Vision and Mission

Our mission and vision is creating a body of knowledge encompassing Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, Risk, Crisis and Emergency Management, (Public and Private Sectors representation) and allowing members to access all needed information by networking with other professionals and gaining the necessary expertise.

The NYC Metro Chapter provides monthly current and exciting topics and interactive programs, ensuring collaboration between the Board and the Members and working all together for the success and growth of the Chapter.

To provide a forum for learning and growth, advancement, mastery and added value within the related disciplines of Business Continuity and Emergency, Incident, and Crisis Management. This forum is:

• A community...to share ideas and network with experienced professionals
• A focal point...for timely, accurate answers and sound advice
• A force...to proactively advocate for government and private industry action
• A premier source...for related industry information and education
• A virtual library...to archive and share knowledge

We view the New York City Metro Chapter as the “Chapter of Choice” in the continuity industry. We will be regarded as THE place to go for resources, networking and education.

Vendors interested in Sponsorship Option click here

Andrew Smith, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Andrew Smith is a senior level Executive with 24 years diversified Management experience specializing in Business Continuity Management, Disaster Recovery Planning, Crisis Management, Crisis Communication and Emergency Response, Life Safety, Third Party Vendor Risk Management, Information Technology and Information Security. He is currently serving as Director, Governance and Development, Global Crisis and Continuity Management with BMO (Bank of Montreal) and held previous positions of Director and Vice President of Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Management for the Americas until 2020 @ MUFG. Prior to that, he spent over eight years as the Vice President and Head of Technology Services, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Management for DEXIA (European Banking Group) in the Americas.

Andrew Smith is a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) through the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII), a Member of the Business Continuity Institute (MBCI) of the UK, holds an MBA in International Finance from St. John's University/Peter J. Tobin School of Business and completed an Executive program in Management & Leadership at MIT/Sloan School of Management.
Andrew Smith has been serving as the President of the Association of Contingency Planners, NYC Metro Chapter and as the Chairman of the ACP National Presidents’ Council since 2009 and is the recipient of the 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015 ACP NYC Metro Chapter Most Valuable Player Award. He was the founding Membership Director of the ACP NYC Metro Chapter in 2005 and served on the Board as Secretary and Program Director as well.

He is also an active member of:

• The Advisory Board for the MPA Program in Emergency and Disaster Management at Metropolitan College of New York
• The Editorial Board for Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning
• InfraGard
• NYPD Shield
• Contingency Planning Exchange
• JC Waterfront Security Group
• The Clearing House and SIFMA Business Continuity Committees

 

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Inger Kessler, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Inger Kessler is an accomplished Business Continuity Professional with 20 years progressive experience. She achieved her CBCP certification through DRII, and specializes in Business Continuity Management, Program Development, Life Safety, Crisis Communications and Emergency Response.

Inger has held management roles in a variety of industries, most recently in retail. She spent over 20 years with Macy’s, Inc., where until June 2020, she was Senior Manager of Business Resiliency, providing direction, support and subject matter expertise to Macy’s management teams worldwide.

Inger has been an active member of the Association of Contingency Planners since 2009 and has served as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the NYC Metro chapter since 2014. In her spare time, she is a volunteer member of the Suffolk County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) on Long Island.

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Danny Monselise, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dan is a Business Analyst for Perrigo Pharmaceuticals located in Michigan. Prior to that position, Dan served as Product Evolution manager and as an IT Director of Clay Park Labs (Perrigo). Dan joined Agis Industries in March of 1994 as the ERP Manager and Deputy IT Director, relocating to the US in July of 2003. Before joining Perrigo (Agis), Dan spent four (4) years in South Africa (Johannesburg) as a consultant - implementing ERP systems and consulting to supply chain and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. Dan has a MBA from Humberside (UK) and a BA from Tel-Aviv University and is a certified CISSP. Dan has served as the Treasurer for the past four (4) years, at the ACP NYC Metro Chapter.

 

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Alejandro "Alex" Alonso, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 Alex is the Director of Business Continuity for GroupM and oversees all Business Continuity operations for North America. Alex has over 10 years of experience in business continuity in multiple industries. He is a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) through the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) and is an Associate Member of Business Continuity Institute (AMBCI). He also holds various certifications from The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Alex has been a member of the ACP NYC Metro Chapter since 2019. He was elected as Membership Director for the chapter in 2020 and continues to serve that role along with co-chairing as Program Director in 2022.

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 John Johnson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Certified Business Continuity professional with over 30 years of experience in Information Technology, Business Continuity, Risk Assessment, Incident Management, Project Management and Disaster Recovery.

During my career, I have worked for Infosys BPM, Dun & Bradstreet, Aetna, UnitedHealth Group and AT&T.

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Wanda Gaskin, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Wanda Gaskin has over 25 years in the Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery field and over 30 total years in Information Technology. Over her tenure, she became the “Go To” person for all aspects of BC/DR including Testing, Training, Table Top Exercises, Emergency procedures, and Audits. She is currently working as the Vice President of Global Disaster Recovery in the Financial field.

Wanda excels in public speaking, and enjoys taking on challenges that other people avoid. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) from the University of Phoenix and is Certified as a Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) by Disaster Recovery International Institute (DRII). She also holds additional Technical Certifications in A Plus, Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) Expert, along with various FEMA certifications.

Wanda Gaskin was elected as Web Director for the ACP NYC Metro Chapter effective January 2014.

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Scott Alexander, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

Scott Alexander has been the Membership Director of the New York City chapter of the Association of Contingency Planners since 2012.

Scott Alexander has worked in the business continuity and emergency management field for more than a decade, advising decision-makers on how best to keep their businesses running.

Alexander currently directs and manages United Rentals’ Power and HVAC division across metropolitan New York City, working with corporations, hospitals, data centers, local and federal governmental agencies, among others. He has won numerous awards for his efforts. During Hurricane Sandy, he worked extensively in New York City to ensure his clients could keep their businesses operating under immense challenges.

Alexander has a diverse business background. He lived and worked abroad in Eastern Europe for many years working on grass-roots democracy projects in dozens of former Communist countries. His travels took him to Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Croatia, among other countries that were under the influence of the former U.S.S.R.

He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Emergency Management and Business Continuity at Metropolitan College of New York.

 

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Daniella Miller, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Daniella Miller has 5 years’ experience in Emergency Management and Business Continuity.  Previously, Mrs. Miller served 8 years in the military working with Logistics and Supplies; she played an important role in the Recovery/Mitigation of Super Storm Sandy as an Emergency Manager specialist for PCDC where she trained Nursing Homes in developing All Hazard Emergency Plans, and she designed, implemented and facilitated her first Active Shooter Table Top Exercise for Level 1 Trauma Center Bellevue Hospital.

Mrs. Miller received a BPA in Humans Services, a MPA in Emergency/Disaster Management from Metropolitan College of New York and is a published writer.  Currently, she is certified as a 1SO 22301 Lead Auditor from ICOR and FEMA Level 1 Practitioner.  She serves as the Business Continuity Manager for MACYS Inc. / Bloomingdales where she monitors over 750 locations around the world and is active in the planning/implementation of Macy’s Business Continuity Program.    She enjoys initiating projects, taking on new challenges, facilitating and career coaching.

Daniella Miller was elected Director of Public Relations for the ACP NYC Metro Chapter effective January 2018.