WIPS 2018 Conference Program

10th Annual Conference September 20-21, 2018

“Breakthrough to Excellence”

Honoring and Promoting Women in Public Service

Portsmouth Fire, Rescue & Emergency Services

Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center 425 Water Street │ Portsmouth │ Virginia 23704

CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA Office of the Mayor

John L. Rowe, Jr. Mayor

September 20, 2018

Greetings,

As Mayor of the City of Portsmouth, and on behalf of my City Council colleagues, it is a privilege for me to extend a warm and cordial welcome to everyone attending the 10th Annual Women in Public Service Conference, being held at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel and Waterfront Conference Center on September 20-21, 2018.

I commend each and everyone of the remarkable women that are being celebrated today for their service to the community, as well as the nation. I am confident that your family and friends share in the same deep pride that I feel for the sacrifices and the courage it takes to serve in this country.

It is my hope that your conference will be an overwhelming success. Best wishes to each of you for good health and happiness in the days ahead.

Sincerely,

John L. Rowe, Jr. Mayor

Portsmouth, Virginia...Established 1752 P.O. Box 820 • Portsmouth, VA 23705-820 • (757) 393-8746 • Fax: (757) 393-5378 • mayor@portsmouthva.gov

It is an honor and a privilege to welcome you to the 10th Annual Women in Public Service Conference. The Portsmouth Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Department is proud to be in our tenth year hosting this important conference which promises to be an exciting and educational experience. The conference will afford attendees a tremendous opportunity to enhance their knowledge and awareness in a variety of areas that can only strengthen the foundation of their organizations.

The workshops have been designed to encourage and promote excellence in leadership, and while focused on women in public service, there is something here for everyone. In addition, the conference will allow attendees to network and learn from each other’s diverse experiences. It is our desire that as a result of this conference, you will gain valuable information that will enhance your professional development and help to build lasting professional relationships.

During your stay, please enjoy some of the rich history and the fine restaurants located throughout the streets of Old Towne and our City. Feel free to visit any of our eight fire stations and meet the strength of our organization, our incredible personnel.

Thanks for your time and your support!

Sincerely,

James E. Hoffler Acting Fire Chief

Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Fire Administration 311 County Street, Suite 200*Portsmouth, VA 23704-3701 * (757) 393-8765*Fax (757) 393-5161

OPENING CEREMONY

Mistress of Ceremonies ............................ Charisse L. Orton, Conference Chair Portsmouth Fire, Rescue & Emergency Services Presentation of Colors

Portsmouth Fire, Rescue & Emergency Services Color Guard

Invocation................................................. Minister Mary Watson, United in Christ Church Official Welcome ...................................... The Honorable John L. Rowe, Jr, Mayor City of Portsmouth Dr. Lydia Pettis Patton, City Manager City of Portsmouth Greetings .................................................. Tonya D. Chapman, Police Chief City of Portsmouth Greetings .................................................. James E. Hoffler, Fire Chief City of Portsmouth Keynote..................................................... Lynda McNutt Foster, CEO of Cortex Leadership Consulting “I Will” ― Finding Your Genius Zone

“Breakthrough to Excellence”

OPENING CEREMONY

Keynote Speaker

Lynda McNutt Foster was named a Business Icon by Valley Business Front magazine in 2017 and is a contributor for Forbes.com.

Lynda is the CEO of Cortex Leadership Consulting and has been a leadership coach and trainer for 10 years and speaker/trainer for more than 25. She is an expert commentator for Virginia at Work on WFXR news each Monday morning.

Lynda is a certified coach in Conversational Intelligence and a practitioner of TED, The Empowerment Dynamic. DiSC and Driving Forces through TTI is foundational to her work with clients.

She is the founder of an innovative texting communication tool called, goMonti that helps monitor, measure and motivate executives through behavior change initiated by coaching.

LYNDA MCNUTT FOSTER

She has served local and international clients that include Cleveland Clinic, Home Instead Senior Care, Orvis, Innovage, City and County of Roanoke, Excel Truck Group (formerly VA Truck Center), Berglund, Roanoke College, Averett College.

Lynda is the author of two ebooks, Time Mastery: 7 Simple Steps to Richer Outcomes and 4 Keys to More Effective Leadership Behaviors.

