Panelists

With more than three decades working in mission-critical industries, Darrin Reilly brings a wide range of technology expertise to his current role at Mission Critical Partners.

Session: A Message from our CEO

Jeff Carney is the Executive Director of the Hamilton County 911 Emergency Communications District in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A Chattanooga native and 35+ year veteran of Emergency Communications he holds a number of certifications to include Emergency Number Professional (ENP) and Communications Unit Leader (COML). He also holds a number of Fire Service certifications and is a licensed Advanced Emergency Medical Technician in Tennessee.

Jeff currently serves as President of the Tennessee Emergency Number Association (TENA), Chair of the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board’s Operations Advisory Committee, Deputy State Coordinator for the Tennessee Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT), and the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board’s Policy Advisory Committee.

Session: Innovating 911 Digital Alarm Response with the ASAP Service

Bio to come

Session: Innovating 911 Digital Alarm Response with the ASAP Service

Kirk Arthur is the leader of the Worldwide Government Solutions team with responsibility over experts who serve our global civilian government markets. Kirk’s team focuses on Government Operations & Infrastructure, Public Finance, Public Health & Social Services, and Public Safety & Justice. In this role, Kirk is responsible for all aspects of the business, including the development and adoption of Microsoft technology solutions by government agencies that enable positive and productive outcomes of program and mission requirements.

He is passionate about technology and how it can help governments deliver the right level of service and care to the people and communities they serve.

Prior to coming to Microsoft, he was a Supervisory Special Agent for the U.S. Secret Service managing the San Francisco Electronic Crimes Task Force and Asset Forfeiture Squads. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing global investigations involving network intrusions, data breaches, theft of intellectual property, and other digital and financial threats against the United States’ critical infrastructure.

He was also responsible for conducting community outreach initiatives on behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, of which the U.S. Secret Service reports under, to the private and public sector communities regarding current and emerging cyber security threats and responses to these threats. Kirk’s career with the U.S. Secret Service spanned over 15 years where he held positions as a criminal investigator in the field, within headquarters, and on the Presidential Protective Division during the Bush and Obama Administrations.

All told, Kirk has over 18 years of experience as a federal and municipal law enforcement official in the United States.

Session: Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the Possibilities, Dispelling the Myths

David Williams is a key member of Microsoft’s worldwide government team, focusing on Public Safety and Justice, where he is passionate about leveraging technology to support those protecting citizens globally. He collaborates closely with partners, field teams, and customers to develop solutions that meet mission requirements.

Before joining Microsoft, David spent 10 years in various roles at technology companies specializing in intelligence, investigations, and data analytics, consulting on solutions for defense, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies worldwide. He also retired as a Major from the United States Army after 24 years of service as an enlisted soldier, noncommissioned officer, and commissioned officer in the Infantry, Signal, and Civil Affairs branches.

Session: Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the Possibilities, Dispelling the Myths

Ani Dave is the Founder and Group CEO of Tech Unicorn, CX Unicorn, and Unicorn Digital Courtroom, overseeing global operations across three continents. Tech Unicorn specializes in delivering innovative tech solutions for the Public Sector, Judiciary, Healthcare, Insurance, and Banking industries, leveraging partnerships with Microsoft and utilizing OpenAI and Azure Cloud to address real business challenges.

CX Unicorn focuses on creating future-proof brand and digital user experience strategies through AI, Data Science, and high-tech animation, all aimed at driving ROI and business growth. Unicorn Digital Courtroom revolutionizes courtroom operations with advanced technology, AI, and machine learning, enhancing efficiency and access to justice. Ani leads a dynamic, global team with a culture of continuous learning, inclusivity, and empowerment, reflecting her commitment to education, innovation, and her family's academic legacy.

Session: Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the Possibilities, Dispelling the Myths

Aparicio Clifton is the Network Operations Manager and Help Desk Manager at CORCOR in Raleigh, North Carolina, with over 11 years of experience leading teams in network and systems operations, customer service improvements, and process development. He manages a team of analysts, oversees infrastructure call centers, and directs cloud-based administration and software testing.

