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L.V.C.P.A.A.A.

Las Vegas Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association

State of the Association Address 2024
CPAAA Store Price List
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THE MVP's NEED YOUR HELP!

The MVP’s need 40 volunteers to be balloon handlers at the Summerlin Patriotic Parade on July 4th.  We will meet at 6:30 am at Smith’s at Lake Mead & Rampart (2211 N. Rampart Blvd.) and carpool to the Trails Community Center located at 1910 Spring Gate Lane.  We will be done by noon.  We must have our parade line up by May 1.

Family members or friends (16 and older) are welcomed to accompany you.  Please help if you can, this is a BIG fundraiser for the MVP program.  E-mail Sharon Harding at [email protected] if you can help.

Meeting Location

Our meetings are held at the
Metro Training Center located at
9880 W. Cheyenne Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89129

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Laurie Buchman

President

Laurie Buchman, from Detroit, earned a BA and MAT in education from Oakland University in Rochester, MI.  She retired from City of Oak Park Department of Recreation and West Bloomfield School District both located just north of Detroit. 

She was an elected West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commissioner from 1984-2002.  Laurie served on the City of Las Vegas Recreation Advisory Board for 8 years and has since moved her interest to the Las Vegas Senior Softball Association (LVSSA) Board of Directors.  She was the first woman President 2018 – 2020.

Laurie is manager and player on the Vegas Strong Woman’s 70s tournament team.  She was inducted into the LVSSA Hall Of Fame in 2018.

She is honored and humbled to serve our community as President of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association since July 2017.  Laurie has met many interesting Metro officers and employees while researching and authoring more than 50 articles featuring Metro in the MVP All Points Bulletin. 

Laurie also spends free time as a Metro Volunteer and on the shooting range.  With her husband Dave, she has lived in LV since 2002, sharing their home with a dog and cat. “We have wonderful friends and enjoy life here.”

Katy Reeder

Vice President

Katy Reeder was born and raised in Ventura County, California, moving to Las Vegas in 2018 after her husband retired from the U.S. Navy Seabees. Coming from Oxnard,
California they wanted to give their children more opportunities in life and be closer to family. Since Katy was 17, she worked in the automotive industry. While there she worked in the business office, service and warranty department, did funding, helped with the investigations and repossessions, was a certified auto damage appraiser, and managed a body shop. In 2011, Katy found her love in assisting families as a Special Finance Manager at Team Nissan in Oxnard. She helped families from all over rebuild their credit and get transportation desperately needed for their families.

In 2018, after settling in Las Vegas, She wanted to explore new careers and became a Certified National Medical Assistant and continued her education locally. Missing human contact with people, Katy founded and operates an RV rental and management business. Katy’s business is also working with a software company, creating next-level management software to help companies nationwide while mentoring men and women on how to be successful business owners in her field. She says, “It is very important to me to help families have that togetherness and get into nature. Today’s children need to have that time and see the beauty of the world that surrounds us. Because tomorrow is never promised, my mission is to help families make priceless memories they will never forget.”

Katy learned about the CPA through a former CPA member in a local Armed civilian and self-defense training class and waited eagerly to participate in the academy for 2 years during the covid shutdown. Katy was the first in-person class of the CPA post-Covid in 1-2021 and the last at the Mojave Training Facility. Through her excitement her husband Nathan and mother Cynthia joined the CPA and all 3 became Alumni members, making it a family affair. In October of 2023 she joined the Metro Volunteer program and will be in the Trauma Intervention Program.

Katy’s family is her everything. Her husband, Nathan, 5 children and grandbaby. Katy is a parent at all school levels, having children in Elementary, Middle, and High school locally. “Being an involved parent is key to children’s education today.” She also has a love for animals and volunteered to help the Animal Foundation foster failing a couple of times. In her free time, she loves traveling and making memories with her family.

Katy is very excited to serve you on the Board of Directors.

Donna Klein

Treasurer

Donna was born in Oaks, Pennsylvania.  Upon graduating High School, she joined the US Air Force for a long fulfilling career.  After spending 22 years serving her country all over the world as a Munitions Maintenance/Logistics Director, she retired in 2000 as a Senior Master Sergeant.  Her retirement brought her to Las Vegas where she began her second career in healthcare. 

