AJ Renold

AJ provides strategic leadership for departmental operations at the Texas A&M University System’s Center for Applied Communications and Networks, overseeing administration, finance, research, and technical functions. Her role includes guiding talent management, professional development, and policy implementation, while fostering a culture of excellence and operational efficiency. She also cultivates and sustains partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including universities, laboratories, and industry organizations.

AJ’s career spans public safety, nonprofit leadership, and higher education. As Senior Associate Director, she leads strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and research administration for federally and privately funded initiatives focused on wireless and next-generation communications systems.

With over two decades of executive experience, Renold has held leadership roles such as Executive Director of the American Red Cross Heart of Texas Chapter and Voices for Children, CASA of Brazos Valley. Her leadership has consistently driven transformational change, expanded services, and enhanced community impact through innovative, data-informed strategies.

She is actively engaged in high-impact research initiatives, including:

• NG 9-1-1 Interoperability Testing Program (Phase 3): Advancing next-generation emergency communications
• 911 Resilience and Conformance Testing: Improving reliability of emergency response systems
• Smart Communities, Smart Responders: A NIST-funded AI for IoT initiative
• Voice Interoperability Framework Research and Analysis: Supporting seamless interagency communication
• SBIR-funded cybersecurity and emergency response innovations: In collaboration with DHS and private sector partners

Renold holds a master’s degree in journalism–strategic communication from the University of North Texas and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Texas A&M University. A certified mediator and dedicated community advocate, she serves on multiple boards and advisory councils and is a past president of the Bryan Rotary Club. Her contributions have been recognized with honors such as the **Public Citizen of the Year** from the National Association of Social Workers and the **Promising Practice Award** from the National CASA/GAL Association.