Posts in category: People

RapidDeploy, the industry’s leading cloud-native emergency response platform, announces the addition of Eileen O’Brien as the company’s vice president of people operations. In this role, O’Brien leads U.S. team growth as well as employee wellness and engagement initiatives.

“We’re excited for Eileen to lead People Operations at RapidDeploy,” RapidDeploy Co-Founder and CEO Steve Raucher said. “With over 20 years in a human resources career dedicated to growing and supporting organisations, Eileen is the right person to take RapidDeploy to the next level.”

O’Brien served as associate vice president of talent acquisition and chief human resource officer for Broward Health, where she held leadership positions in one of the nation’s largest public hospital systems and collaborated across the executive team to drive organisational success. O’Brien also has held additional senior leadership positions in other multi-state healthcare organisations, financial services, and higher education, and she is a Senior Certified HR Professional through both the Society for Human Resources Management and Human Resources Certification Institute.

“One of the most important things about the emergency response industry is that it’s human-centric,” O’Brien said. “I look forward to supporting the HR efforts of a team that focuses on the people working behind the scenes to make sure that every emergency is treated with the utmost importance.”

O’Brien came to the team to advance development and bring structure at a critical time as RapidDeploy is evolving. O’Brien is the third woman to join the executive team this year, highlighting RapidDeploy’s commitment to uplifting women in the emergency response field.

DATAMARK, the public safety geographic information systems (GIS) team of Michael Baker International has announced the appointment of Chris Friel, GISP, to Director of Client Success. In his new role, Mr. Friel will oversee a team of industry leaders and trusted experts to develop strategies that lead to positive outcomes for both clients and internal DATAMARK team members. He will focus on delivering an impeccable client experience that lasts throughout the customer journey. The firm also announced the creation of its Client Success Team, composed of Client Success Advocates whose mission is to assist DATAMARK customers in achieving their goals as they relate to public safety GIS.

“As Director of Client Success, Chris will leverage nearly three decades of experience working in the GIS and public safety industries to create an enhanced experience for our DATAMARK customers,” said Jason Bivens, Vice President at DATAMARK. “I am confident that under his leadership, the DATAMARK Client Success Team will provide our customers with the best experience from sale to contract delivery and beyond. This new and growing team will manage client relations and provide our internal team with insights based on their input and feedback, allowing us to make improvements to our products and workflows, while addressing customer needs.”

Mr. Friel joined DATAMARK in 2019 and has previously served as a Business Development Manager and Director of Strategic Accounts, assisting the firm in capturing numerous strategic projects across the U.S. He also served as Business Development Manager at Avineon, Inc., Senior Account Executive – State and Local Government at Esri, Program Manager – GIS Integration Services at Quantum Spatial, Vice President at GIS Solutions, Inc. and Program Leader – Information Science and Management at Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.

Mr. Friel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography/GIS from Northern Michigan University and a Master of Science degree in GIS and Cartography from Western Illinois University.

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) bestowed the 2021 Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award to the Colonia (NJ) Fire Department Explorer Post during a ceremony on November 19. NVFC Director from New Jersey George Heflich and past Director Eugene Enfield Sr. presented the award.

Sponsored by California Casualty, the Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award is presented each year to an outstanding junior firefighter program that exemplifies community impact, innovation, and creativity. The ceremony took place locally so that all of the program’s junior firefighters had the opportunity to attend. In addition to the award, the juniors were presented with a National Junior Firefighter Program baseball cap.

“We are very pleased to partner with California Casualty to recognise this outstanding group of junior firefighters,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “The dedication displayed by these juniors to their department and community is inspirational and shows that the future of the fire service is very bright indeed.”

The Colonia Explorer Post is a vibrant, long-running program that has provided numerous benefits to the fire department and the community. The program is also the primary source of new members for the department, with many of the current members being former Explorers.

The Explorers learn firefighting methods, equipment, and apparatus through training and drills. By participating in community service activities, these young people have become ambassadors of their community and the department as they prepare for college and life after high school.

For the past 11 years, the Colonia Explorers have participated in the Ohio Youth Fire & EMS Training Academy (OYFETA), a weeklong event that takes place at Hocking College in Nelsonville, OH. Taking a group of teenagers raised in New Jersey to a rural college campus several hundred miles away and embedding them with a similar group of teenagers from Ohio and other states has helped them develop communication skills and behaviors expected of older young adults.

Department leaders, academy staff, and parents have consistently said that attendees have returned as responsible teenagers with improved outlooks on life and education, enhanced social and behavioral skills, and a recognition that effort results in success and reward. They quickly learn to behave like a firefighter – work collectively as a team, support those that fall behind, and learn from those who know more.

In addition, the Colonia Fire Department’s Junior Fire Academy program is a recruitment/community activity that highlights the OYFETA attendees. Designed to spur interest in the Explorer program, 7^th and 8^th grade students are invited to experience the physical skills and activities of a firefighter over two days. OYFETA graduates are paired with firefighters to serve as instructors.

