Speaker Bios
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Introduction and Opening Remarks
Speakers:
Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund
  • Mayor Kim Lund took office January 1, 2024. She is Bellingham’s 23rd Mayor, and the second woman elected to the City’s top executive position. Mayor Lund has experienced the evolution of Bellingham firsthand, from the sleepy mill town of her childhood to the rapidly growing city it is today. She brings her professional background as an engineer, nonprofit executive director and community advocate to the position of Mayor. She is committed to City government that is smart and effective in its actions, and unbounded in aspiration. Mayor Lund knows that cities have an important role to play in addressing the complex environmental, social and economic issues of our time. She believes that City Hall can, and must, act with urgency, intelligence, and courage to not only meet today’s challenges, but to proactively shape our shared future. Mayor Lund is a Bellingham Public Schools alumna and mom, and a graduate of the University of Washington. She has been a team leader at Intel Corporation, a small business owner, and executive director at the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation. Mayor Lund holds a Leading Sustainable Corporations certificate from the Said School of Business at Oxford University. She has served on the Whatcom County Planning Commission, the boards of directors for Brigid Collins, Whatcom Million Trees Project, and CommunityWise Bellingham, and the Bellingham Public Schools Sustainability Advisory Committee.
​Whatcom County Executive Satpal Singh Sidhu
  • Re-elected County Executive 2024-2028. Satpal's past professional experience includes work as an engineer, project manager, business executive, educator and small business owner. He was recognized by two Washington State governors for his achievements in workforce development as Dean of Engineering & Trades at Bellingham Technical College. He is a Fulbright Scholar and holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and a MBA. Satpal Singh Sidhu, a first-generation immigrant from India, came to Whatcom County in 1988 from Canada. He is a Fulbright scholar, an Electrical Engineer and holds an MBA degree.  He has held senior business executive positions in USA, Canada and India and worked in Europe as well.  He is a citizen of USA, Canada and India.  He lives in Whatcom County with his wife of 45 years, have lived in Lynden for 30 years. They have three grown sons and two granddaughters. Satpal has dedicated thousands of volunteer hours to many organizations including: Board of Whatcom Community College Foundation; Executive Member, NW Workforce Council; Commissioner, Asian Pacific American Affairs, WA State; Board Member, NW Clean Air Agency; Citizen Advisory Council, St Joseph's Hospital, Bellingham; Bellingham Police Chief Diversity Committee; Board Member, Ethics Committee, St Joseph's Hospital, Bellingham; board Member, Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic; Founding Member, Meridian School Foundation. 
The Seattle / Vancouver Corridor Supply Chain Transportation Network
Overview of specific goods and services crossing the border that our region depends on (major industries, major commodities, key partners, overview of transportation providers, etc.).
Speakers:
Jennifer Bettis, Research Manager, Border Policy Research Institute at WWU
  • Jennifer heads BPRI research efforts including: fieldwork projects, data & policy analysis, and pursuing new research trajectories. She manages the portfolio of BPRI's research initiatives and grant funded projects; facilitates the publication of BPRI reports and briefs; conducts media outreach & manages social media. Jennifer manages BPRI's student research assistants and interns, as well as works with faculty and researchers on a variety of topics related to the border. Her work plays a critical role in both maintaining and furthering regional understandings of the importance of the international border in the BC – WA context.

    Jennifer Bettis' research background is in political science and public policy. Her research interests include cross-border regionalism, cross-border media, environmental policy & law, cross-border trade, and political institutions. She holds a Master's degree in Political Science, and a BA in Social Science - both from CSU Chico.
High Performance Rail in the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor
Making the case for improving rail infrastructure. Case Studies: the Bell Rd. Overpass project and Port of Bellingham Shipping Terminal project.
Speakers:
Port of Bellingham Commissioner Michael Shepard
  • Michael Alvarez Shepard has lived and worked in Bellingham for over 20 years.  He currently teaches graduate and undergraduate eLearning classes in Environmental Studies, Anthropology and Cultural Sustainability at Goucher College, and is a Research Associate at Western Washington University's Center for Pacific Northwest Studies. Commissioner Shepard holds two degrees from WWU and received his Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia. 

