Leadership
Marcus A. Perez, Administrator
![Marcus A. Perez](/sites/clevelandohio/files/inline-images/ops-member-Perez-Marcus.jpg)
A transformational, industry-respected operations executive with a strong leadership presence, 16 years in technical and tactical policing, and 6 years as inspector general, Marcus Perez is a globally recognized expert in policing. Frequently called upon by government and law enforcement agencies at national and international levels to orchestrate significant organizational and operational transformations and operational and risk strategy, he’s led security sector reform, police reform, inspector general functions, and large-scale operations for the U.S. Army.
Add to this a distinguished record of creating responsive, world-class law enforcement organizations by enhancing capabilities and competencies. His rigorous military background and highly disciplined mentality have shaped who he is as a leader and, in turn, his organization.
During his prolific 22-year career with the U.S Army, Marcus rose to strategic roles with increasing leadership scope and complexity while navigating complex regulatory environments in several countries, no easy feat while delivering outstanding results in organizational leadership, risk management, regulatory compliance, and core policing and general inspector skills to foreign counterparts.
As the lead inspector and subject matter expert (SME) for complex inspections and reports for the Department of Defense (DoD), United States Army, Marcus manages a $3.5M inspection fund and heads up 7 Army-wide inspections for Active Duty, Army Reserve, and the National Guard that include ground vehicle accidents, suicides, privatized housing, medical transitions to the Dept. of Health Services, the Army recruitment program, and the Total Army Sponsorship Program (TASP), a program that helps soldiers, civilian employees, and their family members better integrate into the U.S. Army.
He also directs DoD Whistleblower, Congressional, and White House Inquiries, reporting to top levels of government. In the past 5 years, Marcus has closed 20+ investigation cases and completed 30+ inspections (e.g., fraud, abuse, and financial crimes committed against and by military and civilian members of government) and steered reviews of civil, criminal, and administrative investigative plans, case inventory reports, evaluations, and recommendations of U.S. Code and U.C.M.J. regulations and laws.
Having executed 300+ inspections of law enforcement organizations, Marcus has significant experience evaluating facilities, police recruitment, training, processes and operations, law enforcement policies and procedures, and personnel activities.
Through his extensive travels and experience spanning Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Mexico, and Canada, he has empowered large, diverse, culturally connected organizations with 800+ personnel who can respond rapidly to changing operational requirements and handle unexpected contingencies and challenges.
Marcus, who majored in Business and Organizational Security Management, earned his M.A. at Webster University in St. Louis. He also held a B.S. in Business, Family, and Human Sciences from Ohio State University.
When he’s not maximizing core policing, inspector general functions, regulatory compliance, civilian oversight, and large-scale operations, Marcus spends his limited free time with family and friends.
Staff
![OPS Staff](/sites/clevelandohio/files/inline-images/ops-staff-1940x800.jpg)
Vince Funari, Senior Investigator
![Vince Funari](/sites/clevelandohio/files/inline-images/ops-member-Funari-Vincent.jpg)
Vincent R. Funari joined the Office of Professional Standards in 2013 as Investigator, handling citizen’s complaints of Police Misconduct. In 2023 Vince was promoted to Senior Investigator. Funari has been in the investigation industry his entire professional career of thirty years. He started out with a small local private investigations company and worked his way to Lead Investigator. After eight years with that company, he left and started his own Private Investigation Company. He has been a licensed Private Investigator since 1997. He also worked as the Surveillance Supervisor for International Claims Specialists, where he was a supervisor to 15 regional investigators and was responsible for their scheduling, reviewing of their investigations and providing them direction in their daily investigations of suspected insurance fraud claims. Just prior to OPS, in 2011, Funari became a Miscellaneous Investigator for the City of Cleveland under the Department of Finance, Division of Assessments & Licenses. He was responsible for compliance inspections and investigations of local businesses under the Codified Ordinances in the City of Cleveland. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baldwin Wallace College.
Kristen Traxler, General Manager
![Kristen Traxler](/sites/clevelandohio/files/inline-images/ops-member-Traxler-Kristen.jpg)
During her time with the Office of Professional Standards, Traxler has focused on the accurate execution of investigative strategies. As a former Investigator, she makes complaint resolution her top priority. Now, as the General Manager of OPS, she manages staff, human resources, and budget operations. While carrying out her daily engagements, Traxler maintains transparency and integrity across OPS procedures.
Terriana Graham, Data Analyst
Graham was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from Miami University with a B.S. in Computer Science, then worked at Union Home Mortgage for three years in the IT Department. Graham started working at OPS in May of 2023.
