Welcome to the Central Arizona Chapter of the Association of Continuity Professionals (ACP). ACP is a professional organization that provides a forum for the exchange of experiences and information for business continuity leaders throughout a network of local Chapters.

“The Central Arizona Chapter serves the Phoenix metropolitan area and beyond. Our chapter meetings are held every other month on the first Thursday in an in-person and virtual format unless otherwise noted.  Meetings are 8:30 am for networking and 9:00 am - 11:00 am for business and presentations.  We invite you to attend our next meeting and look forward to meeting you!”

Please contact the Web Resources Director if you require assistance with the website.

Greetings,

As we get ready to close 2024, I want to thank the outgoing Board of Directors for their hard work this year and welcome the incoming board as we get prepared for an even better 2025.  The next year will be the Chapter’s 30^th Anniversary and we are planning some special events for you. 

The 2025 Central Arizona Chapter Board of Directors are:

President - John Padilla                                            Public Relations Director – Mike Vito

Secretary - Zach Smith                                              President Elect – Trish Smith

Treasurer - Beth Bendos                                           Information Director – OPEN

Program Director – Kathee Robings                        Web Director – OPEN

Membership Director – Amanda Vazquez               Past President – OPEN

If you are interested is serving as a member of the board, the Information Director position remains open.  Contact any board member for more information.

Thanks to our Platinum Sponsors MHA Associates and our Gold Sponsor Fusion who have supported us this year.  We can present high quality and varied programs due to the generous support of these sponsors.  If you need, or anticipate the need of any of their services, reach out, they can provide solutions to a wide range of issues. 

Congratulations to Zach Smith, Chapter Secretary, our Chapter Most Valuable Player Award winner for 2024.  Zach is an invaluable member of the Central Arizona Chapter.  He currently serves as the Chapter Secretary and brings an infectious enthusiasm to his interactions with the board and the chapter membership.  In his first year as Chapter Secretary, he presented information regarding the 2024 Threat Landscape - Cyber and AI to the chapter, coordinated in-person chapter meeting locations, championed a chapter donation to Breakthrough T1D to help with their drive toward curing type 1 diabetes, and generously provided member gifts for the chapter member appreciation meeting from AlertMedia.  Zach’s professionalism and generosity are a credit to business continuity.

The 2024-chapter meetings included a variety of topics and speakers.

• In April Zach Smith, Account Director from AlertMedia discussed the 2024 Threat Landscape - Cyber and AI. 
• The June meeting was held at Breakthrough T1D and Thomas Crane, Resilience Consulting Director from Everbridge conducted a Tabletop Exercise.
• At the August meeting we had two speakers.  Richard Long, Senior Advisory Consultant from MHA Consulting spoke about what do BC Professionals need to know – and more importantly do - about Cyber Preparedness.  And Stephanie Miller, Emergency Preparedness Equity Educator from the Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council spoke about Centers for Independent Living and their role in emergency management.
• October was our annual Member Appreciation Meeting held at TopGolf. 
• Our December speaker Dan McCarter, Account Executive, Fusion Risk Management, Director of Programs and Education, spoke about Business Continuity Management: Complex Problems, Simple Solutions.

If you have not renewed your ACP membership, please consider doing so.  By staying with ACP, you'll continue to enjoy access to comprehensive resources, exclusive networking events, and professional development webinars designed to support your growth in Business Continuity and Resiliency.  Your renewed membership ensures you maintain preferred status, which includes discounts on conferences and publications, as well as the opportunity to contribute to influential industry research projects.

Visit the ACP website or contact member services by December 31, 2024, to renew your membership.  Ask about student or retiree discounts.  Central Arizona has waived student and retiree’s chapter fees!  There are currently 894 ACP members nationally with 36 in the Central Arizona Chapter.  Amanda Vazquez and I will be reaching out to those who haven't renewed to encourage you to remain part of the chapter. 

Program Director Kat Robings is working on a great lineup of speakers and meeting locations next year, if you know of anyone who has a presentation that you think the chapter would be interested in, or would like to host one of the meetings, just let her know. 

Wishing you and your families a happy holiday season!

Sincerely,

John Padilla

Central Arizona Chapter President

2024 Chapter Meetings

ACP Central Arizona Chapter – April Meeting

When: Thursday, April 3, 2025

Meeting Location: Microsoft Teams LINK

Meeting Agenda:

Networking: 8:30 – 9:00 am

Speaker: 9:00 – 10:30 am

Chapter Business: 10:30 - 11:00 am

PRESENTER: Kerstin Nold, Chief Technology Officer, City of Chandler

BIOGRAPHY: As a visionary leader, dedicated public servant and tireless advocate for her community, Kerstin personifies the spirit of transformative leadership in local government. Through her dedicated commitment to public service, delivering innovative technology outcomes and focus on growing others, she has significantly impacted the City of Chandler, Arizona over the past 13 years leaving a legacy of progress and inclusivity.

As Chief Technology Officer, Kerstin has pioneered a variety of process and emerging technology initiatives that have improved the lives of residents, enhanced technology governance and continuously drives collaboration and engagement in her role.  Her focus is on championing the Enterprise Project Management Office, driving Enterprise AI Strategy, and overseeing Enterprise Program/Project delivery at the city.  Her leadership is contagious in both developing and supporting her staff and growing the next generation of technology leaders. Kerstin is also a champion for mentoring/sponsoring women in government and in life to prepare them to step into their next leadership role with confidence.

MEETING TOPIC: Managing Artificial Intelligence (AI)

SUMMARY: Kerstin will present an overview of managing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and her presentation will be followed by a round table discussion focused on AI led by Kathee Robings.

Please RSVP to the Membership Director at: acpcentralarizonachapter@gmail.com.  

ACP - Central Arizona acpcentralarizonachapter@gmail.com

Visit our website at https://firstpointmanagementresources.wildapricot.org/central-arizona

Chapter Resources

Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld - March 23, 2025 – March 26, 2025

Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton - April 28 - 30, 2025

Job Opportunities

Sponsors

PLEASE VISIT WITH THEM WHEN YOU HAVE A BUSINESS REQUIREMENT

MHA Consulting sponsors again for 2024 as a Platinum Sponsor! Thank you!!

Welcome Fusion Risk Management our new Gold Sponsor for 2024!