Marisol Rodriguez

Ventura County Fire Department

Marisol Rodriguez has been with the Ventura County Fire Department as a Firefighter since 1995. In her 23 years she has worked her way through the ranks, currently holding the rank of Fire Captain assigned to the Training Division.

Marisol’s education includes a Bachelors in Business Administration, a Masters in Public Administration, a PhD Organizational/ Industrial Psychology and she is a Certified Erickson Professional Coach.

She currently holds affiliations with American Psychological Association and California Psychological Association.

 

 

Paul Vernon

LAPD

Paul Vernon is a 30-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department and the commanding officer of the Topanga Patrol Division, one of 21 LAPD patrol stations.

Capt. Vernon served as LAPD’s public information officer for 3 years, and commanded detectives for 9 years, investigating all manner of crimes, including homicide. He has held a supervisory rank since 1991, and worked patrol, gangs, narcotics, training, and Internal Affairs.

Capt. Vernon is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy. He co-taught a public corruption seminar with the FBI for Nairobi, Kenya, law enforcement and traveled to Seoul, South Korea, as part of a multi-cultural leadership visit. He is an instructor for LAPD and the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Leadership Course, formerly known as West Point Leadership Program.

Capt. Vernon has a degree in History and was formerly a credentialed teacher.

 

 

Jean Larned

FBI

Dr. Jean G. Lamed travels nationally to present at workshops, seminars, in-services and conferences in ‘stress management in law enforcement’ ‘traumatic event management’ and ‘officer wellness.’ Dr. Lamed sets in motion the transformation of the role of a police officer from one of just a career and gaining a pension to that of a passionate, involved and conscientious individual. He is a criminal investigation instructor at the FBI Academy. Prior to this, Dr. Lamed served his country honorably since 1983 in the U.S. military. From his time early on as a U.S. Marine with the 1^st Marine Division to his current position as a U.S. Army Medical Services reserve officer assigned to the Fifth Army, BAMC, Ft. Sam Houston, TX. Dr. Lamed has numerous commendations and medals earned during his 27 years in the military to include being mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003. Dr. Lamed is a member of the renowned FBI Behavioral Science Unit (Silence of the Lambs) within the FBI. He is a former Special Agent with the DEA and police officer with the San Antonio Police Department. At the FBI Academy, Dr. Lamed teaches Critical Incident Stress Management, Deployment Issues for Law Enforcement, Building Resilience, Police Suicide, Suicide By Cop, Physiology and Psychology of Stress, FBI New Agent Training and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Virginia, Dr. Lamed received his Bachelor’s Degree from California State University Long Beach, a Master’s Degree from Our Lady of the Lake University, attended Yale University and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Dr. Lamed has been married since 1991 and has five children ages 20, 19, 18, 16, and 12.

 

Stephany Powell

Journey Out

Dr. Stephany Powell’s unique insight into the world of sexual exploitation and trafficking gained through her 30 years with the LAPD, coupled with her passion for education and her heart for community make Dr. Powell an unparalleled choice to lead Journey Out into its future.

In addition to her LAPD tenure, Dr. Powell is a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and utilizes that singular combination in so many ways. She has created and facilitated Team Building and Executive Leadership workshops for Fire and Police, based on positive change dynamics. She is an Adjunct Professor at the University of La Verne, and the Los Angeles Trade Technical College where she teaches classes in Behavioral Science. Dr. Powell has been featured on CNN/HLN, local news and print media in the Los Angeles area.  Most important, Dr. Powell uses her considerable skills and insight to educate the community about the complex and often misunderstood world of sex trafficking and to create positive change for its victims.

Dr Powell is a powerful speaker, a tenacious educator and advocate for change and one of the premiere experts in this field.

