2023 Iowa Homeland Security Conference
Save the date, Oct. 11-13, for the 2023 Iowa Homeland Security Conference at the FFA Enrichment Center.
If you have any questions about this year’s conference, please contact Beth Lewis or Steve Warren at 515.725.3231 or HSEMDConf@iowa.gov.

Mark your calendar
Wednesday, October 11 — Friday, October 13, 2023
DMACC | Ankeny FFA Enrichment Center
1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny, Iowa 50023

ESF Topics
We continue to strive in bringing new topics for our whole community partners. This year’s Emergency Support Function (ESF’s) will focus on: Basic Plan, ESF 2-Communications, ESF 5-Emergency Management/Planning, ESF 10-Hazardous Materials, ESF 15-External Affairs or RSF-Basic Plan Recovery. If you have suggested topics related to the upcoming ESF/RSF focus areas, email HSEMDConf@iowa.gov.
Our conference provides an opportunity for emergency management coordinators, homeland security professionals, state agencies, elected officials, non-profit organization, along with our public and private sector partners, to learn from each other in this ever-evolving field.
Agenda
Please follow the current CDC guidelines. Stay home if you don’t feel well.
NOTE: All scheduled events (content, speakers, time, etc.) are subject to change.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Time Slot | General Session Title | Session Speaker | Room Number |
---|---|---|---|
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Welcoming Comments | HSEMD Leadership | 106 |
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM | Reflections on Leadership | Ed Conley | 106 |
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | The Role of Adaptive Leadership in Working through Conflict | Bill de la Cruz | 106 |
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Friday, October 13, 2023
Time Slot | General Session Title | Session Speaker | Room Number |
---|---|---|---|
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Human Trafficking Survivor Story | Alicia Tappan | 106 |
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Remember Who You Are; A Story of Healing and Resiliency After Trauma | Madalena DeAndrea | 106 |

