Course Instructors

Delaine Arnold has 29 years experience in the telecommunications industry and has been in the field of Enhanced 9-1-1 database management as well as a NENA member since 1989. She is an industry recognized 9-1-1 database expert who has represented NENA by making regular database standards presentation at State and National NENA conferences. Since retiring from Verizon (GTE) in 2003, she has worked as an Independent Consultant providing 9-1-1 database expertise to private and government entities.  She has been an active member of the Data Technical Committee since 1995 and has chaired many Data working groups and the Database Management Subcommittee prior to being appointed Data Technical Committee Chair in January 2004. Delaine received her BSBM in May 2004 and her ENP in October 2004.

Nancy Banks is the Supervisor of Communications Training for Peel Regional Police, where she is responsible for the training of all Communications staff. She has over 25 years experience in police communications, where her duties have included projects bringing new technology and equipment upgrades into the Communications Centre.   Nancy has developed and delivered many training programs both on and off the job. Through her interest in developing standards for communicator programs, Nancy has been a member of advisory boards, developed curriculum, written course and operational manuals, and taught at community colleges. She is currently a member of the Seneca College Public Safety and Police Studies Program Advisory Committee. In addition to her certification as an Emergency Number Professional (ENP), she is a member of the NENA Education Advisory Board. 

Brian Bark is a vice president for L. Robert Kimball and Associates’ Telecommunications and Technology Division where he is responsible for management of public safety/telecommunications projects, project reviews, and quality assurance. He has more than 30 years of experience in the public safety/telecommunications field including extensive experience in public safety management, master street address guide, rural addressing programs, and every aspect of plan, design, and implementation of large city and countywide Enhanced 9-1-1 systems. In addition, Brian is a certified Emergency Number Professional (ENP), Certified Emergency Management Coordinator, member of the NENA Education Advisory Board, and chair of the Pennsylvania Chapter 9-1-1 Legislative Committee.

Marc Berryman has over 12 years experience in GIS, working with both public and private organizations. He has worked as a GIS consultant for several Fortune 500 companies, and is the GIS Manager for the Greater Harris County (GHC) 9-1-1 Emergency Network. He has been involved in management and coordination of projects ranging from regional mapping and data sharing, to wireless Phase II implementation, to maintaining the GIS data for GHC 9-1-1 and the Houston Emergency Centers CAD systems. Marc is also the sub-committee chair for Location/GIS/Mapping, which is part of the NENA Wireless Implementation and Operations Committee.

Marcia Broman has worked in the 9-1-1 and public safety telecommunications industry for 20 years. She has held positions both as director of 9-1-1 services for a multi-county government agency, as well as in the telecommunications provider arena, giving her a unique perspective on 9-1-1 services. Marcia has been NENA’s lead instructor for the Introduction to 9-1-1 Database Course since its creation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics/computer science and a Master’s degree in business administration. She is a certified Emergency Number Professional (ENP).

 

Bob Currier is a seasoned expert in emergency communications. As part of Intrado’s Government and External Affairs team, he works closely with PSAPs, state program offices, and customers on issues related to the deployment of E9-1-1. Bob has been involved in public safety since 1974, first as an EMT, then as part of the St. Clair (MI) Fire Department where he served as Assistant Chief. He went on to further serve the county in the Sheriff’s Department Marine Division and later as the first Director of Communications and 9-1-1 Project Director. Bob is currently the North Central Regional Vice-President of NENA and has held many positions on the Michigan Chapter of NENA and APCO Executive Boards. In addition to being a NENA instructor, he is also a state certified fire training instructor for the St. Clair County Fire and Emergency Service Training Institute. Currier and his wife, Laurie, reside in Marysville, MI.

John H. Kelly is a shareholder in the law firm of Ottosen Trevarthen Britz Kelly & Cooper, Ltd. He focuses his practice on employment issues and regularly advises police chiefs, fire chiefs, and 9-1-1 center directors on the intricacies of personnel law. He represents 9-1-1 centers throughout Illinois, serves as defense counsel for a major insurer of 9-1-1 agencies, and is the attorney for the Illinois Chapter of NENA. John has represented and advised 9-1-1 centers in all aspects of their existence, including state regulations, corporate organizations, personnel policies and practices, and liability issues. In addition, he has taught 9-1-1 law in Illinois and Texas, served as a suburban police officer for 10 years, and is a member of the NENA Education Advisory Board. John is a graduate of the John Marshall Law School and Northwestern University.

Jim Lake brings over 25 years of public safety experience to his current position of Project Manager for L. Robert Kimball & Associates. Previously, he served as the Senior Trainer for the Massachusetts State 911 Agency. His time spent as a police officer and call firefighter/EMT, combined with 13 years of PSAP telecommunications and management experience, allows him to present on 9-1-1 issues from both sides of the microphone.