 

Kristin Crowley

LAFD

Deputy Chief Kristin Crowley has over 22 years of experience dedicated to public safety. She has proven her credibility and character by promoting through the ranks of the Los Angeles Fire Department as a Firefighter, Paramedic, Engineer, Fire Inspector, Captain I, Captain II, Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief, and Deputy Chief. She has been selected as the first female Fire Marshal in the history of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Chief Crowley has been instrumental in the development of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Leadership Academy. She participated as a student in the second class of the LAFDLA in 2009. Chief Crowley served as a program facilitator for three years and now participates as an instructor in several behavioral theory deliveries.

Chief Crowley holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, a Bachelor of Science in Biology (Pre-Medicine), still holds an active paramedic license and recently completed a four year program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland to acquire her Executive Fire Officer certificate.

 

Marc Fleischmann

LAPD

Marc began his 46 year law enforcement career in 1970 with the Los Angeles Police Department. Marc was promoted to detective in 1975 and worked a variety of assignments including divisional detectives, Abused Child Unit and the Gang Investigation Section.

Marc promoted to Detective Supervisor in 1977 and to Detective 3, unit leader, in 1984. Marc worked the both as an operator and as a supervisor in the elite Special Investigation Section (SIS). Prior to his tours in SIS Marc was the OIC of the Prison Gang Unit, the Gang Strike Force and the Fugitive Special Section, FBI task Force. Marc was an original member of the Los Angeles Police Departments Underwater Dive Unit (UDU), conducting underwater searches and recovery of evidence.

Marc has spent the majority of his career developing his leadership skills while working field assignments. Marc, as an adjunct instructor for the Firearms Section of Training Division, worked on the research and development of firearm platforms such as the tactical shotgun, patrol rifle and several handgun upgrades. Marc was the OIC of several specialized weapons training programs, providing officers in the field with better training and weapons to enhance their tactical effectiveness and safety.

After retiring from the Los Angeles Police Department in July 2007, Marc continued his law enforcement career as an Investigator with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation, working in an undercover capacity as a tactical leader of the Orange County Auto Theft Task Force (OCATT). Marc served as the Bureau of investigation Range Master as well the Team Leader of the Dignitary Protection Team (DPT) until his retirement in June 2017.

Marc is a recognized firearms expert having taught at a number of firearms schools across the country as well as being recognized as a court qualified firearms expert. Marc has taught overseas to military and police units. Marc, while part of the Special Investigation Section, provided training to the United States Naval Special Warfare Units, as well as Israel’s elite Yamam.
Marc is currently an instructor at the FBI Special Operations Group (SOG) Units Vehicle Stop School as well as part of the cadre for the FBI Firearms Instructor School.

Marc holds a current EMT license with certification dating back to 2000 in Los Angeles County. Marc is also part of the instructor cadre for the Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) school for law enforcement in Orange County California.

Since retiring Marc is continuing his firearms teaching career with the Sig Sauer Academy in Epping New Hampshire, conducting training for armed professionals in vehicle containment and apprehension techniques as well as criminal surveillance. These classes are focused on the specialized needs of elite police and military tactical units.

Marc has been married for 17 years to his wife Leah Fleischmann, a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Los Angeles City Fire Department. Marc has two children, a son, who is attending Liberty University on a volleyball scholarship and a married daughter, who is an Environmental Community Planning Specialist assigned to Headquarters Batallion, Camp Pendleton.

 

 

Daren J. Erickson

US Marine Corps

Colonel Erickson is from Arizona.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1986 and attended boot camp at 2d RTBN, MCRD, San Diego, CA.  While enlisted, he was assigned to MCAS, Kaneohe Bay, HI where he pursued his undergraduate degree from Chaminade University, Honolulu, HI.  After completing his enlistment, and undergraduate degree, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 1992.

Following Basic School, Colonel Erickson was a member of the 1994 USMC Rifle Team.  In August of 1994, he attended Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, GA to become an Aviation Supply Officer.