Prior to CORCOR, Aparicio served as a Senior IT Manager and Senior IT User Analyst at Duke University, where he supported the university’s Office of Information Technology and provided high-level technical support for the law school community. He has also worked as a Product Support Specialist at McKesson Health IT, bringing extensive expertise in IT operations, customer service, and process improvements to his roles.

Session: Cybersecurity Trends: What’s Next and How to Prepare for It

Bob Cozzie is the Director of the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) in Portland, Oregon. He began his career as a 9-1-1 call taker for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1995 and has since held roles such as Trainer, Lead Worker, Assistant Supervisor, Training Coordinator, and Public Information Officer.

Bob earned his Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Colorado Christian University and relocated to the Portland area in 2003, where he served as the Training Manager for BOEC and later as the Director of Clackamas County 911 before returning to BOEC in 2018 to assume the director role. He is actively involved in several committees impacting the 9-1-1 industry and public safety, including the State Interoperability Executive Council, the Oregon Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, and the Portland Dispatch Center Consortium.

Bob also serves on the board of Responder Life, a non-profit organization supporting public safety-first responders. With a military background in the United States Air Force, both Active Duty and Reservist, Bob and his wife, Cathy, have four grown children and enjoy spending time with their nine grandchildren.

Session: 911 and 988 Integration: Why It Is Essential and How to Achieve It

David Sankey, a graduate in Criminal Justice, dedicated 27 years to the Nebraska State Patrol, culminating in his role as Superintendent of Law Enforcement and Public Safety upon his retirement in 2014. In 2016, he became the Director of the State 911 Department at the Nebraska Public Service Commission, where he leads a team committed to supporting Nebraska’s Emergency Communication Centers (ECCs) and the telecommunications industry in delivering Next Generation 911 services.

Sankey is actively involved in the industry, serving on the Board of Directors for the National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA) and is a member of both the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO).

Session: 911 and 988 Integration: Why It Is Essential and How to Achieve It

Maria Jacques is the Director of the Emergency Services Communication Bureau, a statutorily authorized agency of the State of Maine responsible for implementing and maintaining the statewide 911 system. In this role, Jacques provides leadership and vision in articulating and implementing the agency’s mission to preserve and enhance public safety in Maine through reliable and widespread access to 911 services. In 2014, her team successfully implemented the first statewide Next Generation 911 system aligned with the NENA i3 standard.

Other programs supported by the Bureau include statewide Emergency Medical Dispatch protocols, statewide Emergency Fire Dispatch protocols, and the integration of Crisis Response into 9-1-1. Jacques is the Vice President of the NG911 Interoperability Commission, a past president of the National Association of State 911 Administrators, and a past president of the NENA Institute Board.

Session: 911 and 988 Integration: Why It Is Essential and How to Achieve It

Doug Gartner assists strategic technology partners and public sector agencies with their technical application architectures. He has designed and developed many large-scale systems and applications leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS). Doug has over 15 years of software engineering experience with primary expertise in distributed systems and data engineering.

Session: How Amazon Connect is Changing Emergency Response

John Persano III joined AWS in October 2020 as the 9-1-1 and emergency communications sub-vertical lead, focusing on innovation within the 9-1-1 community and fostering collaboration between emergency communications personnel and technology companies. Prior to AWS, he was a Public Safety Engineer for SAIC under the Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program, where he designed, led, and evaluated public safety exercise and training events throughout the United States, and assisted the responder community with requirements development, technology identification, and adoption.

John also has extensive experience providing consulting services in emergency management, intelligence, and operational design to public safety agencies, the Intelligence Community, the Department of Energy, and Hyatt Hotel Corporation. Formally trained as a Naval Aviator and intelligence officer, John served 30 years on active duty in the Marine Corps Reserves as a helicopter pilot, civil military integration officer, intelligence officer, liaison officer, and civil affairs coordinator.

