility of protecting the students, staff, and faculty at Country Day.” He is married with two school-age children, and his favorite thing to do when he is not spending time with family is to ride his motorcycle with friends. Jerry lives by the motto: Run with what truly matters in your life every day.
Lamont Clayton, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, where he spent over 15 years working in corporate America. He and his wife relocated to Charlotte in 2020. “Coming from a big city has taught me to be humbler and patient,” he says. “I urge people to follow and respect whatever safety protocols are in place and learn more about the reason and purpose of safety.” Lamont’s favorite thing to do outside of work is spending time with his children and family cooking out at home and vacationing.
Charles Gunter is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, who earned a Bachelor’s degree from Gardner Webb University in criminal justice. His career includes time served as a deputy sheriff with Catawba County and Mecklenburg County, and 28 years with CMPD. Charles is a chaplain with the Billy Graham Ministeries, where he works as a security officer, along with his shifts at Country Day. He has been married for 36 years and has two grown daughters and one grandson.
Keith Longmire enjoys working on a team with like-minded goals. He helps to build community at Country Day by maintaining a positive attitude and creating an open rapport with others.
Ernie Ostrove
Willie Williams
Bill Womack