AMEM Conference Attendee Registrations Now Open

Attendee
Information and Breakout Sessions
Select 1 (or none) of Sunday's 1:00pm Optional Sessions
Select 1 of Monday's 1:00pm Breakout Sessions
Select 1 of Monday's 3:00pm Breakout Sessions
Select 1 of Tuesday's 1:00pm Breakout Sessions
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AMEM Conference Vendor Registrations will be available in June, 2018

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Aaron Kallunki

Aaron Kallunki is the All Hazards Planning Administrator for the Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. After 23 years of service in the Minnesota National Guard, he retired at the rank of First Sergeant. His experiences include: leading a protective service detail in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005, assisting law enforcement with physical security planning in preparation for the 2008 Republican National Convention, and providing Quick Reaction Force (QRF) support to the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. From 2008-2014 Aaron was detailed to support of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Infrastructure Protection.
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Jon Jorgensen

Jon Jorgensen is the Critical Infrastructure Planner for the Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. He is a retired Lieutenant Commander from the United States Coast Guard where he performed Drug Interdiction Operations as well as Port & Waterway Security missions. This included conducting threat and risk assessments to our nation’s ports as well as security mission in the Persian Gulf.
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Connie Forster

Connie Forster, MN School Safety Center Facility Assessment Coordinator conducts training, facility assessments, and school crisis plan reviews to create and maintain a safe school environment in partnership with schools and public safety officials. Connie is a retired Assistant Fire Chief and a former school teacher. Her 19 years in the fire service focused primarily on community risk reduction, prevention program development, and fostering community partnerships for greater public impact.
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Jennifer Lindberg

Jennifer Lindberg is the Exercise/Training Officer at HSEM. She previously worked as a Minneapolis Firefighter/EMT, a state inspector for the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, and as a Deputy State Fire Marshal for the South Dakota Fire Marshal Office. She is a Minnesota Certified Emergency Manager, a University of Minnesota alumna, and a graduate of EMI’s Master Exercise Practitioner Program.
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Jenny Larrive

Jenny Larrive, MN School Safety Center School Resource Officer Coordinator served as a police officer for the City of Mendota Heights for over 15 years. She spent over 10 years during that time working as a school resource officer at Henry Sibley High School. Her primary responsibility is providing training and serving as a resource for school resource officers throughout the state. In addition to that responsibility, she works with school districts throughout Minnesota to support their emergency planning efforts.
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Breezy Point Resort Dining

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Emily Harrington

Emily Harrington is currently the operational meteorologist for Hennepin County Emergency Management. She forecasts for hazardous weather events and works on the Hennepin West Mesonet network of weather stations. Before her role as a meteorologist, she started out with HCEM in a community engagement and social media role. She attended events across the county to talk with a variety of community members about weather safety and how to be prepared before a disaster hits home. She maintains HCEM’s social media presence, and continues to attend outreach events throughout the county.
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Mike Lovas

Mike Lovas has been an Emergency Management Specialist with the City of St. Paul for more than 6 years. With a focus on public outreach and community education, he runs the department social media accounts, and presents emergency preparedness and weather awareness to community groups. Lovas recently completed FEMA’s Advanced Public Information Officer Course and is a Minnesota Certified Emergency Manager. Additionally, he serves as city-wide administrator for Everbridge, working on both the SARA Title III and the city-wide Emergency Operations Plans, as well as other emergency management duties. Mike is also a Major and Engineer officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard, having served in command positions and staff roles in operations planning, Tactical Operations Centers and serving as a Public Affairs Representative for his military organizations. As an enlisted Soldier he worked as a Public Affairs Specialist at Minnesota Joint Forces Headquarters. He has served for more than 15
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John Bowen

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Sara Croymans

Sara Croymans is an Extension Educator/Extension Professor with the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Family Development. She received her B.S. from South Dakota State University and M.Ed. from the University of Minnesota. Sara is committed to assisting individuals develop critical life skills in financial capability, including decision making around disaster financial preparedness and recovery. Sara is a coauthor of the UMN Extension’s Financial Recovery After Disaster: The Family Financial Toolkit and a contributor to the Financial Recovery After Disaster Video Series. Sara has presented on disaster recovery at numerous state and national conferences and webinars. As an Accredited Financial Counselor through the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Sara has extensive financial counseling experience.
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Lori Hendrickson

