Name: Melissa Alterio- Cobb 911 Executive Director
Start: 2026-04-09T11:45:00-04:00
Location: Hilton Atlanta Marietta Hotel & Conference Center (500 Powder Springs St, Marietta, GA)

Melissa Alterio- Cobb 911 Executive Director

Melissa Alterio possesses 35 years of experience in the field, currently holding the position of Executive Director for the Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) in Metro Atlanta, Georgia. The Emergency Communication Center (ECC), which comprises 160 personnel, is the second largest of its kind in the state. In addition to her role at DEC, Melissa has served as an Adjunct Instructor with the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International for several years and operates as a 911 consultant and leadership coach in the 911 sector. Her professional passion centers on transforming organizational culture, mentoring leaders, and empowering dispatchers to invest in their professional development.
Recognized as a Subject Matter Expert in the 911 industry, Melissa has presented at numerous national dispatch conferences, focusing on leadership principles and industry-related consulting. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Marist College in New York and subsequently obtained a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice/Public Safety Leadership from Mercer University. Furthermore, Melissa has achieved the professional designations of Registered Public Safety Leader (RPL) and Certified Public Safety Executive (CPE).
In her commitment to public safety advancement, Melissa serves on the Board of Directors for the Denise Amber Lee Foundation, an organization dedicated to enhancing public safety through uniform training, standardized protocols, measurable outcomes, and technological innovations. She has also been appointed to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) National Consortium for Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide and acts as a Board Advisor for the Women in Leadership Program at Georgia College & State University.
Melissa has received numerous accolades, including being named the Georgia APCO/NENA 911 Director of the Year in 2021, the NICE Public Safety Director of the Year in 2023, and a 2024 honoree in the Women of Achievement TRIBUTE presented by LiveSafe Resources. Last year, she served as the Chair of the Cobb County Chamber Public Safety Appreciation Program for 2024. These accolades serve as evidence that Melissa is paving the way for future leaders in 911 public safety.