The Klaxon.com is an online news organization that offers commentary and analysis on emergencies and disasters around the world. The Klaxon.com is operated completely on handheld devices from anywhere in the world and our editors and reporters are considered “handheld journalists.” Since our launch Dec. 1, 2009, we’re quickly growing to be one of the top spots for readers who want a unique perspective on emergencies and disasters.
There’s no regurgitation on our site, as stories are written by professionals in the field, as well as journalists who are educated in emergency management and crisis situations. Flashpoints are the commentary, while analysis is the more in-depth approach geared towards strategies, investigative stories and education.
After all, it’s in crisis that we reveal character.
Interested in writing for The Klaxon.com? E-mail writeforus@theklaxon.com. For advertising opportunities, including adding calendar events, e-mail inquiries@theklaxon.com.
Editorial
Chuck Frank, co-founder/publisher
Frank is a master at orchestrating successful projects of any magnitude as evidenced by the extent of his career as a performer/director, real estate developer, and high-profile corporate executive. Possessing more than 20 years of executive experience in media and real estate, Frank is moving into the field of emergency and disaster management. He served as vice president of marketing and global events for a leading telecommunications consulting firm in Boston, and as chief executive officer of a technology publishing company that, according to The Wall Street Journal, “moved the market on a monthly basis.” Frank created technology conferences that brought together top authors, educators and business leaders from around the world to present cutting edge ideas to sold-out audiences. This ultimately led to a joint-venture with Forbes magazine. He has a Master of Public Administration in Emergency and Disaster Management. Frank’s focus is natural disasters, including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and pandemics. He also is the host of The Klaxon.com radio.
Joshua Wilwohl, co-founder/editor-in-chief
Wilwohl has been a journalist since high school. He’s led administrations to the verge of collapse and has pushed the limits of “new media.” He is an editor/writer at a major news organization in the New York City area. He also volunteers as iNET editor at the National Disaster Interfaiths Network. Wilwohl graduated with a bachelor’s degree in art history and journalism from Mercyhurst College in May 2008. After graduation, he worked as a copy editor at The New Jersey Herald. During undergrad, Wilwohl was editor-in-chief of The Merciad, the college’s newspaper, where he transformed the paper’s format, moved it online and took a more investigative journalism approach to the news. The changes led the newspaper to take the prize as one of the top 10, tabloid college newspapers in the country. During his time at Mercyhurst, Wilwohl also interned for The Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa., and The Citizen in Pittsburgh. He is a frequent speaker at Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Columbia University, on newspaper design, writing, handheld journalism and “new media.” He is the founder of the blog Handheld Journalism and has a book, “All the News that Fits in Your Pocket,” releasing summer 2010, on the future of journalism. Wilwohl’s been featured on BBC World Service and has a master’s degree in emergency and disaster management. He also is well-versed in Italian and is the producer of The Klaxon.com radio. Wilwohl’s focus is nuclear terrorism.
Mariah Pallansch, marketing director
Pallansch is a Seattle native who got her start in emergency management doing disaster services for the American Red Cross. Pallansch has extensive knowledge on nongovernmental organizations and responding with volunteer agencies in the midst of an emergency. In addition to earning her master’s degree in public administration, she was an intern at New York City’s Office of Emergency Management in Watch Command and External Affairs.
Allison Moore, handheld journalist
Residing in Washington, D.C., Moore has been a staff member of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) since 2007. As program coordinator, Moore assists with the implementation of the Fire Corps program, which works to involve citizens in their local fire department and help communities implement safety measures and prepare for potential disasters. Moore also assists the government relations department in furthering the legislative goals of the NVFC. Moore received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Mercyhurst College and her master’s degree in professional studies in political management at The George Washington University. Moore’s focus is politics of emergencies and disasters, as well as fire-service issues and citizen preparedness.
Tom Carey, handheld journalist
tom@theklaxon.com
Carey is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom who obtained the rank of Sergeant Major in his 27 years of service. During his tour he served as both a committee member and advisor on security issues and operational issues for the Iraq Ministry of Defense complex in Baghdad, for Multi-National Force Iraq. He also is a twenty-three year (23) veteran of the New York City Police Department, serving in the capacity as the Course Manager for the Chief of Organized Crime’s Training Unit prior to his retirement. He has obtained both professional and academic training through many organizations to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Secret Service, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, The United States Army Military Police School’s Special Reaction Team Course, NYPD Bomb Squad and Counter Terrorism Bureau. Carey also is a graduate of Long Island University at C.W. Post, where he received a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Security Administration. He currently serves as an adjunct professor for Metropolitan College of New York’s MPA Program in Emergency Management, as well as a trainer for other educational and training institutions.
Joseph L. Giacalone, handheld journalist
joe@theklaxon.com
Giacalone is a seasoned law enforcement professional with an extensive police, safety, counterterrorism, investigations, training and security background. After the attacks on the World Trade Center, he was tasked with co-authoring the New York City Joint Bio-Terrorism Protocol with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health. Giacalone is a certified fraudulent document instructor and terrorism awareness instructor and instructor evaluator for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. He has a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice with a specialty in Crime and Deviance from John Jay College in New York, where he has been an adjunct professor since 2006. Giacalone also runs Klaxonews, The Klaxon.com’s social media network. His focus is Russia, Chechen rebels and domestic terrorism.
Ahmed Mahmoud, handheld journalist
ahmed@theklaxon.com
Mahmoud is an Egyptian-born law enforcement professional who currently is completing his master’s degree in counterterrorism studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He has an extensive background in training law enforcement from various agencies in subjects that vary from counterterrorism history to investigations. He has an extensive security management background prior to becoming law enforcement. He brings his knowledge of the culture and religion, combined with his law enforcement experience. Mahmoud’s focus is al-Qaeda and the Middle East.