Lori Hendrickson is an Extension Educator/Extension Professor with the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Family Development. Lori holds a B.A.S. in Home Economics Education and an M.Ed., both from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Lori's work enhances the financial capability and resilience of individuals and families, positively impacting financial security throughout life. Lori is Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and is an Accredited Financial Counselor through the Association for Financial Counseling Planning and Education. As a part of her disaster recovery work, Lori led development of the NIFA funded, Financial Recovery After Disaster video series and impact evaluation of the video series.
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James Sink

James G. Sink is the Regional Flood Insurance Liaison for FEMA Region 5. James works with NFIP partners and stakeholders to build resilient communities by increasing understanding of the NFIP, conducting insurance outreach, and assisting policyholders. Previously, James was a FEMA reservist in the Planning Cadre where he severed as the Customer Care Group Supervisor in the Hurricane Sandy [NFIP] Claims Review Division. James holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Management from North Dakota State University.
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Catrina Covino

Catrina Covino is the FEMA Region 5 National Flood Insurance Program Manager with AECOM. She works with the FEMA Regional office on insurance outreach and policyholder assistance. She held previous positions in banking, at FEMA Region V and in local government as a planner and floodplain manager. Ms. Covino holds a Masters in Urban Planning, Design and Development from Cleveland State University and is a Certified Floodplain Manager.
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Marcus Bruning

Marcus Bruning retired from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 after a 28-year public safety career. For the past five years, he has been providing leadership and technology consulting as a Regional Interoperability Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Division of Emergency Communication Networks. His area of responsibility includes the Twin Cities metropolitan area and two regions in northern Minnesota.
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Steve Tait

Steve Tait retired from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office in 2018 after a 26-year public safety career. He currently serves the Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Division of Emergency Communication Networks as the Regional Interoperability Coordinator for four regions located in central and southern Minnesota.
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Mike Hofmann

Mike Hofmann is a Red Cross Volunteer, Minnesota Region Disaster Action Team Lead. I have deployed for Shelter Operations for the wildfires. I am also part of the team doing the Partner Shelter training to Minnesota Counties.
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Ken Vertin

Ken’s accomplishments include working as a Red Cross volunteer since 1988, Volunteer Partner-Northern Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross, Sheltering Lead- Minnesota Region of the American Red Cross, Member of the MN Partner Shelter Training Team, Shelter Supervisor, and a Disaster Services Instructor. Ken has deployed for shelter operations for floods, hurricanes, and wild fires.
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Dave Snetsinger

Dave’s accomplishments include working as a Red Cross volunteer since 2007, feeding Co- Lead-Northern Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross, Member of the MN Partner Shelter Training Team, Sheltering Supervisor, Disaster Services Instructor. Dave has deployed for shelter operations for floods, Hurricanes, and wild fires. Dave is a Volunteer Firefighter of 42 years- 20 years as Chief And Retired EMT
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Mark Steffer

Mark’s accomplishments include working as a Red Cross volunteer since 2010, Mass Care Lead- Minnesota Region of the American Red Cross, Member of the MN Partner Shelter Training Team, Sheltering Supervisor, Health Services Provider, Disaster Services Instructor. Mark has deployed for shelter operations for the floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. Mark is EMT-EMT Field Training Officer U of M
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Julie Ring

Julie Ring has more than 25 years of experience in the public sector, working in state, local and regional government in Minnesota and South Dakota. Julie was appointed Executive Director of the Association of Minnesota Counties in 2013, after serving as Legislative Coordinator and Health & Human Services Policy Analyst for the association. Before joining AMC, Julie served as the director of the Local Public Health Association of Minnesota. Julie also worked for ten years at the Minnesota Department of Health in a variety of positions focused on grant and contract management, legislative policy, and local public health system development. Julie began her career as a grant writer in an economic development district in rural South Dakota. She has a bachelor of arts in economics and political science from the University of Minnesota-Morris. Julie is active in the National Association of Counties and serves as an elected officer of the National Council of County Association Executives.
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Emily Harrington

Emily Harrington is currently the operational meteorologist for Hennepin County Emergency Management. She forecasts for hazardous weather events and works on the Hennepin West Mesonet network of weather stations. Before her role as a meteorologist, she started out with HCEM in a community engagement and social media role. She attended events across the county to talk with a variety of community members about weather safety and how to be prepared before a disaster hits home. She maintains HCEM’s social media presence, and continues to attend outreach events throughout the county.
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Mike Lovas