    Commissioner Shepard is a trustee for the Kulshan Community Land Trust and has worked on a broad range of issues important to the Port of Bellingham including workforce development, marine resource management, and affordable housing.  

    Commissioner Shepard and his young family live in Bellingham's Fountain District. They enjoy great local food, a variety of outdoor sports, and international travel.
Mike Harmon, City Manager, City of Blaine, WA
  • ​Mike brings over a decade of experience in city management. His strong track record of leadership and public service is built upon his experience as a police officer and with the South Dakota Office of Homeland Security. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in public administration, equipping him with a solid foundation in fiscal policy and effective governance.
     
    Mike has successfully overseen numerous multi-million-dollar capital improvement projects throughout his career, demonstrating a strategic approach to infrastructure development, budgeting, and community engagement. His collaborative leadership style and commitment to transparency have earned him the trust of both city staff and residents alike.
     
    Outside of his professional role, Mike is a dedicated family man, married with two children, and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family. He values government efficiency and is passionate about making sustainable fiscal decisions to serve current residents and future generations.
Moderator:
Andrew Johnsen, Partner/CEO, Columbia Strategic Consulting Group
  • The Columbia Group provides expertise in rail operations, real estate/ROW, marketing and economic development, and government affairs to assist clients with complex railroad and infrastructure-related challenges.  The firm’s unique public-private perspective is reflected in the diversity of its clients, from railroads to ports to a bi-national, public-private partnership.   
     
    Prior to founding the Columbia Group, Andrew was Assistant Vice President at BNSF Railway, where he led state and local government affairs systemwide for 15 years.  In public service, Andrew was a senior advisor to former Washington Governor Gary Locke, USDOT’s Volpe Center, and former US Congressman John Miller (WA-1).  He holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from Harvard University and the University of Puget Sound, respectively.  He was twice awarded USDOT’s Bronze Medal for Superior Achievement.   
     
    Andrew’s civic commitments include board leadership with the North Texas Commission (Chairman, 2022-23), All Saints Health Foundation, and Amazing Grace Children’s Charities.  In 2024, he was elected lay representative to the Executive Board of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.
Nooksack Flood Impact Briefing
Overview of transportation and supply chain disruptions caused by the atmospheric river flooding in November 2021.
Speaker:
Julie Morse, Nooksack Transboundary Flood Initiative for the Washington State Department of Ecology
Cross-Border Supply Chain Transportation
Looking back, what impacts did the Nooksack Flood have on cross-border freight and the flow of cargo? Looking at today, what is the state of cross-border freight movement (recovery since the flood, impact of tariffs, etc.)? Looking toward the future, how do we plan for future supply chain disruptions at the border?
Speakers:
Minister Mike Farnworth, BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit (virtual)
  • Mike Farnworth was first elected as the MLA for Port Coquitlam in 1991, and served until 2001 and then again from 2005 to the present.

    Mike was appointed the Minister of Transportation and Transit in November 2024. He also serves as Government House Leader. He most recently served as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

    Mike was raised in Port Coquitlam and has lived there for more than 50 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in geography at Simon Fraser University and was elected to Port Coquitlam city council for three terms in 1983, 1985 and 1990.

    From 1997 to 2001 Mike held many integral roles in government including Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister of Employment and Investment and Minister Responsible for Housing, Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Seniors, and Minister of Social Development and Economic Security.

    From 2001 to 2004, Mike worked in Bulgaria, the Balkans and Iraq on democratic governance programs to help build multiparty democracies in former one-party states.

    After returning to the Legislature, he served as the Official Opposition spokesperson for Justice (Public Safety and Solicitor General), and as the Official Opposition Caucus House Leader.
Daman Grewal, CEO, Centurion Trucking
Patrick Gallagher, Executive Director, Marine Exchange of Puget Sound
  • Patrick Gallagher is the Executive Director of the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound and the current Chair of the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Committee. Patrick retired from the Coast Guard in 2019 as a Commander after 22 years of service. Some of his Coast Guard career highlights include assignments aboard the Cutter MELLON, Cutter STEADFAST, Executive Officer at STATION NEW YORK, Enforcement Division Officer and SECTOR PUGET SOUND and Response Department Head at SECTOR HONOLULU. He serves on the Emergency Response Towing Vessel Compliance Group, Quiet Sound Leadership Committee, Green Marine West Coast Advisory Council, and several other committees and councils.

    Patrick lives on Bainbridge Island, WA with his wife, Olymar, and two daughters, Hannah & Genevieve.

    Patrick is deeply committed to ocean conservation while promoting the future of maritime industry.
Lisa Mah, Transport Canada
Shivonne van Wessem, Assistant Area Port Director, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Area Port of Blaine
​Rahul Coelho, Director, Metro Vancouver, Canada Border Services Agency
Bryce Bengco, Director, Pacific Highway District, Canada Border Services Agency
Moderator:
​Bruce Agnew, Director, PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator
  • ​Bruce is the director of the U.S. Dept. of Transportation-funded Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) demonstration program at PNWER, which was initiated in 2021.The RIA program helps to accelerate transportation infrastructure project delivery in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington through technical assistance and identification of innovative financing solutions. 

    Mr. Agnew has been a key player in regional transportation development since his days on the Puget Sound Regional Council in the 1980s. Since then, he served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative John Miller, led the Northwest Cascadia initiative as Director of the Cascadia Center of Discovery Institute in Seattle, and established the ACES NW Network to accelerate the development and adoption of Autonomous, Connected, Electric, and Shared (ACES) transportation technologies.
Build NW Council Legislative Roundtable on Cascades Rail Corridor & Supply Chains
Updates on legislative bills focused on Amtrak Cascades service goals and supply chain
competitiveness that were introduced in the Washington State Legislature this session.
Speakers:
Washington State Senator Matt Boehnke
  • Sen. Matt Boehnke (Bank-ee) is serving his first term representing the 8th Legislative District in the State Senate after serving two terms in the Washington House of Representatives.

    Matt was raised in Kennewick, graduating from Kamiakin High School in 1986. He then attended Eastern Washington University, where he graduated as an ROTC-Distinguished Military Graduate and received his active-duty commission in the U.S. Army Aviation branch in 1990. He spent the next 21 years in the service, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring and moving back to Kennewick.

    Since 2015, Matt has served as the director and lead professor of the cybersecurity division at Columbia Basin College. He also owns a cybersecurity consulting business. Before joining the Legislature, he served on the Kennewick City Council for three years.

    In the House, Matt served on three committees, including in a leadership role as the ranking minority member of the Community and Economic Development Committee. He was also a House Appropriations and Environment and Energy committee member.

    Matt currently serves as the Ranking Member on the Senate committee on Environment, Energy & Technology, in addition to membership on the Senate committees on Higher Education, Ways & Means, and Rules.

    During the 2024 legislative session, Matt served on the Senate committee on Human Services (Ranking); Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade; Environment, Energy & Technology; and Ways & Means committees.

    Matt and his wife, Dawn, have been married for over 33 years. They have two sons, Matthew and Brandon.

    Community Service: Washington State University Tri-Cities Advisory Board, Visit Tri-Cities Board, Wa St Office of Chief Information Officer-Technical Services Board; ArtsWA Board; PISCES Board; Supply Chain Caucus Chair, Aviation Caucus Co Chair; Hydrogen Caucus Co Chair; NCSL Nuclear Legislative Working Group; Sunrise Rotarian; Tri-City Americans Billet Family; Bethlehem Lutheran Church; Lifetime member of the American Legion; National Rifle Association; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Member of the Washington Education Association; and the Columbia Basin Veterans Coalition.
Washington State Representative David Hackney
  • Representative David Hackney was first elected in 2020 to represent the 11th Legislative District in the Washington House of Representatives. He serves on the Consumer Protection & Business (Vice Chair), Environment & Energy, and Transportation Committees.
Wrap-up and Through-Line to Annual Summit and Rail Summit
​Speaker:
Bruce Agnew, Director, PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Introductions and Opening Remarks
​Speakers:
U.S. Consul General Jim DeHart, U.S. Consulate General Vancouver
  • Jim DeHart is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with 32 years of experience as a U.S. diplomat. He holds the rank of Minister Counselor. Jim served previously as Coordinator for Special Immigrant Visa Diplomacy. In 2022, he completed his two-year assignment as U.S. Coordinator for the Arctic Region. He brings significant experience in regional security, civilian-military cooperation, and international negotiations. A hallmark of his career has been close collaboration with U.S. allies and partners to advance our shared interests and values.

