Our Staff

Daphne Levenson has been with the Gulf States Regional Center for Public Safety Innovations since 1997, serving first as Curriculum Development Specialist, then as Assistant Director and now as Executive Director. Mrs. Levenson graduated from the University of North Texas in Denton with an interdisciplinary degree in International Business and Adult Education. She had a successful history as a corporate consultant with a specialization in Diversity and Teambuilding before joining GSRCPI. During her time with GSRCPI, Mrs. Levenson has presided over a service area expansion that incorporated Mississippi and Alabama, and the successful acquisition of two major National training contracts - one from the Department of Homeland Security and the other from the Department of Justice COPS Office. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police, a prestigious state law enforcement association. Mrs. Levenson works in the Hammond, LA office.

Phone: Office (985) 345-0230 or Cell (504)232-5104
GSRCPI Email: dlevenson@gsrcpi.org
AACOP Email: dlevenson@aacop.com

A law enforcement officer since 1993, Polly is "on loan" to the Gulf States Regional Center for Public Safety Innovations from the Many Police Department, where she also serves as Assistant Chief of Police. Promoted to Assistant Director of GSRCPI in 2002, Polly is an integral part of the day-to-day functioning of the Institute. She received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern State University in 1999, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Polly is very involved with community organizations and serves on several Boards throughout the State of Louisiana. Polly also serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police.

Phone: Office (318)357-6959 or Cell (318)347-8851
GSRCPI Email: psnell@gsrcpi.org
AACOP Email: psnell@aacop.com

Aubrey Futrell brings over forty years of experience in law enforcement to GSRCPI. His career started with the Jonesboro Police Department in Louisiana, then progressed to the Louisiana State Police serving as a Parish Trooper, got promoted to Public Information Officer and finally retired as a Sergeant at the State Police Training Academy. While a State Trooper, he received several honors including Honorable Service Award to Louisiana, New Orleans Police Department Accommodation, and Trooper of the Year. He is also a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy. Following his career with Louisiana State Police, Mr. Futrell served as the Director of Training for the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division before moving on to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and serving as the Director of Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.). He took an early retirement from P.O.S.T. to work for the Homeland Security Corporation training airport X-ray machine operators after 9-11. Aubrey is known for his unique character and presentation style and has presented training both nationally and internationally for numerous organizations. He is now employed by the Gulf States Regional Center for Public Safety Innovations as Program Coordinator, ensuring that all training courses are handled professionally and efficiently. He is committed to providing quality law enforcement training to develop officers with integrity and high standards of job performance, as well as a survival mentality including their own mental and physical well-being. Aubrey works out of the Brandon, MS office.

Phone: (601)832-4224
Email: afutrell@gsrcpi.org

Bio Available Soon

Phone: (334)207-2712
Email: abramblett@aacop.com

Michael Murphy retired from the Baton Rouge Police Department in March of 2009. He has over 25 years of law enforcement experience having been assigned to Uniform Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, Intelligence, Planning and Research, Accreditation, and Homeland Security/Grants Management in his career. He serves on numerous local, state, and national boards and committees on technology, interoperability, homeland security, and emergency preparedness. As a nationally recognized subject matter expert on interoperable communications, in 2008 he was asked to sit on the Project SAFECOM National Emergency Response Council representing the interests of the gulf coast states. For the past 19 years he has had a role in Emergency Management, and was appointed the Emergency Operations Liaison with the EBR Parish Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in 1999. In 2005 was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Police and was named the Homeland Security/Grants Manager, coordinating funding, and emergency-planning and operations between local, state, and federal agencies. During the Hurricane Katrina/Rita and Gustof/Ike responses had responsibility for assisting the Chief of Police in managing the emergency response operations for the department. He has been the grant writer and project manager for BRPD since 1990. During this time the department received over 31 million dollars in state and local grant funds. Under his project management, the department and local government have undertaken numerous cutting edge technology projects ranging from one of the first in the nation Mobile Data Systems to a regional 700MHz P25 Communications System. In 2006 he was appointed to the State Interoperable Executive Committee to help in the implementation of the LA Wireless Interoperable Network (LWIN). He has also been appointed by the governor to the LA Emergency Response Commission. In 2008 Michael was elected to the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association. In 2008 he was loaned to the GSRCPI to assist with establishing an Interoperable Technology Program until his retirement, when he was contracted to be the Project Director for the newly formed Gulf Coast Interoperable Communications Cooperative.

