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

Dan Anderson is Senior Coordinator for Public Warning and Communications for Hennepin County Emergency Management where he oversees Hennepin County’s Public Warning program and ensures that the Hennepin County Emergency Operations Center maintains and operates primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency communications pathways. He implemented Hennepin County’s IPAWS program in 2015 and developed operational procedures and training in use by Sheriff’s Dispatch and Emergency Management staff. He is also overseeing the modernization of the county’s siren control system through a $7.4 million capital improvements project. 

Session: Critical Alerting: Is Your Agency Prepared for the Next Emergency Notification Wave?

D.C. Ernst, Program Administrator for the City of Phoenix Community Assistance Program (CAP), has served in this role since 2017, leading the City’s efforts to provide compassionate, community-based crisis response. She began her career with the program in 2006 as the Training Coordinator and has since held several key leadership positions, including CAP Supervisor and CAP Casework Service Coordinator. Ms. Ernst holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University and is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the State of Arizona. Her extensive experience in crisis response, program development, and team leadership has been instrumental in advancing alternative behavioral health response models within the 911 system, strengthening the City of Phoenix’s ability to connect residents with timely and effective support.

Session: New Models, Real Results: The Future of Alternative Response 

Brooke Pochee-Smith, is an experienced public health and systems change professional with over two decades of experience in healthcare, governmental policy and planning, community organizing and organizational leadership. Currently serving as the Project Director for Maine’s 988 & Crisis System Reform at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Ms. Pochee-Smith oversees statewide initiatives to enhance behavioral health crisis response systems (including implementing the statewide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), manage multi-sector collaborations, and ensure equitable access to mental health services in Maine.

Session: New Models, Real Results: The Future of Alternative Response

Jason Renaud has been a public health activist on behalf of people who have fallen through the safety net for over 30 years . He is administrator of the Alternative Mobile Services Association, the national trade association of mobile crisis programs and stakeholders. 

Session: Artificial Intelligence: New Models, Real Results: The Future of Alternative Response

David Schrader is responsible for the Pennsylvania Studio’s leadership, including design, management, and business development. For over three decades, his professional experience has been focused on the design of facilities of public interest. David has led design teams for all modes of projects including K-12 education, higher education, public safety/ law enforcement facilities, municipal and court facilities, 9-1-1/emergency operation centers and residential projects. His ability to create a vision with his clients has fostered significant success for all involved including the client, the design team, and the public-at-large. David believes that partnership in design is the key to creating a better designed environment for each client.

Session: Future-Ready Facilities: Building Resilient Spaces That Adapt to What’s Next

William Cornett holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. He has several industry certifications. Among those are the coveted PMP (Project Management Professional) and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional). He has been doing IT for over ten years, with the past five years focused on security. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, and he retired from the Ohio Air National Guard in 2021. He's a lifelong Ohio resident, married with three grown children, and loves dogs and motorcycles.

Session: GRC Unplugged: How Governance, Risk, and Compliance Are Driving Public Safety Forward

Professor Jaffe has been a member of the faculty at Atlanta's John Marshall Law School for nineteen years.  She attended Emory University for her undergraduate degree and Washington University in St. Louis for law school.  Prior to becoming a professor, she practiced business litigation and family law.  Her scholarly research focuses on social media, cyberbullying, Artificial Intelligence, algorithms, swatting, and web host liability.  She has published eleven scholarly articles on these topics and has been consulted for her expertise by CBS News, Fox News, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Today.com, USA Today, and other media outlets.

Session: Swatting 2.0: New Threats, New Tech, and What Every Agency Needs to Know

Senator Albers has long been an active member of his community. His affiliations include numerous boards of directors for business, civic and charitable organizations. He is a fourth-generation firefighter that served for over 30 years as a volunteer and his sons continue the family legacy as 5th generation first responders. John has been recognized over 25 times and named the Legislator of the year by numerous organizations.

Senator Albers is an organ donor and gave a kidney to his son in 2021. After the donation, Senator Albers passed the Giving the Gift of Life Act and became a national advocate for organ donation.

Professionally, John is a business owner and executive with nearly three decades of management and consulting experience. John holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville and completed post graduate programs at Harvard and the University of Georgia.