Keith Lee serves as the Deputy Director for Spartanburg County Communications/9-1-1 Department located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He has been involved in Communications/9-1-1 services for 25-years and is an ENP. Also, Keith has worked within volunteer public safety as an Emergency Medical Technician with a local rescue squad, a Firefighter & Assistant Fire Chief, and reserve officer with Emergency Medical Services. A member of NENA since 1991, he has been active in the South Carolina Chapter of NENA, serving as a Regional Vice President. He will complete his Masters in the spring of 2007 in Public Administration with a minor in Emergency Management from Jacksonville State University.

Eric Parry is a NENA certified Emergency Number Professional (ENP) and the Chair of NENA’s Education Advisory Board. He is currently a Police Consultant for Priority Dispatch, has consulted privately in Canada, the United States and Argentina, and is the author of the Managing the 9-1-1 Center text book published by NENA. He chaired the advisory committee to Canada’s first college-level public safety communications program. Eric is a Certified Electronics Technologist, and a retired Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) Sergeant. He resides with his wife Joanne and daughter Kelsey in Salt Lake City, UT.

Dorothy Spears-Dean is a communication and technology professional with over sixteen years of experience, possessing extensive knowledge of public safety technology issues affecting state and local governments. She is employed by the Virginia Information Technologies Agency as the Deputy Public Safety Communications Coordinator and assists in the deployment of wireless 9-1-1 throughout Virginia. In conjunction with her professional responsibilities, Dorothy has had numerous articles on topics related to information technology published in professional journals. Previously, as the Administrative Services Manager for the Hopewell Police Department, she secured over $1 million in grant funding for departmental technology initiatives. She holds an M.B.A. from The University of Richmond, a B.A. from The College of William and Mary, and will complete her Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration in the spring of 2007.

Barbara Thornburg has almost twenty years of experience in the 9-1-1 industry. She is a charter member of the 9-1-1 NENA Data Technical Committee and has been Chair of the Committee since 1992. Previously, Barb worked as a 9-1-1 ALI database manager, 9-1-1 quality assurance manager, and 9-1-1 product manager with US West Communications, a 9-1-1 senior network services manager and 9-1-1 senior program manager with WinStar Telecommunications, and with GeoComm, a 9-1-1 consulting firm. She has served as Data Track Leader for the NENA Technical Development Conference since its inception in 1995, and has served as a moderator for the NENA Critical Issue Forum series for data related forums. Barb is currently a 9-1-1 consultant specializing in 9-1-1 ALI data issues.

Bob White is a Senior Programmer Analyst for the State of Maine, Office of Geographic Information Services where he is responsible for management of public safety/emergency management projects, project reviews, and quality assurance. Bob has more than 13 years of experience in both public and private sectors specializing in technology for public safety/emergency management field including extensive experience in database development, master street address guide, rural addressing programs, mapped assisted dispatch applications, and every aspect of plan, design, and implementation of local, county, and statewide enhanced 9-1-1 systems. In addition, Bob is a certified Emergency Number Professional (ENP) and Co-Chair of the NENA Data Committee’s GIS Study Group.

Serving as the 9-1-1 Coordinator for Guilford Metro 9-1-1 Communications located in Greensboro, NC, Craig Whittington is a 25-plus-year veteran of emergency services and has worked in nearly every area of the local government side of public safety. A member of NENA since 1991, he has been active in the North Carolina Chapter, having served twice on their Board of Directors. Craig has authored several articles on 9-1-1 and emergency communications and regularly presents at various state and national conferences. In 2003, he represented national NENA in the UK at the International Association of Emergency Dispatch’s “Euro-Navigator” conference. A founding member and past chair of the North Carolina NENA Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (N.C. T.E.R.T.), Craig has served on the NC TERT Committee for the past four years. He has been a member of NENA’s Educational Advisory Board (EAB) since 2001 and was appointed to the National NENA TERT Committee in 2005.

Christy Williams currently serves as the 9-1-1 program manager for the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), the administrative agency for 9-1-1 in fourteen counties. NCTCOG serves 42 PSAPs in an area surrounding Dallas/Ft. Worth. Previously, Christy has held the positions of operation/communications specialist and public education/training coordinator with NCTCOG and public education intern and coordinator at Tarrant County 9-1-1 District. She has developed multiple programs and campaigns, written articles, courses, and training material, and presented at numerous conferences. Christy was the founding president of the 9-1-1 Public Educators of Texas, has held positions on the Texas Chapter of NENA Board, and is a member of the NENA Education Advisory Board.