Speaker/Instructor Biographies

NOTE: These are the 2011
speaker/instructor bios.
2012 bios coming soon.

Mathew Adams

Mathew Adams grew up in the Great Northwest and enjoys a rich heritage as a 6th generation Oregonian. The grandson of one of the original members of MORESCO, Matt grew up learning rope and knot craft.  As soon as he was old enough he joined the local SAR team as a Boy Scout.  Today, Matt continues to hone his skills as the training officer for the Camp Sherman Hasty Team and the lead Tech and Warehouse Manager for Rescue Response Gear.  Most days he can be found, studying the physics of complex rope systems, logging inventory and answering questions about unique rigging needs.  He lives in Sisters, Oregon with his wife and children.

Wendi Babst

Wendi Babst began her career with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office in 1984, working as a civilian employee in the records department. In 1988, she was promoted to deputy sheriff and was assigned to the patrol division, serving in a range of assignments from field training officer to public information officer. In 1994, she was promoted to the rank of detective where she spent much of her career working as with the major crimes team. In 2006, Babst was promoted to sergeant, heading up the multidisciplinary Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team (DVERT) and also leading the cadet program and the hostage negotiation team. She was the first supervisor assigned to lead the tri-county Inter-agency Child Exploitation Prevention Team (INTERCEPT).  In 2009, she was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and has served as a patrol watch commander as well as the chief of police for the contract cities of Estacada, Happy Valley and Damascus.  She is currently assigned as the commander of the Clackamas County Inter-agency Task Force and Special Investigations Unit of the Sheriff's Office.  Lt. Babst is an instructor on topics that include verbal judo, law enforcement ethics, criminal investigation, elder abuse investigation and media relations. In 2002, Babst was honored by the sheriff’s office with a meritorious service award and in 2005, she was honored as the deputy of the year, and also with a distinguished service award from the Oregon Peace Officers Association.  Lt. Babst holds a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice from Southern Oregon University and she also works as a part-time instructor in Criminal Justice at Clackamas Community College.

Kevin Baughn

Kevin Baughn began training bloodhounds in October 1999. He worked as a San Jose Police Canine handler with his bloodhound partner "Zack" from September 2000 to March 2006. He has trained in Virginia, Texas, Colorado, and throughout California. Kevin and Zack worked urban cases throughout the Bay Area. Kevin has testified in court on bloodhound cases ranging from stolen cars to homicides. Kevin and Zack have worked with and received letters of commendation from the FBI, ATF, and local departments throughout the Bay Area. Kevin has worked with handlers from Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, San Mateo Sheriff's Office, Fresno County Sheriff's Office, Oakland Police Department, and several more agencies at "Urban Manhunters School," passing along trailing techniques that have proven successful. Kevin also instructs a P.O.S.T. approved course "Using Bloodhounds to Search for Missing Persons."

Lt. William Behan

Lt. Will Behan started his government service in 1989 in the United States Marine Corps, where he served in the first Persian Gulf War and in Somalia. After serving in the USMC, Behan was hired at the Oregon City Police Department in 1995, where he worked for three years before he was hired by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. While at the Sheriffs Office, he has worked as a Forest Service Co-Op deputy; five years as a Search & Rescue Coordinator; and over four years as a narcotics investigator assigned to the Special Investigations Unit. In 2007 he was promoted to Sergeant, where he worked in patrol for approximately 18 months, and later as the supervisor of the Clackamas County Intera-gency Task Force (CCITF). In early 2010, he was promoted to Lieutenant in Patrol, and was assigned as Lieutenant for the Search & Rescue team.

Jane Beson

Jane Beson is a volunteer Search Dog Handler and a founding member and training director of South Carolina Search Dogs. She currently works an operational black Lab in scent-specific airscent. Jane and her lab, Buck, have been partners since 2000. Jane was also operational with a teammate's trailing bloodhound.

David Billstrom

David Billstrom has more than 25 years of experience in public safety and high technology, and speaks and instructs frequently on topics such as communications interoperability, communications systems integration, and the development of standard operating procedures for police, fire, EMS and emergency management. He has testified before the U.S. Senate, as well as state legislatures and local governments. He began his public-safety career in 1978 at NASAR's SAR school, later serving as an EMT, firefighter, wildland firefighter, SAR leader, and a COM-L. In 1993, he founded Mountain Wave Emergency Communications.