Lynda is the mother of a daughter much smarter than she is, and a husband much kinder. She is a brain-focused trainer. Practical author. Slow runner. Day hiker. Enthusiastic zipliner. Pathetic speller and bowler.

Thanks for joining us for WIPS 2018!

www.facebook.com/WIPSConference

Follow us on Facebook during the conference.

SPEAKER

NICK BASKERVILLE has served honorably in the United States Air Force for 10 years, followed by 4 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. He has 18 years of fire service experience, with 15 of that being in a career department in Northern Virginia. He has held positions in the Company Officer's section of the Virginia Fire Chief's Association (VFCA), The Virginia Fire Officers Academy (VFOA) staff, and has served as the Virginia state representative for the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF). Nick is a regular contributor for the blog, The Firehouse Tribune (http:// www.thefirehousetribune.com/) on issues of teaching, leadership, and mentoring.

Nick is also a member of the public speaking organization, Toastmasters. He holds an Advanced Competent Bronze (ACB) certification. He also tells personal narrative stories that have been featured on shows for The Moth, Better Said Than Done, Storyfest Short Slam, Secretly Y’all, and The Story Collider. Find information about these shows and tips for storytelling and public speaking for purpose at the blog Story Telling On Purpose (www.stop365.wordpress.com) STORIES OF EXCELLENCE — Do you remember the time you had a something to explain, but you got blank stares and question marks? Was it an ambiguous point without a point of reference? We’ll discuss the oldest form of communicating a message: Story Telling. Storytelling takes the seed of information, plants it in the minds of others, and nurtures it to produce growth for individuals. Children and adults alike enjoy a good story, whether it’s from a book, on TV, or at the movies. Through the use of exercises and discussions, attendees will learn what an effective story is, where to find that story, and how to best use it. Attendees will leave with a framework for putting together a story to influence people at work, in the community, in government, or anywhere else one is in the pursuit of excellence.

Financial, technology, and audio visual support for WIPS conference provided by Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP). www.vafire.com

SPEAKER

I. DAVID DANIELS, President/CEO ID2 Solutions, LLC has been a public -sector safety professional for over 25 years in local governments across the United States. Daniels holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management. He is certified as a Safety Director, Violence Prevention Specialist, Emergency Management Specialist, Safety and Health Specialist, and Fire Service Health and Safety Officer.

Daniels is a member and delegate with the National Safety Council (NSC) and chair of the NSC’s Government and Public-Sector Division.

He is chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Bullying, Harassment and Violence Prevention Task Group. He is also an affiliate of the Workplace Bullying Institute.

WORKPLACE BULLYING, HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION — Creating a safe workplace involves more than the prevention of slips, trips, falls and other physical injuries. An environment where incivility, hazing, bullying, harassment and violence is a real and present threat to the safety of employees in a workplace setting. The psychosocial health of members of an organization is also extremely important, especially in public sector organizations, where the public perception of government is fairly low. Additionally, according to the Workplace Bullying Institute, 60% of the targets of bullying are women. In fact, even when the perpetrator is a woman, the targets are more often women.

This presentation is intended to provide an awareness of the signs and symptoms of these behaviors as well as how they establish a culture that is fertile ground for more serious behaviors if not recognized and addressed by both leadership and potential targets.

SPEAKER

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM L. GERVIN was born in the east end of Newport News, VA in the Lassiter Courts projects. He was raised by a single mother in an area where crime, violence, and drugs were the norm. Overcoming tough times and always keeping a positive outlook on life has brought him to this place in life, a distinguished athlete, scholar, police sergeant, keynote speaker, husband, and father of two.

William has obtained a Master of Arts degree in public administration with a concentration in national security affairs; has graduated from numerous leadership academies, and is a certified instructor in Fair and Impartial Policing as well as Leadership In Police Organizations.

In 2008 he founded Spoken Destiny LLC, which serves to provide excellence in any keynote speaking event. William has presented for various community groups, civic organizations, businesses, schools, and has been interviewed on radio and television. His company’s mission is “to be a life change catalyst with a heart to see people transform by shifting the way they think about life.”

