Mark Spross, RPL, CPE and APCO International’s second vice president, passed away last weekend.
Mark was executive director of METCOM 911, a consolidated emergency communications center (ECC) serving 94,000 people in 36 communities in Marion County, Oregon, as well as parts of Linn and Clackamas counties.
Mark outlined his career in public safety when announcing his candidacy for the APCO Executive Committee in the January/February 2023 PSC magazine. His first public safety communications job came in 1990 as a public safety telecommunicator in a Southern Oregon consolidated ECC. Throughout his career he worked as a coach/trainer, supervisor, technical manager, operations manager and instructor. He also served as a deputy sheriff and an emergency manager. He was appointed to lead METCOM 911 in 2019.
“Although I stepped out of ECCs for a few years, my passion was, and still is, with telecommunications,” Mark said in PSC magazine. “I am humbled by the amazing work that happens in our industry every single day.”
Mark has been an APCO member since 2001 and served in numerous roles with APCO on the state and national level. He was vice president (2011), president (2012-2014) and immediate past president (2014-2016) of the Oregon combined chapter of APCO/NENA. Nationally, he served on task forces, the APCO Awards Committee, became an APCO group leader and was elected APCO’s second vice president in 2023.
“Mark was a beloved champion for public safety and longtime group leader who dedicated his time and effort to continue to fight for reclassification and improve the culture mentality in ECCs around the nation,” APCO President Becky Neugent said. “He was a valued member of the APCO Executive Committee but beyond that, he was a friend to all who knew him. His quick wit, empathy for others and engaging conversations will be deeply missed.”
Mark also promoted the interests of public safety communications in the public policy realm. While serving as chair of the APCO Western Regional Conference legislative committee in 2019, he helped push through the Oregon 9-1-1 tax. More recently, the Oregon governor appointed him to a committee overseeing the agency responsible for the statewide 9-1-1 network and distribution of 9-1-1 tax dollars. Mark represented ECCs nationwide with the NG9-1-1 Institute, whose mission is to educate Congress about NG9-1-1.
“Mark was a friend to many in the APCO family and beyond, with an unwavering passion for public safety. His dedication to APCO and contributions as second vice president over the past year have left an indelible mark,” expressed Mel Maier, CEO and executive director of APCO International. “He will be missed by all who knew him, and his commitment and impact will never be forgotten. Our deepest condolences go out to Mark’s family, friends and fellow team members at METCOM 911.”
Mark held a master’s in executive public administration from Portland State University. He was a graduate of the APCO Registered Public Leaders (RPL) and the Certified Public Safety Executive (CPE) programs.
As we receive additional information, we will share it with you.
