AZWIN BOARD MEMBERS
Chair Marcia Johnson (Ret.)
Marcia Johnson retired as a Captain from the Arizona Department of Public Safety after almost 22 years of service. She held many assignments in the department to include Highway Patrol Trooper, Air Rescue Flight Paramedic, SWAT Crisis Negotiator, Peer Support Team Member/Leader, Employee Assistance Program Supervisor, Organized Crime Intelligence Bureau Sergeant, and Night Watch Patrol Commander. She is currently the Assistant Executive Director for the Emergency Responders Assistance Program (ERAP) who provides emotional support to emergency responders who experience psychological trauma following critical incidents. Marcia has taught Law Enforcement Stress Management to over 1200 Troopers as well as numerous professionals across Arizona and the nation. She served on the board of the Arizona State Peer Support Team that includes multiple agencies working together to prepare for a mass casualty event or to assist during a line of duty death. Marcia has been a member of the Arizona Women’s Initiative Network since its inception in 2014 and is a member of the International Society of Female Professionals. Marcia holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University. She has been happily married to her husband Philip since 2004 and they have two children. In her off time, Marcia can be found coaching soccer as the Boys Soccer Head Coach for Paradise Honors High School.
Vice Chair Virginia Bolenbaugh
Virginia Bolenbaugh has been with the Phoenix Police Department for 18 years and currently serves in the Mountain View Precinct. Previous to this, she served as an Investigative Sergeant in the Professional Standards Bureau. During her tenure, she has also worked patrol in several Precincts throughout the city, investigated crimes against children as a detective for more than four years, and served as both a Recruit Training Officer and a Field Training Officer. Virginia also spent time assisting in gang investigations with the Criminal Syndicate Squad, and served on the Phoenix Police Department's Employee Assistance Unit. After promoting to sergeant in 2018, Virginia Bolenbaugh worked as a Patrol Sergeant in the Maryvale Precinct and as a Field Training Sergeant in the Mountain View Precinct.
Treasurer Andrea Alexander
Reserve Officer Alexander recently left full time employment with the City of Phoenix as a Police Sergeant working with the Department of Justice Inquiry Unit as the Department undergoes a pattern or practice investigation. She is continuing her work in a different capacity assigned to the Phoenix Police Regional Academy. Previous to the DOJI Unit she served in the Professional Standards Bureau. Sergeant Alexander is a native Arizona resident and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University in Exercise and Wellness. Sergeant Alexander graduated from the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy in 2008. During the past 15 years, former Sergeant Alexander worked in various bureaus throughout the department to include: patrol in the South Mountain Precinct, Crimes Against Children's Unit, and the Employee Services Bureau. Sergeant Alexander promoted to Sergeant in 2016 and worked in the Desert Horizon Precinct in both Patrol and as the Community Action Sergeant. Outside of work, Sergeant Alexander enjoys travel, gardening, and spending time with her husband, two kids, and close friends/family.
Secretary Heather Penner
Sergeant Penner is the current supervisor for Property Investigations, with the Tempe Police Department. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University in Biochemistry and her Master's degree in Educational Leadership. Sergeant Penner attended Arizona Law Enforcement Academy and has been with the Tempe Police Department for 20 years. During her 20 years of service with the City of Tempe, Sergeant Penner has supervised several aspects of field operations. Upon her more recent transfer to Criminal Investigations she has supervised several different teams, including Robbery & Aggravated Assaults and Domestic Violence. Sergeant Penner is an Arizona native and enjoys spending time with her husband and their 4 teenage children.
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Chief Kara Riley
Chief Riley has 28 years of law enforcement experience. Kara M. Riley has been a police officer since February 1992. Prior to being a police officer, she worked in the corrections field for five years, both at adult and juvenile jails.
