Candidate for 1st Vice President
Angela Bowen, RPL, CPE

Manager, Curriculum Services Section, Georgia Public Safety Training Center

Authentic Courageous Leadership
My name is Angela Bowen, I am a candidate for APCO International 1st Vice President, and I would be honored to earn your vote.

This first year on the Executive Committee has been much different than I envisioned almost two years ago when I made the decision to seek office. The challenges of 2020, whether physical, emotional, or operational, pushed ourselves and our colleagues to the very limits. Like always, the heroes behind the headset adapted and overcame to continue serving our communities despite every obstacle they faced.

For most, we would like to forget about 2020; however, last year presented us with opportunities to look at new and exciting ways to improve our profession and support our members. Preparing our workforce to embrace the future and providing the mental, emotional, and professional support they need to meet the challenges not just of tomorrow, but of today, is our calling. President Moulin’s formation of the Military Task Force to explore options for aligning ECC staffing shortages with unemployed military spouses and veterans, and the Health & Wellness Committee, to research and develop resources to support the wellbeing of ECC personnel, was just the beginning; there is still more to be done.

Helping our profession fully realize the promises of NG911 by supporting legislation, which could provide much needed funding to state and local agencies for the buildout of a fully interoperable and interconnected public safety communications system is a once in a lifetime opportunity to which your entire Executive Committee is deeply committed. Keeping attention on the efforts to have of Public Safety Telecommunicators reclassified by the Department of Labor from the administrative/clerical to the Protective Services Occupations classification as recognition for their lifesaving work and dedication also continues to be a high priority.

My time on the Executive Committee has stoked my passion and drive to serve you, our members, more than I ever imagined. Seeing the foresight of my fellow Executive Committee members, their willingness to make challenging and sometimes, difficult decisions, and the loyalty they have to the mission and vision of APCO International has been awe-inspiring.

With your continued support, my work on the Executive Committee and with other like-minded individuals across our profession will advance the needs of our members and industry. We can continue to build relationships while standing firm on our core values and principles to ensure the safety of our communities through education, advocacy, and outreach. Serving with the dedicated individuals on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee has been one of the highlights of my career. I would be greatly honored if you would vote Yes for Angela Bowen for First Vice President.