    In 2021, Jim helped lead the evacuation of American citizens and Afghan Allies from Kabul and led the Afghanistan Task Force in Washington. From 2019-2020, Jim led the negotiation of status of forces, defense cooperation, and burden-sharing agreements worldwide. He served twice in Afghanistan – as Assistant Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul (2018-2019) and in Panjshir Province as Director of the only civilian-led U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team (2009- 2010). From 2015–2018, Jim served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Oslo, Norway, with extended periods as Chargé d’Affaires. Previously, he was Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) where he oversaw assistance programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan and global programs targeting corruption, money laundering, and organized crime. From 2010-2013, Jim was Director of the Office of Afghanistan Affairs.

    Jim was a Rusk Fellow at Georgetown University where he taught a graduate-level course on NATO enlargement and wrote for publication. He served as Director for Central Asia on the National Security Council Staff at the White House and as Deputy Director for Caucasus and Central Asian Affairs at the State Department. He worked for two Under Secretaries of State as Special Assistant for Europe and Eurasia and served overseas at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium; in Melbourne, Australia; and in Istanbul, Turkey. He also served as desk officer for Greece and in the State Department Operations Center.

    Jim was raised in a Foreign Service family in Australia, Hong Kong, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Washington, DC, and Central Oregon. He holds a B.A. from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and a master’s in International Affairs from The Elliott School at George Washington University. He is married to Lisa DeHart, a teacher. They have two daughters.
Matt Morrison, Executive Director, PNWER
  • ​Matt Morrison serves as CEO of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) which was established in 1991 by statute in the states of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon, and the western Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon and Northwest Territory. As CEO of PNWER, Mr. Morrison’s responsibilities include coordinating all PNWER projects and reporting to the governing board, which consists of legislative leadership of each state, province, and territory, governors and premiers, and private sector leaders. The mandate of PNWER is to build the region's economy while enhancing the region’s natural environment. PNWER’s 18 working groups focus on trade and border issues, economic development, agriculture, energy and environment, invasive species, tourism, transportation, and workforce, among several others. 

    Along with his role at PNWER, Mr. Morrison is Co-Chair of the Future Borders Coalition (www.futureborderscoalition.org), a group of public and private organizations bringing solutions to border issues in all modes at the Canada – U.S. border.​​
FIFA World Cup Cross-Border Transportation Briefing
Projected traffic, tourists, etc. and challenges to increasing Amtrak Cascades service between Seattle and Vancouver
Speakers:
Lora Foster, WSDOT Rail Operations Coordinator
  • Experienced Rail Operations Coordinator with a demonstrated history of working in government, nonprofit and transportation sectors. Currently employed by the Washington State Department of Transportation in Passenger Rail Operations. Skilled in communication, government relations, project management, team building and business development. Master's degree in Business Administration and Management (MBA) from University of Washington Tacoma and BA in International Business Administration and Spanish from Western Washington University. Project Management Professional (PMP) certified. 
David Hoff, Ledcor / Cascadia Innovation Corridor
  • David Hoff is the Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Community Investment at Ledcor, Canada’s 3rd largest construction company with over 10,000 employees across North America and annual revenue of over $5 billion CAD ($4 billion USD). Previously, David had been the Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs for Ledcor for a decade.

    Prior to joining Ledcor, Dave was an independent consultant for 4 years working for the cement and concrete industry (Lafarge / Lehigh – Hanson – Heidelberg), high technology companies (3M and Bell Canada), and a prominent industrial union. Before that, David managed government and public affairs for Bell Mobility for 7 years during its expansion into Western Canada. David has also held senior positions in banking (CIBC), the Canadian federal government (Foreign Affairs and International Trade), and an international consulting firm.

    Concurrent with these roles David was on the Board of Directors for VIA Rail Canada Inc. (10 years – Chair of HR committee), the Jack Webster Media Foundation (16 – chair), Vancouver Board of Trade (7 – Policy Ctte), and the Business Council of British Columbia (ongoing). Earlier, David served for 3 years on the KCTS-PBS TV Advisory Board and was a Treasurer of the Vancouver Economic Commission.

