2021 has been an exciting, yet sometimes challenging, year for Pyramid Architecture, Engineering, and Consulting. In our December Special Feature, Project Manager and award-winning former 911 Director, Gary Bates, gives his insight on Pyramid’s team and some of the services Pyramid offers.
The backbone of a company is its outstanding and resolute employees. Who makes up Pyramid’s team? Terry Burnworth, Don Flick, Todd Durnill, and Amanda Oliver all play a part in the success of the company. Project Management is led by Todd Durnill and the Administrator is Amanda Oliver. Todd’s management abilities to complete projects with FAA, FCC, Supply Chain issues, and pricing has sometimes delayed a project but never has it waivered his resistance and fight against “Rent Seeking” companies who attempt to take advantage of the taxpayer’s procurement. A company must also have a solid leadership team which is led by Terry Burnworth, President and Engineer, and Don Flick, Vice President and Architect. Terry and Don have worked together for over 20 years and know how to get the job done.
The rebranding of Pyramid to its mainstay of Consulting has continued to lead the way in public safety procurement and construction management as evident in the company’s many projects. Project administration and procurement of state-of-the-art communication systems and facilities continue in numerous counties and several states to ensure the taxpayers and counties have received the most competitive pricing and industry-leading products. On the broadband side, the Assessment of Internet connectivity for wireless and broadband communication and the construction of towers improve access to the Internet. Narrowing the Digital Divide, especially in the rural communities, is ongoing and starting to make an impact with public/private partnerships to treat broadband as a public service with the infrastructure provided by local governments the same as roads and utilities.
Pyramid Consulting not only procures, constructs, and manages communication and public facility projects but leads the way on critical communication discussion to industry leaders. Throughout the country, at national and international conferences, Pyramid Consulting presents current and future issues. As the country reopened from the pandemic, Pyramid Consulting was presenting at state conferences in Wisconsin, Missouri, Arizona, and Illinois. Topics included Dispatch Paradigms, Building a Sustainable Dispatch, Social Media Deployments, and Artificial Intelligence. At the International Wireless and Expo Conference (IWCE), President Terry Burnworth moderated panel discussions on how 911 can ride the information wave and Using Federal Stimulus Money to pay for critical communications. Gary Bates was on a panel discussion of Artificial Intelligence in Public Safety with Motorola Communications, Intrado Life and Safety, and The National Institute of Standards and Technology. Two Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) conferences that discussed how public safety and broadband public-private partnerships can help reduce the digital divide on telehealth, remote work and school challenges from the COVID pandemic were presented and attended. Attendance at the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and the National Emergency Number Association national conferences brought important discussion and communication on our critical communication systems and Emergency Communication Centers.
Pyramid’s blog articles cover a wide range of topics to ensure readers stay abreast of breaking news in the communications industry. Monthly articles include Competitive Procurement, Passion in Your Profession, Back on the Road, Catching the Wave, Getting What you need from Broadband Internet, Overviewing Artificial Intelligence provided insight and valuable information. On the management level, we discussed Emotional Intelligence Leadership, Artificial Intelligence in the Emergency Communication Center, Next Generation Equipment purchases, and being a Disruptor in your chosen profession. Pyramid ended the last few months of the year with articles on Virtual Reality Training and cybersecurity.
As a Project Manager, I was given a unique opportunity to collaborate with the professionals of Pyramid Consulting and the countless commercial vendors for a brief period. As I transition to a fully retired lifestyle away from Public Safety after 43 years of military and public service, I want them to know they have made a difference and have a daily impact on the critical communication profession.
Having the distinct opportunity to serve my county in the armed forces, community as a 911 Telecommunicator and Director, and in the 911 profession as one of the Indiana Chapter Presidents of the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials, it has truly been an honor. Enough cannot be said about the “Heroes under the Headset” and the “First of the First Responders” who are your 911 Telecommunicators. The Administrators of 911 Centers have dealt with funding issues, ongoing workforce issues in our recent “Resignation Generation” and having to shift to a Servant Management style but Directors, Managers, and Supervisors are steadfast in their commitment to the profession.
As a closing statement, let us not forget the enteral words of John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961,
and so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.
North Region Communication Center 