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Kayla has been with the Tempe Police Department since August 2016. Prior to my police years, I worked in the hospital, specifically the ER, for ten years on the administration side before making the change to policing. Most of my police career has been in patrol. I have held many ancillary duties from the Mounted Unit, SVU liaison, Intelligence, PIO (before full-time), Crisis intervention, and more. I work full-time in the PIO office, the Office of the Chief.
 

Kayla has a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Kayla continues her training and education in crisis communication, WMD operations, Incident command, NIMS, active shooter, and anything and everything that assists with emergency operations and the overall community resiliency after a major crisis incident.

 
Kayla is currently co-chaired on Securing the Cities with the Maricopa Department of Emergency Management, which focuses on preventing an adversary's successful possession, movement, and deployment of nuclear or radiological weapons and component materials. Here, Kayla concentrates explicitly on the public information sector and crisis communication. Kayla works with PIOs across the county, and our goal is to have pre-establish commutations for radiological and nuclear incidents, both large and small, giving PIOs tools and resources to take the “fear” out of radiation communication but also to feel comfortable providing these types of communications to the community.

 
Kayla takes one day at a time as she never knows where each will take her. Kayla has goals for bridging the gap with crisis communication, public safety, emergency management, and overall community resiliency.

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In this episode, I take some excerpts from our guests throughout the year and highlight them. We also have podcast statistics. See you in early 2024. 

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Erika Thomas is the Public Information Officer Manager for the Lincoln Police Department in Lincoln, Nebraska. Prior to starting at LPD in March 2023, Erika spent 20 years working in TV and radio as an award-winning journalist. She was most recently the evening anchor for the CBS affiliate in Northwest Arkansas.

Email: [email protected]
Cell: 402-805-7469

Erika Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realerikathomas
Erika LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-thomas-350b6111b
Public Safety PIO Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/844197057215129

LPD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lincolnpolicedepartment/
LPD Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Lincoln_Police
LPD Recruiting: https://joinLPD.com

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As the Public Information Officer for the Town of Summerville, SC, my passion for effective communication and commitment to the community drives my work as a PIO. With over six years of experience, Christopher has a proven track record of success. Christopher has led projects such as rebranding initiatives, website redesigns, crisis communications, social media growth, and launching the first municipal-based podcast in the Lowcountry. Christopher believes informed communities can positively impact, and I strive to connect with those I serve. Christoper is also an FAA-certified drone pilot, a prime example of how I blend innovation with service. As a kid, I developed a love for service in my quest to become an Eagle Scout. Additionally, I am a Leadership Charleston Graduate and an Honors graduate of Charleston Southern University. My professional achievements are no match to the joy of being a girl dad to my 17-month-old, Parker. Through innovative communication strategies, breathtaking aerial imagery, or top-notch dad jokes, my work is driven by a desire to inspire and serve.

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Sarah Alexander serves as the Digital Communications Coordinator for the Lexington County Sheriff's Department, a full-service and nationally accredited law enforcement agency in Lexington, SC. She has been in the position since Nov. 2021.

She is the agency story-teller. She is responsible for agency photography and videography, special projects and graphics, while being cross-trained in many other PIO duties. Sarah is driven by the good people and good stories within LCSD. She strives to represent them to the best of her ability to show the county who is there to serve them.

Sarah loves her community. As a native of Lexington, she has a special appreciation for the people of Lexington County and their communication needs.

She is a graduate from Winthrop University with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication. Following graduation, she became the Assignment Desk Editor at a local broadcast news station in Columbia, SC. 

Sarah lives in Lexington with her husband and their dog, Gus

Sarah's LinkedIn 

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Mark Economou has been the Public Information Manager for the Boca Raton Police Department since 2008.  Mark is also the Southeast region chair for the PIO section of the IACP. He served as PIO chair and co-chair for the Regional Domestic Security Task Force Region 7 in South Florida for over eight years.  His media and public relations background spans nearly 20 years. I spent nearly 15 years in radio and television news as Director of Media Relations for a Public Relations firm in Rhode Island.   He was also a Media Relations Specialist for a large national bank.  He has presented to several police organizations around the country on the role and strategy of the Public Information Officer and the use of social media.