    A citizen of Cascadia, David has traveled back and forth between Seattle and Vancouver over 100 times, by car and train, bus and airplane, float plane and helicopter.
Expanding Intercity Transportation and Border Crossing Initiatives
With tens of thousands of visitors expected to be moving through the region and across the border, we need creative transportation solutions that span all modes of travel. Discussion will include opportunities for increased flow of buses at the border (pre-screening pilot), temporary transit routes, additional rail, ferries, airplanes, etc.
Speakers:
Dr. Laurie Trautman, Director, Border Policy Research Institute at WWU
  • Dr. Laurie Trautman is the Director of the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University. She engages in a range of research on the U.S. - Canada border, particularly in the Cascadia region. Topics include trade, transportation, human mobility, and security. In addition to working with faculty and students, she collaborates with the private sector and government agencies to advance policy solutions that improve border efficiencies and strengthen the region. Laurie participates in a number of working groups focused on cross-border collaboration, including the Pacific Northwest Economic Region, the International Mobility and Trade Corridor Program, the Canada - U.S. Transportation Border Working Group, and was recently appointed to the steering committee of the Cascadia Innovation Corridor. She holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Oregon, a MSc. from Montana State University, and a BA from Western Washington University in Environmental Economics.
Les Reardanz, General Manager, Whatcom Transportation Authority
  • Les is currently the General Manager of the Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) in Bellingham, Washington.  WTA provides transportation services designed to connect people to opportunities such as employment, medical care, education, social services, and recreation.  As part of connecting people to opportunities, WTA is dedicated to using transportation to support the community’s efforts to tackle complex problems like housing, environment, and better mobility for underrepresented communities.  Prior to joining WTA in 2021, Les worked as the chief executive for the Port of Everett, Washington.  He has also served as the City of Bellingham’s waterfront redevelopment manager, the interim director of the Whatcom Museum, and as a Navy Reserve Rear Admiral (retired).
Dorit Mason, Director of Safety, Environment, Emergency Management & Enterprise
Security, TransLink (virtual)
Richard Johnson, CEO, Bellair Charter
Harmit Gill, Area Port Director, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Area Port of Blaine
Moderator:
Solomon Wong, President & CEO, InterVISTAS
  • Solomon Wong is President and CEO of InterVISTAS, a global consulting firm with services in market analyses, policy development, planning and strategies related to the movement of people and goods.

    He has a track record on regulatory and technological change and has helped to implement solutions for a range of private/public sector clients. In the late 1990s, Solomon assisted in the business cases for trusted traveler programs. In the 2000s, he developed the business case and analyses for simplification of processes, including elimination of aviation security re-screening and border kiosk automation.  In the 2010s, his achievements included developing models to eliminate baggage recheck and other initiatives to reduce minimum connect time (MCTs) at hub airports. Results of his work have informed planning of new facilities throughout the US and Canada.

    He is active on ACI committees, serving on the facilitation committee as an associate member for both ACI-NA and ACI World. In addition, he has contributed to the Airport Industry Recovery Advisory Panel (AIRAP). Solomon is an advocate for the advancement of airport technologies and has contributed to several Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) reports including the recently published ACRP report 233 “Airport Biometrics: A Primer”; as well as an ongoing project to develop an “Airport Blockchain Implementation Guidebook.” The key aspect of research Solomon is advancing are advanced practices and models for privacy management balanced with a positive customer experience. He is also active on Future Borders Coalition, to help the strategy in North America for border improvements across aviation, maritime and surface modes of transportation.

    Solomon is a former board member on the Airports Consultants Council and has spoken regularly at industry events on the evolution of transportation and strategic planning. He is very passionate about sustainability and has demonstrated this by contributing to ACI World’s efforts on countering illegal trafficking of wildlife. Equality, diversity, and inclusion is also a priority of his, and through his leadership has advanced EDI within InterVISTAS.

