Archives: Directors

Marla M. Kingkade has over 39 years of experience working with law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and community leaders, providing her with a broad perspective on the intersection of public safety and behavioral health.6

Marla began her career developing and implementing juvenile diversion programs for the El Cajon Police Department, La Mesa Police Department, and the San Diego Police Department. These programs were designed to provide early intervention and alternative solutions for at-risk youth, helping to reduce recidivism and promote positive outcomes through collaboration between law enforcement, schools, and community resources.

In 1996, Marla developed and implemented the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) in San Diego County, a pioneering program that pairs mental health clinicians with uniformed law enforcement officers to assist individuals experiencing mental health crises. Under her leadership, PERT has grown into a countywide program with 80 clinicians serving 11 law enforcement agencies. Her work in PERT has involved extensive collaboration with law enforcement agencies, the development of policies and procedures, and the advancement of community service initiatives related to mental health crisis response.

Marla currently serves as Past President of the California Crisis Intervention Training Association (CACITA), where she leads efforts to provide mental health, crisis management, and de-escalation training to law enforcement and behavioral health professionals throughout California. Through CACITA, she works closely with agencies to address their specific needs, helping them strengthen their crisis response strategies and better support both their personnel and the communities they serve.

Recognizing the growing need for specialized training in crisis de-escalation, Marla was hired by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to implement a countywide de-escalation training program following the enactment of Assembly Bill 392. Through this initiative, she collaborated with law enforcement agencies, behavioral health providers, and community leaders to create a comprehensive training curriculum. To date, the program has successfully trained over 6000 law enforcement officers across San Diego County.

Marla is also an experienced facilitator for the San Diego County Substance Use Overdose and Prevention Taskforce (SUOPT), where she works with public health officials, community organizations, and law enforcement to develop strategies aimed at reducing substance use and overdose-related harms.

With a strong commitment to collaboration, compassion, and effective crisis intervention, Marla continues to be a leading advocate for improved mental health response and training in law enforcement and public safety sectors.

Kurt Smith has been involved for over 30 years in how police and community information turn into action and positive outcomes.  He spent a decade as a San Diego first responder, primarily working in patrol and specialized assignments as a San Diego Police Officer.  Kurt spent another decade in public safety roles that include leading crime and intelligence analysis at San Diego Sheriff and Redlands Police, as well as managing police and security technology for the Port of San Diego, and all aspects of IT for the City of Redlands, where he became their first Chief Information Officer. The third decade of his career Kurt spent in community, corporate and independent consulting roles serving those who serve public safety.  He currently consults and manages projects for organizations committed to real change.

Kurt has always kept some direct community connection through work or volunteering.  Notably, he served as Community Safety Director for Price Charities’ City Heights Initiative – a time of coming full circle back to a neighborhood he learned and loved on patrol. Kurt collaborated with our region’s grant-makers to understand, fund and support safety initiatives.  He supported other non-profit organizations on hiring, program review and evaluation committees.

Kurt holds Masters in Public Administration and Bachelor of Geography degrees.  He served a decade in active and reserve roles as an Army intelligence professional.  Kurt and his high school sweetheart, Theresa, a Kaiser IT director, have been married all along, and have raised their son and daughter to adulthood in San Diego.

With nearly three decades of experience in private practice and as a prosecutor, including his recent service as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California, Randy focuses on government and internal investigations, white collar and civil litigation, and corporate compliance counseling for Manatt. Immediately before joining Manatt, Randy served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California. As the chief federal law enforcement official for the district, Randy was responsible for prosecuting federal crimes committed throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Randy started his career as a Deputy District Attorney for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, where he tried more than 70 criminal cases to jury verdict, including high-profile murder and gang violence cases.

Randy is also a leader in the community. He is a Master with the Hon. J. Clifford Wallace Inn of Court, a former trustee for the California Western School of Law Board of Trustees, a former president of the San Diego Association of Business Trial Lawyers, and a former board member for Walden Family Services Adoption and Foster Care Agency.