Friday | 9/19/2025

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

Impact Playbook | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Description:

In this high energy, high-impact presentation loaded with humor, Joe Schmit inspires and helps you discover how to ramp up the profound power of your influence. When you become more aware and intentional with the impact you have as a leader, it will improve your bottom line and your R.O.I.– Return on Impact. Through research, Joe has discovered that, “we make our biggest impressions when we are not trying to be impressive.” Impact Leadership is a blueprint to help you improve company culture, help you develop a high-performance team and make you a leader of significance. The impact can also be seen on the bottom line.

If there were a going away party today, who would the most people show up for? That person is having a "Silent Impact" on everyone around them, but what is their secret? Who would you place on your personal Mt. Rushmore of Influence and why would they be there? Explore what “Impact Resolutions” you can make to become a leader purpose, persistence and passion.

Presenters: Joe Schmit is an award-winning broadcaster, community leader, and popular keynote speaker. He joined KSTP-TV in 1985 and has won 18 Emmys from the National Television Academy. He was also honored with the Emmy's Silver Circle designation for extraordinary contributions to the television industry.

As a speaker, Joe was inducted into the Minnesota Chapter of the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame in 2019. He also has earned the CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation which only 15 percent of speakers nationally attain. Joe is past president and board member of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Twin Cities. He was the winner of the Jim Kelly Distinguished Service Award from Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Odyssey Award for commitment to youth mentorship. Joe was also honored as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) Community Leader of the Year in 2005.

Joe and his wife Laura chaired a five-and-a half-million-dollar capital campaign for VEAP, the largest food shelf in Minnesota. Joe was also honored as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) Community Leader of the Year in 2005. He was named the 2018 winner of the Mike Givens Award for his work with MG Charities which is working to find a cure for brain cancer. He is past president and board member of the Fairway Foundation and has contributed time to many other charitable organizations. Joe and his wife Laura chaired a four-million-dollar capital campaign for VEAP, the largest food shelf in Minnesota.

What's Going Right in MN Jail Operations | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Description:

At the intersection of Benchmark Analytics' iMPACT work with the Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT) and correctional facilities across Minnesota are top-performing agencies whose culture, programs, and practices exemplify the power of combining data-driven insights and evidence-based practices with strong organizational leadership.

This session brings together leaders from these high-performing departments to explain the real-world implementation of evidence-based practices that improve jail safety, staff wellness, and operational effectiveness. Panelists will discuss the cultural and organizational components that drive success, share their on-the-ground experiences, and highlight key takeaways, including lessons learned and how they sustain progress over time. Join us for a practical, candid conversation on what's working, and why.

Presenters: Troy Schilling, Jeremy Swenson, and Jim Karels

Troy Schilling is the Jail Administrator for Crow Wing County, where he has served since 2008. Beginning as a Correctional Officer, Troy steadily advanced through leadership roles including Field Training Officer, Sergeant, Operations Lieutenant, and Assistant Jail Administrator before assuming his current position in 2024. His broader career in public service includes prior work at PORT Juvenile Group Homes, the Minnesota State Hospital, and St. Joe’s Grace Unit. A lifelong Minnesotan, Troy was born in Minneapolis and has called the Brainerd Lakes Area home since 1986. He attended Brainerd High School until 1998 and later attended Central Lakes College from 2004 to 2006. Troy is a married father of five who enjoys coaching and playing baseball and softball in the summer, hunting in the fall, and reading during Minnesota’s coldest months.

Jeremy Swenson is the Jail Administrator for the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office where he has served since 2016 and was promoted to his current position in 2023. Prior to joining the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office, he served as a licensed Peace Officer since 2004 working various duties from Patrol, Investigations, and as a DRE (Drug Recognition Expert). Jeremy graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with two degrees: Law Enforcement with a Minor in Political Science, and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. Jeremy also served in the Army Reserves-Military Police prior to college. Jeremy was born and raised in southeast Minnesota and graduated from Spring Grove Public High School in 1998. Jeremy is married and enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with family and friends.

Jim Karels is a Risk Management Consultant with the Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT), bringing over 25 years of experience in the Minnesota public sector, including extensive work with law enforcement as well as prison and jail operations. Jim spent five years in Loss Control for the Minnesota Department of Corrections, working at the Faribault, Stillwater, and Shakopee prisons. Prior to that, he served in Risk Management for the Metropolitan Airports Commission for 19 years, collaborating closely with the full-time law enforcement division on airport property. For the past two years, Jim has worked with MCIT, engaging with County Sheriffs’ Offices and Jail Administrators to enhance safety, security, and risk mitigation practices across the state.