Phone: (225)337-8088
Email: mmurphy@gsrcpi.org

David came to GSRCPI in 2008 from the world of retirement. A native Mississippian and a 1973 graduate of the University of Mississippi, David entered law enforcement in 1973 as a patrol officer with the City of Tupelo. Hired as an ABC Enforcement Agent Trainee in 1974, he went on to hold each office in the Bureau of Enforcement, retiring in 2004 as the Director of Enforcement. David earned Certified State Manager accreditation from the State Personnel Board, served as a member of the Enforcement Committee of the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, and as president of the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association during his career. He was instrumental in bringing technology to the Enforcement and Licensing Divisions’ processes and acting as an advocate for the ABC with the public, the legislature, and others. David is GSRCPI’s “lagniappe” person—managing requests from law enforcement or other public safety groups for specific training topics and placing miscellaneous grant and/or contract training requests in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Phone: (601)832-0028
Email: dwilson@gsrcpi.org

Chief of Police Jeff Wesley brings over 25 years of law enforcement, communications and training experience to GSRCPI. His involvement with numerous Law Enforcement and other public safety organizations assists him in development of materials for even the most inexperienced participants. Jeff’s extensive background in training also allows him to create an environment for maximum learning by encouraging discussions, application of concepts, and activities relevant to the learner’s issues. Chief Wesley manages the CEEP program for GSRCPI.

Phone: (225)921-4306
Email: jwesley@gsrcpi.org

Sparky Thomas began at GSRCPI as an Office Assistant and has moved up the ranks to become the GSRCPI Special Projects Coordinator. She is a graduate of Northwestern State University and has been with GSRCPI since their move to NSU in 2002. She is currently in graduate school pursuing her MBA degree. Some of her many responsibilities are curriculum enhancement and publication design for the Institute, as well as coordinating some of the Institutes' larger projects.

Phone: (318)663-2051
Email: sparky@gsrcpi.org

Jenny Nuccio graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 1996. She taught Middle School in St. Bernard Parish for ten years until she and her husband moved north of the lake in 2005, where she began work for a local hospital. Her husband, a GSRCPI bi-weekly recipient, saw the ad for Operations Manager for our new office in Hammond, LA. She brings to GSRCPI not only a background in education and administration, but tremendous organizational skills and a familiarity of Law Enforcement.

Phone: (985)345-4060
Email: jnuccio@gsrcpi.org

Tina Freeman has been with the GSRCPI family since 2006, having been hired after an extensive search for an applicant with experience in grant management and accounting that can handle the fast-paced atmosphere of GSRCPI. Tina brings over 22 years of accounting experience with her and is pursuing her degree from Northwestern State University.

Phone: (318)357-6958
Email: tfreeman@gsrcpi.org

Vickie Simmons came on board as a general clerk and found her niche managing Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police’s financial records. As Fiscal Affairs Assistant, she is responsible for all of AACOP’s billing and financial records and reporting. She also assists in other GSRCPI projects as needed.

Phone: (318)357-6956
Email: vsimmons@gsrcpi.org

Becky Murley joined the GSRCPI Staff in 2009. Becky brings with her a diverse corporate background in training support, including 12 years of employment at a major oil company training center. She is a quick learner with excellent communication skills and a valued member of the GSRCPI Administrative Support Team.

Phone: (985)345-4060
Email: bmurley@gsrcpi.org

Brandon Berggren joined the GSRCPI Staff in 2009. He is currently majoring in Criminal Justice at Southeastern Louisiana University while working part time for GSRCPI. Brandon brings with him six years of Military Police experience, including two tours of duty.

Phone: (985)345-4060
Email: bberggren@gsrcpi.org

Before coming onboard with GSRCPI, Stan was an intern with LCPI for two years. Stan received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University at Shreveport in 2001 and is currently on leave with the Louisiana Army National Guard preparing for his second tour of duty.