Board of Directors
President
LeeAnn Smith
ADEM
LeeAnn Smith is the Southeast Area Coordinator for the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM). LeeAnn has been with ADEM since 2008 and her current position since 2016. LeeAnn comes to the AEMA Board with over 25 years in emergency services, working in different roles such as a dispatcher, 911 training coordinator, and emergency management duty officer.
President Elect
C.J. Engel
Arkansas 911 Board
C.J. Engel is a native of Benton, Arkansas, and has served as Executive Director of the Arkansas 911 Board since September 2020. In this role, he leads statewide efforts to modernize and enhance emergency communications across Arkansas.
Prior to his current position, C.J. worked at Southwest Airlines in Dallas, Texas, as a Senior Analyst in Preparedness and Business Continuity from 2019 to 2020. There, he managed several high-impact initiatives, including the expansion of the company’s Remote Operations Center and the rapid deployment of remote work capabilities for nearly 2,000 call center employees in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
From 2015 to 2019, C.J. lead Saline County Emergency Management and Emergency Communications. As Director, he oversaw countywide 911 operations and administration, emergency management programs, and fire services coordination.
C.J. has been actively involved in public safety initiatives at both the state and national levels. He was a member of the Arkansas 911 Strategic Planning Committee beginning in 2017 and maintains active membership in several professional organizations, including the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO), the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), and the Arkansas Emergency Management Association (AEMA), where he currently serves as President-Elect following two years as Vice President.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Administration and Management from Arkansas Tech University and a Master of Science in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas. He is also a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) through IAEM.
Vice President
Christie Minner
Pafford Medical Services
Christie Minner serves as the Director of Emergency Management for Pafford Medical Services, where she oversees strategic planning and response for large-scale emergencies and disasters. With over a decade of experience in public health and emergency management, she leads initiatives including surge ambulance operations, mobile medical unit deployment, and disaster response coordination.
Christie earned her Master’s degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from Arkansas Tech University. Prior to joining Pafford, she held roles with the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, specializing in training, readiness, and exercise coordination. With extensive experience in EMAC (Emergency Management Assistance Compact) operations, Christie has both led and supported numerous interstate deployments, strengthening her expertise in cross-jurisdictional coordination and resource mobilization.
Secretary
Alan Vaughn
Clay County OEM
Alan Vaughn leads Clay County’s emergency preparedness and response efforts as the
Director of the Office of Emergency Management and the Director of the Clay County
911 Public Safety Answering Point. With more than 11 years of leadership in high-
stakes environments, he combines strategic planning, operational oversight, and hands-
on coordination to keep the community safe and resilient.
Alan’s early career in agriculture instilled a deep respect for land stewardship, resource
management, and the critical importance of logistical precision. Transitioning to the
transportation sector, he honed skills in large-scale coordination, regulatory navigation,
and real-time problem-solving capabilities he now applies to emergency management.
Alan resides in Piggott, Arkansas, where he and his family enjoy hunting, gardening,
and exploring the county’s native woodlands.
Treasurer
Anthony Coy
Craighead County
Anthony Coy serves as the Director of Emergency Management for Craighead County. Prior to this position, he worked for the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management for approximately 14 years where he served as the Northeast Area Coordinator and a short stint as the Communications and Support Division Director. During his tenure in Emergency Management, Anthony has had the opportunity to work with counties all across the State of Arkansas and gain knowledge of the programs, methods, and plans that worked best. He is a member of the Arkansas Emergency Management Association and a Certified Emergency Manager. Anthony previously served as the Northeast Area Representative for 4 years and was elected as the AEMA Treasurer in 2025. Anthony also serves as the AEMA Representative to the Arkansas Wireless Information Network Executive Committee. He is also a graduate of Arkansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems. He is married and has two grown children, and recently welcomed his first grandchild.
Central Area Representative
Cody Overturf
Lonoke County Office of Emergency Management
Cody started working in the industrial clean-up and hazmat field. Then he found a great opportunity working with the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management as a Duty Officer. Cody is currently serving as the Lonoke County Emergency Management Director.
East Central Area Representative
Taylor Rodriguez
Arkansas County
In 2017, Taylor began working for the Arkansas County Judge. She then transferred to the Office of Emergency Management in November of 2018. Since that time, she has been diligently working towards growing her knowledge of Emergency Management practices.
Southeast Area Representative
Jason Brisby
Ashley County
Growing up in Lewisville, Texas, I graduated from Lewisville High School in 1993 and wasted no time in following my call, heading straight to the Fire Academy. That decision began a lifelong career in public safety, one that would span 30 years in the fire service. I served as a firefighter, EMT, and Paramedic, climbing the ranks until I retired as a Fire Chief.
But my service didn’t stop with the firehouse. For 15 years, I also led in the field of Emergency Management, helping communities prepare for and respond to disasters. My career was built not only on technical skill, but on a steady presence in moments when people needed calm and direction the most.
Four years ago, my wife and I, my best friend and partner in everything, decided it was time for a new chapter. My wife had spent 26 years caring for patients as a nurse, and together we moved to Arkansas. We quickly became part of our community, opening our home as foster parents and joining Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
My first role in Arkansas was with ProMed Ambulance, but in November 2021, I was appointed Director of Emergency Management for Ashley County, a position that allowed me to bring my decades of experience to a new stage. Always eager to adapt to new tools, I earned my FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot Certification in November 2023, adding aerial capabilities to the county’s emergency response efforts.
When the workday ends, I can usually be found at home with my wife, tending to our property, enjoying the quiet satisfaction of building a life together. Whether in uniform or in work boots, my mission is the same, to serve, protect, and care for the people around me.
Southwest Area Representative
Tate Chanler
Clark County
Tate Chanler has served as the Director of Emergency Management for Clark County for the
past seven years. Growing up in Smackover, AR in Union County where he was an active
member of the Boy Scouts earning his Eagle Scout. He graduated Smackover High School in
2012 and continued his education at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro graduating in 2016
with a Bachelors of Arts in Criminology and Sociology and a Minor in Homeland Security and
Disaster Preparedness. He started his career at the Frenchport Volunteer Fire Department
outside of Camden where he continues to serve as a Captain and training officer. He began his
professional career at the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office as a detention officer and reserve
deputy in 2017. He then went on to the Murphy Art District as the Assistant Security Supervisor
before taking up his current position at Clark County in August of 2018. At Clark County he
serves as a hazmat technician and supervises the county Wilderness Search and Rescue Team,
Dive Team, and the Swiftwater and Technical Rescue Team. He is also a part-time sergeant for
the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and a medic for the joint Arkadelphia – Clark County SWAT
team as well as an adjunct instructor for the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy and
Arkansas Fire Training Academy. He is a recipient of the Arkansas Diamond Award from
Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston for the rescue of a drowning victim on Degray Lake in
2021.
