Experience and Accomplishments

 

EDUCATION and CERTIFICATIONS

 

·Masters of Business Administration

Drake University, Des Moines, IA

 

·Bachelor of Arts in Business

Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, IA

 

·Certified Public Manager

Drake University

 

·Leadership Iowa

Iowa Association of Business and Industry

 

·School of Police Staff & Command

Northwestern University

 

• Leadership in Police Organizations International Association of Chiefs of Police

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

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• ·Assessor ‐ Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement                                              December 2017 ‐ present

  • Travel to law enforcement agencies across the country evaluating public safety management policies, police procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with established standards/best practices for agencies seeking or maintaining CALEA Accreditation. Provide guidance to law enforcement executives to ensure accountability within their agencies, reduce liability exposure, and to provide effective resource and personnel management. Elevated to Team Leader October 2021.

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• Director of Professional Development and Support Services (DPS)                                September 2021 ‐ March 2024

  • Responsible for development and leadership of newly created division which includes oversight of the DPS academy, training for all sworn and non‐sworn personnel, recruiting, Peer Support program, Critical Incident Stress Management Team, employee wellness, leadership development and mentoring, CALEA accreditation and community engagement. Conduct analyses and implement evidence‐based training initiatives across the department to reduce exposure in the high‐liability areas of use of force, pursuits, and others. Evaluate and analyze data to develop strategic plans to enhance recruitment for all positions in the department, provide the most effective peer support and CISM services to our personnel, and to enhance relationships with Iowans we serve along with our law enforcement and civic partners across the state through community engagement activities.

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• Director of Compliance and Accreditation (DPS)                                                                     August 2016 – September 2021

  • Oversight and supervision of compliance with CALEA accreditation standards, state laws and statutes, institutional policies and procedures in all areas of law enforcement action/responsibility, high liability activities, human resources, financial responsibility, and training. Responsible for drafting, reviewing and revising departmental policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state law, accreditation standards and industry best practices.  Oversight and coordination of accreditation process including CALEA training and implementation of post accreditation improvements and recommendations throughout the Department of Public Safety.  Served as President of Midwest Police Accreditation Coalition.

 

• Director of Administration ‐ CFO (DPS)                                                                               January 2014 – August 2016

  • Responsible for oversight and administration of the DPS budget ($100+ million) as well as the oversight Human Resources, Peace Officer Retirement (POR), Information Technology, drafting/reviewing legislative proposals, completing fiscal analyses for LSA, and Training/ Development for the Department’s 600+ sworn officers and 300+ civilian personnel. Successfully accomplished leading and completing several Department‐wide projects, enhanced our Department’s IT infrastructure, established disaster recovery site, developed new strategies to mitigate the duration of time DPS personnel spent on workers compensation injury leave, developed and implemented succession planning for critical areas within IT, Finance, POR, and Human Resources, instituted regular budget review/strategy sessions for divisional managers to learn the budget process, and instituted a posture of continuous education for personnel working in IT, Finance, POR, and Human Resources.

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• Director ‐ Criminal Investigation (DPS)                                                                    November 2012 – January 2014

  • Responsible for leading and guiding 250+ sworn and civilian personnel assigned to the Division of Criminal Investigation including the Criminalistics Laboratory, Field Operations, Gaming, and Support Operations Bureaus. Responsible for divisional budget, strategic planning, personnel allocation, grant oversight, policy development, and ensuring assistance to local law enforcement. Successfully implemented restructuring of the Gaming Bureau through legislative changes to Iowa Code and reduced administrative costs to the Division by implementing digital reporting of casework rather than paper reporting.

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• Assistant Director ‐ Criminal Investigation (DPS)                                                                 November 2007 – November 2012 Field Operations (Oct. 2010 – Nov. 2012)

  •  Responsible for leading and guiding the Special Agents and Special Agents in Charge assigned to the Division’s Major Crime Unit, Cybercrime Unit, Iowa’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Iowa Missing Persons Information Clearinghouse. Responsible for grant writing and management, budgeting, strategic planning, personnel matters, leadership/mentoring and the overall operation of the DCI as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Point of contact for media/legislative requests for information regarding all types of investigations.

