FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:  January 30, 2018
Contact: Erin Opsahl
(970) 423-8901
Erin.Opsahl@SummitCountyCO.Gov

SUMMIT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WELCOMES
DETENTIONS COMMANDER BERTLING AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR BOVAIRD

SUMMIT COUNTY, CO – Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons is pleased to welcome Detentions Commander David Bertling and Emergency Management Director Brian Bovaird to the Command Staff at the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. The national search and selection processes for both positions drew the interest of several highly qualified internal and external applicants. A competitive open selection process conducted with the support of community members, helped to identify the applicants best suited for these significant positions of required proficiency and responsibility. Both David and Brian began their first day of employment on January 22, 2018.

David Bertling relocated from the Austin area in Texas to accept the position of Commander of the Detentions Division. Joining Bertling is his wife Lisa, of ten years. They have five adult children. Among the many great outdoor activities they are looking forward to are kayaking, biking, skiing, hiking, hunting, and fishing.

Bertling began his career in law enforcement in 1999 with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, in Georgetown, Texas. He became a Corrections Captain in January 2005, and remained in the position until 2016. He served as a Corrections Officer, Peace Officer and a Training Instructor.

Bertling graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Baptist Bible College, in Springfield, Missouri with honors in 1991. In 2003, he graduated the Texas Peace Officer Academy from Central Texas College in Killeen, Texas. He attended Sam Houston State University and earned a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management in 2013.

Brian Bovaird relocated from Baltimore, Maryland to assume his role as the Emergency Management Director. Joining Brian is his wife Erica, of fifteen years, ten-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son. As an active outdoor family, they have not wasted any time taking advantage of all that Summit has to offer and they are extremely excited to become part of the community.

Brian holds a Master’s of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management from American Military University and is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM).

While in Maryland, Brian served as Director of Operations for the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management. His daily responsibilities found him managing over 40 Emergency Management Specialists trained in field response and EOC management, advising senior leadership and elected officials, administering regional training initiatives, and overseeing the operations of all special events in the City of Baltimore.

Brian is credited with developing an Incident Management Team (IMT’s) for the Baltimore Police Department and enhancing their incident command capabilities. During Baltimore’s civil unrest in 2015, Brian’s experience managing and coordinating dozens of protests was put to the test. He worked side by side with the Incident Commander to advise on critical public safety functions and coordinate an unprecedented amount of mutual aid resources. Additionally, he has coordinated multiple Presidential disaster declarations and served as a Deputy Incident Commander for several of the largest events in the history of Baltimore City.  

Sheriff FitzSimons stated, “The Sheriff’s Office is honored to be welcoming two well qualified individuals, with a demonstrated commitment to public safety and community service, to the organization. Both David and Brian’s experience and education will be a great addition to the already dedicated and hardworking men and women of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.”

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