    He is an urban planner by training and wrote his Master’s thesis on noise exposure around airports.  Outside his professional life, he is enjoying seeing the world through his two boys (aged 6 and 9) and planning future family travels as pandemic measures start to subside.
Briefing on Cross-Border Emergency Management Planning
Existing agreements and MOUs that could impact response to an incident; Overview of PNEMA and some considerations for discussion; Limitations to this agreement, policy issues, strengths and gaps.
Speakers:
Stacey McClain, Assistant Director of Operations, Washington State Emergency Management Division
  • Mr. McClain has been employed with Washington Emergency Management Division (EMD) since 2016. He served as the Mitigation & Recovery Section Manager until April 2022 and is currently the Assistant Director for Operations. He is responsible for overseeing the state's Disaster Response, and Recovery Programs which includes Public Assistance, and Human Services. He is also responsible for the State Exercise and training programs, and the state disaster planning program. During emergency and disaster incidents, he is appointed and serves as the Governor's Authorized Representative (GAR) and State Coordinating Officer (SCO), coordinating directly with senior federal officials in meeting the immediate and long-term disaster recovery needs of the state. Prior to joining EMD, Mr. McClain served in the United States Navy for 30 years and retired as a Command Master Chief with a military career in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal field. Mr. McClain also holds a Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Ian Cunnings, Senior Director, Regional Operations, BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (virtual)
  • ​Ian has been involved in the public service for the past 30 years. His Emergency Management experiences has included responses in Emergency Support Services, working in community Emergency Operation Centres and participating in numerous Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centre (PREOC) activations as part of the management team, including overseeing the operational response and readiness of the South West PREOC in support of the 2010 Winter Olympics. In addition to his paid professional experience Ian has been an active Ground and
    Search and Rescue volunteer for 40 years and was a B.C. RCMP Auxiliary Constable for 10 years. Currently Ian is the Senior Director, Regional Response Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.
Matt Klein, Deputy Director, Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management
  • Mr. Klein has been in the local Emergency Management field for over 12 years.  Currently he serves as the Deputy Director of the Division of Emergency Management for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, overseeing the day to day operations of the Emergency Management program for Whatcom County.  He began his career in 2013 as a student intern with the agency, moving to a paid position after graduating with a Masters in Law and Justice from Central Washington University.  In 2017, he traded the flood response and oil spill drills of Whatcom County for wildfire and hazmat responses in Grant County.  He served that community until early 2024 when the opportunity to return home to Whatcom County with his current position came to be.  Born and raised outside of Lynden, WA, Mr. Klein is proud to continue his family’s history of service to Whatcom County.    
Moderator:
Brandon Hardenbrook, Deputy Director, PNWER
Keynote Lunch - Looking Ahead to FIFA in the Northwest
Speakers:
Dylan Deane-Boyle, CEO, Visit Bellingham
  • Dylan Deane-Boyle began his role as President & CEO of Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism during the winter of 2023. Deane-Boyle holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a master’s degree in parks, tourism, & recreation from the University of Montana. Deane-Boyle spent the last decade as the Executive Director of the Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau in Whitefish, Montana and was recognized as one of his destination’s top 20 Under 40 young professionals. He serves on several local boards and committees in various capacities. This includes the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, Bellingham Tourism Commission, Whatcom County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, and the Bellingham International Airport Advisory Committee, to name a few. In his free time, Dylan and his wife can be found discovering the wonders of Whatcom County with their two boys.
U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (virtual)
  • U.S. Representative Rick Larsen is in his thirteenth term serving Washington's Second Congressional District, which includes portions of Snohomish County and all of Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties.

    As the lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Rick is focused on making bold, long-term investments in infrastructure to create more jobs and build a cleaner, greener, safer and more accessible transportation network. Thanks to Rick’s leadership, $8.2 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been invested in Washington state infrastructure as of January 2024, with more than 600 specific projects identified for funding statewide.

    Rick is focused on protecting Washington’s environment. He leads efforts to preserve public lands, restore salmon habitat, protect Southern Resident killer whales and migratory birds, and combat climate change through investments in clean energy and green jobs. Larsen supported the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment to combat climate change in U.S. history.

    The opioid epidemic is taking a devastating toll on Northwest Washington communities. Rick is working with local governments, law enforcement, health care providers and community groups to ensure they have the tools needed to combat the opioid epidemic and save lives. He supports increasing federal funding for successful local strategies and updating regulations that address prevention, interdiction, treatment and recovery initiatives.