After working for Southwest Medical Associates, Healthcare Partners of Nevada, P3 HealthCare, and finally Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield as a Finance Director, Donna decided to wrap up her 20-year healthcare career and retire. 

Donna got involved with CPAAA upon graduating the CPA class in 2009 when Janet Delaney told her all about the exciting things the organization did to help Metro and our community.  Beginning as a Sales Associate to Janet Delaney as a Director At-Large, Donna went on to run the CPAAA Store once elected as a Board Director in February 2019.  She actively worked to widen the selection of logo items offered so our members can proudly display their support for our organization.  In 2019, Donna also volunteered to be the Chairperson to the CPAAA’s annual holiday party, which through auctions, raffles, and donations generates the highest amount of funds raised each year.

When not actively involved with CPAAA, Donna enjoys spending time with her husband Joey, her dog Stella, and her friends.  She loves to travel abroad exploring new places and also plans to expand her involvement with volunteering opportunities.

Gerrie Holmes

Secretary

I have lived in Las Vegas nearly my whole life.  In my first career I was a Personnel Director (that’s what we called it back then) for a corporation that owned casinos. I worked at LVMPD from 1999 through 2015 and was also a volunteer at this time as Treasurer for the CPAAA since 2004. Since retiring, I volunteer at the LVMPD Academy on Cheyenne in addition to the CPAAA and am a docent at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.  I am married and have 3 sons, 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grand daughters.  My husband, Larry and I enjoy traveling in our new motor home.

Sharon Harding

MVP Liaison

Sharon Harding grew up in Kansas then moved to Las Vegas to attend UNLV. She graduated with a degree in Business Management.  She has worked for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for over 25 years.  She started as a Fingerprint ID Technician, then worked as an Evidence Custodian and in November 2002 she promoted to the Volunteer Coordinator.  Currently she is responsible for over 500 volunteers ranging in age from 20-90 years old.  In 2019 our volunteers donated over 181,000 hours helping our community and LVMPD.

Lt. Landon Reyes

Metro Liaison

I am Lt. Landon Michael Reyes, 41.  Born and raised in Redondo Beach, CA and moved to Las Vegas in 2001.  I worked in financial management and as a real estate loan officer until 2007.

I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and then joined LVMPD in 2008.

As a patrol officer I worked in DTAC, NEAC, and BAC and was assigned to an area command investigative unit for two years and then spent some time in the Internal Affairs Bureau. Then I became a Field Training Officer, I worked at NEAC, SEAC, and DTAC.

I was a member of LVMPD’s search and seizure committee, pursuit committee, and the UOF committee along with being a Firearms Instructor.

I promoted to SGT in 2017 where I worked patrol in BAC, SEAC, NWAC and was a Field Training SGT.  I was an IAB SGT for two years and also worked in the Office of the Sheriff as the ADMIN SGT for three years.

In 2023 I was promoted to Lieutenant assigned as the ADMIN LT for DTAC from January to August and recently transferred to LVMPD’s Organizational Development Bureau; specifically, the section that oversees AOST, RBT, MACTAC, EVOC, and the JETI.

My wife is on the department, we met in the academy in 2008.  She is a SGT assigned to LVMPD’s IAB section. My brother-in-law is also on the department currently as a field training officer at NWAC.

I have twin boys that are 11.

When I am off duty my hobbies include family time, surfing (since I was very young), playing the drums and restoring a 1955 Volkswagen Beetle.  Our family poodle is Potato.

 

 

 

Captain Raul Rodriguez

Metro Liaison

A Captain with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. I have been with the agency for over 24 years. I am currently assigned as the Bureau Commander for the Organizational Development Bureau.  Our bureau is responsible for providing education and training to develop and prepare our employees for a career in law enforcement.

Over the last 24 years, I have had the opportunity to work in many sections and various units of the agency.  Some career highlights include being promoted to detective, assigned to Community Oriented Policing (COP), Field Training, and Northwest Area Command.  I was promoted to Sergeant in 2011, Lieutenant in 2017 and Captain in 2022.   

During my time off, I enjoy spending time with my family, camping, fishing, and hiking.  As a hobby, I like woodworking.

Officer Sam Diaz

Metro Liaison

Sam Diaz received the “John W. Wrentmore” Memorial Award for Leadership.