Angelo Brewer

Angelo Brewer is a native Oregonian who has hiked the Timberline trail, proudly stood on the summit of Mt. Hood and endured the rigors of running the Hood to Coast relay. Angelo spent his first few years at FLIR traveling the country educating customers on thermal imaging technology, conducting site specific planning and developing specific thermal solutions based on customer’s needs. Angelo is now tasked with spearheading sales of FLIR’s commercial handhelds and continues to provide his customers with comprehensive training, beginning with the fundamentals of thermal imaging up through advanced operation of thermal cameras. Have a question about Infrared? Don’t hesitate to ask, Angelo loves to talk about this exciting technology!

Bill Burke

An internationally recognized four-wheel drive trainer with comprehensive off-highway driving expertise, Bill Burke regularly provides instruction to a diverse group of clients that include Toyota Motors USA, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Department of Defense. He has served as a recovery specialist with the 101st Airborne Division, completed a 1,200 mile off-road race in Africa, and founded

the International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers' Association. Burke has produced DVD training videos and has appeared in publications including Truck Trend, National Geographic, Men's Journal and AutoWeek.

Kelli Collins

Kelli Collins began her career working with her own dog in obedience and protection training in 1995. In 2004, she graduated from National K9^® as a Certified Professional Trainer. Kelli is a police officer for the City of Milton, GA., a K9 Trainer for Auburn University's Canine Detection Training Center and Vapor Wake Detection Program. Her certifications include: Puppy Development, Breed Identification, Dog Behavior, Basic and Advanced Obedience, Retrieval Training, Utility Training, Trailing and Scent Discrimination, Personal Protection Training, Police Service Dog Training, and Narcotics Detection.

Ben Corrado

Ben Corrado is a former Garmin engineer who designed outdoor GPS units.   He is a volunteer with Marion County Search and Rescue in Oregon and has taught a number of GPS related courses.  He lives in Salem, OR and spends most of his free time backpacking, skiing and camping.

Mary Davenport

Mary Davenport is a volunteer K-9 Handler and a founding member of ISRCH-Independent Search & Rescue Canine Handlers, Inc.  As an operational CRT [Canine Response Team] for ISRCH she currently handles a Bloodhound/Majestic Treehound, Sister, in trailing and hopes to have another Bloodhound in the field soon. Mary has owned and trained several breeds of working dogs including Australian Shepherds & LGDs-Livestock Guardian Dogs. She became involved with SAR in 1994 when she and her husband lived in Collbran, Colorado working as outfitters in the Rockies.

Brad Dennis

Brad Dennis is the National Director of Search Operations for the KlaasKIDS Foundation and its Search Center for Missing and Trafficked Children. Brad has over 25 years of experience in search-and-rescue and crisis management, and has managed search efforts for over 200 missing/abducted children around the country. He managed the community-assisted search effort following the abduction of Polly Klaas -- which has become the model for child-abduction search strategies. Brad travels extensively throughout the United States, providing dynamic and relevant instruction concerning K-9 HRD operations, advocacy to families of missing children, child-abduction search management, and sex trafficking of minors; he also serves as "Master Lead Evaluator" for the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR). Brad is currently working his fourth HRD K-9. Brad's effort to locate missing and abducted children has led to the discovery of traffickers abducting and recruiting our children into the unsavory world of prostitution. Brad has been instrumental in the rescue of numerous children from sex trafficking, and the intelligence he has gathered has assisted in taking down several child-prostitution rings. His rescue efforts have been chronicled on CNN, "The Early Show," "The Today Show," "Dateline," MSNBC, and "48 Hours." Besides his duties as Search Director of KlaasKIDS Foundation, he participates on the U.S. State Department's Trafficking-in-Persons and Technology Working Group, the State of Florida Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and the Florida Department of Children and Families Sex Trafficking Working Group. Brad is a retired Cryptologic Master Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. He has been recognized and highly decorated for his intelligence analysis and counter-terrorism efforts.

David Elle

A certified firefighter, apparatus engineer and swift water response technician, David Elle has served for the past 12 years with Clackamas County Fire District #1.  He worked previously for American Medical Response.

Josh Evey

Josh Evey is a Professional Land Surveyor licensed in the State of Oregon and currently works for Portland General Electric in the Power Supply Engineering Services Department.  He has been a volunteer with Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue for over 9 years.

Carrie Friend

Carrie Friend works primarily as a Paramedic with American Medical Response NW in Multnomah County Oregon, but she has also been a member of the AMR Reach and Treat Team for several years. She is very active with special events and has been deployed to assist with natural disasters, local search and rescue incidents, wildfire incidents, and extreme sporting races.

Kimberly Fuller-Peck

Kimberly Fuller-Peck has been teaching CPR/AED since 2003 and had an EMT-B certification though Oregon State.  Originally certified through American Heart Association as an Instructor; she later became certified as an AHA Faculty member for Valor Security Services.  Ms. Fuller was then able to certify Instructors as well as monitor the Security Officer certification and AED programs for eight Shopping Centers from Seattle, Washington to Eureka, California. 

In 2007 Ms. Fuller was hired by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office as a Community Service Officer and then transferred her certifications to Medic First Aid.  In 2010 Ms. Fuller was again certified as an Instructor Trainer.  She currently monitors the certifications of other Instructors as well as provides training for sworn and non-sworn members within the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office which is number over 350.  

Teaching CPR classes is not Ms. Fuller’s primary duty within the Sheriff’s Office, but it is her favorite.  

John Gibson

John Gibson has been a Deputy with the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office since 1995.  Deputy Gibson has been involved with search and rescue starting as an Explorer with Multnomah County SAR in 1986 holding the positions of Squad Leader, Post President, and Advisor.  In 1997 Deputy Gibson became Search and Rescue Coordinator with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.  He held the position of President with the Mt. Hood SAR Council for four years.  He also held the position of President/Chair of the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association for seven years, and is currently the Vice Chair of the SAR Council.  He is also a member of the Oregon Governor’s Commission on Search and Rescue.  Deputy Gibson also instructs Managing Land Search Operations classes as well as Incident Command courses.  Deputy Gibson has been involved with searching for three high profile missing children cases: Ashley Pond, Miranda Gaddis, and Matal Sanchez.

Robert Glaeser

Robert Glaeser is a Paramedic that has been working for American Medical Response NW for the past 13 years. He is currently assigned to operations within Clackamas County Oregon, and is a full time member of the Reach and Treat Team. He also has extensive experience being deployed to wildfire incidents, natural disasters, and extreme sporting events. Recreationally, Robert enjoys water sports and flying fixed wing aircraft.

Russ Gubele

With more than 30 years of experience in a dual-track career focusing on public safety, high technology and communications, Russ Gubele began his career as a Paramedic and emergency medical dispatcher. While working as a Paramedic on Mt. Hood, he was involved in several SAR missions, sparking his interest in SAR. Gubele held several management and training positions, as well as working as a Paramedic field training officer for many years. Later, he managed a 911 communications center, and was an advisor and beta tester for the Portland 800 communication system. He organized and instructed EMT, and First Responder classes at Portland Community College, The Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications, and several fire and emergency agencies. He was a state test evaluator for State Paramedic and EMT testing in Oregon. Gubele owned and operated a communications and electronics business in Clackamas, Oregon for several years. He was involved in the development of the Mt. Hood Mountain Locator Unit Program several years ago, and is currently working on a new program using satellite tracking units. For the past few years, he has worked as an IT manager for American Medical Response. Gubele is a co-founder, President, and a Command Officer with Mountain Wave Emergency Communications SAR, a local volunteer SAR group. He also consults on matters of communications and interoperability, He is a volunteer for the Clackamas County Emergency Operations Center, and EMS director for the Oregon Trail Rally. Gubele is a certified Paramedic, SAR worker, communications technician, emergency medical dispatcher, licensed amateur radio operator, ComL, and is certified in several levels of ICS. He also represents Mt. Wave at the Mount Hood SAR Council.

Eric Hanson

Eric Hanson is a retired California State Park Ranger who spent most of his 30 years of service working back country patrol, enforcement and search-and-rescue operations on Mt. San Jacinto He has served with South Kern County Search and Rescue, Coachella Valley R.A.C.E.S., and Joshua Tree National Park Search and Rescue (JOSAR). He has been a member of Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue for the last 3-1/2 years, and currently serves on the Board of Directors and Rope Support Team Coordinator. Eric loves the outdoors and teaching. He has instructed basic rock-climbing, backpacking, XC Skiing, first aid, CPR and technical rescue for a number of different companies and organizations.

Donnie Hatch

Donnie Hatch has worked for Globalstar & SPOT for over 12 years.  His initial assignment with Globalstar was in Moscow, Russia where he assisted in obtaining regulatory approvals for providing service.   He later served as the Executive Director of Sales for Russia & the CIS.   Since 2002, Donnie has been based in the Portland, OR area building the distribution network for both Globalstar & SPOT’s host of satellite communications products.

Kimberly R. Kelly

Kimberly R. Kelly is a retired reserve lieutenant and SAR specialist with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.  Ms. Kelly is assigned as Lieutenant of the Training Unit and Search and Rescue Academy, San Diego County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team. She also served as training sergeant for the mounted, training and underwater search and recovery units, acting lieutenant for the training unit, as well as certified as a technical rescue specialist and medical unit support personnel.

Ms. Kelly continues her field work as a canine handler for Dolores, Colorado, K9 Search and Rescue, www.k9team.org, as well as the commander and a operational field specialist with 1SRG: 1st Special Response Group, www.1SRG.org, an international, non-governmental (NGO) non-profit search and rescue team that specializes in rescue and recovery in harsh or extreme locations globally.

Ms. Kelly is the founder and executive director of Project Far From Home, a national law enforcement educational program designed to teach law enforcement and search and rescue teams about missing at risk Alzheimer's and dementia subjects.

Ms. Kelly is the author of "Project Far From Home: Understanding and Managing the Search for the Missing at Risk Alzheimer's Subject", as well as contributing author to "In Search of the Wanderer: A Workbook to Protect Your Loved One", Mark Warner et al, Purdue University, and "Urban Search: Managing Missing Person Searches in the Urban Environment", Chris Young, John Wehbring, et al, dBS Productions.

Ms. Kelly is also the executive co-producer of an educational DVD series, "Plain Talk about Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's Related Dementia and Wandering", and "Search is an Emergency: Alzheimer's Disease and Wandering", produced by The Truro Group, and distributed by Vision Video. This two part series was recognized as a semi-finalist in the International Health, seniors/geriatric division "Freddy" Awards and was awarded a "Gold Remy" at the 2010 International-Houston Film Festival.

Ms. Kelly was recently honored as the St. Richard Pampuri award selection by the Saint John of God's and the Hospitaller Foundation for her compassionate work on behalf of at risk seniors and persons with Alzheimer's disease. Ms. Kelly and her work have been recognized by President George Bush for her volunteer work, education, and training; California Office of Emergency Services (OES) for SAR education and training; Placer County Sheriff's Department; New Mexico State Search and Rescue Council;  the Thousand Oaks, California, Disaster Response Teams; Oregon's Marion County Sheriff's Department; the Alzheimer's Association chapters of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho; San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, "Reserve Deputy of the Year" and Distinguished Service Medal, San Diego Union Tribune ("Making a Search a Success"); the Do Something Foundation and Blockbuster’s "Brick Award Finalist"; Channel 10 "Leadership Award"; North County Times "Woman of Merit"; Palomar Pomerado Health Systems "Unity Award Finalist", among other recognitions.

Ms. Kelly recently spoke for the 2010 National Center for Missing Adults and Fox Valley Technical College's "Responding to Missing and Unidentified Adults" to be held in Appleton, Wisconsin, and was a keynote speaker for the 2010 international SARSCENE in Montreal, Canada. In 2011, she will be presenting throughout Montana, Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Maryland, and more.

Chris Kent

Chris Kent has been a member of Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue (PNWSAR) since 2008 and was on the PNWSAR Training Committee in 2010.  He has been collecting, using, and abusing knives for 30 years.

David Landstrom

David Landstrom currently works for a private medical consulting firm and has previously worked for American Medical Response NW within Clackamas County Oregon on the Reach and Treat Team. He has been extensively involved in SAR for over 20 years as well as an integral part of establishing proficiency standards within the team. David has been a long time role model for his two sons and their participation in the Boy Scouts. David has also traveled to Alaska to train in Avalanche Awareness and Forecasting.

Jay Larsen

Jay Larsen is employed at Blount, Inc. in Milwaukie, Oregon as a Technical Services Technician. He has over 20 years of experience in the outdoor power equipment industry delivering technical communications and conducting training clinics for professional, commercial, and casual end-users throughout North America and the South Pacific.

Jeff McLennan

As the Clackamas County Medical Examiner Program Coordinator, Jeff McLennan heads a team of nationally certified medicolegal death investigators who respond, day or night, to every death that requires investigation throughout the county. He joined the agency as a deputy medical examiner in 1988, after working as a paramedic in the Portland area.  He also worked as a security specialist and paramedic on the federal reservation that surrounds the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. McLennan and his team have twice been recognized with awards from the National Association of Counties for their program innovations. He is the author of a textbook entitled “The Silent Science” on the subject of medicolegal death investigation.

Craig McClure

A 9-year Pacific NW SAR veteran, Craig McClure is a volunteer search manager for Deschutes County with experience in large scale missions as well as tactical rescues and criminal events.  He is a certified instructor for Lost Person Behavior, former OSSA certified K9 handler in Airscent and HRD, and a practicing EMT.  Currently, Craig works as a consultant in interoperable communications and training for SAR and All-Hazards Incident Management.

Mark Nelsen

A native of the Northwest, Mark Nelsen has lived most of his life within a two-hour drive of Portland.  Raised in Hood River, Mt. Angel, and Chehalis, Wash., Mark always had an interest in weather, especially after the destructive windstorm here in November 1981.

After completing high school in 1987, Mark headed to the University of Washington to complete a bachelor's of science degree in atmospheric science. After a short stint at a small local forecasting company, Mark was hired by KOIN-TV in Portland for weekend weather duties. While forecasting at KOIN, Mark also was seen on FOX News At Ten. In October 2000, Mark joined FOX 49 as chief meteorologist, and then became chief meteorologist at KPTV.

Mark recently earned the title of Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) from the American Meteorological Society, or AMS, becoming only the seventh meteorologist in the country and the first in the Northwest to achieve this distinction. To earn the title of Certified Broadcast Meteorologist, a broadcaster must hold a degree in meteorology or equivalent from a college or university, have their weathercasts evaluated by the AMS, and pass a rigorous academic exam.

Mark is also one of 12 members’ nationwide serving on the AMS Board of Broadcast Meteorology for 2005-2007. He is responsible for evaluating candidates for the AMS Seal of Approval and CBM certifications.

Mark was awarded Oregon's Best Weathercast from the Associated Press in 1996, 2004, and 2006. He was also nominated for an Emmy award in 2007. Mark loves rough weather, and lives in the west end of the Columbia Gorge for that reason.

His favorite weather pattern? A good Northwest snowstorm of course.

Mark is an avid outdoorsman, and enjoys hiking, bicycling, mountain climbing, or any activity outside.  Mark is married, with two children and one dog.

James Rhodes

Sgt. James Rhodes works in the patrol division of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. He has a bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement and has been a sworn law enforcement officer since 1992. Sgt. Rhodes has worked as a Search and Rescue Coordinator, Narcotics Investigator, Child Abuse Detective and Robbery, Homicide and Violent Crimes Detective. He has worked with State and Federal agencies including the DOJ, FBI and DEA in the investigation and prosecution of illegal marijuana manufacture and sales. He is currently a supervisor on the Clackamas County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team.

Nancy J. Rigg

Kevin Ritz

Kevin Ritz has an extensive background within the marine industry. Their company, Cruising Essentials, LLC, focuses upon marine electrical and corrosion issues and provides consultation and evaluation of electrical systems, recommendations for repair, and instruction and training to the public, professional marine businesses, and governmental agencies. His company became actively focused upon the deadly seriousness of AC electrical currents in fresh water after realizing that the loss of Kevin's son was due to electrocution while swimming. This death resulted in new terminology -- "Electric Shock Drowning." Kevin is a ABYC Certified Marine Master Technician having ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) certifications in Marine Electrical, Marine Corrosion, and Marine Standards. His company is also associated professionally with the ABYC. Kevin is the ABYC's Pacific Region Representative.  Kevin presents, educates, and encourages the use of these safety standards of the ABYC to the public, marine technicians, yards, retailers, and related institutions. In Kevin's case, if these standards had been adhered to, his son would be alive today. It should be noted that these standards are the minimal standards that should be met, and that they are industry-recognized standards. Kevin's goal -- and his company's -- is to see that no one else loses a loved one to electric shock drowning, as this is a very preventable phenomenon.

Ariel Salzman

Dr. Ariel Salzman has been active in Search and Rescue for nine years. A full time physical therapist at Pettygrove Physical Therapy in Portland’s Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center of Oregon, Dr. Salzman is also a certified K9 Handler and founding member of NORSAR, a multi-discipline SAR group.   She is a member of the American and Oregon Physical Therapy Associations, and has received advanced orthopedic and sports medicine training. In addition to being a frequent lecturer to local businesses and groups on ergonomic safety, she has rehabilitated many medical and emergency professionals, law enforcement and athletes to a pain free full recovery.

Jeff Schettler

Jeff Schettler is GA K9 National Training Center's co-owner and the TacticalTrackerTeams.com founder and training coordinator. He is a retired police K9 handler and has worked for the Alameda Police Department and Amador County Sheriff's Department in California, and was attached to the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team's K-9 Assistance Program designed to apprehend high risk fugitives. Jeff is considered and expert witness in the areas of scent evidence and trailing. Jeff is a CA POST Instructor for trailing and scent evidence. He is also the author of the book "Red Dog Rising," and "K9 Trailing; The Straightest Path."  Jeff is also a contributing writer for K9 Cop and Police K9 magazines.

O’Brien Starr-Hollow

O'Brien Starr-Hollow has been enlisted in the active duty United States Coast Guard since August 2001 reaching his current rank of First Class Petty Officer. He has served as an Aviation Survival Technician for 8 of his ten years of service and holds collateral duties as a Rescue Swimmer, EMT-B, and a Quality Assurance Petty Officer. Part of his sea experience includes having served aboard a 398 foot Ice breaker as a Seaman. He has been stationed in Kodiak Alaska and Astoria Oregon as a Rescue Swimmer. He is also a volunteer with the Oregon Chapter of the Red Cross.

Paul Steward

Paul Steward is currently the Director of Military and Government Search and Rescue (SAR) Products for ACR Electronics based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  As such, Mr. Steward is responsible for the development and promotion of ACR’s military and government SAR product lines.

Paul joined ACR Electronics and its parent company Cobham plc after concluding a 24-year career in the United States Coast Guard (USCG).  Before retiring, he spent the last eight years of his career as the Cospas-Sarsat Liaison Officer for the United States and the USCG’s International Search and Rescue Coordinator.

Mr. Steward is also a member of the United States Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM).  He has served as Chairperson for the Special Committee on Regulations and Specifications for Emergency Beacons – Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) and Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs).

His USCG career background includes both multiple shipboard and shore assignments that focused on counter-narcotics and other law enforcement operations, as well as search and rescue operations throughout the North Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.  

Mr. Steward’s military awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, the U.S. Coast Guard Commendation Medal and the U.S. Navy Commendation Medal, among many others.

Mr. Steward is a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy with a bachelors of Science degree in Political Science, and he has a Masters in Business Administration.

Corey Stone

Corey Stone has been a SAR field team member for 19 years and a SAR Coordinator for 15 years.  He has been instructing various SAR related skills for over a decade with a specialization in land navigation; high and low angle rope access and rope rescue, and managing land search operations.  Corey has taught land navigation classes to SAR organizations, narcotics enforcement, SWAT, teams, fire command, wild land fire personnel and the public.  He has been an instructor for MLSO courses in Oregon as well as NW SARCon 2010.

Johndavid “JD” Storn

JD Storn is a Lead Reach and Treat Paramedic that has been working with American Medical Response for several years. Prior to his employment with AMR he was heavily involved with Ski Patrol Operations in the Mt. Hood area. Recreationally, JD is an avid whitewater boater and backcountry skier. JD has taken part in several expeditions across the US and abroad which gives him rich experience in backcountry travel.

Tygh Thompson

Tygh Thompson been involved with SAR in Oregon for 40 years. He has experience as a mission and SAR program manager. He is a past president of the OSSA SAR council and has contributed to several revisions of the Oregon SAR standards. He has assisted in the development of the "Managing Land Search Operations Course" and has been a lead instructor in the course for 20 years. He has an extensive background in the development and delivery of realistic scenario based training. Tygh is now a volunteer member of Mountain Wave Search & Rescue.

Nici Vance

Nici Vance is the state Forensic Anthropologist for the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s office in Clackamas, Oregon.  She provides assistance and training for all Oregon law enforcement agencies in the successful recovery of scattered and buried human skeletal remains, in addition to offering a hands-on approach to determining human vs. non-human skeletal anatomy.  Dr. Vance is also a Forensic Scientist, Crime Scene Analyst and Advance Bloodstain Pattern Analyst for the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory, where she’s worked for 15 years.

Nici has a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Montana, a master’s degree in Anthropology from Portland State University and a Ph.D. in Anatomy from the University of Pretoria (South Africa) School of Medicine.  

Scott Walker

A firefighter and swift-water rescue instructor with Clackamas County Fire District #1, Scott Walker is also a Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) rescue-boat operator and instructor. He has served as a member of the district's swift-water and high-angle rope rescue team for the past 13 years. Walker is also a S.W.I.F.T. member.

Kevin Walters, M.D.

Dr. Kevin Walters is the Portland Area Medical Director for Concentra. He is a retired Navy Diving Medical Officer, and spent the majority of his medical career in the Navy's Special Operations Community. He was an enlisted SEAL for the first 7 years of his navy career, and currently volunteers as a medical advisor to the Clackamas County Dive Rescue and Recovery Team.