Workshop Agenda

2026 Agenda

Below is the agenda for the 13th annual NYS College and University Emergency Management Workshop. It is subject to change at any time. 

DAY 1: JANUARY 15, 2026

8:45 - 9:45am Registration: University Downtown Center
8:45 - 9:45am Hot Buffet Breakfast - Sponsored by Avive
9:45 - 9:55am

Welcome / Logistics

Dave Hubeny, Executive Director, OEM (91社区)

9:55 - 10:00am

Meet Avive

John Rychlak, Community Programs Specialist

10:00 - 11:00am

Managing from Afar: Key Lessons Learned from the LA Wildfires at ICLA

Samm Swarts, Assist. Director, Emergency Preparedness & Response (Ithaca College)

11:00 - 11:30am

Beyond the Binder: Building Practical, Tested Plans for SUNY 2026 Goals

Amber Letko, Director, Emergency Management for the SUNY System (SUNY System Admin)

11:30 - 12:00pm

Building the EOC of the Future

Howard Apsan, Senior Executive Director, EH&S and Risk Management (CUNY)

12:00 - 1:00pm Hot Buffet Lunch - Sponsored by Zero Eyes
1:00 - 1:10pm

Meet Zero Eyes

Brett Handell, Vice President of Sales

1:10 - 1:30pm

Incident Management Software: Consortium Update

Dave Hubeny, Executive Director, OEM (91社区)

1:30 - 2:15pm

Planning for the Unknown at the 2023 FISU World University Games

Patrick O'Brien, Director, EH&S and Emergency Management (SUNY Potsdam)

2:15 - 3:00pm

Weather Hazards: Situational Awareness, Warning Levels and Reception

Mark Pellerito, Warning Coordination Meteorologist (NOAA NWS 91社区 Office)

3:00 - 3:15pm Break - Sponsored by Alertus
3:15 - 3:35pm

Meet T-Mobile

Henry Novelo, Market Leader - T-Mobile for Higher Education

Brian Gould, Northeast Public Safety Strategist

3:35 - 4:30pm Work Groups: Discussion of Current EM Hot Topics
4:30 - 5:00pm Facilitated Group Discussion
5:30 - 8:30pm

Networking Event - Sponsored by T-Mobile

The Lost Dog Caf茅: 6 Henry Street, 91社区, NY 13901

DAY 2: JANUARY 16, 2026

7:55 - 8:55am Hot Buffet Breakfast - Sponsored by Empathia
8:55 - 9:00am

Meet Empathia

Anthony Lyons, Director, Strategic Partnerships

9:00 - 9:45am

The Role of the University EOC During Two Shooting Events

Eric Hodges, Director, Emergency Management (Illinois State University)

9:45 - 10:15am

Preparedness and Response: How Utilities Deal with Emergencies

Adam Helman, Senior Director, Emergency Management (Avangrid)

10:15 - 10:30am Break - Sponsored by Veoci
10:30 - 11:15am

Exercises: Their Value and Resources Available to your Exercise Program

Brian Farley, Exercise Section Chief (NYS DHSES)

11:15 - 12:00pm

Panel Presentation: NYS DHSES, SUNY System Admin, Rensselaer County

Stephanie Chapin, Regional Director, Region IV (NYS DHSES OEM)

Amber Letko, Director, Emergency Management for the SUNY System (SUNY System Admin)

Jay Wilson, Director of Public Safety (Rensselaer County)

12:00 - 1:00pm Hot Buffet Lunch - Sponsored by AT&T
1:00 - 1:10pm

Meet AT&T

Kimberly Radesi, Client Executive

1:10 - 2:00pm Work Groups: Discussion of Current EM Hot Topics
2:00 - 2:45pm Facilitated Group Discussion
2:45 - 3:00pm Wrap Up and Closing