The success of the Colonia Explorer program has led to other fire departments seeking out their assistance in creating or improving their own junior/Explorer programs. However, the greatest measure of the program’s success can be seen in the substantial number of former Explorers who are now in full-time fire and emergency services positions in communities in New Jersey and across the country.

The Junior Firefighter Program of the Year is one of five annual fire service achievement awards given out by the NVFC. The nomination period for the 2022 awards is currently open. Learn more and submit a nomination at www.nvfc.org/awards.

Telgian Engineering & Consulting, LLC ecently announced the addition of Frank Lake as Director, Business Development – Public Sector. In this position, Lake will be responsible for the management of new business goals and existing business partnerships. In addition, he will work closely with executive leadership, as well as the marketing and the business development teams to create new opportunities for expansion and growth.

“Frank has a proven track record for exceptional leadership,” says TEC President Leonard Ramo. “His expert knowledge in strategic planning for business growth, focusing on innovative, client-focused solutions, will be essential to TEC’s continued success, as we continue to expand into new markets.”  

With more than 35 years of experience, Lake specialises in business development across a wide array of industry sectors including government and the public sector. In addition to the establishment of government contracts, his accomplishments include the development of multiple distributor pipelines, as well as the successful development of programs used to identify current and potential long-term opportunities and partnering relationships.

Previously, Lake was a Senior Government Business Development Associate with the medical simulator firm Operative Experience Inc. There he was responsible for strategic business development and medical research development, as well as for fostering teamwork, improving organisational development and promoting a culture of excellence through organisational values and recognition programs.

Lake is a 20+ year veteran of the United States Navy where he served as a Hospital Corpsman.

The Supervisory Board of Siemens AG decided to renew the appointment of Managing Board member Ralf P. Thomas. The term of the company’s chief Financial Officer of Siemens AG will run until December 14, 2026.

Ralf P. Thomas, Managing Board Member and CFO“Ralf Thomas has an outstanding track record and has been instrumental in the execution of the strategy to create a focused technology company. I would like to take this moment to thank Ralf Thomas for his strong contribution and dedication to Siemens so far. I look forward to what’s to come: he brings the steady hand of experience, combined with a clear vision to continue to deliver value in the years to come,” said Jim Hagemann Snabe, Chairman of the Siemens Supervisory Board.

Ralf Thomas joined Siemens in 1995 and has been a member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG as CFO since 2013. He has been Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Siemens Healthineers AG since 2019 and a member of the Supervisory Board of Siemens Energy since 2020.Roland Busch, President and Chief Executive Officer, Siemens AG, said: “Ralf Thomas’ experience and perspective are a tremendous advantage for our Managing Board. I value him greatly as a colleague and trusted advisor who has the acumen to steer the successful execution of our financial framework and accelerated, high-value growth, building on Siemens’ great performance in 2021.” 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve this great company. It is an honor to lead such an outstanding finance team and work alongside Roland and the Managing Board. I relish the challenge to continue to drive strong financial performance and company value,” said Ralf Thomas.

Ralf Thomas is also responsible for Siemens Financial Services, Siemens Real Estate and the Portfolio Companies. In addition to his Siemens roles, he is Chairman of the Stock Exchange Commission of Experts at Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance (since July 2019); a member of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, DAI (since January 2014); and a Member of the Administrative Board and Treasurer of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science e.V., MPG (since June 2014).

BSI, the business improvement and standards company today announces that Sara Dickinson has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer at BSI. In her capacity as Chief Financial Officer, Sara will also become an Executive Director on the BSI Board.  

Sara will join BSI on the 24 January 2022 and succeeds Craig Smith who left the business at the end of July 2021.  Sara is currently Senior Vice President of Finance at Expedia Group Inc, a global travel technology company, where she is responsible for the corporate finance functions.  She was Chief Finance Officer of Expedia Partner Solutions, the worldwide B2B division within Expedia for four years prior to this and she brings over 25 years of financial experience as well as significant knowledge of scaling B2B businesses and digital transformations. Prior to Expedia, her experience includes roles as Commercial Finance and FP&A Director at Costa Coffee, Group Financial Controller for Sage Group PLC and Vice President and European CFO of Orbitz WorldWide Inc. Sara is also a non-executive member of the board of Aptitude Software Group PLC.

Susan Taylor Martin, Chief Executive at BSI said: “We are thrilled to have Sara join the BSI team. Sara brings not just fantastic financial leadership experience, but also a track record of delivering transformative change and building highly effective teams. Sara’s deeply digital experience will be of enormous value and I very much look forward to partnering with Sara at this pivotal stage in BSI’s evolution”.