In January 1995, he was assigned to MALS- 12, MAG-12, MCAS Iwakuni Japan.  While at MALS-12, he deployed to Korat, Thailand in support of Operation Cope Tiger, and RAAF Base Tindal, Australia in support of Operation Southern Frontier.  In March 1998, he was selected to the Law Education Program and attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law in September 1998 and graduated May 2001.

Upon passing the Arizona Bar, he was assigned as a Judge Advocate at MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, CA.  There he served as Installation Law Officer, Senior Defense Counsel, Military Justice Officer, and Deputy Staff Judge Advocate.  In July 2006, he was assigned as Trial Counsel for Legal Services Support Team C, in support of Commander, Marine Forces Central Command for cases arising out of Operation Iraq Freedom.  While assigned at LSST C, he deployed in 2007 and 2008 to Haditha and Al Asaad, Iraq.  In March 2008 he was assigned to be the Officer-in-Charge of Legal Services Support Team E.

In July 2009, he reported to I Marine Expeditionary Force as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate.  In 2010 he deployed to Afghanistan where he served as the I MEF(FWD) SJA and the Regional Command Southwest, Legal Advisor.  After returning from Afghanistan, he was assigned as the Officer-in-Charge, Legal Services Support Section, Camp Pendleton, CA. In June 2012, he took command of 2d Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, MCRD San Diego, CA.  In July 2014, he attended the U.S. Army War College earning a master’s degree in strategic studies.  In June 2015 he reported to Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA for duty as Regimental Commanding Officer.  July of 2017 he reported to I MEF as the Staff Judge Advocate.

Colonel Erickson is married to the former Marion (Jolene) Brassfield of Cottonwood, AZ. They live in Yucca Valley, CA and have three children: Devon 29, Anthony 26, and Rebecca 22.

 

Kristina Kepner

LAFD

Kristina Kepner has been with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) for 17 years and is currently the Battalion Chief in charge of the Firefighter Recruitment Section. She began her career as an LAFD Explorer at the age of 15 and has promoted through the ranks of Firefighter, Paramedic, Captain I, Captain II and is currently the youngest female Battalion Chief.

Chief Kepner’s has worked at several fire stations throughout the City in addition to her administrative duty assignments in the Fire Chief’s office Planning Section, the Grants Section and the Medical Liaison Unit. She has been instrumental in writing some of the Departments recent policies and procedures and was a project manager for the first-ever LAFD Strategic Plan.

Her education consists of a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Management from the University of Laverne, a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice from Chapman University and an Associate’s Degree in Fire Technology from Los Angeles Valley College. She has also earned certificates in Project Management from UCLA, the Public Safety Leadership Program at USC and is a graduate of the LAFD Leadership Academy.

Chief Kepner was born, raised and still resides in the San Fernando Valley. She is a strong advocate for providing both education and training opportunities for the youth of Los Angeles and is passionate about mentoring young women and men who are interested in pursuing careers as firefighters.

 

Kevin Mooney

General Dynamics NASSCO

Kevin Mooney joined General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in May 2006 upon completing a 20-year career as a nuclear submarine officer in the United States Navy.

Kevin assumed his current position as Vice President Programs and Supply Chain Management in January 2016. In the Programs role, he is responsible for Business Development, Strategic Planning and Program Management. He also runs the Supply Chain Management Department, which acquires approximately $600 million per year of material and services.

Prior to his current assignment, he worked as Vice President Operations, where he managed over 2000 tradespersons and supervisors in all stages of ship construction.

Kevin stays involved in the community through service on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Advisors of Workshops for Warriors, a non-profit organization providing manufacturing skills training to transitioning members of the Armed Forces.

During his Navy career, Kevin served on five nuclear submarines, including command of USS San Francisco (SSN-711) from 2003 until 2005. His shore based assignments included the NATO staff in London, England and the Navy Staff in the Pentagon.

Kevin graduated from Duke University in 1986 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. In 1998, he earned a M.S. in Engineering Management from the Catholic University of America and completed the Air Command and Staff College Seminar Program. In 2009, he completed the Executive Program Manager’s Course at the Defense Acquisition University.

