Giao Phan knows from personal experience how a quality education can change the trajectory of a person’s life. When her family arrived in the US after fleeing the Vietnam War, they spoke no English and struggled to make ends meet. Yet her parents instilled in her and her siblings the importance of helping others and the belief that education would provide a better life.

Despite having a difficult time in school due to the language barrier and having to help support her family, she knew in the first grade that she wanted to become a teacher. She started her career straight out of college by volunteering with the Peace Corps, where she served as an English teacher trainer in a remote barrio in the Philippines. The entire experience was eye-opening for her: first time on an airplane, first time seeing waterfalls, snorkeling and caving, and the first time seeing the universal connection between poverty and education.

Giao taught in economically disadvantaged schools in New York City and Texas while earning her master’s degree from Teachers College Columbia University and her doctorate in Educational Policy and Planning from UT Austin. She served as the founding chair and professor of the Education Instruction department at ACC for ten years before becoming dean of Public and Social Services.

As dean, Giao enjoys the challenges of analyzing and solving problems and creatively exploring strategies for program development. She appreciates ACC’s community partners and their commitment to helping our students succeed, and she is even more inspired by our faculty and staff’s commitment to our students. Seeing the impact that ACC has on our students’ lives affirms her faith in the power of people helping each other to create change and improve our communities.

Dale Toler was an engineering major in college until circumstances in his life opened a door into law enforcement. He considered this a temporary move at the time, but looking back at his 25 years with the Austin Police department, he believes no other job could have been more progressive, rewarding or challenging.

Dale spent nine years as SWAT Team Leader and four years as a Bomb Technician, continually expanding his knowledge to develop new tactics to advance the profession. His background provides students with insight into the more advanced technical aspects of law enforcement.

Dale sees the collaboration of ideas and achievements as central to both law enforcement and teaching. He shares his natural inclination to improve and learn with his students, encouraging them to gain the knowledge and confidence they need to trust themselves and succeed.

Dale holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from St. Edward’s University, and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University.

Dale’s family has been involved in Texas law enforcement since the 1930’s. His father, Fred Toler, was the second Executive Director of TCLEOSE (now TCOLE) from 1972 – 1994; Dale is proud to have his father’s signature on his Basic Peace Officer Certificate.

Jessica Horta-Perez serves as the Operations Manager and Training Coordinator for the Public Safety Training Center, a role she assumed in 2022 after an extensive career in active law enforcement. She joined the ACCDPD in 2009, promoting to Lieutenant and intermittently serving as Interim Assistant Chief. Her foundational background includes a Criminal Justice degree from Michigan and eight years of service as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard. Jessica holds a TCOLE Master Peace Officer License and is a certified TCOLE Instructor specializing in course development for Field Officer Training, Force on Force, Firearms, and Legislative Updates. She is also certified to instruct Defensive Tactics, O.C. Spray/Chemical Defense, and has pioneered basic-to-advanced Spanish courses tailored for Law Enforcement personnel.

Captain Greg Davis, M.Sc., is a nationally recognized law enforcement executive, educator, and wellness leader with 38 years of distinguished service in military, federal, and state public safety operations. A retired Captain with the Texas Department of Public Safety and Manager of Police Skills at the Austin Community College Public Safety Training Center, he leads multidisciplinary public safety training operations, including Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVOC), Force-on-Force (FOF) simulation, and tactical fitness and wellness assessment, while overseeing regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, and operational readiness initiatives across one of Texas’s premier public safety training facilities. Based in Austin, Captain Davis is respected for advancing evidence-based officer fitness, resilience, and leadership development initiatives and is regarded as a trusted advisor to law enforcement executives, policymakers, and professional organizations throughout the United States.
Captain Davis began his career as a Military Police Officer in the United States Marine Corps before serving with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police, Texas Office of the Attorney General, and the University of Texas at Austin Police Department. He later dedicated 27 years to the Texas Department of Public Safety, serving as a State Trooper, Sergeant and Agent with the Executive Protection Bureau, and ultimately Captain and Academy Training Coordinator for the Training Operations Division.
In executive leadership roles, he directed statewide oversight of the Fitness Wellness Unit, Arrest Control Tactics Unit, Leadership Professional Development Unit, and Trooper Training Unit. He is recognized as the architect of the award-winning Texas DPS Physical Fitness Testing and Assessment Model and the DPS Fitness Institute, frequently testifying before U.S. congressional subcommittees (Testimonial) and state legislatures as a subject matter expert. He serves as a consultant for the International Association of Chiefs of Police Professional Services Division and DOJ-sponsored CRI-TAC initiatives.

