George S. Rice Jr.

Daytona Beach, Fla. — The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today expressed its gratitude to Executive Director George Rice for his diligence in leading the Association into an era of organizational and programmatic growth. Mr. Rice will step down from his position with APCO International effective June 30, 2011 to move to another association leadership setting, that of Executive Director of the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance.

“These five years have been a challenging time for the field of public safety and for APCO International. Yet, it was also a highly productive time for us with George at the helm,” said APCO International President Bill Carrow. “Working together, we crafted a new governance structure that should serve the Association well in the coming years and decades. We instituted new financial, personnel, program, and board management processes that have already created a more efficient and effective environment,” Carrow continued.

As of July 1, Deputy Executive Director Mark Cannon will assume the role of Interim Executive Director, supported by the senior staff team of Chief Operations Officer Barbara Myers and Chief Administrative Officer Ricky Marshall.

“During George’s tenure, we have crafted a wholly new policy development and outreach structure that has moved APCO International into the forefront on federal relations, while setting in motion a strategic posture to strengthen our organizational development approach,” said First Vice President Gregg Riddle, who will assume the office of President in August.

The Executive Committee of APCO International’s Board of Directors is currently examining executive search provisions and possibilities, in conjunction with the strategic needs of the Association. Further updates on these matters will be provided to APCO International’s members and to the field as information becomes available.

During the past five years, APCO International had many accomplishments. Of particular note, the Association established a permanent presence in the Nation’s Capital by adding to the staffing contingent at its policy office and by purchasing through its foundation a small office building in Alexandria, Virginia, which has become the focal point for much legislative activity on spectrum and comm center-related matters. In this same time frame, APCO International also enriched its global identity, enhanced its e-publications and print magazine, established a networking platform for public safety professionals, launched its corporate partners program, updated its governance and significantly increased inter-association relations.

“APCO International is poised to build on the success of the past five years and continue the tradition of growth now embedded in its philosophy,” said Rice. “With the excellent staff team in place and a strong and connected transition plan in play, the stage should be set quite well for the period of transition to a new staff leader, and beyond.”

“We wish George all the best in this next stage of his career,” Carrow concluded. “He will be missed. But, it is certain that in his new role he will remain quite intertwined with the goings-on of APCO International on a number of fronts.”

About APCO International
APCO International is the world’s largest organization of public safety communications professionals. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide—and the welfare of the general public as a whole—by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach. www.apcointl.org