Kevin is a native of Locust Valley, NY and currently resides in San Diego with his wife, Avril, and younger daughter Tara, age 15. His 22 year old daughter Laura lives in San Francisco where she works as a software engineer. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys running and golfing.

 

John N. Incontro

San Marino Police Department

Chief John N. Incontro began his law enforcement career in 1976 as a Cadet with the Glendale Police Department. In 1979 John joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). His tenure with the LAPD included significant experience in patrol operations, administrative duties, training and special operations. One significant assignment was when he was selected to be the Acting Director of the Department of General Services, Security Services Division following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. From October 2014 until December 2014, John served as a Captain with the LAPD and held command assignments leading Patrol operations in Pacific and Mission Areas along with Training Division, the elite Metropolitan Division and Emergency Services Division. Following his retirement from the LAPD, he was appointed the Chief of Police for the San Marino Police Department in December 2014.

While working for LAPD Incontro obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Los Angeles and a Master of Science degree in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne. He has completed the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy, Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Leadership Program. He has been an instructor for over 20 years in that program and its companion program – the Los Angeles Fire Department Leadership Program.

John has been an instructor and presented at several conferences in the areas of leadership, active shooter, use of force, crowd management, tactics, school safety and other policing subjects to numerous agencies and organizations. Those groups have included the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, along with various other State and local agencies.
John is currently a member of the Federal InterAgency Board as a Deputy Co-Chair, a member of the Homeland Security Committee for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the President of the San Gabriel Valley Police Chiefs Association. Additionally, he is a member of Rotary International, San Marino Chapter, California Police Chiefs Association and the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association.

 

Michael Albanese

Burbank Police Department

Michael Albanese is presently a Deputy Chief with the Burbank Police Department. In his capacity as Deputy Chief, he oversees the Administration Division and is the clearinghouse of all of the Department’s operational functions. Prior to his current assignment he served with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for 37 years before retiring in December of 2008. His last assignment with LAPD was as the Officer-In-Charge of the LAPD SWAT team, a position he held for nearly nine years. Additionally, during his tenure with the Los Angeles Police Department, Albanese was assigned to the SWAT unit both as a police officer and a sergeant and was the Cadre Leader of the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) for over eight years. He has in excess of 27 years of SWAT and CNT experience and has been involved in countless crisis incidents; both as an operator and in a command-control position.

In addition to participating in law enforcement seminars related to Crisis Management, SWAT and negotiation processes throughout the United States and Canada, he has authored numerous articles that encompass both the SWAT and CNT disciplines in addition to Critical Incident Management. He is presently co-authoring a case studies textbook related to the human dynamics of hostage-taking incidents and in 2011 he was one of many contributing authors who participated in the Leadership in Dangerous Situations, A Handbook for the Armed Forces, Emergency Services, and First Responders. Albanese attended both the California State University at Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, where he earned a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Public Administration degrees, respectively.

 

Brian D. Fitch

LA County Sheriff Department

Brian D. Fitch, Ph.D., retired as a lieutenant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after 34 years of service. During his tenure with the sheriff’s department, he worked as a field training officer (FT0), training coordinator, felony investigator, patrol sergeant, training sergeant, custody sergeant, operations sergeant, patrol watch commander, detective bureau commander, and operations lieutenant. He has trained more than 10,000 law enforcement professionals from more than 500 law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, including more than 500 police chiefs, in leadership, supervision, decision-making, communication, and ethics. Dr. Fitch has also provided training internationally in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Canada.

Dr. Fitch holds faculty positions at California State University, Long Beach; and California State University, Fullerton. He has held past faculty positions at Woodbury University, Southwestern University School of Law, Cerritos Community College, Riverside Community College, and East Los Angeles Community College. Dr. Fitch teaches actively in the leadership development programs for the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Fire Department.