LVMPD Officer / NLPOA, & Las Vegas Clark County Chapter member

Officer Sam Diaz from Bolden Area Command was recommended to the Air Force of Office of Special Investigations (OSI) by Sergeant John Harney.

Sam Diaz enlisted in the Air Force Reserves as a Technical Sergeant. Officer Diaz began the Criminal Investigators Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia in April 2014. He was class leader during the course as class superintendent. Officer Diaz received the Distinguished Expert Marksmanship score and the FLETC Director’s Leadership Award. Sam was voted this award by his class as the student who most exemplifies the highest standards and embodies the leadership characteristic of a federal law enforcement officer. The award is given to the student who exhibits the following behavior while in basic training; positively influences others; serves as a role model; is responsible to themselves and others; is a problem-solver; exemplifies excellence; does more than expected; cares about fellow classmates; puts others first and is team-oriented; inspires goodwill and enthusiasm; and is loyal, helpful, respectful, thoughtful, and ethical.

During the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Basic Special Investigators Course, Technical Sergeant Sam Diaz was a student detachment Special Agent in-Charge and was selected by his class for the John W. Wrentmore Memorial Award for Leadership. Sam Diaz graduated on September 11th, 2014 and became a Special Agent with OSI. He was proud to represent The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the National Latino Peace Officers Association during his training.

Jorge Soto

Member at Large

Born in Mexico City, Jorge attended part of elementary school in his country. He came to this country with his immigrant parents to start a new life and to seek “The American Dream” in 2004. Growing up with immigrant parents came with many challenges such as Language Barriers, Economic Struggles, and Housing.

 

In 2008 Jorge received refuge from his Church Eagles CFC, through this aid He was able to overcome many of the challenges, He soon thereafter learned English and went to school where he graduated from Las Vegas Highschool in 2019 with the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence, awarded to less than 5% of the graduation class. During high school, Jorge was involved in the P.A.L. Program (Partnership At Las Vegas Highschool) a nationally recognized Career and Technical Education Program where he assisted a Hispanic Leadership summit and was chosen as the President of SOL (Student Organization of Latinos). He later became a 3-year member of the Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AJROTC) where he was appointed as a cadet First Lieutenant.

 

Upon Graduating High School Enrolled at Nevada state college where he is currently double majoring in Psychology and Business. He later ran and was elected to serve as Senator for N.S.S.A (Nevada State Student Alliance) where he represented students’ needs and was the voice for the sophomore class. Jorge Soto is currently a DACA recipient (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) this gave him the opportunity to work in the U.S. and the opportunity to seek higher education. In 2019 he received the Dream.US award a full-ride scholarship given to Dreamers who seek higher education and make a difference in their community.

 

Jorge got involved with CPAAA after graduating from HCPA in 2022 when his church told him to participate because of all of the involvement the organization did with the Metro and with the community. Beginning as only a Member Jorge is a Board Member At-Large where he is currently being trained to grow and understand the responsibilities of a Board Member.

 

Today Jorge is working at the Latin Chamber of Commerce where he helps his community in small business administration and I studying Business and Psychology where he plans to keep serving his community through his Church, LVMPD, and the LCC.

Cookie Penton

Director

Cookie Panno-Penton moved to Las Vegas from Chicago in 1979.  She started working at the Fremont Hotel/Casino in January 1980.  She is still there.

She has two children: Tara and Tommy plus two inherited boys from her marriage to Bob Penton. Together they have seven grandchildren and two doggies; Simon and Oliver.  They run the house.

Cookie became an MVP in 2001 which launched her into the Citizens’ Police Academy.  She has had been Vice-President and is presently a Director charged with booking guest speakers and posting our pictures, synopsis and announcements on the CPAAA Facebook page.  It’s turned into a big job with her thoughts of covering the day-to-day activities that CPAAA gets into and involved with.  In each of her 20 years she has always been an active and vital member of the CPAAA.

Janet Delaney

Recording Secretary

Janet’s life began in West Chester, PA in the loving Taliercio Italian family. She went to Cosmetology Academy after high school.

In 1957, Janet married Charles (Chuck) Delaney and they had four children. In 1969, his military assignment brought him and his family to Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, NV.

Since their children were getting older, Janet accepted a job at United Health Services as a Volunteer/Resource Coordinator. Involved in meetings, Janet and Sharon Harding met.