Lt. John Coffey is a highly respected law enforcement professional and firearms training expert with more than 35 years of progressive experience in patrol supervision, tactical instruction, officer development, and public safety operations. Throughout a distinguished career with the Austin Police Department and Elgin Police Department, he demonstrated exceptional leadership in patrol management, firearms instruction, defense tactics, and active shooter response training.
During his tenure with the Austin Police Department, Lt. Coffey advanced from Tactical Services Officer and Patrol Officer to Corporal and ultimately Master Corporal, supervising patrol teams of up to 15 officers while coordinating critical use-of-force reporting, pursuit documentation, and field operations. As a Defense Tactics and Firearms Instructor, he trained thousands of officers and instructed more than 90 percent of APD personnel, as well as numerous outside agencies, including Travis County law enforcement divisions. His expertise includes active shooter response, close-quarter combat, firearms proficiency, pressure point control tactics, and officer safety instruction.
Currently serving with the Austin Community College Public Safety Training Center, Lt. Coffey manages all aspects of firearms range operations, safety protocols, instructor oversight, curriculum development, firearms maintenance, and tactical training programs. He coordinates and teaches handgun, rifle, and shotgun courses ranging from basic to advanced levels while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and TCOLE standards. Recognized for his professionalism and service, Lt. Coffey has received numerous honors, including the APD Distinguished Service Cross, Outstanding Service Cross, Life Saving Award, Superior Service Citation, and multiple commendations for exceptional leadership and dedication to public safety. He holds Bachelor’s and Associate degrees in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York at Utica and maintains multiple TCOLE certifications, including Master Peace Officer, Basic Instructor, Defense Tactics Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and Active Shooter Instructor credentials statewide.

Jeremy is a retired San Marcos Police officer with 25 years of experience in Law Enforcement and 30 years of total Public Safety Experience. He began his career in public safety shortly after high school when he was recruited with Lavaca County EMS and began service as a Basic EMT with the county. When the county began its push from an ambulance service with only Basic Life Support capabilities to an Advance Life Support service, Jeremy continued training and achieved his EMT-Intermediate license and assisted with the ALS Ambulance Service. During this time, he also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Shiner Fire Department and began a training initiative for that department.

In June of 1997, Jeremy graduated the Victoria College Regional Training Center Basic Peace Officer Academy and began his law enforcement career in Yoakum TX as a reserve patrol officer. He was hired full time as a Patrol Officer with the Hallettsville Police Department in 1998 and remained there until Yoakum Police Department hired him as a full-time police officer in 2000. Jeremy began pursuing a career at a larger department and was ultimately hired with the San Marcos Police Department in July of 2002. During his almost 21 years of service at San Marcos P.D., Jeremy was a patrol officer and assisted the department with their implementation of the TXDOT Crash Accident investigation software and began teaching basic accident investigation to their cadets in the department’s mini-academy. He also maintained the department’s TXDOT CRASH account and user database.

In late 2018, the department began its implementation of a “Drone” program. Jeremy assisted two other members in starting the department’s drone program by assisting in policy development and procuring the equipment. When the two other members of the drone unit retired, Jeremy was tasked with continuing the operations and management of the unit by himself until he was able to grow the team membership and train them. The team deploys with SWAT and provides overwatch as well as interior searches. They also included scale and 3d mapping using drones for accident and crime scene re-construction. At the time of his retirement, the team had a total of 10 members. While at SMPD, Jeremy has assisted other police and fire department drone teams with training and advice for furthering their units.