Dr. Fitch is a graduate of the California Commission on POST Master Instructor Development Program, and the author of more than 30 articles and five books, including Law Enforcement Interpersonal Communication and Conflict Management: The IMPACT Model (Sage, 2016); Introduction to Policing (3rd ed.) (Sage, 2016); and Law Enforcement Ethics: Classic and Contemporary Issues (Sage, 2013). Dr. Fitch’s research and writing have appeared in Police Chief, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Law Enforcement Executive Forum, Auspol, Law and Order, National Academy Newsletter, and the Journal of California Law Enforcement.

Dr. Fitch holds master’s degrees in communication studies and a doctorate in human development.

 

 

Michael Ellington

LAPD

Michael Elington is a 35-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. In his position as a Principal Detention Officer, he was part of a team responsible for the design, delivery and coordination of state-mandated training for LAPD Correctional Staff.  His responsibilities included training entry-level and in-service civilian and sworn personnel in a variety of subjects including:  Arrest & Control Tactics, Cell Extraction, Suicide Prevention, Racial Profiling, Jail Operations, First Aid & CPR, Conflict Resolution, Leadership Principles, Time Management, Public Speaking, and Effective Facilitation. He continues to provide on-camera and voice-over input on numerous police training productions.

He has taught at the Los Angeles Police Academy, The L.A. County Sheriff’s Academy, and the Rio Hondo Academy of Justice, and lectured for the Commission on Peace Officer Standards & Training and the Corrections Standards Authority throughout Southern California.

Known as “The Voice of the Los Angeles Police Department,” he regularly emcees Recruit Officer Academy Graduation Ceremonies, the Fallen Officer Memorials, and other special recognition awards and dedication ceremonies.

 

Michael Sayre

LAPD

Supervised and coordinated a leadership program, at a Master Degree level, with a teaching staff of over 40 middle and upper Management Department instructors.  Coordinated, trained, and developed other law enforcement agency’s Managers as well as coordinating with the United States Military Academy at West Point. 71/2 years

Supervised numerous Fire Arm Training Programs for the development of Recruit Officers and In-serves Officers.  This included off sight training, coordination, and development of the Department’s rifle and slug shotgun cadre at a Los Angeles County Range.  As well as maintaining and overseeing the training and qualification of over 9,000 Officers at three different ranges each year at the Elysian Park Police Academy. 6 years

Internal Affairs Division as an Investigating Office handling regular complaints as well as high profile and sensitive cases. 2 years

As a Supervisor in the Field I was assigned a multitude of field supervisory assignments in such events as the LA Riots, the LA earth quake, fires,Y2K, and other natural and man-made events. I also supervised a patrol watch, in several areas of the city, which consisted of 45-50 police officers and civilians in geographic areas of 40-50 square miles. 4 years

 

Mark Van Holt

Santa Ana School Police

Mark Van Holt has over 32 years of distinguished law enforcement experience serving in both Orange and Los Angeles County. He currently serves as the Interim Chief of Police for the Santa Ana School Police Department. Prior to joining the Santa Ana School Police department, he served as Deputy Chief of Police with the South Gate Police Department. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is a graduate of USC’s CREATE program in counterterrorism and economic crime. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Chief Van Holt is regarded as one of the leading experts in school safety, security and active shooter responses to school shootings. He was responsible for taking a small delegation of California Police Officers to Newtown, Connecticut only days after the horrific Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. He was given access to what will arguably be one of the most restricted and sensitive crime scenes ever and had the opportunity to speak with the Officers, SWAT members and firefighters who responded. He met with and listened to grieving parents and community members and witnessed firsthand the devastating effect this single incident had on an entire community and our nation.

Since returning from Newtown, Chief Van Holt has presented his “Lessons Learned – The Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy” to countless Police Departments, Fire Departments, School Districts, public agencies, churches and private sector groups across the country. His presentation is a highly sensitive, emotional deep-dive into the horrific event that occurred only 11 days before Christmas in 2012. His presentation provides a thought-provoking insight to responding to and managing critical incidents.