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• Gaming Operations (Nov. 2007 – Oct. 2010)

  •  Responsible for leading and guiding the Special Agents and Special Agents in Charge assigned to riverboat gaming, pari‐mutuel gaming, amusement device/illegal gambling enforcement, lottery investigations and Internet gambling enforcement within the DCI. Responsible for budgeting, strategic planning, personnel matters, legislative proposals/inquiries and administrative rules, managing politically sensitive investigations, oversight of regulatory enforcement, leadership/mentoring of young talent, and the overall operation of the DCI as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

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• Special Agent in Charge of Gaming Operations ‐ Criminal Investigation (DPS)                   June 2005 – November 2007

  • Responsible for leading Special Agents assigned to riverboat and pari‐mutuel gaming venues in central Iowa and the Amusement Device/Lottery/Vice unit. First line supervisor within a highly regulated environment providing guidance, leadership, and direction for sworn special agents as needed. Assisted with securing legislative changes to Iowa code sections pertinent to the gaming industry. Provided support to Assistant Director of Gaming Operations with preparing budget requests, short and long‐term planning, regulatory enforcement, and fostering good working relationships with the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission, Iowa Lottery, Department of Inspections & Appeals, and the Alcohol Beverage Division.

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• Special Agent – Criminal Investigation (DPS) June 1994 – June 2005                          Major Crimes (October 1998 – June 2005)

  • Responsible for conducting criminal investigations and providing testimony in homicide, officer involved shootings, and other major violent crime cases. Conducted white collar crime, fraud, public corruption, assault, and embezzlement investigations.

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• Gaming (June 1994 – October 1998)

  •  Assigned to racetrack/casino in Council Bluffs and responsible for conducting thorough background investigations for all personnel hired by gaming establishments and Iowa Lottery personnel as requested along with complex corporate background investigations for companies seeking a casino/lottery license in Iowa. Conducted criminal investigations of theft, forgery, assault, robbery and white-collar crime investigations through analysis of financial statements, balance sheets, accounting work papers, SEC filings and other financial data.

 

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

• 30 x 30 Initiative – Coordinate Iowa DPS participation in the nation‐wide initiative to increase the number of females in DPS police recruit classes to 30% by the year 2030 through evaluation, analysis and improvements in recruiting strategies.  (March 2021 – Present)

• FBI – Criminal Justice Information Systems ‐ Chief Systems Officer (CSO) for Iowa – Responsible for the administration of the CJIS network in Iowa by ensuring adherence to CJIS policy, cyber security requirements, procedures, and regulations.  (July 2014 – December 2016)

• Voting Member – Iowa CJIS Advisory Committee – Appointed by Governor Terry Branstad to provide oversight and guidance for Iowa entities to effectively collaborate and ensure CJIS system data is accurate and timely. (July 2014 – December 2016)

• Department of Public Safety – Enterprise-Wide Communications Team – Chairperson – Conduct monthly meetings with representatives of each Division/Bureau of the Department of Public Safety to guide the department through the acquisition and implementation of technology hardware/software products and the writing of DPS policy in the areas of communication and technology. (Member:  September 2007 ‐ January 2014, Chair:  June 2010 ‐ January 2014)

• US Attorney’s Office – Southern District of Iowa SAR Review Team – Participated in the monthly review of all suspicious activity reports to identify suspicious transactions within financial institutions and to assist in the investigation and prosecution of money laundering, structuring, and other financial crimes. (April 2007 – October 2010)

• Internet Gambling Task Force – Participated in meetings of the US Internet Gambling Task Force to initiate investigations into the violations of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Iowa DCI assigned two Special Agents to this task force in furtherance of their national initiatives to combat illegal internet gambling. (June 2007 – October 2010)

• Iowa Child Death Review Team –Annually reviewed all child deaths in Iowa to provide recommendations for reducing and preventing child deaths and for public education to help keep Iowa’s children safe. (November 2006 – June 2009)

• Instructor – Stalking Investigations – Instructor for the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and the Department of Public Safety Basic Academy.  (September 1999 – August 2008)

• Instructor ‐ White Collar Crime Investigations – Instructor for the Department of Public Safety Academy and for the Basic Criminal Investigator School sponsored by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.  (June 2000 – August 2008)

 

Volunteer and Community Service

• Mission Team – Adel United Methodist Church (January 2022 – present)

Participate monthly meetings to coordinate and implement mission projects for church members benefiting others in the community such as the food bank, low-income families, and others in need.

• Cops Against Cancer – President, Board of Directors (January 2016 – present)

Provide leadership, direction, and guidance for non‐profit organization. Assist with grant writing and oversight to meet operational goals. Coordinate and participate in fundraising projects/events to raise awareness of the organization and provide assistance to those suffering with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

• Dallas County Habitat for Humanity – Steering Committee (Aug. 2018 – August 2023)

Participate in monthly meetings providing oversight of the organization and participating in community service events to help homeowners live safely in their homes and assist successful applicants on the path to home ownership.