Latest news with #Sivak
Business Wire
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
EM1 Appoints Tom Sivak as Chief Emergency Manager to Advance AI-Driven Emergency Preparedness and Response
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EM1, an AI company redefining emergency management through advanced technology and data-driven innovation, proudly announces the appointment of Tom Sivak as its new Chief Emergency Manager. A nationally recognized leader in emergency preparedness and resilience, Sivak joins EM1 following his impactful tenure as FEMA Region 5 Administrator, where he led operations across six states and 36 tribal nations. 'Technology must be developed with—and for—the people on the front lines. At EM1, we're building solutions that reflect the realities of emergency management while pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI.' - Tom Sivak Share Sivak initially joined EM1 as Emergency Manager in Residence, where his strategic insight and operational experience rapidly positioned him as a core leader within the company. His promotion to Chief Emergency Manager reflects EM1's commitment to centering emergency management expertise at the heart of its AI innovation. 'Tom brings a rare blend of deep operational experience and visionary leadership that's essential to EM1's mission,' said Tyler Felous, CEO and Co-Founder of EM1. 'His experience as a local EM all the way to his tenure at FEMA—particularly his focus on trust relationships—aligns perfectly with our efforts to design AI tools that serve all communities before, during, and after disasters.' Sivak's extensive background includes responses to more than 15 presidentially declared disasters, including the second-largest in Illinois history and the high-profile East Palestine train derailment. At FEMA Region 5, he spearheaded focus on natural hazards communities face from extreme heat to urban flooding in addition to enhancing decision-making capabilities by introducing advanced geospatial tools and dashboards to improve situational awareness during emergencies. His focus on helping people is core to the ethos of EM1. 'Tom's deep commitment to community-centric emergency management has already elevated the way we approach product development,' said Gunnar Holwerda, CTO and Co-Founder. 'He's helping us translate years of field experience into a platform that understands, anticipates, and supports the complexity of real-world disaster response.' At EM1, Sivak will lead efforts to build trust with the emergency management community, ensuring that EM1's technology is informed by the needs of practitioners at all levels—federal, tribal, state, and local. His role will also shape policy engagement, training frameworks, and company expansion to operationalize AI into the profession. 'I'm excited to continue serving the emergency management community in this new capacity,' said Tom Sivak. 'Technology must be developed with—and for—the people on the front lines. At EM1, we're building solutions that reflect the realities of emergency management while pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI.' Originally from East Cleveland, Ohio, Sivak is a Certified Emergency Manager with International Association of Emergency Managers, holds a Master of Science in Public Service Leadership from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Arts from Marquette University. His public service career also includes leadership roles in Cook County and the City of Chicago, where he managed large-scale responses to events including the 2012 Super Bowl and the COVID-19 pandemic. With Sivak's appointment, EM1 reinforces its position as a leader in building resilient and tech-enabled emergency response systems, serving communities big and small to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EM1 Appoints Tom Sivak as Chief Emergency Manager to Advance AI-Driven Emergency Preparedness and Response
WASHINGTON, May 14, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EM1, an AI company redefining emergency management through advanced technology and data-driven innovation, proudly announces the appointment of Tom Sivak as its new Chief Emergency Manager. A nationally recognized leader in emergency preparedness and resilience, Sivak joins EM1 following his impactful tenure as FEMA Region 5 Administrator, where he led operations across six states and 36 tribal nations. Sivak initially joined EM1 as Emergency Manager in Residence, where his strategic insight and operational experience rapidly positioned him as a core leader within the company. His promotion to Chief Emergency Manager reflects EM1's commitment to centering emergency management expertise at the heart of its AI innovation. "Tom brings a rare blend of deep operational experience and visionary leadership that's essential to EM1's mission," said Tyler Felous, CEO and Co-Founder of EM1. "His experience as a local EM all the way to his tenure at FEMA—particularly his focus on trust relationships—aligns perfectly with our efforts to design AI tools that serve all communities before, during, and after disasters." Sivak's extensive background includes responses to more than 15 presidentially declared disasters, including the second-largest in Illinois history and the high-profile East Palestine train derailment. At FEMA Region 5, he spearheaded focus on natural hazards communities face from extreme heat to urban flooding in addition to enhancing decision-making capabilities by introducing advanced geospatial tools and dashboards to improve situational awareness during emergencies. His focus on helping people is core to the ethos of EM1. "Tom's deep commitment to community-centric emergency management has already elevated the way we approach product development," said Gunnar Holwerda, CTO and Co-Founder. "He's helping us translate years of field experience into a platform that understands, anticipates, and supports the complexity of real-world disaster response." At EM1, Sivak will lead efforts to build trust with the emergency management community, ensuring that EM1's technology is informed by the needs of practitioners at all levels—federal, tribal, state, and local. His role will also shape policy engagement, training frameworks, and company expansion to operationalize AI into the profession. "I'm excited to continue serving the emergency management community in this new capacity," said Tom Sivak. "Technology must be developed with—and for—the people on the front lines. At EM1, we're building solutions that reflect the realities of emergency management while pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI." Originally from East Cleveland, Ohio, Sivak is a Certified Emergency Manager with International Association of Emergency Managers, holds a Master of Science in Public Service Leadership from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Arts from Marquette University. His public service career also includes leadership roles in Cook County and the City of Chicago, where he managed large-scale responses to events including the 2012 Super Bowl and the COVID-19 pandemic. With Sivak's appointment, EM1 reinforces its position as a leader in building resilient and tech-enabled emergency response systems, serving communities big and small to meet the challenges of the 21st century. View source version on Contacts Media Relationsmedia@
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Yahoo
Florida judge hears two days of testimony in golf course assault case: Is the evidence enough?