 

Joseph Castro

LAFD

Chief Castro is a 38 year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department. He has held the ranks of Firefighter, Apparatus Operator, Captain I, Captain II, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief and Chief Deputy. Chief Castro is second in Command of the LAFD.

Chief Castro current assignment is the Commander of Emergency Operations. Chief Castro’s command is organized into four geographic Bureaus, 14 Battalions, and 106 stations with over 3,000 members, and an annual operating budget of approx. $600 million dollars.

Emergency Services also is in Command of the Metropolitan Fire Communication Dispatch Center, Homeland Security Division, Air Operations, Arson-Counter Terrorism Section and the emergency resources that protect Los Angeles International Airport and the Port of Los Angeles.

Chief Castro has been assigned at many of the most active areas in the City of Los Angeles and has been in command at hundreds of emergency incidents. He has been the Incident Commander at Major Emergency fires as well as a myriad of “All Risk’ type emergencies in addition to functioning as a Unified Commander at multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional incidents. Chief Castro’s career has seen him command positions at many of the So Calif. wildfire campaigns, major earthquakes, floods, structure fires, riots, and civil disturbances to name a few.

Chief Castro has received his department’s highest honor, the LAFD Medal of Valor for bravery, and an EMMY award for his participation in an LAFD News television program.

 

Roy Harvey

LAFD

Assistant Chief Roy Harvey has been a member of the Los Angeles City Fire Department for 39 years. He began his management career in 1988, promoting to the rank of Captain I. As a Captain I, Harvey worked in both emergency operations and administrative assignments. After 5 years as Captain I, he promoted to Captain II, a rank held for 21 years. In 1994, Harvey was Station Commander at Fire Station 64, Firehouse Magazine’s “ Busiest Station in the Nation”, the resources under his command averaged 59 emergency responses per day. Captain Harvey developed a strong relationship between the Fire Department and the local community, and was honored as the Watts Labor Community Action Committee “Firefighter of the Year” in 1994. During these early years as an officer, Captain Harvey refined his management philosophy and communication style.
In 2009, Harvey graduated from the LAFD Leadership Academy. Upon completion of the Academy, he was motivated to assume a more active leadership role. He promoted to Battalion Chief in 2013 where he made a measurable impact as Commander of the Recruit Training Section. The success rate of recruiting, training, and retaining women and minority candidates was significantly increased under his leadership. In 2016, he promoted to Assistant Chief and was assigned to the Fire Prevention and Public Safety Bureau. As Assistant Fire Marshall, he has been instrumental in providing the leadership necessary to transform the Bureau to a high performing culture, delivering improvements in efficiency, productivity and morale in all measureable categories.
Peers selected Captain Harvey as the Los Angeles Firefighter’s Association “Firefighter of the Year,” making him the first African American Firefighter in the Los Angeles City Fire Department to earn this honor. He also held extracurricular leadership positions, serving as the Los Angeles Firemen’s Handball Association Commissioner from 2009-2013. Under his leadership, Handball Magazine selected LAFD Handball as the 2011 Handball Association of the Year, with primary recognition for leadership and community outreach. Harvey was also inducted into the Southern California Handball Hall of Fame in August 2017 for his contributions as an organizer and ambassador to the sport.
Chief Harvey is best known as a mentor, with over 60 Captains, 12 Battalion Chiefs, 3 Assistant Chiefs, and a Fire Chief among his success stories. He considers it an honor to share the wisdom and experience gained during his 29 years in leadership roles.

 

Mario D. Rueda

San Marino Fire Department

Chief Rueda serves as the Fire Chief for the San Marino Fire Department. Chief Rueda has served as the Fire Chief for the City of San Marino since 2016.