BREAKING PAST MEDIOCRITY — So often we get “stuck” as public servants. The long hours, the endless duties, the challenge to do more with less, the thankless jobs, the seemingly never ending battle and bureaucratic red tape. The ever increasing work load and lack of appreciation can cause just about any of us to fall into the habit of doing just enough and settling for mediocrity. Life is like a treadmill, and if we aren’t progressing, then life will drag us backwards. You will learn how to break past mediocrity and find a way to dedicate yourself to excellence, and maintain it with a mindset shift.

SPEAKER

ART JACKSON is a professional speaker and executive coach. He is a recognized expert in the areas of leadership, performance improvement and interpersonal skills.

Art is the originator of the Purpose Centered Leadership™ system that has been used to improve performance in many facets of public and private life.

He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, a Master of Science degree in Management and a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Counseling.

Art is currently an adjunct professor at the Graduate School USA and has helped maximize performance for various federal agencies and Fortune 500 companies. His areas of expertise are strategic planning, training, program management, marketing, conflict management, and logistics.

BREAKTRHOUGH TO EXCELLENCE — Have you ever felt that you were intended for greater…but greater always seems to be just out of your reach? You did everything that you believed you were supposed to do in life but still…those accomplishments seem to always be just a little bit out of reach? Sounds like you need ‘A Breakthrough’!

In his new presentation, ‘Breakthrough to Excellence’ Mr. Art Jackson will present you with the skills to identify the doors that have been holding you back, and the strategies to take them right off the hinges! Developed out of his 25+ years of counseling and life coaching, in this presentation Mr. Jackson will conduct a huge group coaching session discussing:  How to identify the doors that have been holding you back;  The power of “Wanting It”  The various types of doors that hold us back  Benefits of Doors—why they are there in the first place

SPEAKER

BATTALION CHIEF JOY W. KNICELEY has 21 years of experience with Chesterfield Fire and EMS. Chief Kniceley is currently assigned to Operations and has served in various roles in the Training Division in charge of Personnel Development Programs and Incumbent Training Programs.

She is an instructor and curriculum committee member for the Officer Development Program and Chief Officer Development Program for her organization. She also instructs the Leadership During Critical Events Module for the Virginia Fire Officer’s Academy.

She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management and Development.

SUCCESS ON YOUR OWN TERMS — Where am I heading? Is it the right direction? Do I have the right plan to be successful? These are daunting questions for sure. And these are questions that most of us have asked ourselves many times over with no definitive answer. More often than not, we allow our work life to be mapped out for us through employee performance reviews and employer issued development plans with little or no thought given to our own personal dynamic. This session will have you mapping out your own path, on your own terms, with the end in mind.

Are you responsible for the development of others? Methods used in this session will help you to motivate your employees by giving them attainable self-set goals that fit their home worklife balance.

Take control of your future and you will find success on your terms.

Help us make our next conference great.

Complete your evaluation sheet and provide us with suggestions to make your experience more enjoyable.

SPEAKER

Fire Chief Erin Janssens

STEPHANIE LOGAN An inspirational and motivational speaker, her unique presentation style is energetic, thought provoking, challenging, content-rich and, at times, extremely humorous. Whether designed as a keynote speech, conference session, special church program, seminar, symposium or corporate retreat, each presentation is uniquely planned to encourage, educate, enlighten and empower the audience to action. Although Stephanie’s presentations are always fascinating and an enjoyable experience, she believes that the true success of any speaking engagement can only be judged by its lasting effects. Speaking with over twenty years experience, Stephanie carefully prepares each presentation to be both inspirational and motivational, in order to maximize personal and professional performance. Stephanie is the wife of Tracy, the mother of JOB and GENESIS and would love to help motivate and inspire your group or organization with her Powerful Words.

GET OFF THE BENCH—is a discussion on culture and mindset change. Culture has been defined as the way we do things. Mindset refers to the mental game. Once we understand that if we can control our effort and our attitude, we can become winners. Winning will take care of itself. Getting off the bench requires mental toughness with extreme effort―the formula for success. Sometimes breaking an old habit brings new success.

SPEAKER

GRAYLIN STARGELL is a retired chief officer from the City of Shaker Heights, Ohio with over 30 years of fire service experience. Chief Stargell is the owner and principal consultant of the Argosy Leadership Group LLC (Certified NMSDC MBE). The company consults in the areas of leadership, management, succession planning, entry and promotional assessment center testing/development and executive level preparation for fire, law enforcement and education professionals.