The Brief Lake County Judge Heidi Davis is working to determine if the state presented enough evidence to dismiss a Stand Your Ground case against Leesburg dentist Dr. Eddie Orobitg. Records show Orobitg is charged with aggravated battery for hitting a man with a golf club during an altercation in 2023 at the Harbor Hills Golf Course. Orobitg could face over a decade in prison if the case moves forward and he is convicted, officials stated. LAKE COUNTY, Fla. - Lake County Judge Heidi Davis is working to determine if the state presented enough evidence to dismiss a Stand Your Ground case against Leesburg dentist Dr. Eddie Orobitg. She heard nearly two full days of testimony. Records show Orobitg is charged with aggravated battery for hitting a man, Dr. Joe Sivak, with a golf club during an altercation in 2023 at the Harbor Hills Golf Course. Orobitg could face over a decade in prison if the case moves forward and he is convicted, officials stated. Davis will have to sort through conflicting testimony. She'll also have 911 audio and police body camera video to review. "Taking this under advisement and will get a written order out as quickly as I can," said Davis. The backstory Orobitg, then 52, was golfing with his son when he reportedly became enraged after spotting Sivak, a physician, and his wife walking on the golf cart path at Harbor Hills Country Club about 60 miles northwest of Orlando. After the two men began arguing, Orobitg allegedly swung his club at Sivak's leg. The melee quickly escalated with Orobitg allegedly bludgeoning Sivak on the side and back of the head with the club as Sivak attempted to defend himself with a water bottle, the affidavit says. Lake County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived and found Sivak covered in blood, and "it appeared his ear lobe was ripped," the document alleges. Sivak suffered broken ribs and a fractured cheekbone and required stitches to repair his ear. Deputies questioned Orobitg, who offered a different version of the confrontation. He told authorities he had asked the couple to get out of the way, and Sivak got in his face, shoved him, then spat on him. Sivak, the dentist alleged, struck him in the face with a water bottle, then "attempted to take his golf clubs," which he thought he was going to use to beat his son. He only smacked the doctor's leg in self-defense, he said. But the doctor's wife and the boy said the brawl erupted after Orobitg spat in Sivak's face first. Orobitg, who served in the U.S. Navy, appeared surprised when deputies arrested him, according to body camera footage obtained by FOX 35 News. What they're saying The state argued Sivak's injuries should be heavily considered. "Strongest evidence is objectively Dr. Sivak's injuries," said the state attorney. Sivak testified last week there was a disagreement about him walking on the golf cart path with his wife. He said Orobitg brutally attacked him over it. "My ear was split in two and required stitches," said Sivak. He also said he suffered rib injuries and fractures to his face. Orobitg gave his account on Wednesday. He agreed there was a fight, but said Sivak approached him aggressively when he asked the couple to move off the course, not the golf path. Orobitg said he never used a golf club in the fight and claims Sivak tried to use one on him. He said he only fought to try to get away and protect his son. "Hand started hurting, and I'm thinking this is my livelihood to support my family," Orobitg said. "Started using my legs and feet to push and kick to try to get away." The defense argued Orobitg didn't use deadly force, but would have been justified if he had based on their account of Sivak's actions. Orobitg declined an interview after the hearing. Sivak told FOX 35 News he told the truth on the stand. "I know I told the truth," he said. "I know my wife told the truth. That's all I can say, and I hope and pray for the right decision from the court." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information gathered from previous reporting, as well as from the case testimony presented to Lake County Judge Heidi Davis.
