Alexandria, Va. – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is pleased to announce that the following individuals have earned the Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) designation, after completing a rigorous six-month program and the culminating course — a two-week capstone seminar at APCO headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida.
As both APCO International president and a member of CPE Class 20, Michael O’Connor spoke about the unique opportunity to learn and grow alongside his classmates throughout the six-month program. “Completing the CPE program alongside this exceptional group of leaders has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career.” He added, “Over the past six months, we challenged one another, shared ideas and gained new perspectives on leadership in public safety communications. I am proud to celebrate this milestone with my fellow graduates and excited to see the impact they will have on their agencies, communities and our profession.”
In his graduation speech, class president Scott Brillman reflected on his time in the CPE program by acknowledging his classmates saying, “The work we do in 9-1-1 represents the most significant social contract of our lifetime between government and its people. And the promise is simple. In a crisis, you can always reach us. We can always find you, and we will get you help. All you need to know is three numbers. And behind those three numbers is an enormous responsibility. That responsibility falls on hundreds of 9-1-1 leaders across this country.” He continued saying, “And today, standing here in front of all of you, it falls on the 17 leaders of CPE Class 20. We have a responsibility to move this profession forward, while never losing sight of the promise we made to our communities.
Congratulations to the following CPE Class 20 graduates:
- Mihkaela Baker – Rivercom 911 (Wash.)
- Matthew Berg – Virginia Beach (Va.) Emergency Communications and Citizen Services 911
- Scott Brillman – Fairfax County (Va.) Department of Public Safety Communications
- Whitney Chong – APCO International
- Crystal Coorough – Richardson (Texas) Police Department
- Jennifer Ertle – Versaterm
- Samantha Fickes – Summit (Ohio) Emergency Communications Center
- Ayanna Hingle – Highland Park (Texas) Department of Public Safety
- Karrie Hunton – Elko County (Nev.) Regional Communications Center
- Traci Lapierre – Palm Beach County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office
- Jason Nettles – Central County (Mo.) Emergency 9-1-1
- Michael O’Connor – Western Will County (Ill.) Communications Center
- Tenea Reddick – Baltimore City (Md.) Fire Department (BCFD-911)
- Whitney Rogers – Salt Lake City (Utah) International Airport
- Traci Shelton – City of Roanoke (Va.)
- Randy Sinitean – McHenry County (Ill.) ETSB
- April Smith – Georgia Public Safety Training Center
The CPE Program is the only executive leadership program focused specifically on the public safety communications profession. APCO is accepting applications through January 1 for the next CPE program, which begins September 2027. For more information, visit apcointl.org/cpe.
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 – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.
