Strengthening rural volunteer first responder systems

Jen ElleraasAssistant Chief, Garrison Fire and Rescue

Jen Elleraas began her fire service career in 2019. Rising quickly from firefighter to Training Captain and now Assistant Chief, she is also a certified EMT. Recognized as the 2024 MSFCA Officer of the Year, Jen is known for strong leadership, dedication to training, and commitment to operational excellence. She helped organize the Region 5 Women’s Expo and is now organizing the statewide Women Explore Fire Day in Minnesota on May 2, 2026.

Marion LarsonCentral MN EMS Region Coordinator

Marion Larson has served as an EMS Coordinator for 13 years, dedicated to enhancing emergency services across 11 counties through collaboration with pre-hospital and public safety departments. In this role, she supports vital training initiatives, fosters cross-disciplinary communication, and provides crucial assistance to the Critical Incident Stress Management Team. With 25 years of experience as an EMT and prior service as a Police Reserve Officer, Marion brings a comprehensive understanding of integrated emergency response.

Tim HolmesFire Chief, Brainerd Fire Department

Tim Holmes has over 30 years of experience in public safety, serving in both police and fire roles. He has spent the past 10 years as Fire Chief of the Brainerd Fire Department and is actively involved in several organizations, including the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA) and the Minnesota All-Hazard Incident Management Team.

Cole YungbauerFire Chief, Staples Fire Department

Cole Yungbauer began his Fire Service career over 10 years ago, as a volunteer with the Staples Fire Department. Cole quickly rose through the ranks, being chosen as the Chief in 2020. Cole has participated in numerous high-profile incidents, throughout his time working in Public Safety. Cole currently works full time for the State of Minnesota. Prior to working in the Fire Service, Cole spent over 11 years in Law Enforcement, and is also a veteran of the Minnesota Army National Guard.

Amy PiekarskiResource Development Administrator, Sourcewell

Amy Piekarski is a Resource Development Administrator at Sourcewell. She has a background in government relations, including new program development, partnerships, and operations. Currently, Amy’s focus is on partnering with public safety, including law enforcement, fire departments, first response teams, and municipal and tribal ambulance services in central Minnesota. She works closely with these groups to understand their equipment and training needs. She also facilitates Networks for Law Enforcement, Dispatchers, School Resource Officers (SROs), and Emergency Managers to invest in relationships and provide just-in-time technical assistance.

James SmallRural EMS Outreach Program Manager, University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Office of Rural Health

James Small is a nationally recognized public safety leader with over 30 years of experience across law enforcement, EMS, and fire services. He has led transformational initiatives in workforce diversity, organizational development, and rural EMS reliability, earning multiple innovation awards. A published author and educator, James also holds key state appointments influencing policy and public health systems. His leadership blends data, humanity, and strategic vision.

Abena Bonso-BruceCOO, The National Volunteer Fire Council

Abena oversees internal operations, grants, budgets, and strategic planning. She has a strong background in association management, human resources, federal grants, team management, and the volunteer fire service. She previously worked at the International Association of Fire Chiefs for seven years, served as the executive director of a transportation association, and was the chief people officer for an association management company. Originally from Ghana, Abena holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration. She has a profound passion for the fire service and has served as an administrative volunteer with Loudoun County (VA) Fire and Rescue. She is also the chair of the scholarship program for the Ashburn (VA) Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, where she has volunteered since 2013.

Santo CruzSenior Vice President / Chief Legal Officer, CentraCare

Santo Cruz grew up in rural Stearns County before embarking on his legal career. He currently serves CentraCare as Senior Vice President / Chief Legal Officer. Prior to joining CentraCare, he was a prosecutor for Hennepin County, Assistant Commissioner and General Counsel for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Attorney for the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. He earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul. He serves on a number of non-profit and government Boards and Committees. Santo and his family currently reside in rural Minnesota.