Elan Justice Pavlinich, Community Engagement Officer
![Elan Justice Pavlinich](/sites/clevelandohio/files/inline-images/ops-member-Pavlinich-Elan.jpg)
Pavlinich accumulated two decades of experience performing community outreach, including managing resources to enhance public health, hosting seminars to promote wellness, developing mentorship programs rooted in diversity and inclusion, and building professionalization exercises. His public outreach on behalf of the Office of Professional Standards includes social media platforms, lecture series, events, and frequent visits to the myriad community hubs that comprise Cleveland.
For more information or to request a presentation, please call (216) 664-2944, send us an email, or complete a request form online.
Honey Jamaica D. Guanzon, Administrative Assistant
![Honey Jamaica D. Guanzon](/sites/clevelandohio/files/inline-images/ops-member-Guanzon-Honey.jpg)
Guanzon is a lifelong learner, driven by kindness and dedicated to making a positive impact.
Art Bowker, Investigator
![Art Bowker](/sites/clevelandohio/files/inline-images/ops-member-Bowker-Arthur.jpg)
With graduate credentials in criminal justice, Art has been a city employee in the Office of Professional Standards since 2021.
Lachickia Green, Investigator
![Lachickia Green](/sites/clevelandohio/files/inline-images/ops-member-Green-LaChickia.jpg)
Green graduated from The Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University with a master's degree in Public Administration. Prior to working at OPS, she worked as a Pretrial Services Supervision Officer for Cleveland Municipal Court.
Hamza Khabir, Investigator
![Hamza Khabir](/sites/clevelandohio/files/inline-images/ops-member-Khabir-Hamza.jpg)
Hamza Khabir has over 22 years of law enforcement experience. He has earned both Master's and Doctorate degrees in Public Policy and Administration with a focus on African Americans' experiences with the police. Hamza retired from the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant and has studied policing, investigations, and qualitative research methods.
Kimberly Maxwell, Investigator
Kimberly Maxwell earned a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Tiffin University before starting a career in Public Service in 2022 with Cuyahoga County. Prior to coming over to the Office of Professional Standards, she worked in Cleveland Housing Court as a Housing Specialist. Her most recent position was with the Department of Job and Family Services where she worked as an Eligibility Specialist. She has been working with the City of Cleveland since 2023.
Jermaine Smith, Investigator
![Jermaine Smith](/sites/clevelandohio/files/inline-images/ops-member-Smith-Jermaine.jpg)
During Investigator Smith's formative years, he was a Cleveland and East Cleveland resident. Investigator Smith eventually earned an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and served Northeast Ohio for nearly ten years as a Police Officer. Investigator Smith brings with him to OPS a keen knowledge of tactical, interpersonal, and organizational law enforcement practices. As an investigator for the Office of Professional Standards, Investigator Smith uses his experience as a former Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained first responder, Community Response Team member, and Field Training Officer (FTO) to aid the Civilian Police Review Board in reviewing CDP interactions with the public pragmatically.
Joseph Szymanski, Investigator
![Joseph Szymanski](/sites/clevelandohio/files/inline-images/ops-member-Szymanski-Joseph.jpg)
Szymanski graduated from Ashland University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a B.S. in Business Administration. He worked an internship at the Ashland County Sheriff's Office as a Correction, Deputy, and Probation Officer. Then, he worked at an investigation firm as an Investigator, Surveillance Specialist, and Supervisor for over 6 years. Szymanski joined OPS in Aug of 2022 as an Investigator. He has a dedicated passion for investigations and providing service, as well as upholding integrity and compliance. Szymanski obtained many certifications and licenses in the investigation and law enforcement fields.
Shawna Teckmyer, Investigator
![Shawna Teckmyer](/sites/clevelandohio/files/inline-images/ops-member-Teckmyer-Shawna.jpg)
Teckmyer earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Work with a minor in Judaic Studies from Youngstown State University. She has been working in the field since 2001.
James Ouk, Investigator
![James Ouk](/sites/clevelandohio/files/inline-images/ops-member-Ouk-James.jpg)
Investigator Ouk has been a life long resident of Cleveland. He earned his bachelors degree from Cleveland State University in Political Science and International Relations. He has spent the past four years conducting anti money laundering investigations and fraud prevention. Investigator Ouk brings with him to OPS a wide array of knowledge on data and risk analysis, investigations, and problem solving. As an investigator for the Office of Professional Standards, Investigator Ouk uses his experience as a former EMT to look for the root causes of the problem to aid the Civilian Police Review Board.