From 1993 to 2004, she was a police officer and sergeant with the Tucson Airport Authority. In 2004, she started her career with the Oro Valley Police Department. Prior to becoming Chief, she held the rank of Commander. Her responsibilities included the Field Services Division for patrol, motors, K-9, SWAT, Negotiations, and the Community Action Team. She was also responsible for the Support Services Division, which is responsible for criminal investigations, community resources, public safety
telecommunicators, fleet, IT, records unit and task force operations. In the past, she
served as the Chief’s Executive Officer. The Executive Officer holds the responsibilities of professional development and training, the office of professional standards and the
public information officer. Kara serves on the Board of Directors for Pima County Wireless Integrated Network, Oro Valley Community Leadership Board, Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, Women
Leading Government Marketing Committee, Northwest Women’s Group, and Southern Arizona Women Leading Government. She is an active member of the FBI National Academy Associates Arizona Chapter, member of the International Association Chiefs of
Police and a member of the National Public Information Officers Association.
Kara holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Arizona in Sociology and a
Master’s Degree in Education. In September 2015, she graduated from class 261 at the FBI National Academy and in 2012, Northwestern University Police Staff and Command
School. Kara had the fortunate opportunity to grow up overseas in Taiwan, Abu Dhabi and Sudan, Africa. Her father is a retired professor from the University of Arizona in the field
of environmental studies. She is a mother to an 18 year-old daughter and aunt to six
nieces and nephews. She enjoys fishing, watching any sport the University of Arizona is playing, CrossFit and spending time with her finance, Joseph Shelley.
Philip Johnson (Ret.)
Philip Johnson is a retired law enforcement professional with more than 28 years of service to the state of Arizona. He began his law enforcement career in 1994 with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) serving in communications, patrol, criminal investigations, commercial
vehicle enforcement, and training assignments within the various ranks from Trooper to Captain. Philip joined the Surprise Police Department in December of 2016 serving as the Commander of
the Criminal Investigations Division and the Tactical Support Division until July of 2022. During his career, Philip has been dedicated to the training, advancement, and wellness of police officers across the State. He served as the Chairman of the Subject Matter Expert Committee on Traffic Law to the Arizona Police Officers’ Standards and Training Board (AZ POST) and taught at many of the police academies throughout Arizona. He has been an Honor Guard Bugler for many
years, honoring Arizona’s fallen officers across the state at funerals, memorials, and special events. He continues to instruct and mentor in both law enforcement and private sectors. Philip is an accomplished classical musician who serves as the Principal Horn player for the North Valley Symphony Orchestra in Phoenix. He lives in the west valley with his wife Marcia and their two kids.
Michelle Pickrom
Captain Michelle Pickrom was promoted to Captain in October of 2020, and currently oversees employees in the Employee Wellness division. Previous to this assignment, she worked as the Operations Midtown Commander at the Tucson Police Department (TPD).
Captain Pickrom originally joined the Tucson Police Department in 1996 as a Community Service Officer, before becoming a Police Officer in 1998. She has since earned a Bachelors degree in Criminal justice from Park University and a Master’s Degree in Leadership from NAU. Throughout her career, Captain Pickrom has worked in various parts of the Tucson Police Department. From patrolling in South, West, and Midtown Operations, to working in TPD’s Public information office, as a CALEA accreditation manager, as a Peer Support Sergeant in the Behavioral Sciende Unit, to Chief Magnus’ Executive Officer, and most recently as TPD’s Wellness Coordinator.
Captain Pickrom continues to advocate for the advancement of women in law enforcement and is an active member in Arizona Women’s Initiative and National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives. She regularly volunteers in the Tucson community, through working at several Special Olympics events, as well as participating in the 911 Tower Challenge as an executive board member. She also helps with Mobile Meals on Wheels, Safe Teen Accident Reduction Training, Pima County JTED Council, and the Interdenominational Ministers Alliance.
Captain Michelle Pickrom continues to serve Tucson and make a difference!
Erin Gibson
Sergeant Erin Gibson started her career with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in 2004. During her tenure, she has worked many assignments including patrol, Criminal Investigations, Community Resources, and Internal Affairs.
In 2014, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, working patrol, directed patrol, Community Resources, and finally Personnel. Sergeant Gibson enjoys forging community partnerships and shaping the future of the Sheriff’s Department. Sergeant Gibson has taught women self-defense for the past ten years.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona. On her off time, Sergeant Gibson spends time with her husband who is also a deputy and their four children. She works out daily and loves to travel with her family.