Managing the work of the Bay Area SUASI is a dedicated and highly skilled Management Team comprised of a general manager, five project managers and a finance manager.

Rich Shortall – General Manager
Bay Area SUASI Program
Richard Shortall has been appointed by the Bay Area Super UASI Approval Authority as the General Manager of the Bay Area SUASI Project. As General Manager, Rich is responsible for implementation of Approval Authority policies and goals; determines and develops operational activities including directing the administration and management of all projects; evaluates administrative reports and related documents; prepares and administers the grants and associated budgetary functions including analysis and justification to the Approval Authority; responsible for grant compliance activities; briefs the Approval Authority on special matters and events; liaisons and coordinates with other entities toward project completion; defines and manages the Approval Authority outreach efforts related to public information to accomplish the mission and purpose; confers with legal counsel and secures legal assistance as needed.

Richard Shortall is a retired Assistant Deputy Chief having served for 28 years with the San Francisco Fire Department. Mr. Shortall was Deputy Director of the San Francisco Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security prior to his selection as General Manager of the SUASI Program.

He also serves as the Project Manager for the Regional Planning and Emergency Management initiatives.

Ann Potter – Project Manager
Medical Surge, Mass Prophylaxis
Ann Potter is responsible for the administration and management of the Medical Surge and Mass Prophylaxis initiatives.  Formerly the Manager of the Disaster Preparedness Division at the San Francisco Office of Emergency Services, Ann recently served as the project coordinator for the Regional Emergency Coordination Project for the Bay Area. Ann has more than 25 years experience as a registered nurse and has served on many local, state and national committees and initiatives in health care emergency management. She is currently a member of the National Work Group for the Hospital Incident Command System revision project.

Guy Bernardo – Project Manager
Interoperable Communications, Public Information
Guy Bernardo is responsible for the administration and management of Interoperable Communications and Public Information. A native of the Bay Area, Guy has been a member of the San Jose Police Department for more than 28 years. He has worked a wide range of assignments with a focus on the training and professional development of law enforcement personnel. He was previously assigned to the San Jose Office of Emergency Services as a program manager for the San Jose Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).

Skip Shervington – Project Manager
Training & Exercise, CBRNE
Skip Shervington is responsible for the administration and management of the Training & Exercise and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) initiatives. Skip joined the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office 22 years ago after serving three years overseas as U.S. Army Military Police Officer. Skip has worked many assignments in his career. His most recent assignment was managing State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) training and exercises within in his operational area.

Rocky Medeiros – Project Manager
Information Sharing, Infrastructure Protection
Rocky Medeiros is responsible for the management and administration of the Information Sharing (TEWG/RTTAC) and Infrastructure Protection initiatives.  Rocky Medeiros is a 22 year veteran of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and currently holds the rank of Commander. He has worked a wide variety of assignments during his tenure. Since 1999 these assignments primarily focused on Homeland Security issues as well as emergency response.

William Bass – Project Manager
Citizen Preparedness, Mass Care

William Bass comes to the Bay Area SUASI from the City and County of San Francisco (CCSF) Department of Human Resources, where he managed the Disaster Service Worker Program and recently oversaw the integration of its databases with HelpBayArea.org. This integration will help mobilize CCSF’s 32,000 employees during a disaster. To learn more about the Disaster Service Worker Program, please click here.

Susan Newton – Manager Finance
Susan Newton has been appointed by the Bay Area Super UASI Approval Authority as the Finance Manager of the SUASI Project. The Finance Manager reports to the General Manager and her responsibilities include preparing and administering project budgets; preparing cost forecasts, variances and critical paths including project closeout procedures; preparing and analyzing comprehensive reports; administering contracts with project participants and service providers; coordinating a variety of projects and activities with agencies from the ten Bay Area counties; analyzing complex administration systems problems, evaluating alternative solutions and proceeding with an effective course of action; communicating effectively and persuasively in both oral and written format.
Susan is a veteran of the UASI grant program. In 2004 and 2005, the City of Oakland was a separate Urban Area and Susan served as the Homeland Security Program Coordinator since the programs’ inception. Prior to administering the UASI grants, Susan worked for the Oakland Fire Department as the Assistant Manager for Oakland’s Office of Emergency Services. She came to Oakland Fire after spending four years at the Oakland Police Department. Her career in Oakland followed 18 years at the Livermore Police Department where she supervised the Administrative Services Division.