Chief Rueda served as a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department for 35 years, retiring as the Chief Deputy of Operations. In his 16 years as a Deputy Chief, Chief Rueda responded to and commanded numerous emergency incidents, including the Griffith Park, Sayre, and Sesnon wildland urban interface fires, the World Trade Center on 911, the Chatsworth Train Crash, LAX Active Shooter Incident, and most recently the Port of Los Angeles Wharf Fire.

Chief Rueda serves on the NFPA 1500 Health and Safety Committee, and has severed on the Firescope Operations Team for the past decade.

 

Denis Cremins

Burbank Police Department

Denis Cremins joined the Burbank Police Department (BPD) in August, 2010 at the rank of Captain and served as the Commanding Officer of the Investigation Division for five years. In July 2015, Captain Cremins assumed command of the Patrol Division, which encompasses all uniformed functions of the BPD. The Patrol Division includes the Patrol Bureau, Traffic Bureau, Air Support Unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics function.

Prior to serving the citizens of Burbank, Captain Cremins enjoyed a successful career with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). While a member of the LAPD, Captain Cremins worked a wide variety of patrol, investigative and administrative assignments. Captain Cremins held three commands during his 36-year tenure with the LAPD prior to his retirement in 2009 as the Commanding Officer of Robbery-Homicide Division.

Captain Cremins holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration from California State University at Los Angeles (CSULA), and an M.P.A. from the University of Southern California (USC). Captain Cremins currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Burbank Police Foundation, the Los Angeles Police Museum and the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and the Greater East Valley.

 

Dean Zipperman

LAFD

Dean Zipperman is a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department with over 31 years of fire ground and Leadership experience. Currently, Chief Zipperman is assigned as the Commander of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s In-Service Training Section. Dean has held the ranks of Firefighter, Apparatus Operator, Captain I and Captain II and Battalion Chief, As an officer for over 14 years Chief Zipperman has been in many Leadership positions, He was assigned as the Executive Officer of Emergency Operations which saw the overall daily field operations of the LAFD. He served as a Department Advocate while assigned to the Professional Standards Division. As a current Instructor at the LAFD Leadership Academy, and as the Department’s Training Officer, Chief Zipperman shares his experience and day to day approach as a Supervisor to change the Culture of today’s fire service.

 

 

Steven Zipperman

LASPD

Steven Zipperman was appointed as the Chief of the Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) in January of 2011, after serving 32 years with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). During his tenure at LAPD he worked numerous assignments including Patrol, Vice, Narcotics, Special Response Units and Internal Affairs. He held the positions of Watch Commander, Officer in Charge of LAPD’s Metropolitan Division Mounted Platoon, K-9 Platoon and Assistant Officer in Charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Platoon. As an LAPD Captain/Command Officer, he also held positions of commanding officer in various police divisions throughout LAPD.
As Chief of the LASPD, Chief Zipperman is responsible for the oversight of over 400 sworn officers and 120 school safety officers and a civilian support staff, to police over 710 square miles covering 1100 schools attended by nearly 750,000 K-12 and Adult Education students.
Chief Zipperman holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. He instructs at various leadership development seminars including the LAPD and LAFD Leadership Development Programs, and is a member of various professional police organizations.

 

Sandra Spagnoli

Beverly Hills Police Department

Chief Sandra Spagnoli was appointed to the position of Chief of Police for the City of Beverly Hills on March 14, 2016, after serving as Police Chief with the City of San Leandro from 2011-2016 and the City of Benicia from 2007-2010. As Police Chief, she has been successful in implementing contemporary public safety initiatives ultimately reducing crime, incorporating grant funding to start new programs, developing community partnerships, enhancing neighborhood outreach and utilizing technology to enhance the delivery of police services.

Chief Spagnoli holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services Management. She attended the FBI Academy, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, WestPoint Leadership Academy, Executive Leaders Program and POST Command College. Since 2000, she has instructed at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Leadership Academy and is a member of the Peace Officers Standards and Training Advisory Committee, California Police Chiefs Technology Committee and the International Association of Police Chiefs Mid-size agency Region Chair.