Kristine Dannheim is an accomplished executive administrative professional with more than 20 years of experience supporting senior executives, elected officials, educational leaders, faculty, operational teams, and community stakeholders. She is recognized for her professionalism, discretion, strong judgment, and ability to manage complex priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and organizational accuracy.
Currently serving as Administrative Assistant III at Austin Community College’s Public Safety Training Center, Kristine provides high-level administrative and operational support for public safety education and training programs. Her responsibilities include executive support, communications, procurement, compliance, reporting, project coordination, and collaboration with internal and external partners. She works closely with faculty, staff, students, and public safety agencies to support program operations, special initiatives, and organizational objectives.
Kristine’s career includes serving as a Legislative Director in the Texas House of Representatives, where she managed legislative initiatives, constituent relations, policy communications, and executive-level operations. She has also held leadership and administrative positions with the Travis County Commissioners Court, Hays CISD, and higher education organizations, developing expertise in executive support, government relations, project management, and operational management.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a Minor in Business from Texas State University. Combining strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills with extensive administrative expertise, she is known for building efficient systems, fostering collaborative relationships, maintaining the highest level of confidentiality, and supporting organizational success through dependable, results-oriented service.

Eugene “Gene” Robinson is a nationally recognized pioneer in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), public safety aviation, and search-and-rescue operations, bringing more than two decades of leadership in sUAS program development, operational deployment, and advanced aerial imaging technologies and mission-critical public safety innovation.
As Founder and Owner of GRC, Inc., Gene provides strategic consulting services to public safety agencies, higher education institutions, and infrastructure organizations focused on the establishment, advancement, and regulatory compliance of drone operations programs. His expertise spans FAA compliance, operational policy development, advanced flight operations, mission planning, instructional program design, and specialized emergency response integration.
Gene has served as Chief Pilot for the Texas State University Anthropology Department’s National Institute of Justice, a funded research initiative focused on the detection of clandestine graves utilizing drone technology. He also leads the Austin Community College Public Safety Training Center Unmanned Vehicle Systems Operations Program, where he has trained more than 300 civilian and public safety drone pilots through comprehensive classroom and field-based instruction.
Throughout his career, Gene has played a pivotal role in advancing UAS integration into public safety and emergency response operations. He co-founded Drone Pilot, Inc., developed one of the nation’s earliest proficiency-based public safety drone training programs, and founded RP Flight Systems, where he designed the groundbreaking Spectra flying wing platform used in search-and-rescue missions across 34 states and six countries.
He was instrumental in securing the first countywide FAA Certificate of Authorization (COA) in the United States and has advised agencies nationwide on operational readiness and regulatory compliance. A published author, nationally recognized speaker, and recipient of multiple industry honors, Gene remains a leading authority in humanitarian drone operations, aerial forensics, disaster response, and public safety UAS integration and emerging unmanned aviation technologies supporting critical incident management.

Dr. Juan Cantu is a remote sensing and unmanned aircraft systems specialist with more than fifteen years of experience applying advanced geospatial technologies across agriculture, public safety, forensic investigations, environmental analysis, and emergency response operations. He earned two Master of Science degrees from Texas Tech University, including Agriculture Education and Plant and Soil Science with a concentration in Remote Sensing and Drone Imagery. He also completed a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at West Texas A&M University and earned his PhD in Plant and Soil Science from Texas Tech University with a concentration in Remote Sensing.
Throughout his career, Dr. Cantu has worked extensively with drone technologies, multispectral imaging platforms, terrain modeling applications, and SoilOptix high resolution gamma soil mapping systems to identify subtle surface and subsurface disturbances. His expertise supports precision agriculture initiatives, environmental assessments, and investigative operations through defensible, data driven methodologies that improve operational accuracy and decision-making capabilities. His collaborative leadership style emphasizes scientific integrity, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and practical problem solving for multidisciplinary field teams across diverse industries.
Dr. Cantu has participated in a wide range of drone applications, including agriculture operations, search and rescue missions, public safety deployments, technology evaluations, and beta testing initiatives for emerging unmanned systems and software platforms. Through these experiences, he has evaluated and implemented numerous software solutions for processing and analyzing drone generated imagery and geospatial data.
In addition to leading complex field deployments, Dr. Cantu has trained more than 200 FAA Part 107 pilots and over 150 spray drone operators. He currently serves as a drone instructor at Austin Community College’s Public Safety Training Center, where he remains focused on advancing applied remote sensing solutions that bridge innovative technology with real world operational and investigative needs.