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION GUIDELINES
NOTE: All scheduled events (content, speakers, time, etc.) are subject to change.
Fill out the required information in the form, then click SUBMIT to finish. Please use proper capitalization as it will be used to populate your certificate (if applicable). Limit of one email per registration.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Conference registration is $150.00 USD per person through October 13, 2023, and is payable by check or credit card. A full refund will be given for cancellations made on or before October 1, 2023, by emailing HSEMDconf@iowa.gov.
No refunds will be given for cancellations or no shows after October 1, 2023. Substitutions will be accepted for those attendees who are unable to attend. Please send substitution information to HSEMDconf@iowa.gov.
The application may also be downloaded in PDF format and printed.
- Credit Card Payment Form (fillable PDF format)
Get to know our speakers
Allie Bright
Iowa HSEMD
Allie Bright works for Iowa HSEMD on the Alert Iowa and 911 Programs. She has nine plus years of experience with emergency management, including mass notifications systems.
Mike Cappannari
FEMA Region VII
Mike Cappannari is the External Affairs Director for FEMA Region 7, with their HQ in Kansas City, MO. He has supported the response and recovery to many disasters since joining FEMA.
Michael Cayer
Iowa HSEMD
Michael Cayer joined Iowa HSEMD in the fall of 2020 and is currently the grant manager for the Emergency Management Performance Grant. Prior to that, he served a 28-year career as a U.S. Marine.
CHRIS COLE
Storm Lake Police Dept.
Chris Cole is a 29-year veteran of the Storm Lake, Iowa Police Department. He has worked as a patrol officer, detective, lieutenant, and assistant chief before being promoted to chief in 2020.
ED CONLEY
Author and Speaker
Ed Conley served nearly three decades with FEMA as a responder and NATO advisor, leading teams around the globe in response to some of history’s most significant disasters.
Rob Dale
Ingham County, MI
Rob Dale is an IAEM Certified Emergency Manager and serves as the Deputy Emergency Manager for Ingham County, Michigan. He created and chairs the International Association of Emergency Managers Weather Caucus.
Madalena DeAndrea
Jeffco Public Schools
A survivor of the 2018 Borderline Bar and Grill mass shooting in California, Madalena DeAndrea now serves as the Senior Manager of Strategic Projects, Recovery, & Resiliency at Jeffco Public Schools.
Bill de la Cruz
Connector of Hearts Facilitator
Bill de la Cruz is an inspiring leader who has been guiding individuals and groups through the process of personal transformation as a mediator, keynote speaker and facilitator for 30 years.
Sarah Diedrich
IOWA HSEMD
Sarah Diedrich joined Iowa HSEMD as a Voluntary Agency Liaison before transitioning to her current role as Recovery Planner. She has worked almost a decade in emergency response and humanitarian affairs.
Jodi Freet
Cedar Co Emergency Management
Jodi Freet currently serves as the Director of Emergency Management and 911 Coordinator for Cedar County. She is also the Vice-Representative for Iowa’s District 6 Association of Emergency Managers.
Timothy R. Gablehouse
Gablehouse Granberg, LLC
Timothy R. Gablehouse is an attorney with Gablehouse Granberg LLC. His practice focuses on management of environmental compliance, emergency planning, and corrective action projects.
Jiwnath Ghimire
Iowa State University
Jiwnath Ghimire is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community and Regional Planning at ISU. He is an environmental planning scholar working in disaster recovery planning, climate action planning, and community resilience.
Ben Gray
Marengo Police Dept.
Chief Ben Gray was hired by the City of Marengo to serve as their Police Chief in November of 2019. Prior to that, he served as a patrol sergeant, training sergeant, and investigations sergeant at the Grinnell Police Dept.
Lacey Hogan
Alliant Energy
Lacey Hogan is a Senior Emergency Preparedness and Response Specialist at Alliant Energy. In addition to planning and preparedness, she fills the role of Deputy Incident Commander for Alliant Energy’s Corporate Incident Response team.
Josh Humphrey
Iowa Co. Emergency Management
Josh Humphrey is the Emergency Manager for Iowa County. He has been an Emergency Manager for 11 years, a firefighter for 16 years, and an EMT for 12 years.
Robert L. Johnson
Iowa State Patrol
Lt. Johnson is the comander of the Special Operations Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Unit of the Iowa State Patrol. He has over 34 years of law enforcement experience.
David Johnston
Iowa HSEMD
David Johnston is the Lead Planner at Iowa HSEMD and has been with the department for 20 years. In that time he has worked every major disaster and learned the value of being prepared.
John Neldeberg
Truist Bank
John Neldeberg has been involved with emergency preparedness efforts for 3 decades. He currently serves as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Truist Bank in Charlotte, NC.
Sean Poston
GreatAmerica Financial Services
Sean Poston is a 20-year veteran of GreatAmerica Financial Services in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and has helped them navigate response to two major floods, a pandemic, and a derecho.
Jessica Catron Pugh
FEMA Region VII
Jessica Catron Pugh is FEMA Region VII Community Assistance RSF Coordinator. She served as Deputy Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator on deployment to Mississippi (DR-4697) following deadly tornadoes and storms.
Doug Reed
Pottawattamie Co. Emergency Management
Doug Reed is an Iowa Certified Emergency Manager with 25 years of experience including emergency management, fire/rescue, emergency medical services, emergency communications, and law enforcement.
Tim Richmond
Wapello Co. Emergency Management
Tim Richmond is an active community member that wears a lot of hats- Emergency Manager, Fire Chief, EMS Service Director, Township Clerk, and City Clerk.
Terri Rosonke
Iowa Finance Authority
Terri Rosonke is a housing and community development professional with experience in state and federal finance programs. Terri is a leader in the Iowa Finance Authority’s housing for persons with disabilities, permanent supportive housing, and disaster recovery.
Robert A. Rotter
Iowa County Sheriff
Rob Rotter joined the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office in 1989. He rose through the ranks at the sheriff’s office and was elected as sheriff in 2008. He serves on, and/or chairs, several local and state boards/councils.
Jackie Schmillen
Iowa National Guard
A broadcast journalist for nearly two decades, Jackie Schmillen is currently the Iowa National Guard’s Director of Public Affairs. Having a deep passion for Iowa and its people, Jackie enjoys sharing stories of the Guard and its Service Members.
Tracey Singh
Washington State Military EM Dept.
After many years of working in education and volunteering for the American Red Cross, Singh was able to combine passions and work for the Washington State Emergency Management as the Access and Functional Needs Program Manager.
Jeremy Sroka
Iowa HSEMD
Jeremy Sroka is the Preparedness Bureau Chief at Iowa HSEMD. Prior to that position, he was the state Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program Manager and the Critical Infrastructure Protection Coordinator.
Alicia Tappan
Speaker, Grant Writer, Author
Alicia Tappan was recognized as Survivor of the Year for her efforts on building capacity for commercial sexual exploitation of children awareness & education. She is currently an aspiring author with a survivor guide series to be released in 2023.
Dave Wilson
Johnson Co. Emergency Management
Dave Wilson is the Director for the Johnson County Homeland Security & Emergency Management Agency. He serves as a policy board member and is the only original charter member for their consolidated 911 center.

Register as a Vendor
Thank you for inquiring about being a vendor at our conference, however we have filled all available spots for this year.
NOTE: All scheduled events (content, speakers, time, etc) are subject to change. Space is limited to 15 vendors.
Set up:
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tear down:
Friday, October 13, 2023, by 12:00 pm
Questions:
Contact HSEMDconf@iowa.gov
Facility Details
NOTE: All scheduled events (content, speakers, time, etc.) are subject to change.
This facility is ADA compliant. If you have accessibility needs, please let our conference team know.


Lodging Options
There are a variety of hotel options in Ankeny for you to choose from.
Room rate is based on availability and their current rate.
NOTE: Iowa HSEMD is NOT responsible for individual reservations or cancellations.
*As a state agency and in pursuant to Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 80.45A, beginning January 1, 2022, all Iowa lodging providers must complete the Department of Public Safety’s Human Trafficking Prevention Training certification to receive public funds for State employee lodging or any state-funded event. We encourage you to visit the list of lodging provides to make your choice. We hope you have a pleasant stay.
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Contact Us

7900 Hickman Road,
Suite 500
Windsor Heights, IA 50324

515.725.3231 515.725.3260 FAX
Business Hours:
8:00 AM-4:00 PM
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