Chief Stargell’s educational accomplishments range from the baccalaureate through the doctoral level. Additionally, he serves as an instructor at Akron University, Bowling Green State Fire School, and as an approved instructor at the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program.

IS YOUR ORGANIZATION GUILTY OF HALF HEARTED EFFORTS IN CUSTOMER SERVICE DELIVERY? — This interactive workshop will explore the adverse impact of customer service stagnation such as: attitude, complacency, culture, relevance, and vision.

SPEAKER

CARLETTA WADDLER attended Howard University and graduating with a degree in communications. She moved to the Hampton Roads area to begin her broadcasting career in 1982. She started her career in sales, eventually progressing to sales management and general management. She worked in TV and radio―at one time being one of two women in the country managing a major market station.

After twenty years in broadcasting she started her own marketing and training business, Waddler & Associates. Her client list included The International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, England, The Amistaad, Barbados tourism; Hoop it Up, Crime Line, Project Excel, the Mariner’s Museum, and hundreds of regional businesses and community colleges.

Ms. Waddler has won countless awards including the coveted Echoes of Excellence media award. She has served on the board of the D’art Center in Norfolk, VA and the HERS Shelter in Portsmouth, VA. She serves on the board of the Girls Scout Council of Colonial Coast and the Executive Board of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce in Norfolk, VA. She is also the President of the National Council of Negro Women in Northeastern North Carolina.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE… HOW IT CAN ADVANCE YOUR CAREER AND CREATE THE BEST VERSION OF YOU — In today's fast-paced world of competitive workplaces and questionable economic conditions, each of us is searching for effective tools that can help us to manage, adapt, and strike out ahead of the pack.

By now, emotional intelligence (EQ) needs little introduction—it is no secret that EQ is critical to your success. However, knowing what EQ is and knowing how to use it to improve your life and your career are two very different things.

Emotional Intelligence builds self-awareness, teaches you how to manage yourself and relationships; it also builds social awareness.

SPEAKER

BATTALION CHIEF TIFFANYE S. WESLEY, a 24-year veteran with the Arlington County Fire Department, is the first African American female to be promoted in the Department’s 71-year history. Tiffanye has served in a variety of roles; most notably as a Nationally Certified Bomb Technician and Bomb Commander.

Tiffanye has been aggressively pursuing her goal of becoming an inspirational speaker, author, and trainer and as of April 2017, has achieved them all. She was recently featured in a short YouTube video, “Breaking the Glass Ceiling,” by a Georgetown University graduate student.

Tiffanye has had the privilege of presenting at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) with approximately 39,000 in attendance. She was featured in the anthology, Reach Your Greatness: Top Thought Leaders Share Their Secrets for Living an Extraordinary Life, with “The World’s #1 Big Money Speaker® Trainer and Coach,” James Malinchak, as well as in the anthology and documentary, No More Chains.

Tiffanye uses prayer, poetry, and positive affirmation to keep her focused and renewed each day. She also commits to a healthy lifestyle. She is married to her best friend Eric Wesley, a Lieutenant in Arlington County. They have four beautiful children and one grandchild.

COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP 6G: STOP BUFFERING AND LEAD — Is your leadership style stuck in 2G? Are you or your organization holding on to old traditions, unhealthy cultures, outdated rules and regulations or personal agendas that no longer serve you, your team, or your organization? If you answered, “Yes” to any of these questions, this class is for you!

You will learn the 4 types of everyday courage and how it applies to leadership • The impact fear has on personal and organization performance • The impact of the comfort zone and why you need to get out of it • How to create an environment that encourages people to behave more courageously • How to stop buffering and take immediate action

SPEAKER

DR. MICHAEL J. WRISTON Dr. Wriston, founder and President of The Competitive Edge, has been an independent consultant for over 20 years, with established expertise in leadership training & development, executive and other coaching the development of talent and the development of highperformance teams and cultures.

Most recently, Dr. Wriston created The Reinvention Factory, a unique approach for helping people who feel at loose ends or stuck in their careers to discover their gifts and their life’s purpose in order to be able to create the lives or careers they were meant to live.

A former corporate human resource executive, adjunct professor at the University of Richmond and a one-time social worker and program manager within the Agency of Human Services for the state of Vermont. Dr. Wriston received his doctorate in Organizational Psychology from the University of Tennessee; and is not only a fervent environmentalist, caring, as he puts it, for God’s creation – but an active member of his church, a former Safe Harbor and current CASA board member, a long-time soccer coach, and fitness junkie. and the proud father of four remarkable sons.