Session: How Amazon Connect is Changing Emergency Response

Chief Charles L. Werner (Ret.) has served 50 years in public safety. Charles served 37 years with the Charlottesville VA Fire Dept., serving the last 10 years as fire chief. Charles has served in numerous leadership roles at the local, state, national and international level. He presently serves as Founder/Director, DRONERESPONDERS.

DRONERESPONDERS has become the largest and leading nonprofit program to advance public safety UAS with over 9800, members with participation from 89 countries focused on drones for good, countering UAS, UTM and AAM. Charles serves as a public safety representative on the Virginia Advanced Air Mobility Alliance. In 2023, Charles joined the Virginia Department of Aviation as aviation technology advisor to work in the public safety areas of UAS, CUAS and AAM.

Session: Disruptive Technologies: What They Are and How They’re Taking Emergency Response to New Levels

Christy Williams is the Director of 9-1-1 for the North Central Texas Emergency Communications District (NCT9-1-1), overseeing 911 operations in 14 counties around Dallas/Ft. Worth. With over 30 years in the industry, she served as President of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) from 2014-2016 and received the IWCE Critical Communications Leader of the Year Award in 2020.

In 2017, Christy co-initiated the annual Early Adopter Summit (EAS), bringing together innovators and public safety representatives to advance 9-1-1 technologies and strategies. Passionate about the industry and its professionals, she fervently advocates for leadership development and industry evolution.

Session: Disruptive Technologies: What They Are and How They’re Taking Emergency Response to New Levels

Bob Finney is the Director of Communications Technology at the Collier County Sheriff's Office in Naples, Florida, with over 23 years of experience in emergency communications and public safety technology. He leads the 9-1-1 and emergency communications initiatives, ensuring the effective operation of the county's communication systems.

Bob also serves as the co-chair of the Finance Committee for the NG9-1-1 Interoperability Task Force and is a Board Member of PPVAR, representing Emergency Communications Centers in the U.S. His background includes roles as Communications Director, Technical Communications Manager, and Communications Officer, along with experience as a Firefighter/EMT.

Bob holds a Bachelor of Science in Technical Project Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and has studied Network Engineering and Administration at Southwest Florida College.

Session: Disruptive Technologies: What They Are and How They’re Taking Emergency Response to New Levels

Meena is a Southern California native and seasoned Emergency Manager with eight years of dedicated service to the City of Beverly Hills - Meena Janmohamed has extensive leadership experience, particularly in orchestrating and strategizing disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Meena thrives on collaborating with staff at all levels across the organization while working together to foster a culture of teamwork and resilience.

As a seasoned leader, Meena has spearheaded numerous activations of the City's Emergency Operations Center, expertly coordinating responses to complex incidents including (but not limited to) the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous protests/demonstrations, large-scale special events, and various adverse weather events.

Session: Whats New in Outdoor Warning Systems

Tim Kane is an experienced Operations Manager with a distinguished career in public safety and emergency communications. He is known for driving technological advancements and process improvements, including pioneering remote dispatch, call-taking, and training solutions during the pandemic.

Tim has been instrumental in implementing an AI solution for processing non-emergency calls for service, making our center the fourth in the nation to do so. He is adept at leading teams, optimizing workflows, and enhancing overall operational effectiveness.

Session: Remote Operations: What This Means in Today’s Emergency-Response Environment and How to Leverage Them

With over 40 years of experience in public safety, including 911/311 operations, law enforcement, and intelligence sharing, Jeff Wobbleton is a highly experienced Operations Manager and Information Sharing Management professional. Currently serving as the Systems Manager at Arlington County 911, Jeff oversees technology integration and represents key stakeholders in national Next Generation 9-1-1 initiatives.