 

Opal Singleton

Million Kids

Opal Singleton is the President and CEO of Million Kids and Board Member and Director of Development for Rapha House International. Both organizations exist to combat human trafficking in the U.S and Internationally.  Opal has trained tens of thousands of government officials, school administrators, social outreach organizations, civic leaders, faith based organizations and prominent individuals about human trafficking, sextortion, child pornography and social media exploitation in the U.S. and around the globe.

 

Nicholas Barbara

LAPD

I spent forty-five years with the Los Angeles Police Department.  I retired in 2013 as a Lieutenant, having previously held the ranks of Sergeant, Investigator and Policeman.

I began my career in March 1968.  During my career, I worked in Patrol, Traffic, Narcotics, Training Division, Vice, and a few Administrative assignments.  In addition to working in these assignments, I taught for the Department for over thirty-four years in Sergeant’s School, Civilian Supervisor’s School, and Watch Commander’s School.  Additionally, I taught in the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Point Leadership Program and the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Leadership Academy.  An additional area with which I was involved was in the founding and development of the Peer Counseling Program for the Los Angeles Police Department.

During my career with the Los Angeles Police Department, I was also an adjunct professor at El Camino Community College in Torrance, California, for twenty-six years.  At El Camino College, I taught in the Business Education Division teaching a variety of business courses, such as Elements of Supervision, Oral Communication in Supervision, Dealing with Difficult People, Marketing, Basic Bookkeeping, and Basic Business math.

 

Anthony-Paul (AP) Diaz

LA - Department of Recreation and Parks

Anthony-Paul (AP) Diaz is the Executive Officer and Chief of Staff for the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP).

He is responsible for helping to manage and oversee all day to day operations of the Department, while assisting the General Manger in all governance and leadership matters related to the Park’s Commission, City Council, City Attorney and Mayor’s Offices.

AP has over 18 years of professional experience and service to the City of Los Angeles. Prior to assuming his duties at RAP, he served as a City Attorney in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office where he handled and litigated hundreds of matters in the Criminal Branch and as a specially assigned prosecutor in the City’s Neighborhood Prosecutor Program. Thereafter, he served in the Civil Division’s Municipal Law Branch as legal counsel to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, General Services Department and as lead contract counsel for the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments. He also served as one of the principal City Attorneys assigned to advise and staff the Los Angeles City Council.

Prior to assuming the role of Executive Officer & Chief of Staff, AP served many years as General Counsel for Recreation and Parks, helping guide the Department on many high profile and important endeavors, most notably the transformation, restoration and management model for the historic and iconic Greek Theatre.

AP also serves as an instructor at the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Fire Department Leadership Academies teaching Adult Development Theory and Transformational Leadership and is a Judge Pro Tem for the Los Angeles Superior Court.

AP was born in Hollywood and grew up and went to school in Santa Monica. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Politics from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Washington and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles.

 

Trevor Richmond

LAFD

Trevor Richmond is the Deputy Chief for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Operations Valley Bureau. Chief Richmond has been with the LAFD for 29 years and brings a diversity of fire department experiences.

Chief Richmond comes from the LAFD Communications Center where he was responsible for managing the 911 call center. During his career he has held the ranks of Firefighter, Apparatus Operator, Captain I, Captain II, Battalion Chief, and Assistant Chief. His assignments have included nearly 3 years in the Fire Chief’s Planning Section where he assisted in managing the daily operations of the fire department.

Chief Richmond received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University and a Master’s of Arts from the Naval Post Graduate School in Harper’s Ferry West Virginia.  He is published author having written several articles on leadership in the fire service.  He also done extensive research into the efficacy of fire service based leadership programs and how to improve them.  Chief Richmond is active in the Homeland Security community where he is often requested to discuss his research on fire service leadership. Trevor lives in Thousand Oaks, California with his wife Christine and four children.