Mark's Social and Contact Information.

LinkedIn
X - Twitter
Email

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Veronica Hill is a communications professional energized by creativity and collaboration. Veronica has a passion for developing mission-driven communication strategies and public information campaigns. With experience in the sectors of education, non-profit, and law enforcement, Veronica thrives on community and building connections. Veronica holds a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication from Wichita State University and a master’s in theology from Newman University. Veronica lives with her significant other and their two dogs in Columbia, South Carolina.

Veronica's LinkedIn

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About Trent Faris - Trent Faris serves as Public Information Officer for the York County Sheriff’s Office, a full-service and nationally accredited law enforcement agency employing approximately 400 full and part-time, sworn, and civilian personnel.  He has held this position for nine years.  

Trent is responsible for the daily coordination, circulation, formulation, and dissemination of communications to the media and publicity pertaining to the York County Sheriff's Office.

Trent is trained in Crisis Communications, achieving Advanced PIO training through FEMA and the FBI-LEEDA Master PIO course. 

He develops communication strategies and tactics to promote, enhance, and protect the agency's brand of fostering a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with the citizens of York County and the Sheriff's Office. In addition to those duties, Trent oversees video production for the York County Sheriff's Office aimed at public service announcements and crime prevention and assists with criminal investigations through visual media.

Trent manages website content and social media sites for the York County Sheriff's Office, The Sheriff's Foundation of York County, Inc., and Crime Stoppers of York County.

A native of Rock Hill, SC, Trent graduated in 2002 from Winthrop University with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication, one of only two accredited journalism schools in South Carolina.  Trent was nominated for an Emmy for work on a series of stories about World War II veterans living in the greater Charlotte area. Also earned and won several awards for reports from the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas. 

Before joining the YCSO, he worked for seven years as the South Carolina Bureau Reporter/Multi-Media Journalist for WBTV News in Charlotte NC. Before WBTV, he worked as a Sports Reporter and Photojournalist at CN2 News in Rock Hill SC. While attending Winthrop University, Trent worked and interned at WBT Radio WLNK Radio in Charlotte, NC

Trent is a veteran of the US Navy, serving as an Aviation Ordnanceman as well as serving with the US Marine detachment for ship security from 1994 to 1997.

In his spare time, Trent is a volunteer soccer and basketball coach and is the Cooperative Weather Observer in Catawba, SC for the National Weather Service.    

Trent's Twitter handle @trentfaris

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Results-driven Public Relations Professional with a proven track record in managing public information, marketing campaigns, and community outreach initiatives. Strong expertise in media relations, crisis communications, and strategic planning. Demonstrates exceptional writing skills and the ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders. Committed to achieving organizational goals through impactful communication strategies.

[email protected]
www.linkedin.com/in/robert-tornabene 

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Austin McDaniel is the Communications Director for the Alaska Department of Public Safety. As communications director, he oversees four professional staff members, and the public information office team that manages all external and internal communications for the Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, and Alaska State Fire Marshals Office. He also ensures the department remains compliant with the Alaska Public Records Act, and oversees nine professional staff that manage these requests. Austin joined the Alaska State Troopers in 2020 after serving as the Deputy Communications Director for Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, where he oversaw all digital communications for the Governor’s Office and overall digital communications strategy for the State of Alaska. He has also worked in communications positions for Alaska Governor Sean Parnell, Alaska telecommunications company GCI, and local CBS affiliate KTVA. Austin is a lifelong Alaskan that can be found hunting, fishing, and enjoying all of the outdoors activities that The Last Frontier has to offer with his wife and son.

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Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.