Events

NO MEETING

Firefighter Jerry Cohen will introduce us to CPR and provide an overview of this lifesaving procedure.

About Jerry Cohen

Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, after a failed attempt at college baseball at Sonoma State in California, I transferred to UT Austin in 1997.  Upon graduating with a Government degree in 1999, I decided to become a firefighter with the Austin Fire Department.  I started teaching CPR and First Aid classes in 2004, and I am now a Lieutenant on Engine 8 for the Austin Fire Department.  I met my wife at UT, and am married with a senior in high school son starting at UT next Fall and a sophomore daughter.  My hobbies include playing guitar and woodworking.

About Wuthipong "Tank" Tantaksinanukij : 

Detective Wuthipong "Tank" Tantaksinanukij is a highly experienced law enforcement officer with 34 years of service, including 29 years with the Austin Police Department this May 2025. He is currently a Detective assigned to the Crisis Intervention Team, also known as the Mental Health Unit, where he specializes in firearm seizure cases involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

Over the course of his career, Detective Tantaksinanukij has served in various capacities. He began with five years in patrol before advancing to the Special Operations Air Support Unit, where he spent 17 years as a Corporal. He later transitioned to the Impaired Driving Investigation Unit as a Detective for three years before assuming his current role in the Crisis Intervention Team, where he has served for the past three years.

A graduate of the inaugural 2001 Austin Police Department West Point Leadership Program, Detective Tantaksinanukij played a key role in the development of the Air Support Unit. His innovative approach to leadership and problem-solving has significantly contributed to enhancing both community safety and police operations in Austin.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership and a Master's degree in Strategic Leadership with an emphasis on Crisis Leadership.

Beyond his career in law enforcement, Detective Tantaksinanukij enjoys traveling, cooking, and grilling. Most importantly, he cherishes time spent with his two grandchildren, family, and friends.

Through his extensive experience, leadership, and commitment to community safety, Detective Tantaksinanukij continues to make a meaningful impact in law enforcement and mental health intervention.

Speaker Brian S. Lowery will talk to us about how to live a meaningful life.

About Brian S. Lowery

As a professor of organizational behavior at Stanford University and a founding co-director of the university’s Institute for Advancing Just Societies, Brian S. Lowery investigates how relationships and social dynamics shape society. He is the host of the Know What You See and Leadership for Society podcasts and most recently the author of the book Selfless, which explores issues ranging from the nature of gender identity to an understanding of the way others help us generate meaning in life. Beyond academia, Lowery's curiosity has led him to do things such as learning to craft shoes by hand in rural Sweden or seeking the thrill of flow on motorcycle race tracks, all in the name of learning as much as possible from the wonder of full immersion.

Steven Schar will start off the presentation talking about TCEQ and hot topics. Then he is bringing Melissa Keller, Assistant Deputy Director PSEAD, to talk about our program support and Sam Short, Deputy Director, Office of Air, to talk about air permitting.