PSBTA honors Scott Agnew, Jim Pasco, Patrick Yoes, Stephen Devine, and Chief Brad Ventura for advancing FirstNet and the Public-Safety Community
The 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit brought together leaders across public safety, technology, and the private sector earlier this month to recognize progress, strengthen collaboration, and celebrate the people helping advance the nation’s public safety broadband ecosystem. A central highlight of the Summit was the presentation of the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA) awards, recognizing recipients whose leadership, advocacy, and technical expertise have made a meaningful impact on the public safety community.
“Each of these recipients has contributed in a distinct and important way. Their work advances the shared goal of ensuring America’s public safety community has the communications tools, network capabilities, and advocacy it needs today and in the future,” shared Rich Carizzo, President of the PSBTA.
Scott Agnew, President of the FirstNet® Built by AT&T, received the PSBTA Sue Swenson Award for Private Sector Leadership. The award recognizes an individual or company in the private sector that has demonstrated exemplary leadership and made a significant positive impact. Agnew was recognized for his thoughtful, decisive leadership and deep commitment to public safety. Through his stewardship of the FirstNet network, he has helped support the consistent and reliable communications capabilities public-safety professionals depend on.
Jim Pasco, Executive Director of the National Fraternal Order of Police, and Patrick Yoes, President of the National Fraternal Order of Police, jointly received the PSBTA Award for Public Safety Leadership. The award honors active or retired public safety officials who have made significant contributions to Public Safety Broadband and have demonstrated years of service to advancing public safety’s broadband and FirstNet technology. Pasco and Yoes were recognized for their continued leadership and advocacy on behalf of law enforcement with their work through the Fraternal Order of Police.
Stephen Devine, Chief Technology Officer of APCO International, received the PSBTA Andy Seybold Award for Technology Innovation. The award recognizes exemplary leadership by a technology professional or company that has made a significant positive contribution to Public Safety Broadband. As a respected voice in the field, Devine continues to help public safety organizations understand, evaluate and prepare for emerging technology opportunities.
Chief Brad Ventura received the inaugural PSBTA Defender Award. The Defender Award recognizes individuals who use their platform to advocate for the facts, underscore the value of FirstNet, and advance positive change for public safety. Chief Ventura was recognized for repeatedly setting the record straight about FirstNet during the Maui fires and for his continued advocacy for the public safety community. His willingness to communicate clearly and publicly about the importance of FirstNet reflects the leadership needed to protect and strengthen the network’s mission.
About Vision FirstNet Users Summit
The Vision FirstNet Users Summit is a conference focused on public safety thought leadership, technology demonstrations, and collaborative learning for organizations involved in safety, security, emergency response, and crisis communications.
About PSBTA
The Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA) is an organization focused exclusively on ensuring the success of the entire FirstNet ecosystem that includes the legal entity created by Congress, the network infrastructure, hardware and software, and the single most important component—the end users.