The Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) announced the appointment of Kyle Gaffaney as chief finance and administration officer and Jason Wells, CFO, as chief programs officer, as well as the impending retirement of Debbie Sobotka, chief operating officer. 

One of the fundamental principles of the CPSE 2024–2027 Strategic Plan was to stay "People Focused." The CPSE Board authorized a three-year workforce enhancement plan in May 2026 after CPSE started a comprehensive staff and contractor evaluation in 2025. In order to ensure growth while maintaining quality, the first year of the staffing enhancement plan called for the conversion of the chief operating officer position to a chief finance and administration officer and the appointment of a Chief Programs Officer, a crucial member of the executive team who would provide strategic direction and oversight of CPSE's accreditation, credentialing and education programs. 

“The CPSE Board understands that having the right people in the right roles is key to CPSE’s continued success and sustainability," said CPSE Board President Derek Bergsten. “In 2025, the Board approved reinvestment funds to conduct the holistic staff and contractor review and was excited to see the resulting three-year staffing enhancement plan.”

After 22 years of devoted service, CPSE will celebrate Debbie Sobotka's retirement at the end of October 2026. She played a key role in the personnel enhancement plan's creation, approval, and execution. 

Kyle Gaffaney will become CPSE's new chief finance and administration officer on Sept. 30, 2026. Kyle and Debbie will go through a brief transition. Kyle holds a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and two bachelor's degrees in accounting and management information systems from the University of Minnesota. Kyle, who most recently worked as the finance and administration manager for the Rochester, MN, Airport Company, adds more than ten years of association expertise to the CPSE CFAO position. 

Jason Wells will become CPSE's first chief programs officer on Feb. 1, 2027. Jason just said that, as of January 2027, he will no longer serve as the Lexington, KY, Fire Department's (LFD) fire chief. Jason has worked at LFD for more than 30 years, and he played a key role in the organization's accreditation by the CFAI. Jason holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of the Cumberlands, a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership from Northern Kentucky University and the chief fire officer title from CPSE. 

“I look forward to working with these two accomplished professionals,” said CPSE CEO Preet Bassi. “They are joining CPSE at a time of great change and opportunity. Their unique skills displayed during the thorough recruitment processes will surely position CPSE for continued growth and impact."