2024 URMA Bryce Canyon Summer Conference Presenters

Matt Church

Matt Church

Attorney at Manning Curtis Bradshaw & Bednar PLLC

One of Mr. Church’s primary practice areas is civil rights claims and government defense. He has successfully defended municipalities and their employees against: Constitutional claims, employment disputes, personal injury accidents, land-use appeals, and premises liability claims (“slip and fall”). In addition, Mr. Church provides training to governmental entities and their officers regarding the Utah Governmental Immunity Act, Section 1983 claims, and other liability related topics.

With over 25 years’ experience defending government entities against personal injury claims of all kinds, Heather has a particular passion for defending police officers against complaints asserting the deprivation of civil rights. These matters include premises liability involving roads, sidewalks, water meters, swimming pools, cemeteries, playgrounds, or recreational centers.

Heather White

Heather White

Attorney at Spencer Fane Snow Christensen & Martineau

Mauricio Velasquez

Mauricio Velasquez

DTG Group

Mauricio Velásquez is the President of Diversity Training Group (DTG) in Herndon, VA. Mauricio serves as a Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) strategist, consultant, trainer, sexual harassment prevention trainer, respectful workplace/toxic employee trainer, employee engagement/trust trainer, executive coach, mentoring trainer, expert witness, and assists organizations with “winning the war for talent” and “being employers of choice.” He is a leader in the risk-management, culture-change business. 

Agent Scott Pugmire

Agent Scott Pugmire

FBI

Agent Scott Pugmire began his career with the Utah Highway Patrol in 2009. He worked as a trooper in Utah County and at the Utah State Capitol. At the beginning of 2015, he transferred to the Utah State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and worked on the Alcohol Enforcement Team. Later in 2015, he transferred to the SBI Cyber Crime Unit which is embedded with the Salt Lake City FBI Cyber Task Force. Agent Pugmire has been full-time on the FBI Cyber Task Force since 2015. Agent Pugmire investigates various kinds of computer-enabled crimes including business email compromise, cyberstalking, and computer intrusions. Agent Pugmire graduated from Weber State University with a master’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2014.

Sergeant Jeff Plank

Sergeant Jeff Plank

FBI

Sergeant Jeff Plank began his career with the Utah Highway Patrol in 1998.  He transferred to the Utah State Bureau of Investigation in 2001 and worked on the Methamphetamine Precursor Unit, Narcotics Unit and the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force.  In 2006 he was promoted to Sergeant and supervised a Major Crimes Unit which was responsible for investigating narcotics, fraud and violent crime investigations. In 2013 Sergeant Plank was assigned to supervise the Utah State Bureau of Investigation’s Cyber Crime Unit which is embedded with the Salt Lake City FBI’s Cyber Task Force.  Sergeant Plank investigates various kinds of Internet fraud and financially motivated computer intrusions.  Sergeant Plank graduated from Southern Utah University with a master’s degree in Cyber Security and Information Assurance in 2020.

Scott Lucas

Scott Lucas

FORENSIC EXAMINER / INSTRUCTOR

Scott is a U.S. Army Veteran and retired Pennsylvania State Trooper. Scott served for 20 years with the PA State Police, spending 10 years as a Criminal Investigator and 7 years as a member of the Computer Crime Unit. With PSP, Scott investigated and successfully prosecuted crimes ranging from identity theft to child pornography to criminal homicide. As a computer forensics examiner, he assisted members of his agency, as well as officers from other local, state and federal agencies, with computer related crimes.

Debbie Johnson

Debbie Johnson

The Utah Cyber Center

Debbie Johnson is an IT Project Manager for the Utah Department of Operations Technology Services Division where she works in the Cyber Center on the City/County Outreach Team. She works to inform local entities of cybersecurity resources available to them and with legislators to address the needs in addressing cybersecurity for the state and locals. She previously worked for the Utah Department of Public Safety as legislative liaison where her work included addressing issues related to cyber crimes. She most recently worked for the Utah Division of Purchasing where she was a liaison to local entities and vendors who were on state contract.

Mallorie Nielsen

Mallorie Nielsen

The Utah Cyber Center

Mallorie Nielsen is a Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst with the Utah Statewide Information and Analysis Center (SIAC). Mallorie has worked in the intelligence field for over 14 years and enjoys being able to work with both the public and private sector. The SIAC acts as a liaison between local and federal partners to facilitate information sharing about cyber threats facing Utah. Mallorie also works on the Governor’s Cybersecurity Commission, which seeks to promote cybersecurity awareness, information sharing, and provides resources to Utah-based entities. She is certified in Security+ and has the GIAC Cyber Threat Intelligence certification as well.

Phil Bates

Phil Bates

The Utah Cyber Center

Phil Bates is the Chief Information Security Officer for the Department of Government Operations Technology Services Division, State of Utah. He has been involved in Cyber Security for many years, as the IT Director for the Department of Public Safety Phil aided in the creation of the Utah Cyber Task Force. Phil began his career in Law Enforcement, retiring as a Lieutenant from the West Jordan Police Department. While at West Jordan, Phil directed the deployment of the first large-scale use of Commercial Mobile Data for Public Safety in the US.

Brandon Crowther Presentions