Jeff has a distinguished track record of leading critical projects, such as the remote 911 call-taking initiative during the COVID-19 crisis with the City of Alexandria, and has expertise in Next Generation 9-1-1 system design, fusion intelligence center management, and major event communication planning. Previously, Jeff was the Chief of Operations at the District of Columbia Office of Unified Communication, where he managed a team of over 300, and served as Assistant Director/CIO for the City of Alexandria 911/311, introducing innovative solutions like remote call-taking and new telephone systems.

He has also contributed as a Communications Consultant and Project Manager for Mission Critical Partners, served as the Statewide Interoperability Communication Coordinator at the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and retired as a Commander of Fusion Intelligence with the Maryland State Police.

Session: Remote Operations: What This Means in Today’s Emergency-Response Environment and How to Leverage Them

Jamie Donley brings 18 years of experience in the 911 profession, having served in various key roles including Telecommunicator, TAC, Training Coordinator, 911 Coordinator, and CAD Engineer. Currently, she is the Assistant Director of Operations. Each position has provided her with invaluable insights into the intricate workings of a 911 center and is grateful for the diverse expertise gained throughout her career.

Session: Remote Operations: What This Means in Today’s Emergency-Response Environment and How to Leverage Them

Brad Flanagan, ENP, RPL, MPA, is the Emergency Operations Manager at Pitkin County Emergency Communication Center in Aspen, Colorado, where he oversees 9-1-1 dispatch operations and leads a team of emergency telecommunications. With nearly 15 years of experience in public safety, Brad is known for his innovative approach to solving the technological and administrative challenges in the 9-1-1 industry.

He is passionate about enhancing the quality and efficiency of emergency services and is committed to equipping his team with the best tools and practices. Brad holds certifications as an Emergency Number Professional (ENP) and Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL) and earned a Master of Public Administration from Ashford University. He is dedicated to driving change in the 9-1-1 community, advocating for a forward-thinking approach to public safety.

Session: Remote Operations: What This Means in Today’s Emergency-Response Environment and How to Leverage Them

Since 2016, Brett Loeb has been the 9-1-1 Division Chief for Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center (PCREDC), where he has focused on advancing 9-1-1 technology, wellness, and culture to make dispatching more accessible and satisfying for dispatchers. Starting his 9-1-1 career at Grand Junction Regional Communication Center in 2007 after time in the ski industry and as a small business owner, Brett quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a Dispatch Supervisor in 2008 and Administrative Supervisor in 2015.

He earned the Grand Junction Police Department's Employee of the Year Award in 2015 and the Colorado APCO/NENA Supervisor of the Year Award in 2016. As Division Chief, Brett has achieved numerous firsts, including recognizing dispatchers as first responders and implementing Satellite Centers to improve housing and reduce commute times—both firsts in Colorado and nationwide. His efforts have led to significant achievements, such as a 60% wage increase for dispatchers, the introduction of 'Mindful Life' wellness training, and pioneering Satellite Device-to-911 and Video-to-911 in Colorado. Brett’s leadership has also resulted in PCREDC being named Colorado APCO/NENA 9-1-1 Communication Center of the Year in 2020 and achieving the highest use of the RapidSOS 9-1-1 system in the country.

Session: Remote Operations: What This Means in Today’s Emergency-Response Environment and How to Leverage Them

Kyra Pulliam is a seasoned professional with an extensive background in public safety communications and consulting. Kyra has experience in targeted stakeholder outreach, support and education via facilitated sessions and served as an operations supervisor in a busy 911 center in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. Her strengths include communications center operations and project management.

Session: Remote Operations: What This Means in Today’s Emergency-Response Environment and How to Leverage Them

Ashley Love, AIA, LEED AP BC+C, NCARB is a Principal with ADW Architects with which she has been with for 18 years. She is a Project Manager responsible for multiple Public Safety projects including 911 Communications, Emergency Operations Centers, Fire Stations, Police Stations, and EMS Stations and has been a part of over 30 such projects across the state of North Carolina.

