Staff Bio

Brittni Farmakes

Brittni Farmakes is a Project Coordinator with the AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program (AATTAP), working primarily in support of the AMBER Alert in Indian Country Initiative. Brittni is responsible for such tasks as coordinating delivery of training and technical assistance materials; identifying and assigning instructors; planning, developing, and coordinating project deliverables;  assisting in […]

Denise Gee Peacock

Denise Gee Peacock is AATTAP’s Project Coordinator for Publications, Websites & eLearning. She oversees content and design for The AMBER Advocate and AMBER Alert in Indian Country (AIIC) websites, manages social media engagement, and writes for, edits, and designs the quarterly print/digital magazine, The AMBER Advocate. Denise also helps with special multimedia projects, marketing initiatives, […]

Valerie Bribiescas

Valerie Bribiescas is a retired detective with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in Arizona where she specialized in crimes of violence, child abuse, and family violence investigations.  She has over 25 years’ experience as a peace officer, with the majority of her policing career with Tribal law enforcement. Her assignments included field operations, professional standards, […]

Cathy Delapaz

Cathy Delapaz has extensive experience in Adult Education & Training. She specializes in managing the curriculum development process from initial program instructional design through Subject Matter Expert (SME) content development, then monitoring and maintaining a robust curriculum delivery process. She ensures all curriculum addresses cultural competence and victim-centered instructional approaches. Cathy has developed training programs […]

Yesenia “Jesi” Leon-Baron

Yesenia “Jesi” Leon-Baron is a Project Coordinator with the AATTAP, working with its U.S. Territorial and International projects and partners. She also serves as the Region 6 Liaison, which includes these areas. Prior to her current role, Jesi helped coordinate AATAP’s Child Abduction Response Team (CART) program efforts, focusing on team certification and re-certification guidance […]

Jenniffer Price-Lehmann

Jenniffer Price-Lehmann is responsible for the management, compliance and oversight of AATTAP activities, major events, training and technical assistance delivery, and required reporting and performance metrics for its programs. Jenniffer also serves in a lead role in the development of grant proposals and related submissions. Jenniffer was in law enforcement for 24 years and previously […]

Tyesha M. Wood

Tyesha M. Wood is a Program Manager with AATTAP’s AMBER Alert in Indian Country initiative. Tyesha is a former police detective with 17 years of law enforcement experience with tribal nations in Arizona. A majority of her police career was comprised of work in criminal investigations, with more than 15 years as a detective working […]

Chuck Fleeger

Charles “Chuck” Fleeger serves as the AATTAP Region 3 Liaison, and is an Associate Employee with the National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC) providing subject matter expertise and instruction in Child Abduction Response Team (CART) training and Search and Cavass Operations in Child Abductions. Chuck currently serves as the Executive Director of the Amber Alert […]

Byron Fassett

Byron Fassett is a nationally recognized subject matter expert (SME) on the victimization of women and children through sex trafficking, child sexual abuse and exploitation, and has over 37 years law enforcement experience with the Dallas Police Department.  For over 25 years, Byron specialized in conducting investigations involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in with […]

Carri Gordon

Carri Gordon has worked for the Washington State Patrol since 1991. For 17 years she worked in the Communications Division, with the last five years as the Training Program Manager responsible for all dispatch/radio training for troopers and dispatchers. During this time Carri was also heavily involved with the implementation of the Washington State AMBER […]

Josefina “Josie” Sabori

Josefina “Josie” Sabori currently serves as the AATTAP Region 4 Liaison, supporting the AMBER Alert Coordinators, Missing Person Clearinghouse Managers, and Child Abduction Response Teams for her region. She represents the Southern Arizona region as a human trafficking subject matter expert and serves as a liaison and educator for international guests who seek assistance in […]

Derek VanLuchene

Derek VanLuchene is a Project Coordinator for the AATTAP with a focus on its Child Abduction Response Team (CART) program and continuing to expand the number of U.S. DOJ Certified CART programs, increase the number of trained CART programs in Indian Country and assist previously-trained teams in maintaining operational capacity and readiness. Derek works closely […]

Janell Rasmussen

Janell Rasmussen has spent over 20 years working in public safety to develop, implement and operate multiple statewide law enforcement programs that have been highly successful and nationally recognized. During her time at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Rasmussen was responsible for the development and operations of multiple statewide programs, including the Minnesota […]

Gus Paidousis

Gus Paidousis is currently the Security Chief for the Knox County, Tennessee, School District, leading a force of over 100 armed security officers to protect 59,000 students and approximately 8,000 staff members. Gus has been with the school system since May 2013. Prior to serving the school district, he served the Knoxville, Tennessee, Police Department […]

Mishelle Bowen

Mishelle Bowen has been an Administrative Assistant with Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wisconsin, since 2001. Mishelle supports AATTAP programs, meetings, and special events. Mishelle works on a variety of projects including assisting in maintaining the AATTAP Distance Learning Programs, AMBER Alert Partners contact lists and group memberships, class registrations and student databases. Mishelle […]

Jill Nysse

Jill Nysse is a Project Coordinator with expertise in office oversight and coordination. Her more than 15 years of progressive administrative experience have made her thorough and effective in organization and time management. Jill processes training program registrations to ensure accuracy and compliance with federal grant requirements. She coordinates all AATTAP travel and lodging negotiations, […]

Joan Collins

Joan Collins retired from the Rhode Island State Police in June 2021 after 28 years of service. From 1996 to 2021 she served as Police Communications Specialist Supervisor overseeing the RILETS Telecommunications Unit. Joan was the RISF/NCIC Quality Assurance Officer, responsible for auditing and training all RILETS users within Rhode Island. Other duties and assignments […]

Melissa Blasing

Melissa Blasing serves as a program manager focusing on the AMBER Alert in Indian Country Initiative. Melissa also manages and facilitates the design and delivery of training and technical assistance and serves as a coordinator for a assigned AATTAP courses. Melissa writes and edits reports and documents, coordinates training and technical assistance activities, provides follow-up […]

Bonnie Ferenbach

Bonnie Ferenbach is a Program Manager for AATTAP’s eLearning, website and publications project deliverables. She coordinates AMBER Alert’s AMBER Advocate and AMBER Alert in Indian Country websites and serves as the primary contact for content, design and functional components for all technology projects. Bonnie is an experienced curriculum designer and instructor, is skilled in public […]

Sharon Williams

Sharon Williams is a Program Manager with Fox Valley Technical College’s National Criminal Justice Training Center and the AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program. Ms. Williams has extensive experience spanning 40 years, holding positions specializing in criminal justice in the areas of program management, project coordination, product development, public relations, subject matter specialist, and […]

James Walters

James Walters is responsible for developing and delivering training and technical assistance to law enforcement, prosecutors, social services, child protection officials and first responders in investigative techniques, program development and policy issues related to child protection, exploitation, missing and abducted children and youth at high risk of victimization.With over thirty-five years of diversified experience as […]