Gene Komondor
Partner
OneStar
James Gene Komondor is the Emergency Management Coordinator for North Huntingdon Township in Westmoreland County, PA and co-chairs the Safe Schools Committee for the Norwin School District (5,700 students). He is a partner in a company that provides emergency management-related services including plan reviews, site assessments, training and exercises to schools, healthcare facilities and private sector companies. Mr. Komondor has been designated as a Subject Matter Expert for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students, Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center
He was a member of the project team that provided safety training services to schools throughout Pennsylvania through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and worked on a similar statewide project in West Virginia. He has served as a consultant to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); the District of Columbia Department of Health; the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and has spoken at training and education conferences throughout the country. Mr. Komondor is an Adjunct Instructor in the Emergency Medicine program at the University of Pittsburgh and in the Emergency Services program at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA; and has served as an Instructor at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, MD.
He holds an MS in Curriculum and Instruction from St. Vincent College; BS in Public Administration and BS in Human Resources Management from Point Park University in Pittsburgh; and has also completed Executive Education training at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Gary L. Sigrist, Jr.
CEO and President
Safeguard Risk Solutions
Gary Sigrist is a nationally known speaker, consultant, author and expert on emergency preparedness. His career spans more than 30 years as an educator, administrator and police officer. Sigrist's background in both education and law enforcement gives him a unique perspective on safety and preparedness, which he brings to his work with clients of Safeguard Risk Solutions. Sigrist launched Safeguard Risk Solutions in 2013 with his partner and friend Mick Yinger.
Gary earned his B.S. in Elementary Education from Ohio University in 1982 and his MS in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton in 1988. In addition to his 30 years in education, he was a Police Officer for 23 years, working as a Juvenile Detective, Community Relations, bike patrol, and uniform patrol. Gary is a state certified School Resource Officer, a trainer for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Law Enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response (LASER), has extensive training in school violence, school law, threat assessment, gangs, and emergency response planning.
Ryan Searles
Senior Consultant Security Assessment & Protective Services
IMEG
Ryan brings more than 17 years of professional experience in “in-the- field” security, force protection, and risk management for multiple- jurisdictional responses at local, state, regional, and national levels. He has led tactical teams of 90+ in dynamic, fast-paced environments and possesses a comprehensive background in complex problem-solving and relationship-building derived from conducting domestic and global operations across five continents.
Ryan has managed enterprise-wide risk management programs to protect life and safety, critical infrastructure, property, and equipment valued over $7M. His extensive knowledge includes Public Policy, OSHA, Workplace Violence, Active Shooter Response Training, Project Management, and Incident Command System application
James Kenyon
Assistant Director, Licensing
Nevada Department of Education
James \"Jim\" Kenyon is a career educator with over twenty-five years of experience. He has held various positions in education and most recently Assistant Director of Licensing for the Nevada Department of Education, College of Education Faculty with the University of Nevada Las Vegas and currently the Director of Policy Development with Teach-Now in Washington, D.C. Prior to moving to Nevada and joining he NVDOE, Jim worked for the School Improvement Policy Center and the Public Policy Center in Tallahassee, FL.
He is from New York and Massachusetts; however, his career has taken him to California, Florida, Nevada, and Washington, D.C. Jim holds a Bachelor\'s Degree from Syracuse University, Master\'s Degrees in Secondary Education, Administration, and Special Education and a doctorate from Florida State in Education Leadership and Policy Studies.
Sergeant Stefan Bjes
Founder & CEO
Blue Line Spectrum Safety
Stefan is currently a patrol sergeant and have served with the Addison Police Department for over 20 years. He is an active Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer and a CIT instructor regarding Autism for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.. He has served the department in several different capacities, such as Gang Investigator, School Resource Officer, Use of Force Instructor, Rapid Response Instructor, Field Training Officer, Evidence Technician and Juvenile Officer. He is also a former board member for the DuPage County Juvenile Officer Association. Stefan was named the 2019 Juvenile Officer of the Year by the Illinois Juvenile Officer Association for his work with children with disabilities.
Stefan has a Bachelor’s Degree from Valaparasio University in Psychology and Sociology and a Master’s Degree from Lewis University. Stefan is married and is the father of three sons, two of which have Autism. Stefan has extensive experience, through his personal and professional life, in interacting with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders