On the final day of APCO 2023, the Food For Thought Luncheon in the Music City Center featured chapter membership awards, agency certification recognition, thanks to conference organizers and a preview of APCO 2024. Finally, the climax of the lunch came in a presentation by a pilot named Amelia Earhart.
 
But before all that, new APCO Executive Director Mel Maier expressed excitement about leading the nation’s largest law enforcement association after serving 33 years in public safety. Maier was the captain and chief of public safety communications for the Oakland County (Michigan) Sheriff’s Office before joining APCO in March 2022. He ascends to executive director after serving 18 months as APCO’s chief technology officer. Derek Poarch, who is retiring, remains CEO during the leadership transition.

APCO 2023 came to a close at the Connect & Celebrate Dinner in Nashville, Tennessee, where attendees were greeted with music from Michael Andrew and the Swingerhead Band. Once attendees got settled, outgoing President Angela Batey took the podium to thank everyone and followed that with presenting the 2023 APCO International President’s Award to Mrs. Kathy Poarch, wife of APCO CEO Derek Poarch. “Kathy has been a steadfast partner, walking side by side with Derek for his entire time at APCO,” said President Batey. “She has been his confidant, his refuge and his northern star. Now that his time as our CEO is drawing to an end, I could not let the opportunity to show our appreciation slip by.”

 

Batey continued to recap the past year, including the search for the association’s new executive director. “In January, we embarked on the most difficult task I have faced as a member of APCO – finding a successor to our incredible executive director and CEO, Mr. Derek Poarch,” she said. “We knew this would never be an easy job, but I am confident that our new executive director, Mr. Mel Maier, who I introduced on Monday, will continue to foster the culture of excellence and service that have been hallmarks of Derek’s tenure.”