Wednesday | 9/17/2025

**All Courses will be held in Pine 2 & 3, unless otherwise noted**

Why "Why" Matters | 8:15 AM- 9:15 AM

Description:

Often, leaders focus on clarity, execution, and effective communication to become great leaders. However, they overlook the commitment to lead courageously. Usually, this can be seen where a corporate leader is vocalizing an idea, yet the project fails to come to fruition. No one rallies behind their project, deadlines are missed, and people are put on performance review. The unfortunate reality is that the leader often misses the fundamental proponent of driving the team—the Why behind the vision. Before anything can be accomplished, a motivated leader must have a clear vision of where they are headed and what it is that they are seeking to accomplish. Cody has spent the past 15 years leveraging Vision Driven Leadership to give people hope, from youth to professionals working in the corporate world. From this journey, he learned that no matter what the vision is, we must keep in mind that there will be unexpected disruptions, obstacles, and rapid changes to which we must adapt as we move forward.

Actionable takeaways:

· Learn steps to identify the strong “why” behind a vision that can stimulate execution.

· Discover how to roll out a “why” into a tangible plan the encourages full team participation.

· Hear about three pillars that create a strong Vision Driven Leadership message.

Presenter:

Cody Byrns is an internationally recognized speaker and number one best-selling author. In May of 2013, Cody’s life was drastically changed. While stopped at a red light on the highway, Cody was rear-ended by a box truck that failed to stop. As a result, he was considered dead until first responders saw his hand move. He received many injuries that day, including severe burns to almost 40 percent of his body. After years of countless surgeries and rehabilitation, Cody has chosen to not allow his scars to keep him bound in bitterness and defeat. Instead, he uses his story to uplift others. His goal is to help people live free from the bonds of scars (physical and emotional), equipping others with the proper steps to walk out of their past hurt and defeat and run towards their full potential. As a thought leader, he speaks worldwide to provide relevant, applicable, and thought-provoking messages.

Pre-Escalation Syndrome | 9:30 AM - 11:15 AM

Description:

Can we de-escalate when we are pre-escalated? In this presentation, participants will examine the concept of “Pre-Escalation Syndrome” and how this could affect our performance in a corrections setting. Participants will use to the “7 stages of escalation” while utilizing body worn cameras to discuss best practices in communication. Participants will engage in activities that are meant to reset the nervous system to avoid any pre-escalation during tense situations.

Presenter:

Imran Ali is a shareholder with Eckberg Lammers and the Executive Director of Training, Consulting, and Investigation Services (LETAC). As a career long trial lawyer, he also focuses his practice on Complex Litigation, Prosecution and Law Enforcement Training. Imran also serves as the General Counsel for the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, Senior Advisor for the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, Communication Specialist for the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association and Senior Advisor for the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association.

Imran has been a trial attorney for the past 20 years. His extensive experience is recognized both in the courtroom and the community. Working extensively with victims of crime has provided Imran with the passion needed to succeed in the courtroom. He has handled some of the most complex cases, including homicide, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

He has spent much of his career engaging those employed within the criminal justice profession. From training new judges in the State of Minnesota at the University of Minnesota law school, to teaching law students at the Mitchell Hamline Law School, Imran enjoys engaging individuals as they chart their career path. Through this he has had the opportunity to train thousands of law enforcement professionals and prosecutors all over the country. As the Executive Director of LETAC, his team empowers participants in serving their communities with honor and integrity while being equipped with the appropriate tools in decision making.

Imran is nationally and locally recognized for his work, receiving the Minnesota Attorney of the Year in both 2016 and 2020. He has also received other accolades within the state and area communities.

Leadership and Accountability | 1:15 PM - 3:45 PM

Description: This presentation is designed for both established and emerging leaders including Jail Administrators, Assistant Administrators, and Supervisory Staff who seek to strengthen their leadership foundation. Objectives include identifying and cultivating key leadership components by utilizing philosophical “what if” scenarios to encourage debate and support accountability.

Presenter: Chris Thoma is a retired Jail Administrator and Detention Facility Inspector with over 24 years of experience in the field of Corrections. He received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Corrections from Winona State University and spent eight years as a Combat Engineer in the US Army. He is a frequent lecturer at Pine Technical and Community College and has taught courses on a variety of topics through Century College’s Continuing Education Program. Chris now serves as the Principal Consultant for Elk Creek Consulting LLC, a firm dedicated to providing unparalleled training and technical assistance to jail facilities.