It was a morning of grand celebration for an accomplished group of APCO members who were recognized during the Distinguished Achievers Breakfast.

APCO International Executive Director Derek Poarch opened the breakfast events, sponsored by TeleCommunication Systems, by telling the packed audience that excellence should be rewarded.

“This morning, we’ll honor some of the many achievements of our members and partners.” Poarch said. “APCO International is public safety communications’ premiere professional association, and we believe strongly in recognizing excellence.”

The following APCO members were in attendance and were recognized Tuesday morning:

CALEA CERTIFICATIONS (Commission for Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies)

• Agency: Alameda County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Service Dispatch, CA
• Agency: Anderson County Unified Communication Center, SC
• Agency: Cape Coral, FL
• Agency: Charleston County Consolidated 9-1-1 Center, SC
• Agency: Chattahoochee River 9-1-1 Authority, GA
• Agency: Chesterfield Emergency Communications, VA
• Agency: Drexel University, PA
• Agency: Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Communications Center, VA
• Agency: Lincoln Emergency Communications Center, NE
• Agency: Metro Nashville Emergency Communications Center, TN
• Agency: Parker Police Department, CO
• Agency: Plano Public Safety Communications, TX
• Agency: Virginia Beach Emergency Communications, VA

NCMEC COMPLIANCE

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, NCMEC, has created a Partnership Program to inspire and promote the adoption of best practices. Compliance shows that a 9-1-1 center has demonstrated a commitment to protecting children by incorporating these best practices into its policies and training.

These departments have achieved compliance and had representatives in attendance who were recognized:

• Obion County Emergency Communications District E-911
• Tillamook County Emergency Communications District
• Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response
• Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center
• Cumberland County Regional Communications Center
• UCONN Police Department — Communications
• Floyd County E-911
• Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency
• Muhlenberg County 911
• Richard Department of Emergency Communications
• Newport News Police Communications

RPL GRADUATES

In 2007, the APCO Institute launched the Leadership Certificate Program to create leaders who can guide and develop this industry. Tuesday morning the latest graduates in attendance who have the Registered Public-Safety Leader designation were recognized:

• Lysa Baker
• Jeanette L. Beall
• Scott Best
• Jamie Bradley
• Dorothy Cave
• Thomas Ciampi
• Sharon Clever
• Gina L. Cortez
• Joseph E. DeMars
• Greg DeWolf
• Jody L. Englert
• Arleen Fernandez
• Jamie Fleisner
• Merrell Harbin
• Sheri D. Hokamp
• Josh Howerton
• Teresa Hudson
• Jo-ell Kite
• Mary S. Kozak
• Heidi Krout
• Shanna Marrazzo
• Christopher R. Martin
• Timothy F. Martindale
• Anthony P. Newell
• Corinne Swiatek
• Ella Vinson
• Charles M. Vitale
• Tracy J. Werner
• Tracy Williams

CORPORATE RECOGNITION

Several corporate sponsors were recognized during the breakfast ceremony.

“APCO International is privileged to work closely with some of the best and brightest companies serving this industry,” Poarch said. “The hardware and technology they develop helps telecommunicators do their jobs, and through our feedback, we help these companies understand the changing needs of public safety communications.”

Platinum Corporate Partner Awards: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Motorola, AT&T Public Safety Solutions and Harris Corporation.

Bronze Corporate Partners: Avtec, NICE Systems, Inc., Northrop Grumman, SiriusXM, T-Mobile, and Televate.

Silver Corporate Partners: Intrado, New World Systems, OnStar, and Verizon.

Gold Corporate Partners: Airbus DS and TCS.