After graduating from high school, Gregory Pratt enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves where he was trained as an Air Traffic Controller at the age of 18. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. Shortly after college, he earned his Private Pilot’s License. He was then commissioned as an officer in the Navy and spent six years as a Naval Flight Officer, flying in the S3-B aircraft off the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS George Washington aircraft carriers. After his time in the Navy, he applied for and was appointed to be an FBI Special Agent. He attended the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA and was then assigned to the San Antonio office, where he spent his entire career (22 years from 1998-2019). While in the FBI, he worked White Collar Crime, Public Corruption, and Counter-Terrorism cases. His collateral (part-time) duties included surveillance pilot, Evidence Response Team (CSI) member and Team Leader, Hostage/Crisis Negotiator, Airport Liaison Agent, and Campus Liaison Agent. He retired in December of 2019 and started a Drone Service Provider business (DroneStarLLC.com). He also teaches UAS/Drone classes to First Responders, TxDOT employees, and others. He holds an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and is TOP Level 3 Certified through AUVSI. In addition, he consults on Safety and Security Matters for places of worship, schools, and private organizations.

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Stephen M. Day is an accomplished law enforcement educator, Master Training Specialist, and public safety leader with thirty-eight years of experience developing, delivering, and evaluating high-impact training programs for military, federal, and law enforcement professionals. Throughout his distinguished career, he has combined operational expertise, instructional excellence, and strategic leadership to advance workforce readiness, officer safety, and organizational effectiveness.
Currently serving as an Inspector with the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service and an instructor for the Austin Community College Public Safety Training Center, Mr. Day conducts security assessments, criminal investigations, and protective operations while providing instruction in firearms, less-lethal systems, active threat response, crime prevention, and emergency preparedness. His instructional background includes classroom, field, and scenario-based training designed to strengthen decision-making, accountability, and performance under pressure.
A former United States Navy Leading Chief, Antiterrorism Force Protection Officer, and Master Training Specialist, Mr. Day supervised curriculum development, instructor certification, quality assurance, and course evaluations across more than 130 training programs. He has mentored and evaluated over seventy-five instructors and delivered more than forty-seven training sessions annually, reaching hundreds of students each year.
Recognized for translating complex legal, tactical, and security concepts into practical, actionable learning experiences, Mr. Day emphasizes constitutional policing, ethical leadership, responsible use of force, and risk management. His learner-centered approach integrates adult education principles, evidence-based assessment methods, and realistic exercises that promote skill mastery and retention.
His credentials include instructor certifications in firearms, Taser, active threat response, less-lethal systems, field training evaluation, physical security, and executive leadership development. Widely respected for integrity, professionalism, and service, Mr. Day continues to develop confident, capable, and mission-focused public safety professionals. He holds associate credentials in firearms technology and professional gunsmithing expertise, earning military commendations, awards, and federal performance recognitions.

Christine “Chris” Wallace is a seasoned emergency communications professional, trainer, and public safety leader with 30 years of experience advancing operational excellence, workforce development, and regional collaboration within public safety communications. Following a distinguished 28-year career with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, she retired as 9-1-1 Manager, where she provided strategic leadership for emergency communications operations, personnel development, technology initiatives, and service delivery in a complex, high-demand environment.
Throughout her career, Chris earned and maintained a Master Telecommunicator license and built extensive expertise across multiple communications disciplines. Before her promotion to management, she served in a progression of increasingly responsible roles, including Call-Taker/Radio Dispatcher, Communications Training Officer, Training Coordinator, and Supervisor. These experiences provided a comprehensive understanding of frontline operations, training methodologies, quality assurance, and leadership development.
Chris is a certified TCOLE Instructor and a DPS Associate Trainer who is deeply committed to strengthening the profession through education, mentorship, and continuous improvement. She is recognized for her ability to design and deliver impactful training programs that enhance performance, increase preparedness, and support the evolving needs of emergency communications professionals.
As a Training Specialist and BPOC Instructor, Chris is passionate about supporting the mission of Austin Community College’s Public Safety Training Center and its commitment to advancing public safety education throughout the region. She is dedicated to providing telecommunicators with meaningful, profession-specific learning opportunities that foster competency, confidence, and career growth.
In addition to her training and leadership accomplishments, Chris has played an active role in several major regional public safety initiatives, including the original Communications, Transportation and Emergency Communications Center (CTECC), the Austin/Travis County Back-up Center, and the Greater Austin Travis Regional Radio System (GATRRS), helping strengthen interoperability, resilience, and regional coordination across diverse agencies, jurisdictions, and stakeholder partnerships.

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Coming soon!