APCO Nation gathered on Wednesday for the Connect & Celebrate Dinner at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. For the 90th annual conference, it was a final burst of business — swearing in officers, award presentations, leadership visions — followed by a final shot of recreation composed of dancing and dinner.
APCO President Becky Neugent and Immediate Past President Angela Batey swore in Michael O’Connor as 2nd Vice President, Jack Varnado as 1st Vice President and Stephen Martini as President. Neugent became Immediate Past President and Batey rotated off the Executive Committee.
Before the swearing in, APCO CEO and Executive Director Mel Maier introduced eight new life members then welcomed the Executive Committee of the APCO International Board of Directors who came on stage as the Paradigm Party Band played “We are Family.”
Neugent honored:
- Julie Heimkes, recipient of the Jack Daniel Award, which recognizes exceptional accomplishments by a commercial member of APCO on a national or international level in the field of public safety communications.
- Harlin McEwen, recipient of the Rhett J. McMillian Jr Award, which recognizes exceptional accomplishments by an individual member of APCO on a national or international level in the field of public safety communications
- Don Root, recipient of the Art McDole Award, which recognizes exceptional accomplishments of a technical nature by an individual member of APCO on a national or international level in the field of public safety communications.
Neugent swore in newly appointed 2024-2025 Regional Representatives Brian LaMonica, of the East Coast Region, Fred Cummings and Kim Ostin of the North Central Region, Paul McCallister of the Gulf Coast Region and Albert Flores Jr. of the Western Region.
Before handing over the presidency of APCO International to her successor, Neugent recapped her year leading the 40,000-member association.
She noted completion of renovations at APCO headquarters in Daytona Beach that added 4,700 square feet for additional offices and meeting rooms and doubled existing conference and training room space. She touted the new membership category for students and instructors that creates a pipeline for learning, networking and professional development.
Neugent noted new courses offered by the association, including the educational opportunities in Canada and Saudia Arabia.
“We will continue to explore other partners around the world to educate as many students as we can so we can save as many lives as possible,” Neugent said.
Neugent also called attention to a step forward and a step back in efforts to reclassify the public safety telecommunicators under federal rules as protective service occupations. The 911 Saves bill was reintroduced, but its language was weakened during the legislative process.
“NENA and APCO have signed a joint statement expressing their disappointment and showing their solidarity in support of the highly skilled, specialized, lifesaving work performed by telecommunicators every day,” Neugent said.
Neugent thanked her association and professional colleagues, her family and God before handing the reins of APCO to Martini, whom she described as “the hardest workers I’ve ever met, and he’s the kind of advocate that you just know — when he’s in your corner? Things are going to work out.”
If Neugent reviewed the past year’s accomplishments, Martini, APCO’s 89th president, looked to the coming year.
He cited work to improve emergency communications center (ECC) staffing, mental health and wellness through establishment of a nationwide database of mental health clinicians competent to treat communications professionals.
“It needs to be easier for you and your team to find help when you need it, so we are partnering with those who share that commitment to provide those vital links,” Martini said.
Martini also announced plans to advocate on behalf of public safety telecommunicators to lead ECCs.
“Those who wear the headset have the knowledge of the challenges and capabilities of the public safety telecommunicator,” he said. “You know the opportunities and limitations around what we can and should do and what we can’t or should not. And you should be the voices making command decisions that shape and guide your ECCs.”
Martini pointed to the educational offerings of the APCO Institute as the means to build professional development and leadership capacity. “We know APCO can equip today’s public safety communications leaders by championing the unrivaled professional development opportunities found within the Institute,” he said.
He also lent his voice in support of APCO’s government and legislative priorities, including NG9-1-1 interoperability, frequency coordination and telecommunicator classification.
“I know we will achieve these goals through the strengths of our volunteers who teach, drive committee work, and develop standards, as well as our strong relationships with our industry partners supplying the innovative solutions we need to tackle tomorrow,” Martini said. “I know together we can and, together, we will.”
