Candidates for 2nd Vice President - Elections to be Held at Fall Conference

One of the important things about attending the fall conference is that we do elections during that time. We have two great, qualified candidates for 2nd Vice President that we would like you to meet. Voting will be completed in person at the APCO conference.

Laura Meyers 

Laura Meyers began her public safety career with Sedgwick County Emergency Communications in 2009 as a Dispatcher. She served on the communications center floor as a cross-trained Dispatcher and Communications Training Officer until making the move to the Support Services division as a Quality Assurance/Training Specialist. From there, she promoted into an administrative role, and continues to serve in that capacity as the Major over the Support Services division. Laura oversees the QA and Training sectors, as well as handling public education and community outreach. She also serves as the Records Clerk for the department, processing Kansas Open Records Act requests and testifies for Emergency Communications when requested for court proceedings. Laura’s favorite part of her job is interacting with the community, especially presenting information to elementary school students on how to properly use the 9-1-1 service. Laura holds a baccalaureate degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Missouri – Columbia, and is a classically trained Pastry Chef, having attended the French Pastry School in Chicago, Illinois. She resides in northwest Wichita with her husband Daniel and three small children, Anderson, Abraham, and Clark.

Laura is excited to submit her intent to serve as the 2nd Vice President and hopes to network with public safety professionals, expand leadership skills, and gain specialized experience by serving in this role.

Mary Eitel

I was born and raised on the east coast in the small town of La Plata just south of Washington, D.C. 
I worked part time answering phones at a local car dealership all throughout high school and began working full time there after graduating in 1987. I progressed from a telephone operator to a warranty claims administrator and finally ended up in the Finance Department.
I met my husband in 1992, we married and moved to western Kansas in 1995 to join the family farm operation. I worked at the Pharmacy in Dighton for 8 years and enjoyed morning coffee daily with Sheriff Don Wilson. Sheriff Wilson offered me a job as the dispatch supervisor in 2003 and I jumped on the chance to pursue what had always been a dream.
Since joining the Sheriff’s Office in 2003 I have seen many changes and been a part of the transition from basic 911 to enhanced 911 and now rising to the challenges we face as we move on to Next Gen 911.
I have been a member of APCO for 13 years and feel like it is time for me to give back to the organization for all of the wonderful training that has been provided. Kansas APCO has always been very important to me and coming to conference twice a year feels like coming home. I get to visit with old friends, make new friends and share stories about the hardships and the stories of how we help people every day.
I currently reside on the farm just north of Dighton with my husband Mark.