Our Team

Associate Consultant

Robert Handy

Summary of Qualifications

Robert Handy is an industry leader in policing who served for more than 30 years in law enforcement in three jurisdictions: Phoenix, Arizona, and the cities of San Bernardino and Huntington Beach, California. Robert has extensive experience in all aspects of policing, having worked and led various specialty assignments throughout his career and culminated his career as the Chief of Police in both San Bernardino and Huntington Beach. Robert also has been a teacher at the University level in Criminal Justice for more than 20 years at Arizona State University and California State University Long Beach.

Professional Development & Education

• Master of Public Administration – Arizona State University (1996)
• B.S. Public Administration – University of Arizona (1990)

Licensure & Certifications

• Executive and Advanced Certificates – California POST (2011 – 2016)
• FBI National Academy Graduate, Class 214 – Federal Bureau of Investigation (2003)
• AZPOST Firearms, Arrest Tactics, Physical Fitness and General Instructor Certifications

Experience

• Co-Founder – TriChief Consulting Services 5/2018-Present
• Adjunct Faculty – California State University Long Beach Criminal Justice Dept. 2016 – Present
• Chief of Police City of Huntington Beach, Police Department 12/2013 – 10/2020
• Chief of Police – City of San Bernardino, Police Department 10/2011 – 12/2013
• Adjunct Faculty – Arizona State University Criminal Justice Dept. 1997 – 2013
• Various ranks from Police Officer through Police Commander-Phoenix PD 6/1990 – 10/2011
• SWAT, K-9, Gangs, Training (basic and advanced) and extensive leadership experience
• Leader, facilitator or decision maker for hundreds of incident debriefings, after-action reviews, post-incident investigations, findings, and outcomes.

Associated Professional Accomplishments

• President and Board member, Boys and Girls Club of Huntington Valley 2013-Present
• 1st Vice President and Board member, California Police Chiefs Association 2014-2020
• Allen Sill Founders Award, California Police Chiefs Association 2021
• President and Board Member, Arizona Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates 2008-2011
• Founding Board Member, Huntington Beach Police and Community Foundation 2015-Present
• Lifetime Achievement Award-International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute’s (IPSLEI) 2017
• Founder and Director, Arizona Leadership Education and Development Youth Academy 2008-2011
• Lifetime Member, International Association Chiefs of Police
• Executive Fellow, Police Foundation 2015-Present
• Created program and continue to teach and coordinate segments of the California Police Chiefs Executive Development Institute at Drucker (Part of the Claremont Graduate Schools) 2015 – Present

Associate Consultant

Michelle Fitzer

Summary of Qualifications

Michelle Fitzer brings a variety of experience in municipal administrative services. She retired in 2019 as City Manager for the City of Pinole, California. She started her career in public service in 1990 with the City of Martinez, California. She also worked for the cities of Pittsburg and Antioch in California. During her nearly 30-year career Michelle worked in the Departments of Finance, Human Resources, and the City Manager’s Office, and had administrative responsibility for Economic Development & Redevelopment and the City Clerk’s Office.

Michelle is competent in all aspects of the Human Resources function, including comprehensive classification and compensation analysis, organizational assessment, rule and policy development, labor negotiations using both positional and interest-based bargaining methods, training, mediation of employer/employee relations issues, and workplace investigations.

Michelle is also skilled in Finance, with extensive experience in operating and Capital Improvement Plan budget preparation/management, long-range financial planning, and expenditure evaluation and reduction strategies.

Professional Development & Education

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) with a Human Resources Management option, California State University Hayward
• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, California State University Hayward
• Training in municipal finance, human resources, workplace investigations, facilitation, training, and general management

Experience

• City Manager and Assistant City Manager, City of Pinole California
• Administrative Services Director, City of Antioch California
• Chair of the Contra Costa Public Managers Association, 2019
• League of California Cities Employee Relations Policy Committee 2007-2009
• Board member of Municipal Pooling Authority (risk management JPA) 2006-2019

Associated Professional Accomplishments

• Lead staff on two potential Fire Department consolidation/contract for services studies
• Negotiated shared services agreements in Police and Fire Departments
• Lead staff on several successful revenue ballot measures
• City Council Team Building
• Citywide Strategic Planning

Note: This is a brief summary of Ms. Fitzer’s CV. A complete version can be made available on request.