Session: Swatting 2.0: New Threats, New Tech, and What Every Agency Needs to Know

J. Thomas Manger served as the Chief of the United States Capitol Police from July 2021 to June 2025; the capstone of 46 years in the policing profession, including more than two decades as chief of police for two of the largest police agencies in the National Capital Region. He was chief of police in Montgomery County (MD) from 2004 to 2019 and in Fairfax County (VA) from 1998 to 2004.  He received numerous awards during his career, including the Silver Medal of Valor in 1993, the 2007 Law Enforcement Award from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the 2016 Gorowitz Institute Service Award from the Anti-Defamation League, the 2018 FBI National Executive Institute Associates Penrith Award, the 2019 Major Cities Chiefs Leadership Award, the 2022 William H. Webster Profiles in Leadership Award for Federal Law Enforcement, the 2025 National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2025 Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) Leadership Award. Chief Manger was also inducted into the Montgomery County Human Rights Hall of Fame in 2012.  He also serves as Chairman of the Cardinal’s Child Protection Advisory Board for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. Chief Manger served from 2014 to 2018 as President of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, and from 2013 to 2017 as Vice President of PERF.

Session: The Future of Public Safety: Integrating Risk Intelligence, Facility Security, and Operational Resilience

Ronald Davis was nominated by President Joseph Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the 12th Director of the United States Marshals Service (USMS). As director of America's oldest federal law enforcement agency, Mr. Davis led a workforce of over 10,000 professionals, including over 5,500 operational and administrative employees and approximately 5,000 special deputies and court security officers, spanning over 500 domestic offices and four foreign field offices. Mr. Davis also gained valuable experience into judicial security including facility security, risk assessments, and executive protection, as well as fugitive apprehension, witness security, and prison operations.

Mr. Davis previously served as the Director of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) from 2013 to 2017. It was during that tenure that President Barack Obama appointed him to serve as the executive director of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

He also spent more than 28 years in local law enforcement, starting in 1985 with the Oakland, California, Police Department rising to the rank of captain. Then in 2005, Mr. Davis became the police chief for the City of East Palo Alto, California, and held that position for more than 8 years. As the police chief, Mr. Davis worked collaboratively with the community to improve public trust, enhance organizational accountability, and dramatically reduce crime and violence in a city once named the murder capital of the United States.

Mr. Davis possesses a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University and has completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, where he also served on the Executive Session on Police and Public Safety.

Session: The Future of Public Safety: Integrating Risk Intelligence, Facility Security, and Operational Resilience 

Chief Aaron Lauth is a 27 year veteran of law enforcement who has served as the Chief of Police at Carnegie Mellon University since May 2022. Carnegie Mellon University Police Department is an accredited, full service agency consisting of sworn police officers, security officers, and dispatchers who serve approximately 20,000 students, faculty, and staff at their urban campus in Pittsburgh. Prior to Carnegie Mellon, Chief Lauth spent over 23 years with the Mt. Lebanon Police Department, a suburban Pittsburgh community, serving in a variety of positions and ranks, ultimately retiring as the Chief of Police in 2022. Chief Lauth earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Mercyhurst University and his masters degree in Strategic Leadership from Mountain State University. He’s also a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 264. Chief Lauth resides in Mt. Lebanon with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs.

Session: The Future of Public Safety: Integrating Risk Intelligence, Facility Security, and Operational Resilience

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: Swatting 2.0: New Threats, New Tech, and What Every Agency Needs to Know

Session: The Future of Public Safety: Integrating Risk Intelligence, Facility Security, and Operational Resilience

David brings expertise in leadership and management, having created and led multiple technology-based businesses. He leads through example, builds teams through mutual respect, and has managed teams both on-site and remotely for many years. David took a company public that led to a multimillion-dollar valuation. He has worked for the largest companies and government agencies in the world, including Microsoft, Intel, Omnicom, the U.S. Military, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and NASA. In addition, he has created, or overseen the development of, dozens of applications for iOS and Android, Windows, and MacOS. David uses his extensive business knowledge and leadership skills to manage projects to completion while building relationships and contributing to project success.

Session: AI That Works: Real-World Applications and Leading Change in Public Safety

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: LMR Cybersecurity: Are You Paying Attention Yet?