During the 51^st General Assembly of Euralarm, the European association representing the fire safety and security industry, the members have chosen Jon Könz as new President of Euralarm. He succeeds Martin Harvey who was President for the past 3 ½ years. Before being elected President Jon Könz was chair of the Services Section of Euralarm. He is head of Industry Affairs at Siemens Smart Infrastructure.

The 2021 General Assembly was held in Brussels where the outgoing President praised the work that was done in fostering internal communications in times when more and more people were bound to their (home) office and much of the communications takes place via online communication platforms. Nevertheless, the association succeeded in aligning opinions and developing clear priorities shared across the whole scope of the industries represented by Euralarm: product and system manufacturers, installers, integrators, service providers, and national associations from all over Europe.

Having added more than 10 new members over the past years, Euralarm now represents a bigger share of the industry, allowing the association to exert more influence at European level. Under Euralarm’s umbrella model, different industry disciplines are represented by distinct Sections with separate membership, but they work together in their high-level dialogue with institutional players and other European stakeholders.

The General Assembly also elected Anja Schäfer (JCI) as chair of the Marketing Committee whereas Dominique Taudin (Carrier) will remain as chair of the Advocacy Committee.

On the following day, section chairs and vice chairs were elected or re-elected by their respective section members. Neil Budd (FIA) was elected vice chair of the Fire Section, Milan Ceeh (AGA) will be the acting chair of the Security Section with Oscar Feijo Jimenez (Verisure) as vice chair. Robert Thilthope (FIA) will succeed Jon Könz as chair of the Services Section with Victoria Ferrera Lopez (Verisure) as vice chair. Alan Elder (JCI) and Tornbjörn Laursen (SikkerhedsBranschen) will remain as chair and vice chair of the Extinguishing Section.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has appointed Ruth Lake as its new Director of Strategy and Business Development.

Ruth took up her role on Monday 06 December. After a short handover period she will take over from Richard Orton, who is leaving IOSH to take up a Managing Director position elsewhere.

Prior to her appointment, Ruth had been IOSH’s Interim Director of Professional Services for several months. She has an extensive and varied background in publishing and professional bodies. She has led the commercial publishing team at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and a range of commercial and membership services at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Ruth’s 20 years’ experience covers full profit-and-loss responsibility for product and content development activities, and commercial services as well as leading communications strategy. She has also worked with global stakeholders and partners in her professional body roles, which include the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

She was previously Project Development Manager at the Landscape Institute, managing key strategic projects such as developing a new online CPD system, a strategic partnership with other professional bodies focused on high-street regeneration and establishing a new competency framework and entry standards for membership.

Speaking about her appointment, Ruth emphasised her commitment to consolidating and developing IOSH’s commercial and strategic relationships while extending the organisation’s reach to emerging markets for its products and services. She said:

“I am delighted to be taking up the role of Director of Strategy and Business Development at IOSH. Richard Orton leaves big shoes to fill, but I am very much looking forward to continuing to contribute as part of IOSH’s Senior Leadership Team, with a new focus on the Strategy and Business Development directorate.

“Over the next few months, I look forward to working with the staff team, those in volunteer and governance roles and those with whom the Strategy and Business Development Directorate works so closely – including our corporate clients, strategic partnerships and training providers – to complete the outstanding elements from the WORK 2022 strategy and help to form and deliver on the next stages of development across IOSH.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has paid tribute to the organisations former president Lord Bill McKenzie who has passed away. During his time as president, Lord McKenzie had ministerial responsibility for safety and health at work from 2007-2010. During this time, the number of fatal accidents in Great Britain’s work places dropped by more than a third.

Errol Taylor, Chief Executive Officer at RoSPA said: “It is with great sadness that all of us at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), learnt of the death of Lord Bill McKenzie, President of RoSPA between 2013 and 2019. Bill’s immense contribution to RoSPA as President, and to the world of health and safety at large, will always be recognised.

“Among the highlights of his time as our President, Bill hosted nine RoSPA Health and Safety Awards gala dinners, personally presented 118 awards to winners and celebrated the very best in occupational safety & health.

“He was delightful to work alongside, bringing good humour, integrity, a passion for inclusivity and a razor-sharp intellect. Bill dedicated his life to public service, and he will be sorely missed by all of us in the safety community.

“Our thoughts are with Bill’s family. May he rest in peace.”

The Remuneration and Nomination Committee of the Supervisory Board of Rosenbauer International AG have extended the Executive Board contracts of Sebastian Wolf (CFO), Daniel Tomaschko (CTO) and Andreas Zeller (CSO) by another five years. Andreas Zeller will also serve as Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board in the future.

The Supervisory Board wishes to thank the members of the Executive Board for their successful work in strengthening the Group’s competitive position and continuously advancing its growth.

The Group’s revenues hit the € 1 billion mark for the first time ever last year. Sebastian Wolf, Daniel Tomaschko and Andreas Zeller were originally appointed to the Executive Board of Rosenbauer International AG in 2017. The contract of Dieter Siegel (CEO) was already extended in June.