Second Vice President Candidate
Chad Deese
Chad Deese is a native of Robeson County with over 23 years of Emergency Communications Experience and a vast amount of technical knowledge. He has served in many roles over the last 23 years. He received an Associate Degree in Information Systems/Network Support Admin from Robeson Community College. He began his career as a 911 Telecommunicator and after several years, applied and was hired as the Chief Information Technology Officer with the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office. He continued to work in this role until earning the rank of Assistant Director of E911. After serving in this apacity for – years, to then be promoted to 911 Director. He currently holds many certifications from EMD, EFD, EMD-Q, DCI TAC to list a few.
When he is not working, Chad enjoys traveling with his family and spending time with his 15-year-old daughter Torrien. He loves golf, working out, and volunteering at his local fire department where he has been a member for over 25 years. His years spent in the communication industry has helped him gain the important skills that allow him to provide the best possible service to the citizens of Robeson County when called upon. He prides himself on having a strong work ethic, attention to detail and a positive attitude. His goal is to make each caller feel comfortable and at ease when the needs arise to call 911 in their emergency.
SECRETARY CANDIDATES
Dawn Anderson
Ms. Anderson serves as a Telecommunicator for the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s Police & Public Safety Department. Ms. Anderson has had a wealth of experience as it relates to her employment and various positions she has held. She was employed as a NC Mentor Network for 4 years in the mental health field. Ms. Anderson was then employed by the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office for just under 9 years. While there she learned the importance of leadership and taking initiative. She was tasked with organizing platoon functions, the Salvation Army Christmas Tree Angel, High Point Toy Drive, and the Greensboro Coat Drive. While participating in these programs she gained a passion for community service efforts and public interest work. Also, she was awarded the Telecommunicator of the Year Award in 2021.
Ms. Anderson believes that it is important to attain success and significance in all aspects of one’s life. She believes in a person's goal to accomplish something every day, measure their effectiveness, and seek to improve themselves. It is has been said by past employers that Ms. Anderson “develops rapport and builds harmony for her co-workers. She is loyal, honest, and dependable. She is an individual that you can ALWAYS count on”.
Ms. Anderson has dedicated her life to public service whether while employed or while servicing her local community. She is a born leader, has the drive, and exhibits true compassion.
Melissa "Missy" Ezzell
I am a proud mom of four and I have one daughter-in-law; and I love spending time with my family. My sons are in public safety as well. They are both volunteer firemen; one is also a full-time Firefighter, one is an Assistant Ranger with NC Forestry, and my daughter-in-law is a paramedic.
I have always lived in Pender County, and I am honored to be able to help my community through the work that has become my career. I have over thirty years of experience in public safety, and I have witnessed firsthand how our profession continues to evolve. Throughout my career I have worked as a 911 telecommunicator, Police Administrative Assistant, 911 Director, and I am currently the Telecommunicator Supervisor at the UNCW Police Department where I have worked since 2017. I also work as a part-time 911 Telecommunicator at Pender County Sheriff’s Office. I recently received my Associate’s Degree in Public Safety Administration concentrating in Fire/Emergency Management from Cape Fear Community College. I am certified as a General Instructor with the NC Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission, and I take pride in training telecommunicators. I understand the importance of all aspects of public safety and know that at the end of the day everyone needs to go home safely. I teach this anytime that I can share with other telecommunicators, we are a lifeline.
I feel that being elected to serve on the Executive Board in 2018 was one of my proudest and most humbling professional accomplishments. Since becoming a board member, I feel that I have grown both professionally and personally and I am proud to represent the telecommunicators of North Carolina. I understand the commitment required and I would love the opportunity to continue to serve on the NC APCO Executive Board.