Session: How to Design and Implement a Public-Safety-Grade Facility

Vicki Callicutt is the Emergency Communications Director for Union County, NC, with over 30 years of experience in public safety communications. She has led the Union County Communications Department since 2017 and previously served as Communications Director and Manager for the City of Concord, NC, for nearly 18 years.

Vicki began her career as a Communications Supervisor at the Pineville Police Department and has been an instructor at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College since 2000. An ENP-certified professional, Vicki is a respected leader in emergency communications with a strong network in the field.

Session: How to Design and Implement a Public-Safety-Grade Facility

John Chiaramonte is president of MCP’s consulting division. His career that spans more than three decades began as a 911 telecommunicator and emergency responder. He has provided consulting services to numerous state and local government entities, including the National 911 Program, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Session: Innovating 911 Digital Alarm Response with the ASAP Service

Gary Pulford has extensive senior-level experience in sales, business development and marketing. His skills include leading sales team strategies to support state and local governments and guiding the team by removing roadblocks, leading initiatives and overseeing the entire sales cycle. He creates a vision and utilizes his skills of collaboration to achieve successful outcomes working with industry partners.

Session: Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the Possibilities, Dispelling the Myths

David Fritsche is a Program Manager in the Justice sector at Mission Critical Partners, where he applies his extensive expertise in technology and leadership to enhance public safety and justice initiatives. A seasoned tech leader and entrepreneur, David began his career at NASA, managing data systems for notable space missions like IRAS, Galileo, and Voyager. He went on to lead 80,000 software developers as a global authority in internet data and contributed to Microsoft's transition of SQL Server for internet use, co-authoring key data-related books. As the founder of five companies, including two social media networks with 4 million members each, David has consistently pushed industry boundaries. His proficiency in Big Data and cybersecurity has been sought by major organizations such as Microsoft, Intel, Boeing, and the US Military, managing trillions of records and engaging millions globally. David continues to leverage his skills to drive innovation and transformation in the justice and public safety sectors.

Session: Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the Possibilities, Dispelling the Myths

Jason Franks is a Cybersecurity Specialist at Mission Critical Partners with over 30 years of experience in the IT and cybersecurity industry, dedicated to ensuring that mission-critical agencies maintain secure environments. Throughout his career, he has provided comprehensive cybersecurity governance, risk, and compliance strategies for various government and public safety entities.

Jason specializes in developing and implementing robust security strategies, conducting thorough risk assessments, and managing risk remediation processes, with a strong expertise in CJIS compliance to protect sensitive data and uphold public trust. He holds multiple cybersecurity certifications and is an active member of the IJIS Cybersecurity Working Group. Jason's dedication to cybersecurity excellence and his proactive approach have established him as a trusted advisor in the field.

Session: Cybersecurity Trends: What’s Next and How to Prepare for It

Sherri Griffith Powell brings years of experience in the public safety industry as a consultant, director and manager. As a senior communications consultant, she specializes in NG911 planning, funding and text-to-911. Sherri has presented text-to-911, as well as other industry topics at the national, state and local levels and is recognized as an industry subject matter expert on the interim short message service (SMS) text-to-911 solution. Sherri chairs the NENA NG9-1-1 Education and Training working group.

Session: Change Management: Why Every Public-Safety Agency Should be Embracing It

Bonnie Maney is MCP’s manager of 911 operations. She has extensive experience in 911 center operations, emergency management, and training for federal, state, and local public-safety agencies. Specific areas of expertise include workforce optimization, alternative response, strategic planning, standards and best practices, continuity of operations (COOP) planning, and 911 center consolidation.

Sessions: Change Management: Why Every Public-Safety Agency Should be Embracing It; 911 and 988 Integration: Why It Is Essential and How to Achieve It; Disruptive Technologies: What They Are and How They’re Taking Emergency Response to New Levels; Remote Operations: What This Means in Today’s Emergency-Response Environment and How to Leverage Them

Lindy Dages is the Manager of Organizational Change Management at Mission Critical Partners, where she leverages over a decade of experience in enterprise change and transformation projects. A Prosci-Certified Change Management Practitioner, Lindy specializes in change impact analysis, internal communications, organizational design, regulatory compliance, and program planning. She has successfully led projects such as the M365 customized Teams and SharePoint enterprise content management tool for 5,000 employees and an Employee Role Management Program with 130 roles.