Mike Lovas has been an Emergency Management Specialist with the City of St. Paul for more than 6 years. With a focus on public outreach and community education, he runs the department social media accounts, and presents emergency preparedness and weather awareness to community groups. Lovas recently completed FEMA’s Advanced Public Information Officer Course and is a Minnesota Certified Emergency Manager. Additionally, he serves as city-wide administrator for Everbridge, working on both the SARA Title III and the city-wide Emergency Operations Plans, as well as other emergency management duties. Mike is also a Major and Engineer officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard, having served in command positions and staff roles in operations planning, Tactical Operations Centers and serving as a Public Affairs Representative for his military organizations. As an enlisted Soldier he worked as a Public Affairs Specialist at Minnesota Joint Forces Headquarters. He has served for more than 15
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John Bowen

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Sara Croymans

Sara Croymans is an Extension Educator/Extension Professor with the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Family Development. She received her B.S. from South Dakota State University and M.Ed. from the University of Minnesota. Sara is committed to assisting individuals develop critical life skills in financial capability, including decision making around disaster financial preparedness and recovery. Sara is a coauthor of the UMN Extension’s Financial Recovery After Disaster: The Family Financial Toolkit and a contributor to the Financial Recovery After Disaster Video Series. Sara has presented on disaster recovery at numerous state and national conferences and webinars. As an Accredited Financial Counselor through the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Sara has extensive financial counseling experience.
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Lori Hendrickson

Lori Hendrickson is an Extension Educator/Extension Professor with the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Family Development. Lori holds a B.A.S. in Home Economics Education and an M.Ed., both from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Lori's work enhances the financial capability and resilience of individuals and families, positively impacting financial security throughout life. Lori is Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and is an Accredited Financial Counselor through the Association for Financial Counseling Planning and Education. As a part of her disaster recovery work, Lori led development of the NIFA funded, Financial Recovery After Disaster video series and impact evaluation of the video series.
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James Sink

James G. Sink is the Regional Flood Insurance Liaison for FEMA Region 5. James works with NFIP partners and stakeholders to build resilient communities by increasing understanding of the NFIP, conducting insurance outreach, and assisting policyholders. Previously, James was a FEMA reservist in the Planning Cadre where he severed as the Customer Care Group Supervisor in the Hurricane Sandy [NFIP] Claims Review Division. James holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Management from North Dakota State University.
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Catrina Covino

Catrina Covino is the FEMA Region 5 National Flood Insurance Program Manager with AECOM. She works with the FEMA Regional office on insurance outreach and policyholder assistance. She held previous positions in banking, at FEMA Region V and in local government as a planner and floodplain manager. Ms. Covino holds a Masters in Urban Planning, Design and Development from Cleveland State University and is a Certified Floodplain Manager.
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Marcus Bruning

Marcus Bruning retired from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 after a 28-year public safety career. For the past five years, he has been providing leadership and technology consulting as a Regional Interoperability Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Division of Emergency Communication Networks. His area of responsibility includes the Twin Cities metropolitan area and two regions in northern Minnesota.
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Steve Tait

Steve Tait retired from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office in 2018 after a 26-year public safety career. He currently serves the Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Division of Emergency Communication Networks as the Regional Interoperability Coordinator for four regions located in central and southern Minnesota.
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Mike Hofmann

Mike Hofmann is a Red Cross Volunteer, Minnesota Region Disaster Action Team Lead. I have deployed for Shelter Operations for the wildfires. I am also part of the team doing the Partner Shelter training to Minnesota Counties.
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Dave Snetsinger

Dave’s accomplishments include working as a Red Cross volunteer since 2007, feeding Co- Lead-Northern Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross, Member of the MN Partner Shelter Training Team, Sheltering Supervisor, Disaster Services Instructor. Dave has deployed for shelter operations for floods, Hurricanes, and wild fires. Dave is a Volunteer Firefighter of 42 years- 20 years as Chief And Retired EMT
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Ken Vertin

Ken’s accomplishments include working as a Red Cross volunteer since 1988, Volunteer Partner-Northern Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross, Sheltering Lead- Minnesota Region of the American Red Cross, Member of the MN Partner Shelter Training Team, Shelter Supervisor, and a Disaster Services Instructor. Ken has deployed for shelter operations for floods, hurricanes, and wild fires.
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Mark Steffer