Dr. Alison BrooksResearch Vice President, Smart Cities and Communities – Public Safety, IDC

Ms. Brooks has spent the past 15 years with IDC carving a niche specialization in the role of IT in public safety focusing on digital evidence management in the cloud, Next-Generation 9-1-1, law enforcement information management and tri-service interoperability. Prior to joining IDC Government Insights, Ms. Brooks worked with the province of Ontario’s Ministry of Government Services, advancing two of the government’s I&IT initiatives. Previous to that, while consulting for Capgemini, she collaborated with a major bank on the design of a customer-focused information technology strategy, including a CRM implementation and has had experience implementing ERP for a leading, global biotechnology company.

Derrick Edwards, Ph.D.Associate Professor of Psychology, Tennessee Tech University

Dr. Edwards is a Tennessee LPC-MHSP. He received his Master’s degree in 2011 and his Doctoral degree in 2016. Derrick’s research focus surrounds the psychological impacts of being an emergency responder. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Psychology at Tennessee Tech University where he operates the “TTU Responder Health Lab”. Derrick joined the fire service in 2004 and is a licensed Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.

Ash HansonCreative Executive Officer, Department of Public Transformation

Ash Hanson (she/her) has over 20 years of experience working with rural communities to activate stories, connect neighbors, and exercise collective imagination. She is the Founder and Creative Executive Officer (CEO) of Department of Public Transformation, a nonprofit working at the intersection of creativity and civic life with rural communities across the country. She is the founder of PlaceBase Productions, a theater company that creates original, site-specific musicals celebrating small-town life and exploring imagined futures. She was named an Obama Foundation and Bush Fellow for her creative civic leadership work with rural communities. She holds an MA in Applied Theatre with a focus on Rural Community Development.

Sean QualySr. Public Safety Solutions, Vertex Unmanned Solutions

Sean Qualy has served as a Law Enforcement Officer since 2000 and is currently a full-time law enforcement supervisor for a metro agency. Since 2019, he has overseen the agency’s UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) program. In addition, Sean works with a local UAS retail provider, assisting public safety agencies in launching their programs by providing equipment, resources, and training. He has been flying UAS both personally and professionally since 2016.

Kolby KolbetChief Innovation Officer, Life Link III

Kolby Kolbet, MS, RN, CMTE, FACHE is Chief Innovation Officer at Life Link III, one of the nation’s leading air medical transport programs. Kolby blends his frontline nursing and EMS experience with strategic leadership to drive healthcare innovation, rural health access, and AI integration. A nationally recognized speaker and advocate for critical care and rural emergency services, he has championed initiatives improving patient outcomes, clinician well-being, and system-wide efficiency across healthcare and EMS.

Kristen HerreidLicensed Clinical Social Worker and Mental Wellness Coordinator, Kenosha Police Department and Kenosha Fire Department

Kristen Herreid is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Mental Wellness Coordinator with the Kenosha Police Department and Kenosha Fire Department. She previously served with the Twin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department as an Advanced EMT. Kristen is the owner of Savers’ Hope, First Responder Mental Health. She is also the Clinical Director of Traumatic Incident Resource, Inc, a non-profit organization that provides crisis intervention support to first responding agencies in Southeastern Wisconsin. She has provided mental health support and crisis intervention to first responders for over 20 years. Kristen is an approved instructor with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and was awarded First Responder of the Year in 2021.

Shawn StokesStrategic Development Manager, Cooperative Services, LLC; Fire Chief, Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department

Shawn is a Strategic Development Manager for Cooperative Services, LLC with more than 25 years’ experience in the fire service and association management. He is currently Fire Chief of the Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Chairman of the Fairfax County Volunteer Fire Commission in Virginia, and At-Large Board Member of the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

Jay BockhausManaging Partner, CORI Innovation Fund

Jay began his career advising on mergers and acquisitions at Gleacher & Co. and Allen & Company. Subsequently, Jay spent a decade at NBCUniversal, which culminated in his running strategy and development for the Entertainment and Digital Networks division. After NBCU, Jay joined Emigrant Bank as Executive Advisor to the Chairman and led investments in several small growth businesses. Jay has a BA from Princeton’s School of Public Policy and International Affairs as well as certificate degrees in East Asian Studies and Japanese Language.