The Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications and the Cobb County Information Services Department is proud to announce that Systems Administrator Vaughan Nasse is the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Information Technologist of the Year presented by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International. This recognition is bestowed upon those individuals inside the emergency communications center that have demonstrated exceptional skills, dedication, and innovation in the technical aspects of public safety communications.

Vaughan has been integral to the Cobb County IS Department since 1998. He started with the county as a Windows server administrator and later joined the Public Safety IT Support team. He was assigned to his current role as Systems Administrator with the Department of Emergency Communications in 2015. His responsibilities include developing programs and applications, maintaining technical systems and infrastructure, and ensuring compliance with department standards. With over two decades of experience, Vaughan has proven his expertise and adaptability in supporting the technological needs of the department.

Kimberly Lemley, Chief Information Officer, says, "I have had the privilege of working alongside Vaughan for over 23 years, and I can confidently say that his dedication, work ethic, technical expertise, and positive attitude have left a lasting impact on all of us. Vaughan consistently demonstrates an unwavering commitment to excellence and a genuine passion for his work. He is not only a highly skilled professional but also a trusted colleague, a true pleasure to work with, and an invaluable asset to our team."

In recent years, Vaughan has completed several upgrades to the DEC Computer-Aided Dispatch system and ProQA Paramount Software and planned and completed a major router upgrade to improve speed, connectivity, and security. He has supported a full redesign of the primary communications center to include all new consoles. Vaughan’s efforts have been instrumental in setting up the In-Game Operations Center at Truist Park and a ‘condensed’ 911 center at the park during the 2021 World Series games.

“Vaughan is a true asset to our team. Our vendors enjoy working with him and praise all the things he has been able to accomplish in our center.” Melissa Alterio, agency director, says, “His technical genius is well-known, but more than that, he shines in his role as a technical wizard with superb customer service skills, a friendly demeanor, and a smile that just never leaves his face.”

Vaughan will be recognized in front of an audience of his peers and other public safety telecommunications professionals in August at the APCO International 2023 Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

Cobb County DEC is a multijurisdictional consolidated dispatch center in Metro Atlanta, serving over 800,000 citizens and millions of visitors annually.

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