Mark’s accomplishments include working as a Red Cross volunteer since 2010, Mass Care Lead- Minnesota Region of the American Red Cross, Member of the MN Partner Shelter Training Team, Sheltering Supervisor, Health Services Provider, Disaster Services Instructor. Mark has deployed for shelter operations for the floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. Mark is EMT-EMT Field Training Officer U of M
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Julie Ring

Julie Ring has more than 25 years of experience in the public sector, working in state, local and regional government in Minnesota and South Dakota. Julie was appointed Executive Director of the Association of Minnesota Counties in 2013, after serving as Legislative Coordinator and Health & Human Services Policy Analyst for the association. Before joining AMC, Julie served as the director of the Local Public Health Association of Minnesota. Julie also worked for ten years at the Minnesota Department of Health in a variety of positions focused on grant and contract management, legislative policy, and local public health system development. Julie began her career as a grant writer in an economic development district in rural South Dakota. She has a bachelor of arts in economics and political science from the University of Minnesota-Morris. Julie is active in the National Association of Counties and serves as an elected officer of the National Council of County Association Executives.
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Breezy Point Resort Dining

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Terry Hastings

Terry Hastings is currently the Senior Policy Advisor for the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES). In this capacity, Terry is responsible for coordinating and managing cross-cutting projects and policy initiatives for DHSES. He is also responsible for strategic planning and analyzing emerging homeland security issues and trends. In addition to his work at DHSES, Terry also serves as an Adjunct Professor for the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, at the State University of New York at Albany, where he teaches courses on leadership and crisis management. Terry has a Master’s in Public Administration from Marist College and Certificate in Executive Leadership from the US Naval Post Graduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security. He has also completed FEMA’s Emergency Management Executive Academy. Terry has authored numerous articles and regularly speaks at conferences, including the National Homeland Security Conference.
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Sandra Younger

Sandra Younger lost her home, 12 neighbors and almost her own life in the 2003 Cedar Fire, still among the biggest and most destructive wildfires in modern California history. With journalism degrees from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Syracuse University, plus 30 years of professional experience, she felt compelled to capture the historic Cedar Fire story for posterity. Her resulting book, The Fire Outside My Window, became a No. 1 Amazon bestseller, hailed as required reading for residents of wildfire country, adopted as a training text for top-level emergency professionals, and twice featured on NBC’s Dateline. Sandra is now an international speaker, disaster recovery consultant and frequent media guest. She serves on the faculty of the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ L-580 strategic leadership course for incident commanders, and works with both top-level emergency professionals and disaster survivors to build resilience, the skill that transforms disaster into opportunity and loss into legacy.
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Breezy Point Resort Dining

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Greg Gust

Greg Gust is a native Minn-dakotan having graduated in Math and Physics (St. John's Univ., Collegeville MN), tractor seat weather forecasting (western Polk County), B.S. equiv. Meteorology (Texas A&M University, College Station TX, and an M.S. in Meteorology (Penn State University, State College PA). The ND Army Guard (enlisted) and Air Force (commissioned-weather) couldn't figure out what to do with him, so he turned to civilian weather, in 1992, spent 6 years with the NWS in Montana, and finally worked his way back to the Red River Valley, in 1998, and his current job as an NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist, since 2000. Most Favorite Jobs: Forecasting for SR-71 Missions and Teaching NIMS-ICS "All-Hazards" to Ethiopians in 2010-2013. Least Favorite Jobs: Anything involving floods!...and shoveling chicken manure.
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Todd Krause

Todd Krause graduated from Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minnesota, then received his M.S. in Meteorology from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City. He started his career with the National Weather Service as an intern in Huron, South Dakota and also worked as an intern in Wichita, Kansas before becoming a forecaster in the Twin Cities. He has been the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service Twin Cities office since 1994.
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Craig Benz

Lt. Benz is the chief pilot for the MSP Aviation Division.
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Michael Aspnes

Saint Paul fire captain assigned to Rescue Squad 3 on the A shift. 20 year paramedic, 15 year firefighter, and MART team member since 2011. I am the MART coordinator and the representative for SPFD for the program management group for Minnesota Task Force 1.
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Randall C. Duncan