Senior Consultant

John A. Stouffer

Summary of Qualifications

Mr. Stouffer began his career in public safety in 1976 as a firefighter/EMT with Yakima County (WA) Fire District #10, where he established the first EMS program in the department. In 1980, he attended the Paramedic Program at Central Washington University and obtained a position with Yakima (WA) Medic One becoming a field paramedic and the organization’s first Training Officer. In 1988, he was offered the position of the Director of the Yakima County (WA) Department of Emergency Medical Services. After holding that position for nine years, he took a position with Gresham (OR) Fire & Emergency Services as the EMS Coordinator, occasionally serving as the acting Chief of the Training Division, until his retirement in 2009. Since 1992, in addition to his other employment, he has been providing a wide variety of public safety consulting services to clients throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Professional Experience

• Western Region Manager, Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI) (2018–2020)
• Project Manager/Associate Consultant, ESCI
• Technical Advisor/Program Developer, Vision 20/20 & Institution of Fire Engineers
• EMS Research Investigator/Coordinator, Oregon Health & Science University
• EMS Coordinator (Captain), Gresham Fire & Emergency Services
• CEO/Senior Consultant, Pacific Northwest Associates, LLC
• Director, Yakima County Department of Emergency Medical Services
• Training Officer/Paramedic, Yakima Medic One
• Firefighter/EMT-Paramedic/Medical Services Officer, Yakima County Fire District #10
• More than 40 years of diverse experience in fire and emergency medical services

Educational Background & Certifications

• Central Washington University
• Yakima Valley Community College
• Western Oregon University
• National Fire Academy Incident Command for EMS
• Seattle/King County Resuscitation Academy Fellowship
• Multiple instructor certifications (NFPA I & II, ACLS, PHTLS, WSFST Instructor II, EZ-IO Instructor)
• Numerous advanced-level EMS certifications
• More than 250 hours of fire service education, Washington State Fire Service Training

Associated Professional Accomplishments

• Project Manager and consultant on many fire and EMS projects around the U.S. and Canada
• Co-authored and published several international prehospital studies (available on request)
• Authored two guides on Community Risk Reduction for Vision 20/20 (available on request)
• Project Co-Director, King LT Airway Implementation Project for Multnomah County (OR)
• Author, Phases I & II of the Yakima County EMS Master Plan
• Earned fourteen professional awards during his career (available on request)

Note: This is a summary of Mr. Stouffer’s CV. A complete version can be made available on request.

COO

James L. Torti, Ph.D.

James is a dynamic, energetic executive with over 15 years of senior-level leadership, management and cross-industry consulting experience within high-growth, professional services, consumer products, clean technology, medical device, manufacturing, design, and commercial real estate for Fortune 500 corporations, early-stage companies, and private equity funded start-ups.

James leads his own management consulting firm New10, Inc. (newton) focusing on the physics of organizations and works directly with owners, CEO’s and senior managers across all areas of operations. He is a highly strategic thinker with an affinity for detail, operations, branding, creating successful products, sales and marketing plans, securing alliance partnerships and identifying markets for growth. His leadership style is characterized by collaborative and entrepreneurial vision, proficient strategic awareness of the competitive environment and keen business acumen all based upon a non-compromising integrity.

James has had a broad-based career consulting for professional service firms in design architecture, real estate development with a special focus on urban adaptive re-use, health care services, and branded consumer products. As Vice President/General Manager of Ralph Lauren Footwear, for the RLX, Polo and Polo Sport brands, he was instrumental in redesigning and repositioning premier performance footwear products working directly with Ralph Lauren and Polo RL NYC-based design team. As his first formal company experience, James founded and operated the first athletic-leisure branded apparel company, Moda Prima for over 10 years until a large multinational corporation acquired it in 1996.

