Jeff Kaye stands as a prominent figure in the realm of school safety, holding the position of President and Founder at School Safety Operations Inc. His organization is at the forefront of providing emergency management, response planning, and training services to educational institutions across the United States and Canada. Jeff’s journey into school safety commenced in 2008 when he embraced the role of Director of Security and Safety Services at Desert Sands Unified School District in La Quinta, California. This career pivot followed a distinguished 25-year tenure in law enforcement, culminating in his retirement. During his eight-year tenure with the school district, Jeff laid the groundwork for what would become his enduring commitment to enhancing school safety. In 2011, Jeff founded School Safety Operations Inc., a milestone that marked a significant expansion of his efforts to improve the safety and security of schools. Under his leadership, the company has been dedicated to delivering comprehensive planning and training services tailored to the unique needs of schools and school districts. In 2011, Jeff founded School Safety Operations Inc., a milestone that marked a significant expansion of his efforts to improve the safety and security of schools. Under his leadership, the company has been dedicated to delivering comprehensive planning and training services tailored to the unique needs of schools and school districts. A key focus of School Safety Operations Inc. is conducting Hazard and Vulnerability Assessments aimed at infrastructure target hardening. These assessments are critical components of the firm’s strategy to bolster the resilience of educational facilities against potential threats, thereby ensuring the safety of students and staff. Prior to his involvement in school safety, Jeff had a career in law enforcement with the Reno, NV Police Department, retiring at the rank of Sergeant in 2007. His law enforcement career was notable for specialization in undercover and tactical response operations. Jeff played a supervisory role in the tactical response to the March 2006 Pine Middle School shootings in Reno, an experience that underscores his expertise in handling critical incidents. Beyond his professional achievements, Jeff Kaye is an accomplished author. His bibliography includes two school emergency management reference books, a true crime novel, and two fiction novels, showcasing his versatility and depth of knowledge in both factual and imaginative writing.

Todd Hess has dedicated nearly three decades of his professional career to the Storey County School District in western Nevada, where he recently retired as Superintendent. Born and raised in the district, Todd's commitment to education and community has been unwavering. Beginning as a classroom educator, Todd initiated his career teaching U.S. Government, History, Social Studies, and Geography at Virginia City High School. His involvement extended beyond the classroom, as he also took on the role of coaching basketball for the Virginia City Muckers. This early experience laid the foundation for Todd's comprehensive understanding of the district's dynamics and needs. Over the years, Todd's leadership skill became increasingly evident as he transitioned into administrative roles within the Storey County School District. He spent a total of 16 years serving as the Principal of every school in SCSD, including Virginia City High School, Virginia City Middle School, Hugh Gallagher Elementary School, and Hillside Elementary School. In these positions, Todd demonstrated his commitment to fostering positive relationships and effective communication among board trustees, families, students, staff, businesses, and other community stakeholders. Todd's reputation as a strong communicator and relationship builder extends beyond the district boundaries. He is an active member of the Nevada Association of School Superintendents (NASS), where he not only serves on the ACT Council but also chairs the Committee of Outdoor Education. This involvement reflects Todd's dedication to contributing to educational initiatives beyond his immediate responsibilities. Throughout his career, Todd has garnered recognition for his outstanding contributions. In 2002, he was honored as the 1A Athletic Director of the Year. Furthermore, he served as the 1A president for four years and acted as a liaison to the Executive Board of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA). The Nevada Association of School Boards acknowledged Todd's exemplary leadership by naming him the Administrator of the Year in 2011. His ongoing commitment was further underscored when he received the Co-Superintendent of the Year award in 2023. Additionally, Todd's dedication to school safety earned him the Individual School Safety Award from the International School Safety Institute in 2020. Todd Hess shaped the educational landscape of Storey County, leaving an indelible mark through his commitment, leadership, and genuine engagement with the community.

Bruce Kirby stands as a pivotal figure at School Safety Operations Inc., where he excels in his roles as a Lead Project Consultant and Trainer. His tenure with the organization began in November 2012, marking the start of a significant phase in his career dedicated to enhancing school safety protocols and training programs. Prior to joining School Safety Operations Inc., Bruce lent his expertise to the U.S. State Department’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau. In this capacity, he served as a Senior Police Advisor, a role that saw him stationed in the Kurdistan area of Iraq. Here, Bruce was instrumental in providing comprehensive training to local law enforcement agencies, a testament to his commitment to fostering global security and law enforcement proficiency. Bruce embarked on his law enforcement journey in 1982, initially serving as a Deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. His career spanned nine years in this role, after which he transitioned to the Reno, NV, Police Department. Bruce’s dedication and exemplary service led him to retire at the rank of Lieutenant in 2011, culminating a 21-year tenure filled with various investigative and supervisory accomplishments. Throughout his extensive career, Bruce has been deeply involved in law enforcement training. His experiences have equipped him with a profound understanding of tactics and target hardening strategies, particularly in the context of school emergency management and response. At School Safety Operations Inc., Bruce leverages his vast knowledge and experience to contribute to the development of safer educational environments, ensuring that schools are well-prepared to manage and respond to emergencies effectively.

Emma White wears many hats including being an Author, Professional Speaker, Podcast Host, and Founder and President of the Life Is Worth It Organization. In her day job, she is the Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Nevada Department of Education and the Project Aware Manager for the Office of Suicide Prevention, where she specializes in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies on local, state, and federal levels.

Colton joined Safer Schools Together (SST) in 2016 after receiving his Diploma in Law Enforcement Studies at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. In his current role as Director of Project Development, Colton works closely with SST CEO/Founder Theresa Campbell in the development and implementation of trainings such as Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) which is based on the USSS/NTAC model, Digital Threat Assessment® (DTA), and many more. Colton is an accomplished trainer, having presented to thousands of individuals from organizations across North America including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), numerous other law enforcement agencies and both K to 12 school districts and higher education campuses. Colton began his time at SST as a Threat Analyst where he gained invaluable experience and knowledge collecting social media data that is used to assist Safety/Threat Assessment teams in conducting accurate threat assessments. He has been involved in several high-profile cases relating to school safety in Canada and the US.