Gerard Braud, CSP, Fellow IEC (Jared Bro) is an international expert, coach, trainer, author and professional speaker, who has worked with organizations on five continents. Known as the guy to call when it hits the fan, he is widely regarded as an expert in crisis communications and media issues.

Gerard has been active in the field of communications since 1979. For 15 years, he worked in print, radio and television as a front-line journalist, on the scene of every type of disaster imaginable. His affiliate reports have been seen around the world on NBC, CBS, CNN and the BBC.

Since 1994 Gerard has specialized in helping organizations communicate more effectively through media training, crisis communications plans, and employee-manager training.

Following the events of September 11th, he was commissioned to write the crisis communication plan for the Internal Revenue Service and its 800 offices across America. His plans are also used by the Library of Congress, the U.S. Army Missile Defense Command, numerous city, state and county governments, international corporations, national retailers, national and global non-profits, hospitals, and numerous schools and universities.

Gerard has a gift for foreseeing and predicting crises before they happen. Fifteen years before Hurricane Katrina, he predicted the catastrophic destruction that would befall New Orleans through a series of award winning reports called, “When the Big One Hits.” For 2 years prior to the Virginia Tech shootings of 2007, Gerard warned that the crisis communications plans at most universities were insufficient and would fail when they were needed most.

Gerard has a B.A. in Journalism from Louisiana Tech University. He holds the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association and is also a Fellow of Environmental Communications from the Institute of Environmental Communications at Loyola University New Orleans, where he is a member of Loyola’s adjunct faculty.

Chief Paul Luster has over 26 years of experience in law enforcement and currently serves as the Chief of Police for the City of St. Joseph, Missouri. Chief Luster began his career with Kansas City, Missouri Police Department retiring at the rank of Major after serving nearly 26 years. Throughout his career Chief Luster held numerous assignments in patrol, investigations, administration, and training. Chief Luster completed his career in Kansas City as the Director of the Kansas City Police Regional Training Academy where he oversaw all aspects of basic and continuing education training for KCPD as well as numerous regional partners. Chief Luster has maintained a passion for teaching and mentoring others throughout his entire career. Chief Luster holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Park University and has attended the Senior Management Institute for Police.

Captain Brian Nanavaty retired in 2017 after 33 years with the Indianapolis Metro Police Department (IMPD) where in 2010 he created the IMPD Office of Professional Development and Wellness (OPDW) and served as Professional Performance Manager. His innovative programs created a culture of health at IMPD and a reduction of officer disciplinary referrals by 40%.