He is the proud father of four remarkable sons and is married to wife Stephanie who inspires him each and every day!

BEING HEARD ― This presentation will provide participants with a brief overview on the career and life challenges, not only of being female in today's environment/culture, but of being heard as a woman. It will provide practical strategies for overcoming the challenges & obstacles of 'being heard'. The presentation will be as it should be, given the topic, highly interactive.

Thinking of a topic attendees would benefit from but we didn’t cover?

Let us know!

Be sure to add it to your evaluation form.

Start Time

7:00 AM

8:00 AM

09:15 AM

09:15 AM

09:15 AM

01:45 PM

01:45 PM

01:45 PM

7:00 PM

Date

9/20/2018

9/20/2018

9/20/2018

9/20/2018

9/20/2018

9/20/2018

9/20/2018

9/20/2018

9/20/2018

Break Out

Break Out

Break Out

Concurrent Sessions I

Opening Ceremony

Breakfast

Function

Stephanie Logan - Get off the Bench

Btn. Chief Tiffanye Wesley - Courageous Leadership: Stop Buffering and Lead Nick Baskerville - Stories of Excellence

Break Out

Break Out

Break Out

12:30 pm - 01:30 pm General Session: Lunch Provided

9:00 PM

Social/Networking Event

Michael Wriston - Being Heard

Spirit of Norfolk

William Gervin - Breaking Past Mediocrity

Carletta Waddler - Emotional Intelligence

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Concurrent Sessions I (Repeat)

03:15 PM

03:15 PM

03:15 PM

Continental Breakfast

Description Lynda McNutt Foster “I Will” - Finding Your Genius Zone

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Concurrent Sessions I (Repeat)

10:45 AM

10:45 AM

10:45 AM

9:00 AM

8:00 AM

End Time

September 20, 2018

Women in Public Service Conference Agenda

Start Time

7:00 AM

08:45 AM

08:45 AM

08:45 AM

01:15 PM

Date

9/21/2018

9/21/2018

9/21/2018

9/21/2018

9/212018

Break Out

Break Out

Break Out

Concurrent Sessions I

Breakfast

Function

02:45 PM

General Session/Closing

Concurrent Sessions II

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Continental Breakfast

Description

Art Jackson Breakthrough to Excellence

David Daniels - Workplace Bullying, Harassment and Violence Prevention

Chief Graylin Stargell - Is Your Organization Guilty of Half-Hearted Efforts in Customer Service Delivery

Btn. Chief Joy Knicely - Success on Your Own Terms

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Concurrent Sessions I (Repeat)

10:15 AM

10:15 AM

10:15 AM

8:30 AM

End Time

September 21, 2018

Women in Public Service Conference Agenda

CONFERENCE SET UP

SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 Main Ballroom

Opening Ceremony Lynda McNutt Foster Keynote

Ballroom I-II

Nick Baskerville Stories of Excellence

SEPTEMBER 21, 2018 Main Ballroom

Art Jackson Breakthrough to Excellence

Ballroom I-II

Graylin Stargell Is Your Organization Guilty of Half-hearted Efforts in Customer Service Delivery

Ballroom VI-VII

David Daniels Workplace Bullying, Harassment, and Violence Prevention

Amphitheater

Joy Knicely Success on Your Own Terms

Carletta Waddler Emotional Intelligence Ballroom VI-VII

Stephanie Logan Get Off the Bench Michael Wriston Being Heard

Amphitheater

Btn. Chief Tiffanye S. Wesley Courageous Leadership— Stop Buffering and Lead Lieutenant William L. Gervin Breaking Past Mediocrity

“Fire in her Soul ~ and ~ Grace in her Heart.”

CONFERENCE LAYOUT

Amphitheater 1st Flr.

AMPHITHEATER 1ST FLOOR ● BALLROOMS 2ND FLOOR

EVENING SOCIAL

Spirit of Norfolk

Conference Social

Thursday, September 20 • 7 to 9pm Spirit of Norfolk is back and better than ever after being remodeled in 2016.