Randall C. Duncan MPA, CEM® has served as a local government emergency manager from 1986 to 2014. At the time of his retirement, he was the Director of Sedgwick County / Wichita (Kansas) Emergency Management Agency. Duncan served as President of the International Association of Emergency Managers in 1997-1998. He also served as Chair of the IAEM-USA Government Affairs Committee from 2004 – 2014, where he worked closely with members of the Administration, the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate in matters related to Emergency Management. Duncan has contributed chapters to four Emergency Management Text books, and has taught emergency management classes at the Graduate level (Park University) and undergraduate level (Butler Community College). Duncan currently serves as the Deputy Director of Training for Paradigm Liaison Services, LLC (2017 – Present). Immediately prior to that, Duncan served as a contract instructor for Paradigm, providing pipeline safety and emergency response training across the United States.
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David Lein

David Lein serves as the Director of Support to Military Operation for the Department of Military Affairs. In this position, he coordinates the sustainment needs of the Minnesota National Guard that includes facility security and emergency management, anti-terror force protection, planning and policy development, fiscal and contractual needs, and providing support during events when the National Guard is deployed by the Governor to support local authorities during emergencies and disasters. From 1996 through 2008, David owned a compliance management firm specializing in the development and implementation of compliance management programs for the petroleum and chemical industry. Prior to that, David worked for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as a Compliance Coordinator and Pollution Control Specialist. David received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Moorhead State University, has been trained in LEAN Process Improvement and is a State Certified Emergency Manager. David resides in White Bear Township with his wife Becky. They are parents of two grown adults.
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Tait Mills

: In the Fire Service for 22 years with Albertville Fire Department. 8 years as Fire Chief, 6 years as Assistant Fire Chief – currently in that position. Before working with the SFMD, spent 15 years working in the private sector in the Defense Industry, using my military background. Happily married to Julie for 22 years, with 3 kids, Sam (18), Wyatt (14), and Emma (8 – and also the house boss).
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Steve White

Steve is 60 years young and has been in and around the fire service for 35 years as a firefighter, training officer, Captain, Asst. Chief, fire leadership training instructor (Century College), and Fire Chief/Emergency Mgt. Director for the city of Carlton. Steve is married to Annette (39 years), has two sons, Aaron (Tina) and Adam (Drew), two grandchildren Ava (11) and Jaxon (7). Outside the fire service Steve his wife and family enjoy time at Ten Mile Lake (Hackensack, MN) and traveling the warmer climates in the Western Hemisphere as often as possible.
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John Ehret

Started a career in the fire service in 1980. Have been with the State Fire Marshal Division since January 2017.
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Jared Roseboom

Jared is a 19 year student of the Fire Service, having served all 19 years with a small, rural, all volunteer department where he currently serves as the Assistant Chief and Training Officer. Jared has also been an adjunct fire and rescue instructor for the past 12 years. Jared holds an A.A.S Degree in Fire Science and is a 3 time graduate from the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD.
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Katherine Mortenson

Katherine Mortenson is a Regional Healthcare Preparedness Coordinator (RHPC) for the Southeast Minnesota Disaster Health Coalition as well as an Emergency Management Associate at Mayo Clinic. As part of her role as an RHPC she has the privilege to work with the region’s Long Term Care (LTC) Disaster Preparedness Workgroup which seeks to prepare LTC agencies to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters. Ms. Mortenson’s previous work experience includes deployments with FEMA and project based work with the City of Rochester Division of Emergency Management. These experiences allowed Katie to develop skills in mitigation and response planning, project management, and community engagement. Ms. Mortenson graduated from North Dakota State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management.
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Breezy Point Resort Dining

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Breezy Point Resort Dining

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Breezy Point Resort Dining

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Jonathan Bundt

Jonathan has worked in behavioral science, emergency management and public safety field for over 30 years and operates his own consulting company. He regularly provides consultation and training services to the private sector, hospitals, EMS, police and fire departments, state departments of Corrections, Public Health, Human Services, Public Safety, and Emergency Management. He is a licensed mental health professional MN certified emergency manager. And has been very involved with response and recovery to hundreds of incidents in his career. He is a regular presenter locally and nationally.
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Schedule

Breezy Point Resort, Breezy Point, MN

Conference Location

    Breezy Point Resort
    9252 Breezy Point Dr
    Breezy Point, MN 56472
  • Hosted by
  • Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers
  • Telephone Number
  • (218) 626-7930

Instructors

The 60th Annual Conference will be September 20 - 23, 2020

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