    Rick is a champion for global economic, diplomatic and security engagement. He is a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), co-chair of the U.S.-China Working Group and a member of the New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force – all actions that support U.S. leadership in the world.

    Rick was born and raised in Arlington, Washington, and attended Arlington public schools. Rick and his spouse, Tiia Karlén, live in Everett and are the proud parents of two sons: Robert, who works in national security, and Per, who serves as an ensign in the United States Navy.
Cross-Border Emergency Communication and Interoperability Between Local, State/Provincial and Federal Agencies
How do agencies communicate and share information? How do we communicate with the public? Who decides on messaging?
Speaker:
​Adam Wasserman, Washington State Emergency Management Division
  • ​Adam Wasserman is the Assistant Director for Emergency Communications. In this position he manages several key elements that make up the statewide emergency communications ecosystem. As the State’s 911 Coordinator, he is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the implementation and operation of 911 emergency communications throughout the state. Additionally, he also oversees Emergency Support Function Two (ESF-2) Emergency Communications and manages the Cybersecurity, Private Sector & Infrastructure program.  

    Adam currently serves as a representative to SAFECOM, a member of the 211 Executive Board and is a member of the Crisis Response Improvement Strategy committee responsible for the statewide implementation of 988.  As part of the Washington State Emergency Management Division leadership team, he helps lead the Unified Coordination Group during state and federally declared disasters in Washington.  

    Prior to his current position, Adam served over 22 years and retired from the U.S. Coast Guard. He is a permanent cutterman who served aboard five different cutters and held command of USCGC VASHON (WPB 1308) and USCGC HARRIET LANE (WMEC 903). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Government from the United States Coast Guard Academy and a Master’s in Public Policy from the College of William and Mary.
Tabletop Exercise - A Critical Incident Closes the Border...
*We encourage attendees to review the tabletop scenario and discussion questions and
engage in the discussion.
Facilitator:
Casey Broom, Preparedness Section Manager, Washington State Emergency Management Division
  • Casey K. Broom is the Preparedness Section Manager for the Emergency Management Division within the Washington Military Department. In this role, she oversees a broad portfolio that includes Training and Exercises, Statewide Planning, Continuity of Operations and Continuity of Government (COOP/COG), Radiological Emergency Preparedness, and Hazardous Materials/Local Emergency Planning Committees (Hazmat/LEPC).
    Casey also serves as the lead State Planner for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, coordinating statewide efforts to ensure Washington is ready for this global event.
    With a career in emergency management that began in 2006, Casey brings additional experience from both FEMA Region 10 as the Regional Exercise Officer and Pierce County Emergency Management where she was the Recovery Coordinator. A proud Washington native, she enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring the diverse landscapes of her home state.
Speakers:
Stacey McClain, Assistant Director for Operations, Washington State Emergency Management Division
  • Mr. McClain has been employed with Washington Emergency Management Division (EMD) since 2016. He served as the Mitigation & Recovery Section Manager until April 2022 and is currently the Assistant Director for Operations. He is responsible for overseeing the state's Disaster Response, and Recovery Programs which includes Public Assistance, and Human Services. He is also responsible for the State Exercise and training programs, and the state disaster planning program. During emergency and disaster incidents, he is appointed and serves as the Governor's Authorized Representative (GAR) and State Coordinating Officer (SCO), coordinating directly with senior federal officials in meeting the immediate and long-term disaster recovery needs of the state. Prior to joining EMD, Mr. McClain served in the United States Navy for 30 years and retired as a Command Master Chief with a military career in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal field. Mr. McClain also holds a Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Bryce Bengco, Director, Pacific Highway District, Canada Border Services Agency
Ian Cunnings, Senior Director, Regional Operations, BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (virtual)
  • Ian has been involved in the public service for the past 30 years. His Emergency Management experiences has included responses in Emergency Support Services, working in community Emergency Operation Centres and participating in numerous Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centre (PREOC) activations as part of the management team, including overseeing the operational response and readiness of the South West PREOC in support of the 2010 Winter Olympics. In addition to his paid professional experience Ian has been an active Ground and
    Search and Rescue volunteer for 40 years and was a B.C. RCMP Auxiliary Constable for 10 years. Currently Ian is the Senior Director, Regional Response Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.
Harmit Gill, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Thank You to our Workshop Partners