Thus, began Janet’s volunteering for Metro Volunteer Program and joining the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association accepting Board positions and various MVP assignments. A great deal of satisfaction, joy and values of being with people and staying active tend to let volunteers  live longer and healthier

Miriam Gutierrez

Director

Miriam Gutierrez has been in Las Vegas for over twenty five years. This city, having introduced her to her husband and to the multitude of experiences of self-development, is a place she is deeply grateful to. Now 41 years old, with two daughters, one in UNLV currently and the other recently graduated, Miriam has been deeply involved in the education institutions and community systems that the valley offers.
Some years after arriving to Las Vegas, Miriam became a housewife, which gave her the opportunity to engage with the city in a unique way, through which she became familiar with organizations such as the Clark County School District, North Las Vegas Police Department, American Red Cross, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation, Nevada Ballet Theater, LVMPD Foundation and the City of North Las Vegas.

After graduating from the HCPA course in 2020, her interactions with Officer Sam Diaz and Monica Casillas she felt encouraged to contribute to their efforts to engage with the diverse communities of Las Vegas. When not actively involved with the CPAAA or volunteering in our community Miriam really enjoys spending time with her family and friends and practicing her own hobbies with textile work, puzzles and more.

Dave Peightal

Director

I grew up in North Dakota and enlisted in the Air Force, then I was transplanted by the Air Force in 1985 and have been a resident of Las Vegas ever since. I attended UNLV and received a degree in Business Management. I worked for the State of Nevada in the Compliance Enforcement Division early on in my career, then I was the General Manager of Bobcat of Las Vegas for over 10 years. I am currently the Director of Operations at DOLCRX a Functional Medicine Pharmacy (the only one with our credentials in the state) which specializes in chronic medical conditions that include blood pressure, diabetes, weight loss (to name a few) we manage patients the holistic way.

I have worked and volunteered with The Las Vegas Rescue Mission in the past, along with volunteering at the Las Vegas Blind Center. I like to be involved in my community and have a community for everyone to enjoy.

In my spare time love working with my hands and understanding the mechanics on how things work, in addition I enjoy home remodeling projects. I also enjoy trying new things, such as hang gliding, which was my last new experience. I graduated the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association in 2014 and have been a member ever since. I am honored

Adriana Saenz

At Large Director


I have been involved with LVMPD since 2014 in community events.

In 2018, I completed the Civil Hispanic Academy with officer Dave Cienega. Then completed the academy again in 2020 with officer Sam Diaz.

I am also part of Nevada Child Seekers and I have been involved in many searches for missing children.

I have been a CPAAA alumni since 2020.
 
Being a member of CPAAA, I feel for the passing of every officer and make sure to be present at their funerals.

I call usually 4-5 times a month to report drivers who are driving dangerously.

I am a Fitness Director with Propta Academy, and I have been a personal trainer and nutrition tech for 20 years. In August 2022, I opened the first gym in Las Vegas, Healthy Kids Gym, dedicated to helping youth with overweight and health problems. Now, Healthy Kids Gym is a provider of Medicaid, NV Check-up, Anthem, Palco and Respite foundation as I help kids with Down-syndrome and Autism.

I believe that everyone should be a responsible citizen and we all need to do our part into creating a safe society.

Adriana Saenz

At Large Director


I have been involved with LVMPD since 2014 in community events.

In 2018, I completed the Civil Hispanic Academy with officer Dave Cienega. Then completed the academy again in 2020 with officer Sam Diaz.

I am also part of Nevada Child Seekers and I have been involved in many searches for missing children.

I have been a CPAAA alumni since 2020.
 
Being a member of CPAAA, I feel for the passing of every officer and make sure to be present at their funerals.

I call usually 4-5 times a month to report drivers who are driving dangerously.

I am a Fitness Director with Propta Academy, and I have been a personal trainer and nutrition tech for 20 years. In August 2022, I opened the first gym in Las Vegas, Healthy Kids Gym, dedicated to helping youth with overweight and health problems. Now, Healthy Kids Gym is a provider of Medicaid, NV Check-up, Anthem, Palco and Respite foundation as I help kids with Down-syndrome and Autism.

I believe that everyone should be a responsible citizen and we all need to do our part into creating a safe society.