CPSE Appointed New Senior Leadership Team
The nonprofit professional development group has reshuffled its C-suite to support a new three-year workforce enhancement plan.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
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The Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) has appointed Kyle Gaffaney as chief finance and administration officer and Jason Wells as chief programs officer. These hires support a three-year workforce enhancement plan authorized by the board in May 2026.
Why it matters
These leadership changes, following a 2025 organizational evaluation, signal a shift in how the nonprofit intends to execute its 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. Operators should monitor how such internal restructuring impacts nonprofit governance and service delivery models.
The changes follow a three-year workforce enhancement plan authorized in May 2026, marking a transition after the 22-year tenure of outgoing COO Debbie Sobotka. The organization initiated this pivot after a comprehensive staff and contractor evaluation conducted in 2025.
The players
Center for Public Safety Excellence
A nonprofit organization that provides professional development, accreditation, and credentialing services to public safety agencies.
Kyle Gaffaney
The newly appointed chief finance and administration officer responsible for managing organizational financial and administrative operations.
Jason Wells
The incoming chief programs officer and current Lexington Fire Department fire chief with 30 years of industry service.
Debbie Sobotka
The outgoing chief operating officer who is retiring after 22 years of service to the organization.
The details
The staffing shifts are a direct outcome of the board-approved reinvestment strategy designed to realign CPSE operations under its 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. Kyle Gaffaney assumed the role of chief finance and administration officer on September 30, 2026, while Jason Wells is set to join as chief programs officer in early 2027.
Timeline
2025: CPSE conducted a staff and contractor evaluation.
May 2026: The board authorized a three-year workforce enhancement plan.
September 30, 2026: Kyle Gaffaney assumed the role of chief finance and administration officer.
October 2026: Debbie Sobotka will retire.
February 1, 2027: Jason Wells assumes the position of chief programs officer.
Market Landscape
The leadership appointments directly implement the operational objectives established by the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. These changes follow a pattern of organizational restructuring common when nonprofits pivot to long-term workforce enhancement initiatives.
Operators should track how these leadership roles influence the rollout of the three-year workforce enhancement plan beginning in 2027. Reviewing internal talent and administrative structures against a multi-year strategic roadmap is a critical operational signal for firms in transition.
The takeaway
Effective organizational change requires aligning executive expertise with the specific goals of a multi-year strategic roadmap. When planning for executive transitions, prioritize mapping the successor's experience to the metrics established by your internal workforce enhancement initiatives.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership trends, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Firehouse.
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