Various roles over his career span President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Product Officer and Managing & Board Director. James currently serves as a Board Member for Goodwill Industries of San Diego, Inc., on the Goodwill Communications and Strategic & Long-Range Planning Committees and is a founding member of Catholic Men’s Fellowship, a 19-year enduring men’s faith ministry.

He is an energetic speaker and presenter and is engaging through a personable and authentic communication style. James obtained his Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Northridge. He holds a Ph.D. from California School of Professional Psychology/Alliant International University, an American Psychological Association accredited graduate school for clinical practice, which he specialized in the area Child & Family. James lives with his wife and family in Carlsbad, CA.

Associate Consultant/Professional Services Manager

Melissa Vazquez Swank

Summary of Qualifications

Melissa Vazquez Swank possesses over 10 years of experience in project management and administration. She is an expert in administrative functions of project-related assignments, including overall planning, tracking, and documentation of numerous projects from the project proposal (RFP) phase to project closeout.

In addition to project administration, Melissa specializes in quality assurance and recruitment processes. Melissa is responsible for ensuring the consistent quality of production processes by developing and implementing sustainable practices and leading the proofing and editing of final products. She plays a crucial role in business by ensuring that all products (reports, website, social media, surveys, and newsletters) meet certain thresholds of acceptability. Melissa works to improve the project’s efficiency and profitability by reducing time or product waste.

Melissa’s professional experience, a keen eye for detail, and training qualify her to provide the highest level of project support. She has a passion for accuracy and fact-checking that permeates all aspects of her professional tasks.

Professional Development & Education

• Portland State University MA, Public History/Native American History, 2010–2013
• Portland State University BA, History, 2007–2009

Relevant Experience

• Professional Services Manager at AP Triton, September 2021–Present
• Owner of 3:17 Associates, Principal Consultant, 2021–Present
• Quality Assurance & Recruitment Specialist at ESCI, January 2020–August 2021
• Recruitment Specialist at ESCI, July 2017–January 2020
• Technical Proofer and Quality Assurance Specialist at ESCI, March 2015–January 2020
• Adjunct Research Assistant at Portland State University, December 2015–2018
• Freelance Virtual Assistant, December 2014–Present
• Project Administrator at Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI), September 2013–June 2014
• Project Assistant/Fact Checker at the Oregon Encyclopedia Project, September 2011–June 2013
• Project Assistant at The Confluence Project, June 2012–November 2012
• Project Assistant at Chinook Oral History Project, October 2011–April 2012

Note: This is a brief summary of Ms. Vazquez Swank’s CV. A complete version can be made available on request.

Senior Consultant

Kurt Latipow

Mr. Latipow has enjoyed 40 years in Public Safety with over 27 years of Public Administration in Fire Chief and Chief Officer positions. He has developed and implemented numerous comprehensive fire and emergency services related plans. Mr. Latipow has facilitated the adoption of those plans via a variety of governing bodies. Mr. Latipow offers extensive experience in developing and implementing emergency, strategic, master plans, and succession plans/management processes as well as developing and implementing Standards of Cover Analysis, Fees for Service Cost Recovery Programs, and ALS Program Development and Implementation for both transport and engine company-based organizations.

