APCO International is pleased to announce that the following individuals have earned the Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) designation following completion of the culminating course, a two-week capstone seminar at APCO headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. A graduation luncheon was held January 17 at The Shores Resort in Daytona Beach.

During the event class president Anessa Westmoreland spoke about the personal and professional bonds that were created during the program.

“The moments shared in class and outside of class,” she said, “have created friendships and connections that will last throughout our careers.”

Program graduates are:

Meghan Architect – APCO International, Alexandria, VA
Douglas M. Bentley – Dekalb County Police/Public Safety, Tucker, GA
Julie L. Buck – Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management, Goldendale, WA
Michelle Clark – Alachua County Fire Rescue, Gainesville, FL
Christopher Freeman – Barren-Metcalfe Emergency Communication Center, Glasgow, KY
Doreen Geary – APCO International, Daytona Beach, FL
Patricia Giannini Henry – APCO International, Daytona Beach, FL
Jeremy Hill – Amarillo Emergency Communications Center, Amarillo, TX
Jay English – APCO International, Daytona Beach, FL
Christopher Lienhardt – Regional Emergency Dispatch Center, Northbrook, IL
Stephen Mawdsley – Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications, Portland, OR
Stephanie Noel – Hopkinsville-Christian County Emergency Communications Center, Hopkinsville, KY
Christina Ortiz – Orange County Public Schools Police, Orlando, FL
Jennifer Reese – Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency, Beaverton, OR
Marietta Robinson – Alexandria Department of Emergency Communications, Alexandria, VA
Lynn R. Smith – Habersham County E-911, Mount Airy, GA
Mark Swiderski – Lake County Emergency Communications, Crown Point, IN
Lora H. Ueland – Valley Communications Center, Kent, WA
Steve Usher – Glynn Brunswick 911, Brunswick, GA
Nicole Webster – Metro Transit Police, Washington, DC
Anessa Westmoreland – Georgia Public Safety Training Center, Forsyth, GA
Lisa Williams – APCO International, Alexandria, VA

The CPE Program is the only executive leadership program focused specifically on the public safety communications industry. It consists of two 12-week online courses in addition to the nine-day capstone seminar.

During the CPE program participants explore the differences between managing and leading; learn how to initiate and manage organizational change; participate in intensive study and self-exploration to identify their own unique leadership style; use case studies from esteemed colleges and universities to challenge their leadership skills; and develop a network of like-minded public safety executives all committed to leading the public safety communications industry forward. Instructors include master’s and doctoral level professionals in the field of organizational development and leadership.

A new CPE session started in January 2019 and applications are being accepted for one beginning in July 2019. Applicants do not need to be members of APCO International. However, APCO members can apply for a scholarship to cover some of the costs, including travel for the capstone course.

CPE applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements: possess an associate’s degree or higher; be a graduate of APCO’s Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL) Program; or have a high-school diploma and a minimum of 10 years’ experience in public safety communications at the supervisor, manager or director level.
For more information, visit apcointl.org/cpe or contact CPE Program Coordinator Dr. Timothy Scanlon at (386) 944-2486.

APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole.