- Home
- TCLEOSE 2011 Training Coordinators' Conference Speakers
Speaker Biographies are posted in alphabetical order and subject to change.
LYNN BEARD
LYNN BEARD, is currently an investigator assigned to the Education and Training Division of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Lynn began his law enforcement career in 1994. Since that time he has worked with the Comanche Texas Police Department, Brown County Sheriff's Office and the Brownwood Police Department. Lynn has had the opportunity to work in a wide verity of positions including; municipal patrolman, deputy Sheriff, administrative assistant, community relations officer, and training officer. Lynn has been highly involved in assisting and training many groups such as the Citizen Police Academies, Explorer Post's, Family Service Agencies, Financial Institutions and various other civic groups.
In 2009, Lynn became a full time instructor with the West Central Texas Council of Governments providing training in the peace officer academy, corrections officer course and continuing education courses throughout the region. Lynn has spoken to several Civic groups and presented on such topics as Bank Robbery Prevention, Drug Recognition, DWI prevention, family violence, and Court ordered driving courses for juveniles.
In 2010, Lynn was selected to his current assignment where he is responsible for reviewing courses objectives and content for TCLEOSE approval, as well as, assisting officers and agencies with questions regarding training and education, and investigating cases involving training fraud.
Lynn served as the President of the West Texas Crime Prevention Association from 2003 to 2004. He is a member of the West Texas Police Officer Association, Texas Crime Prevention Association, Texas Law Enforcement Explorer Advisors Association, Texas Environmental Law Enforcement Association and Texas Municipal Police Association.
MICHAEL FERGUSON
MICHAEL FERGUSON is the deputy director of the East Texas Police Academy in Kilgore. Michael is an 18-year law enforcement veteran whose career started at the Gregg County Sheriff's Office in Longview. Deputy Director Ferguson holds an AAS with Honors in Criminal Justice from Kilgore College, and a BA in History and Political Science from Stephen F. Austin State University. He is scheduled to graduate in December, 2012, with an MS in Criminal Justice Management and Leadership from Sam Houston State University. Michael holds Master Peace Officer, Advanced Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Special Investigator, and Investigative Hypnosis certificates from TCLEOSE. Ferguson's primary areas of instruction at ETPA are criminal law and instructor development.
LISA FONDREN
LISA E. FONDREN is the President and Laboratory Director of Fondren Forensics Inc. She specializes in Law Enforcement Training and Supervision of Intoxilyzer Programs at area Police Departments. Her company has the only state approved Intoxilyzer Certification School that provides remote training at facilities across Texas. She has taken her Intoxilyzer school from Texarkana to Brownsville and cities in between, providing onsite training opportunities across the state. Lisa is a state certified Technical Supervisor and is Board Certified by the Forensic Toxicologist Certification Board as a diplomate in forensic alcohol. She routinely testifies in court on DWI cases and is also requested to provide alcohol awareness training for community, civic and educational groups. Lisa is a certified TCLEOSE instructor and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Tarleton State University.
RYAN GETTY
Ryan Getty, is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Tarleton State University. He will be graduating UT-D with a Ph.D in criminology in December. He has exceptional teaching and research skills, including instruction at the Caruth Police Institute at the Dallas Police Department and a track record of research in intelligence-led policing. Ryan also has extensive full-time law enforcement experience and is a commissioned Texas Peace Officer.
TOMI LEE “T.L.” GROVER
TOMI LEE "T.L." GROVER serves as an instructor with TraffickStop, an anti-trafficking initiative to educate, advocate and engage people on the issues of human trafficking. T.L's dissertation for a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work and Ministry-Based Evangelism, focused on engagement for community oriented policing strategies concerning apartment complexes. She also holds a Master of Arts in Christian Education, from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has also had a twelve-year career as a certified telecommunications operator, and was certified as a law enforcement officer, as well as a law enforcement instructor and holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Florida.
JOHN M. HELENBERG
John M. Helenberg is currently the Director for the Education, Credentialing & Special Services Division at the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. John began his law enforcement career with the Harris County Constable's Office Pct. 8 assigned to the patrol
division and NASA Astronaut Support. After four and
a half years with Harris County, he joined the Nassau Bay Police Department and served as the agency's first patrol K-9 handler until he began working for TCLEOSE as a Field Agent. As a Field Agent he was assigned to the South Texas Field Office in Victoria Texas where he was responsible for conducting
agency audits and evaluations, as well as, investigating criminal and administrative law violations in the thirty three counties comprising the South Texas Region. In November 2008, he was promoted to the Agent in Charge of Special Projects and concurrently served as a Special Deputy United States Marshal assigned to the US Marshal's Joint Fugitive Task Force. In 2009, the Field Services Unit, comprised of seven Field Service Agents, was combined with Special Projects to form the Field & Special Services Division.
John's teaching experience began in 1998 with the Clear Creek Independent School District in Clear Lake Texas. During his time as an intermediate school teacher he taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in a variety of subjects including teen leadership. After joining law enforcement he became a Field Training Officer in 2003 and Basic Instructor in 2004 and has since trained law enforcement officers in a variety of courses. He currently holds an Advanced Peace Officer's Certificate and Advanced Instructor's
Certificate from TCLEOSE. John is a graduate of the 245th Session of the FBI National Academy, the IACP Police Leadership Course (WestPoint Model), and the FBI Command Institute.
John is a professional member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), FBI - Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA), the Texas Tactical Peace Officer Association (TTPOA), and the Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA).
John resides in Travis County with his wife Crystal, who is also a peace officer, along with their two sons, Nicholas and Caden.
SHANNON J. HERKLOTZ
SHANNON J. HERKLOTZ is Assistant Director over Inspections and Jail Management at The Texas Commission on Jail Standards. Prior to his service with the commission, Shannon has served in several capacities and now has over 20 years experience in the criminal justice field. In July of 1990, Shannon began his career as a correctional officer at the Byrd Unit in Huntsville, Texas with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Shannon attended Sam Houston State University while employed with TDCJ-ID, and earned his Bachelor's degree in 1993. Shannon promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with TDCJ at the Stevenson Unit in Cuero, Texas and Captain with the Corrections Corporation of America at the Hutto Unit in Taylor, Texas.
Shannon began his tenure with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards in January of 1998 when he was hired as Inspector for the South Texas region. Shannon was promoted to Assistant Director over Inspections and Jail Management on September 1, 2007. In May 2009, Shannon was the recipient of the prestigious Hall of Fame Award by the Texas Jail Association. The Hall of Fame Award recognizes an individual’s career of outstanding contributions to county corrections and the criminal justice system. Shannon has demonstrated a dedication to the advancement of the field of county corrections.
DAMON JACKSON
DAMON JACKSON started his career in law enforcement in 1995 at Baylor Health Care System as a Public Service Officer and was later sponsored by Baylor to attend Dallas Sheriff's Academy. He has held a variety of positions throughout his career including Accident Investigator, SWAT Team member, department recruiter, field training officer, range master, bike officer and grant administrator. He has also supervised and coordinated the field training program, SWAT team and bike patrol division.
DAMON holds TCLEOSE Master Peace Officer Certification, Basic Instructor Certification, Firearms Instructor Certification and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. He is currently working towards a Master's Degree in Strategic Leadership. He has held certifications as an Intoxilyzer Operator, Drug Recognition Expert and Standardized Field Sobriety Test Practitioner. He currently holds certifications as an instructor for OC, Less than Lethal Deployment, Chemical Munitions and Distraction Devices. He is also a Concealed Handgun License Instructor. He has taught academy and in-service courses at Dallas Sheriff's Academy, and Cedar Valley Police Academy. He is married and has two beautiful daughters and one son.
KENDAL KNETEMANN
KENDAL KNETEMANN is the owner and the inspiration behind SpanishOnPatrol. Brought up in Managua, Nicaragua, she is a native Spanish speaker with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a minor in Bilingual Education. She has over 20 years experience teaching and developing Spanish programs for schools, organizations, public safety and has taught hundreds of specialized workshops. Her many years of experience teaching Spanish laid the foundation for SpanishOnPatrol, the first nationwide online Spanish courses dedicated to public safety.
CHRISTOPHER MEZZINO
CHRISTOPHER MEZZINO is 39 years old and is a 19 year veteran of law enforcement. Having served in a variety of law enforcement capacities, Chris is now a Professor of Criminal Justice at Brazosport College in Lake Jackson, Texas. Chris teaches Ethics for Criminal Justice Professionals as part of Brazosport College's Associate Degree program and serves as the Assistant Coordinator for the Brazosport College Law Enforcement Academy. Chris holds a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration in addition to holding a Master Peace Officer license issued by the Commission. Chris resides in Alvin, Texas with his wife of 15 years and their twin, 14 year old sons.
CLAUDIA SAN MIGUEL
CLAUDIA SAN MIGUEL is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice within the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas. She is the co-author of The Death Penalty: Constitutional Issues, Commentaries, and Cases and Everyday Ethics of the Criminal Justice Professional. She has also published in the area of intelligence-led policing strategies, anti-bully programs, and community crime prevention. Recent publications appear in the Journal of Pediatrics, Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, and Criminal Justice Review. Dr. San Miguel has been working on research involving the trafficking of women and children and has recently traveled to England, Poland, Sweden, Austria, and Spain to help form collaborative relationships with their anti-trafficking task force. She has also taught courses for the Department of State in Roswell, New Mexico on global human trafficking at the International Law Enforcement Academy.
KEN MOBLEY
Ken Mobley is currently the Legislative Liaison for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Ken is also responsible for the issuance of memorial flags and issues concerning the Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial. Ken started his public service career in 1973 with the El Paso Fire Department where he served as Training Chief and Division Chief over Aircraft Rescue operations at EPIA. He served nationally on the NFPA 1976 technical committee. Ken retired from EPFD in 2001.
In 2001, Ken was hired as the Training Director for the El Paso Police Department where he worked until May 2009. Ken was responsible for pre-service and in-service training activities of 1100 sworn and 400 civilian personnel. During his tenure, Ken worked closely with TCLEOSE serving on the Instructor rewrite, electronic testing and rules and procedures committees.
In 2010, Ken came to work for TCLEOSE working in the curriculum section reviewing course submittals and assisting officers and agencies with training and educational requirements.
DR. JAMES J. VARDALIS
Dr. Vardalis is the Department Head of Criminal Justice at Tarleton State University. His academic degrees are balanced with 15 years of full-time law enforcement experience. Dr. Vardalis is the author of three textbooks, 22 articles, and is a commissioned Texas Peace Officer through the Earth County District Attorney’s Office. Dr. Vardalis continues to serve as a consultant to several law enforcement agencies.
KIM VICKERS
Kim Vickers is the Chief Officer of TCLEOSE. Prior to assuming the role of Executive Director, Chief Vickers served as the agency's Director for Education and Credentialing Services and as a Field Agent for West Texas region.
Chief Vickers began his law enforcement career with the Abilene Police Department in 1979 and continued to serve until his retirement in 2006. During his 26 years with the Abilene Police Department he served in many capacities, such as training officer with oversight of the applicant selection process, School Resource Officer, Detective, Public Information Officer, and Commander of the Critical Missing Response Team (CMRT). It was while he was the commander of this team they gained nationwide attention when they handled and quickly solved the first Amber Alert stranger kidnapping case in Texas. He is nationally recognized as an expert instructor and consultant in the area of Family Violence dynamics and law. He has drafted several pieces of Texas family violence law; testified as an expert witness before the Texas legislature; and is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the National Council on Family Violence and National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Chief Vickers has 26 years of teaching and education experience including teaching a variety of courses for universities, academies, associations, and law enforcement departments across the state of Texas.
Chief Vickers has been married to his wife, Chrys, for 38 years and has two children and two grandchildren. His son, Eric, is a crimes against persons detective with the Abilene Police Department and daughter, Jennifer, is a medical doctor in New York City.
LINDA WARREN
LINDA WARREN is the lead instructional designer at MicroAssist. She has designed E-Learning products for graduate level courses at universities, state agencies, and private corporations. She focuses on analyzing learning needs and determining the most appropriate ways to achieve training goals. With a background in visual communication, Ms. Warren uses static and animated images to make learning memorable and effective. Ms. Warren has a bachelor of art degree in biomedical communication arts and holds a Master of Education in Instructional Technology from the University of Houston.
FRANK WEBB
Senior Peace Officer FRANK is a 30-year veteran of the Houston (TX) Police Department. Frank's current assignment is to the department's Mental Health Unit where he serves as lead instructor.
Officer Webb was instrumental in developing and implementing the department's Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program in 1999. He served as CIT program coordinator until an administrative unit was formed in 2005 and placed under the management of a lieutenant.
The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement selected Officer Webb to serve as Discipline Chair of the committee that developed the 24-hour CIT module for the Basic Peace Officer curriculum (2004). Officer Webb was also selected to teach the 16-hour state-mandated CIT training to Texas police chiefs during the 2005-2006 Texas Police Chief Leadership Series.
Officer Webb has received several department and community awards, including: The Hundred Club of Houston Officer of the Year (1987), Helen Farabee Community Leadership Award (1997), Houston Police Department's Officer of the Year (2000), National Alliance of the Mentally Ill Professional of the Year (2003), Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Professional Achievement Award (2005), and the Houston Police Department Instructor of the Year (2008).
Officer Webb has an A.S. in Law Enforcement from Massassoit Community College in Brockton, MA and a B.S. in Technology and a M. Ed from the University of Houston.