Work Experience

• City of Lompoc, CA – Fire Chief
• Washoe County, NV – County Fire Services Coordinator
• City of Ukiah, CA – Fire Chief
• State of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services – Deputy Chief, Fire and Rescue Branch
• Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District, CA – Fire Chief/Chief Executive Officer
• Hesperia Fire Protection District, CA – Fire Chief
• City of Arroyo Grande, CA – Fire Chief/Director of Building and Fire
• City of Monterey Park Fire Department, CA – Battalion Chief/Fire Marshal

Education

• National Fire Academy–Accredited Executive Fire Officer
• California Fire Marshal Training and Education System

Publications and Instructor Experience

• IAFC/Volunteer Combination Officers 2017 Symposium in the West—Building Leaders from Within
• IAFC and League of California Cities 2016 – “The Achilles Heel of Local Government”
• California Fire Chiefs 2016 – “The Why and How of Succession Planning and Implementation”
• League of California Cities 2015 – “Contracting for Fire Services; the Trials, Tribulations, Landmines and Political Challenges”
• League of California Cities 2014 – “Leading Change in the New Reality”
• California Fire Chiefs Association 2012 – “Re-engineering Fire Service-Based Service Delivery”
• IAFC/ICMA 2012 – Success & Sustainability

Professional Affiliations

• California Fire Chiefs Association
• League of California Cities Fire Department – Past President
• League of California Cities Public Safety Policy – Past Committee Chair
• International Association of Fire Chiefs – Life Member

Note: This is a brief summary of Mr. Latipow’s CV. A complete version can be made available on request.

Senior Consultant/Principal Partner

Scott Clough

Summary of Qualifications

Mr. Clough is a 33-year member of California’s fire service, beginning his career as a hand crew member in southern California and working his way through the ranks. He has held the ranks of Firefighter/ Paramedic, Captain, Battalion Chief, and Chief of EMS. His last position was that of Assistant Chief assigned to the Office of the Fire Chief for one of the largest fire departments in California. Upon retirement from the fire service, he formed AP Triton Consulting, with his business partner Kurt Henke.

Associated Professional Accomplishments

• Created California’s Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT) program. He is currently the Public Sector Program Manager.
• Serves as the EMS Chair for CSFA and as an EMS advisor to California Fire Chiefs Association, California Metro Chiefs, and the League of California Cities.
• Noted speaker for the California Association of Fire Chiefs, California Ambulance Association, Nevada Fire Chiefs, Utah Fire Chiefs, California Fire & EMS Disaster Conference (CFED), League of Cities, and the Fire District Association of California.
• Written articles on EMS and cost recovery for several publications.
• Lead negotiator for the California Fire Chiefs Association in expanding the current GEMT program. Currently Scott is involved in establishing the same programs in Oregon, Washington, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Alaska. He is considered the premiere expert in these reimbursement programs.
• Mr. Clough’s “run it like a business” strategy for EMS has earned him recognition by the California State Firefighters Association (CSFA) and California Fire Chiefs Association (CFCA).

CEO/Principal Partner

Kurt P. Henke

Summary of Qualifications

Kurt P. Henke has over thirty-nine years of experience in the fire service. He has held the ranks of Firefighter through Fire Chief. Prior to becoming the Fire Chief of the state’s seventh largest fire department, Kurt served as Union President of one the state’s largest labor groups, serving multiple Cities and Districts. Upon his retirement from the Fire Service in October 2014, he formed AP Triton Consulting, LLC, with his business partner, Scott Clough.

Experience

• Chairman of the California Metropolitan Fire Chiefs
• Executive Board Member of the California Fire Chiefs Association from 2011 through 2014
• Named California Fire Chief of the Year–2013

Professional Development & Education

• Certificate – Fire Science

Licensure & Certifications

• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Associated Professional Accomplishments

• Expanded the first responder paramedic and ALS services of his department’s ambulance program into a revenue generating enterprise, bridging several financial shortfalls, and making it the third largest fire-based ambulance system in California.
• Identified, developed, and initiated State legislation to facilitate cost recovery for Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT), which has generated hundreds of millions of dollars statewide to the California Fire Service ambulance providers.
• Serves as consultant to California Fire Chiefs Association (CFCA) and the case manager for the anti-trust litigation filed by the CFCA, which endeavors to protect public sector (201) ambulance providers in the state of California.

Note: This is a brief summary of Mr. Henke’s CV. A complete version can be made available on request.

Executive Assistant

Valerie Erwin

916-217-2499
verwin@aptriton.com