Lindy is passionate about improving business processes and making work easier for end users, believing that effective change management is key to successful, high-growth organizations. Her experience spans roles at Sierra Nevada Corporation, where she drove operational excellence as Process Excellence Manager, and various positions that underscored her commitment to enhancing organizational effectiveness and compliance.

Session: Change Management: Why Every Public-Safety Agency Should be Embracing It

Chris Kelly is an MCP senior vice president and member of the firm’s leadership team. He has 20 years of communications consulting experience. While helping to guide MCP’s current activities and future direction, he also manages project teams that support clients in the following areas: AI strategy, public safety applications (e.g., computer-aided dispatch, records management systems, and geographic information systems), operations, 911 services and the hardened facilities.

Chris’s subject-matter expertise covers a project’s entire range, from overarching program and project management, conducting user needs assessments, to defining specifications and requirements, to executing all project tasks — including solution procurement and vendor management — to testing and accepting the proposed solution.

Session: How Amazon Connect is Changing Emergency Response

Brian Malinich is a certified professional engineer with more than 25 years of experience in wireless projects at the county, state, and federal levels. Brian played an integral role in the installation of new OWS systems for the cities of Beverly Hills and Malibu in California, Pueblo County in Colorado, Madison County and Estill County in Kentucky, and Pensacola Christian College in Florida. For many years, he supported the early-warning capabilities of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Readiness Preparedness Program (CSEPP), a joint initiative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army.

Session: Whats New in Outdoor Warning Systems

Corey Thomas is a Technology Specialist at Mission Critical Partners, Inc., with over 20 years of experience in electronic telecommunications and computer systems technology. Leveraging his extensive background in public safety and military communications, Corey excels in defining project specifications, establishing goals, and leading interdisciplinary teams to achieve project objectives.

Before joining Mission Critical Partners, Corey served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Radio Communications Chief, where he managed complex communication systems in various global locations. His military experience includes roles as a Communication Planning Specialist, Senior Advisor, and Communications Supervisor, where he planned and operated multi-channel radio, data, and switching networks.

Corey’s commitment to public safety is evident in his leadership and problem-solving skills, making him a valuable asset in addressing the complex challenges faced by public safety clients. He holds a certification in Project Management from Villanova University.

Session: Whats New in Outdoor Warning Systems

Lisa Shorter is passionate about 911 and emergency management (EM) and the men and women who work in the field. Being solution-focused, she utilizes her management expertise and skilled communication to finish on time and under budget. Having worked on various projects including multimillion-dollar projects, Lisa believes the most successful project leaders are those who are dedicated to more than just the finish line, but also to coordination, collaboration and mission-focused goals from the start. 

Session: How to Design and Implement a Public-Safety-Grade Facility

Frank Thomason is a Communications Consultant at Mission Critical Partners with extensive experience in 911 services, emergency management, and public safety. He has a strong background in project management, including 800 MHz trunked radio systems, facility construction, E911 systems, and multi-agency coordination at federal, state, and local levels. Frank has managed significant projects in multiple North Carolina counties, overseeing transitions to new CAD systems, the construction of 911 facilities, and the upgrade of radio systems. Previously, as Chief of Emergency Services, he led disaster preparedness, Homeland Security efforts, and managed multimillion-dollar grants.

Frank holds certifications as an Executive Emergency Manager, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, and Level I Firefighter, and is actively involved in APCO and NENA. His education includes County Government Administration from the University of North Carolina and Electrical/Electronic Engineering from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Session: How to Design and Implement a Public-Safety-Grade Facility