You’ll have an opportunity to relax, dine, dance, discover new friends, and mingle with old ones aboard Spirit of Norfolk.

Don’t forget your business cards!

Virginia Department of Fire Programs Provides:

F

unding: The Agency provides financial assistance to Virginia’s fire services through the distribution of the Aid-to-Localities (ATL) grant program as well as through various other grant programs (i.e. Live Fire Training Structure grant).

Professional Development: As a nationally-accredited fire service training entity in Virginia, the Agency provides training programs for both career and volunteer emergency responders throughout the Commonwealth.

Research: As the managing agency for the Virginia Fire Incident Reporting System (VFIRS), the Agency is responsible for data collection, analysis, and information reporting to Virginia’s fire services, Virginia’s policy makers, and nationally to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

The Agency also utilizes the data it collects to both identify and promote fire services best practices.

Operational Support & Technical Assistance: As a Virginia Emergency Sup-

port Team (VEST) agency, VDFP provides both operational and technical assistances to communities in need during emergencies of all types. This includes both support in the Virginia Emergency Operations center (VEOC) and in-the field.

Fire Prevention Inspections: The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) has the responsibility of protecting life and property for the citizens of the Commonwealth through the utilization of inspectors to complete fire safety inspections; by conducting building plans reviews for fire safety measures; and by conducting construction inspections for fire safety systems in all state buildings.

GETTING THE MOST FROM WIPS 2018 ― Here’s What You Need to Know  Pack a smile and your patience!

Things don’t always go as planned at a conference, but maintaining a positive attitude is always helpful.

The conference committee members are working to make your conference experience both educational and enjoyable.  Preview the conference agenda to plan what sessions will best suit your needs. If you can’t attend them all, ask a friend or colleague to attend different ones. Chat afterwards and share what you learned with each other.  Ever been too cold to concentrate? You may be if you forget to bring along your favorite scarf or sweater. Temperatures in conference rooms can vary widely, but usually tend to be on the cool side; opt to wear something with built in versatility, or don’t forget the scarf!

 Jot down a few key points that you glean from each presenter. Writing them down makes a deeper impression so you’ll likely remember those helpful points longer. You may even impress the boss with something that you learned during the conference!  Don’t forget your business cards! Networking is a large part of any successful conference- going experience. Meet, mingle, and keep in touch. Push beyond your comfort zone by sitting with a group that you do not know at lunch time.

You’ll be amazed at what you can learn. And remember, your networking should include the conference speakers.  Put your smart phone away and “choose” to check it only between sessions, or better yet at the end of each conference day. Enjoy an actual ‘in person’ experience without the constant distraction of your phone.  Be sure to make time to visit with the vendors and exhibitors who are supporting the conference.

SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS

PFD Firefighter’s Credit Union, Inc.

www.troy.edu

PFD Firefighters’ Credit Union, Inc.

The Women in Public Service Conference Regional Committee would like to give a special thanks to the credit union for their contribution to the conference.

Please stop by and thank them for their support.

PFD Firefighters' Credit Union, Inc. 3209 Cedar Lane Portsmouth, Virginia 23703

Phone: (757) 686-3051 Fax: (757) 686-5817 E-Mail cu@pfdcu.com

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Charisse L. Orton Portsmouth Fire Department Conference Chair

Raphael Brown Suffolk Fire Department

Kimberly Boone Norfolk Police & Fire-Rescue

Lynn Cherry-Miller Hampton Fire & Rescue

S. LaTisha Branch Portsmouth Police Department

Regina Humphrey Portsmouth Fire Department

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Denee’ M. Nichols Hampton Fire & Rescue

Chris Jones Portsmouth Fire Department

PHOTO UNAVAILABLE

Bettie Reeves-Nobles, Retired Hampton Fire & Rescue

Anna Silva Portsmouth Fire Department

Dennice Southall Portsmouth Fire Department

NOTES

“Mistakes are the Portals of Discovery” ― James Joyce

NOTES

“Impossible I’m Possible— What a Difference a Change in Perspective Makes ”

A Message from the Conference Planning Committee: Thank you for attending the WIPS Conference with us this year.

We hope you enjoyed your stay and will choose to join us again next year.

Safe travels.

Special Thanks To all of our sponsors & contributors who helped to make our conference possible.

Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center 425 Water Street │ Portsmouth │ Virginia 23704