9-1-1 Dispatch Personnel

Jessica

Jessica started working in Dispatch in June 2003. She has an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and is CPR, First Aid, EMD and AED, FEMA ICS-100; ICS-200; ICS-700 and ICS-800 certified. She is also a certified LEIN TAC and LEIN trainer. "The people I work with are great and I can give back to the community". Though Jessica acknowledges it is sometimes a stressful job, for the most part she considers it fun.

Ronda

Ronda joined the Leelanau County Dispatch in 2004.  She likes the satisfaction of being a part of serving the community.  In addition, Ronda finds that the teamwork approach really helps to diminish the degree of stress that accompanies the job.  Ronda is CPR, AED, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), and Communications Training Officer (CTO) certified.  She holds the following accreditations: FEMA ICS-100; ICS-200; IS-700 and IS-800, Critical Incident Training, Hostage Negotiation for Dispatch, Crimes in Progress, Advanced Dispatch, How to Save a Life - Yours, and is continuing a 5 part Leadership Series.  She obtained a Bachelor of Art degree in 2010 in Management and Organizational Development, with a minor in Criminal Justice.

Christine

Christine began her career as a Leelanau County Dispatcher in July 2007.  She has completed certification in EMD with honors, is a LEIN TAC and is CPR certified.  She enjoys her co-workers and helping the residents and visitors of Leelanau County.  Christine brings to us a great personality with strong compassion for helping people, having been a certified Nursing Assistant.

Wally

Wally began his new "Dispatch" career in June 2011.  He is a life-long Leelanau County resident and Northport School graduate.  After serving six years in the Air Force, Wally returned to Leelanau County to help run his family's manufacturing business.  He and his brother later invented a product called "Virtual Rocks".  They took a simple idea of hiding wellheads using fake hollow rocks to a nationally known, award winning product.  After eventually selling the company, Wally was looking for steady work that was close to home that offered good pay and benefits.  He had done dispatching in the Air Force, and when the Leelanau County Dispatch position became available, Wally became very excited.  He knew in his heart that this was the job for him.

Since Wally started, he has completed CPR/First Aid, EMD certification and LEIN training.

When asked what he enjoys about being a dispatcher, Wally responded:  "I like the professionals that I work with every day.  Having people that you admire and respect is important in any job.  I enjoy the challenge of the job, and I also like the fact that each day is different in Dispatch.  You never know what the next phone call will bring."

Kelly

Kelly joined Leelanau Dispatch in January 2015. She was drawn to this career by the idea of making a real difference in people's lives. She believes the mission of Leelanau's 9-1-1 Center is to provide guidance and direction to those who don't know where else to turn, and to assist and provide help to those who need it. Kelly enjoys the satisfaction that the job brings as well as the challenge of constantly learning new things. Kelly graduated from the University of Michigan Dearborn in December 2013. She worked as a summer research technician for the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station in Traverse City in 2014. Kelly is trained in CPR, EMD, LEIN, ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800.

Lauren

Lauren joined Leelanau County Dispatch in September 2016.  A graduate of Glen Lake, she also studied at NMC and CMU.  Lauren came to us from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore where she was an employee with the National Park Service.  She holds certifications in EMD, CPR, ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800.

Paul

Paul joined Leelanau County Dispatch in January 2018.  A graduate of Traverse City West and Central Michigan University, Paul continues in the footsteps of his family members by choosing to serve his community.  He is certified in EMD, CPR, ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800.

Michelle

Michelle joined Leelanau County Dispatch in June 2023. She graduated from Michigan State University majoring in Elementary Education and Spanish and earned a masters degree in Education. She is certified in EMD, CPR, INS 100, 200, 700, and 800.