0700 - 1700 Registration

0700 - 0800 Breakfast with Industry Partners & Exhibitors


The "Charlie Utter" Breakfast is sponsored by Goserco, Inc.

0800 - 0830 Conference Items and Updates

0830 - 0930 Cybersecurity -

                           Rick Miller & Jim Edman




Rick Miller

Jim Edman

Rick Miller joined the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in 2023, where he serves as a Protective Security Advisor for Eastern South Dakota. With a distinguished background in public service, Rick's career began in the United States Marine Corps, followed by 22 years with the South Dakota Highway Patrol, where he retired as Superintendent. 

Rick brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to safeguarding critical assets. His passion for security and public safety has driven him to excel in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities, ensuring the resilience and protection of essential infrastructure. Rick’s expertise plays a vital role in securing the systems and structures that communities depend on every day. 


Jim Edman is the Cybersecurity Coordinator for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in South Dakota.  As Cybersecurity Coordinator, Jim works with critical industry sectors across the state on cyber risk management and improved cybersecurity hygiene. 

Prior to joining CISA in 2021, Jim worked with South Dakota state government in the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications (BIT) with experience in applications development and networking technologies for state government, K-12 and Higher Education.  Jim served as Chief Information Security Officer for the last 13 years. Establishing operational, strategic, and collaborative platforms to successfully safeguard constituent and government data.  He also served as the Broadband Manager for the ConnectSD project to bring high speed broadband to every South Dakotan. Other positions include Deputy Chief Information Officer and acting Chief Information Officer.


0930 - 1000 Break with Industry Partners & Exhibitors


The "Poker Alice" Break is sponsored by Voice Products, Inc.

1000 - 1130 Partnerships with 988 and 911 Dispatch – Evonne Hawe


Evonne is the 988 Director at the Helpline Center in Sioux Falls SD. She has been a Licensed Addiction Counselor for over 35 years. She has extensive experience working with people with co-occurring disorders to include inpatient, outpatient, psychiatric hospitals, treatment courts, probation and parole. She is passionate about helping people be empowered to make changes in their lives.  She understands that people are like glow sticks, sometimes you need to crack that outer shell (defenses) to see their light shine. During non-working time she enjoys hiking, working out, and being on or near the water.

1130 - 1300 Lunch / Banquet - Guest Speaker on Deadwood History -                                                  "YOU MADE A DIFFERNCE" Award Presentation during Banquet



1300 - 1430 Mindfulness - Taking Command of Your Thinking and Reducing Stress - Robert Mann

In this interactive mindfulness session, you’ll learn the science of stress, how stress impacts your body and thinking, and simple things you can do to reduce the negative impact of stress. Understanding what happens to your body when you are under stress is the key to being in charge of reducing the control that stress triggers have over your life. You’ll leave this session knowing what actions you can take to immediately regain control in stressful moments and become more in charge of your thinking over the long term. If you are ready to take charge of your thinking and reduce stress, this is the session for you!

Robert has been involved in training for well over twenty-five years. Originally serving as a member of the Orange County Sheriff's Department, Robert now works with government agencies and private organizations to improve individual and team performance and crate organizational accountability systems. Robert is a member of the NENA instructional cadre and teaches courses in Transforming 9-1-1 Center Culture and Understanding Bias. Robert has had several articles published in the Journal of Emergency Dispatch, including Creating and Maintaining High Performing Teams.   

1430 - 1500 Break with Industry Partners & Exhibitors

1500 - 1630 Customer Service to Caller Management -The Value of a Customer Service Mindset - Robert Mann

Customer service requires more than a philosophy of service. To consistently deliver high-quality service you need to know how the customer mind works, what to do, and how to do it. In this interactive session, you’ll learn the social science of customer needs and expectations. For you, despite the serious nature of it, a 9-1-1 call is as routine as chewing food. For your callers, it is an unfamiliar and stressful event. You’ll come away from this session understanding how you can reduce caller anxiety, manage expectations, and leave knowing they received exceptional service.

Robert has been involved in training for well over twenty-five years. Originally serving as a member of the Orange County Sheriff's Department, Robert now works with government agencies and private organizations to improve individual and team performance and crate organizational accountability systems. Robert is a member of the NENA instructional cadre and teaches courses in Transforming 9-1-1 Center Culture and Understanding Bias. Robert has had several articles published in the Journal of Emergency Dispatch, including Creating and Maintaining High Performing Teams.   

1630 - 1700 Closing for the day:  Door Prizes, Reminders, Updates