Session: GRC Unplugged: How Governance, Risk, and Compliance Are Driving Public Safety Forward 

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: New Models, Real Results: The Future of Alternative Response 

Session: AI That Works: Real-World Applications and Leading Change in Public Safety

Brian Malinich, P.E. is a certified professional engineer with over 30 years of experience leading wireless communication projects at the county, state, and federal levels. He has played a key role in the design and implementation of outdoor warning siren (OWS) systems for the cities of Beverly Hills and Malibu, California; Pueblo County, Colorado; Madison County and Estill County, Kentucky; and Pensacola Christian College, Florida.

For many years, Brian also supported the early-warning initiatives of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP)—a joint program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army—enhancing public safety through resilient and reliable alerting infrastructure.

Session: Critical Alerting: Is Your Agency Prepared for the Next Emergency Notification Wave? 

Corey Thomas is a Technology Specialist at Mission Critical Partners, Inc., bringing over 20 years of experience in electronic telecommunications and computer systems technology. Drawing on a strong background in public safety and military communications, Corey excels in defining technical specifications, setting strategic goals, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects successfully.

Before joining Mission Critical Partners, Corey served in the United States Marine Corps as a Communications Chief, managing advanced communication systems across diverse global environments. His military career encompassed roles such as Communication Planning Specialist, Senior Advisor, and Communications Supervisor, where he designed, implemented, and maintained multi-channel radio, data, and switching networks critical to mission success.

Corey’s commitment to public safety is reflected in his leadership, technical expertise, and problem-solving capabilities, making him a trusted partner in tackling the evolving challenges of the public safety sector.

Session: Critical Alerting: Is Your Agency Prepared for the Next Emergency Notification Wave? 

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: Future-Ready Facilities: Building Resilient Spaces That Adapt to What’s Next

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: Future-Ready Facilities: Building Resilient Spaces That Adapt to What’s Next

Rich is a professional sales leader with nearly four decades of experience in critical leadership and engineering roles. Rich’s key business strengths include building aligned strategic plans, executing business plans, leading cross-functional teams and facilitating complex negotiations. An effective problem solver, he brings a customer-centric, mission-grounded approach and organizational change leadership skills. Rich is responsible for all MCP growth activities, focusing on accelerating the expansion of the managed services business and justice market.

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

Heather is a goal-driven executive with extensive experience in budgeting, project and program management, procurement, human resources, facilities and security, IT infrastructure, software development, and customer support. In her role as a Chief Information Officer/Director of Information Technology—Judicial Council of California (JCC), Heather led technology strategy for the JCC, Supreme Court, and appellate courts, ensuring alignment with technology trends and enterprise technology solutions. She also led technology governance for judicial branch programs and Established the Judicial Branch Office of Information Security, overseeing ISO and SOC operations, security awareness training, and safeguarding data, networks, applications, and judicial branch assets.

Session: AI That Works: Real-World Applications and Leading Change in Public Safety

Jenna is a communications consultant with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. Her work background ranges from dispatcher to lead trainer to operations supervisor to emergency communications director. This background encompasses frontline telecommunications, training, quality assurance, and quality improvement, as well as supervisory and executive leadership. Jenna has completed EMS systems assessments for communications divisions and provided recommendations for improvement, strategies for stakeholder communication, and daily workflow tactics to improve outcomes. Her core expertise includes project management, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, culture and change management, and data analysis, as well as policy development and implementation.

Session: New Models, Real Results: The Future of Alternative Response 

Jim brings an extensive career in facility, mechanical, and electrical engineering to his projects. He is Motorola-certified and specializes in Motorola R56 standards and compliance to ensure the client’s communication systems achieve maximum longevity, reliability, and optimal performance. Jim has supported initiatives to hold contractors accountable and guarantee R56 grounding compliance in constructing new communication and PSAP facilities to ensure client quality and safety. In addition, he has provided R56 support to the DHS/FEMA Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) for Madison County and Lexington, Kentucky, and an R56 compliance audit for Missouri Statewide Interoperability Network (MOSWIN) systemwide testing.

Session: Future-Ready Facilities: Building Resilient Spaces That Adapt to What’s Next