Megan Sale
My name is Megan Sale, and I am 28 years old. I am a wife, a mother, and a student. I have an amazing husband, and a wonderful son, both of which I enjoy spending time with! I am studying online at UNCP to earn my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. I will finish my degree next year. In my spare time I enjoy baking, crafting, and traveling. Around 5 years ago I started my dive into this amazing career, and I am currently a Telecommunicator at Scotland County Emergency Communications. This career took me by surprise, but I quickly fell in love. Being a Telecommunicator is everything I wanted to be when I was growing up, but in the most unexpected way. I enjoy coming to work and being faced with a new challenge every day. I am a problem solver by nature, who also loves structure and organization. Therefore, this career has meshed well with my personality, and it utilizes my strengths. One of my goals since I became a Telecommunicator is to become more involved with what makes 911, 911. I think it is important to bring awareness to the public about who we are and what we do; also making our Telecommunicator’s mental health more of a priority within departments. Being a telecommunicator is such a big part of my life and I look forward to a bright future within this career.
Regional Ambassador - Region B
Morrissa Ahl-Walters
Morrissa Ahl-Walters is the current Region B Ambassador. She started her career over 20 years ago as an EMT, became a 911 Dispatcher, and then worked for NCSHP Communications from 2010 – July 2022. Although she currently serves as the secretary for NCSHP’s Aviation Division, she still is active in the Troop C Communication Center part time, and is involved in teaching, training, supporting, and advocating for telecommunicators in North Carolina and other states.
During her current term as Region B Ambassador, she identified three smaller communication centers that had previously not been included in the email list of agencies that were sent out APCO updates, and she has seen an increase in agency participation in meetings, training and conferences.
Morrissa also participates in peer support, assists with CISM efforts with her agency, and has always been an open door for her peers if they should ever just need someone to lend an ear. She has always sought to encourage others and celebrated their successes. Her focus is on making sure her peers always feel seen and heard.
Regional Ambassador - Region D
Joshua Benfield
My name is Josh Benfield and I am running for Regional Ambassador for Region D. I started my career in 911 in 2004 in Caswell County while working part-time with our county’s EMS department. I remained in Caswell until 2007 and at that time I began working for Rockingham County 911. While in Rockingham, I served as Telecommunicator and as Assistant Lead Telecommunicator until I left in 2015. I returned home to Caswell in 2017 as a Telecommunicator and moved up in the ranks to Database Coordinator to now as Operations Manager.
I am seeking re-election because I believe that working together with our communities and industry partners, we can finally be recognized as what we truly are, First Responders. I believe this will open many doors for our profession to finally be able to receive mental health benefits that other responders have available to them. I believe that working together across our region, state, and nation we can promote our profession and its ever-changing technology to better serve our communities.
I have been married to my wonderful wife Lindsay to the past 20 years and we have made our home in Pelham, NC with our 2 boys, Parker(17) and Brody(12). I am excited to be nominated for Region D and if elected I look forward to serving our region for another two years.
Regional Ambassador - Region f
Stori McIntyre
My name is Stori McIntyre and I am currently the Director of Cleveland County Communications. I jumped into the career of a telecommunicator straight out of high school and never looked back! I have served in every position offered over my career, from records clerk, to call taker and dispatching, training coordinator, shift supervisor, QA specialist, assistant director and now director. Each one of those positions offered learning and growth opportunities that only experience in those positions could bring. I am profoundly thankful for each step I have taken and pride myself on the ability to still be able to perform each role. I can’t imagine doing anything else! This career has grown me in so many ways and surrounded me with the most amazing people in the world. Telecommunicators are truly HEROS in every aspect and I strive to represent the values of these HEROS in all of my actions.
Meet the 2023 NC APCO Nominations Committee
Grayson Gusa, RPL
Grayson Gusa, RPL
Grayson Gusa, RPL
Nominations Committee Chair
Immediate Past NC APCO President
David Dodd, RPL
Grayson Gusa, RPL
Grayson Gusa, RPL
Past NC APCO President
Brett Wrenn
Grayson Gusa, RPL
Brett Wrenn
Past NC APCO President