Gangs Conference

Sign-in/Registration will be on July 30, 2012 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and on July 31, 2012 from 7:00 am to 8:00 am. The conference will begin on July 31, 2012, at 8:00 am and conclude at noon on August 2, 2012.

SPEAKER BIOS

Emil Garza is Program Supervisor I in the Security Threat Group Management Office for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) based in Huntsville. He has served TDCJ since 1994. Emil provides STG training for criminal justice personnel at the local, state, and federal levels and advises law enforcement agencies on investigations dealing with STG-related matters. He also delivers anti-gang presentations to private and public schools.

Victor Gonzalez serves as the Director of Program Services for the Mayor's Anti-Gang Office in Houston, Texas. He is in charge of supervising the delivery of service for all 7 programs in the Mayor's Anti-Gang Office and assisting with policy recommendations for the city and development of gang intervention specialists in the office. Victor has more than 20 years of experience working with high-risk youth, including 15 years spent working directly with youth involved with Houston-area gangs. This work included substance abuse intervention, recreation, and various prevention programs.

Jose M. Garza is the Director of Homeland Security for Kansas City Southern Raillines assigned to the JTTF and Railroad Liaison, at the FBI Office in McAllen, Texas. He is involved in the planning, implementation and support of critical railroad security functions regarding the railroad, its employees, assets, and national security. Prior to his current position, Jose was an Intelligence Analyst for the FBI in McAllen, Texas for over twelve years. During that period and currently, Jose continues to conduct strategic analysis and tracking the border violence associated with the drug cartels and their movements in South Texas and the Southwest Border. He tracks the Mexican railroad systems in Mexico and provides threat assessments to law enforcement on the rail movements, the sea ports and threats the Mexican railroad poses to the US.

Jason Sole is a former drug dealer, leader of a notorious street gang, and a three-time convicted felon. He has been incarcerated in numerous correctional facilities due to his criminal activity, and despite the height of the odds stacked against him, Sole earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees in Criminal Justice. Jason is an instructor in the School of Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State University in the Twin Cities. He provides training and case development at AMICUS, an organization that helps inmates and ex-offenders through positive relationship-building, restorative justice practices, and individualized transition services. Sole serves as a mentor and facilitator at 180 Degrees, Inc., providing intervention, prevention, and supportive services to juvenile and adults. Jason is a national trainer and facilitator for the Council for Boys & Young Men, an organization that utilizes a strengths-based group approach to promote a safe and healthy passage through the preteen and adolescent years. He also works with volunteers and sex-offenders through the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Detective John Bowman has over 23 years of law enforcement experience. John currently works gang and narcotics related crimes for the Organized Crime Section of the Killeen Police Department. John holds a Master Peace Officer Certification, a Police Instructors License, and is a licensed Forensic Hypnotist from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). He is a long-time member of the Texas Gang Investigators Association (TGIA) and is currently Sergeant at Arms. He has instructed numerous law enforcement officers, educators, and other professionals on a variety of topics dealing with criminal street gangs, their members, and the dangers they pose to communities.

As with all Special Program Division trainings, for every 3 paid registrations from one Agency, a fourth registration is free.

* Unless otherwise noted, hotel arrangements are the responsibility of the participant.