Management & Ethics Speakers

Randall University

Dr. Paulette Jones

Paulette is the Master of Public Administration Program Director with experience in public administration with government and nonprofit organizations, and in broadcast journalism including government reporting. Jones has been published in the Journal of Public Affairs Education, and the Oklahoma Political Science Association journal – Oklahoma Politics, and is a regular presenter at the annual conference of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). Jones is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, the National Honor Society of Public Affairs and Administration. She has also worked as staff researcher for Governor Henry Bellmon, and served on the Governor’s Task Force for Economic Development.  Jones created and developed the Management & Ethics Conference at Randall now in its 7^th year. She has a Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Technology and doctoral hours in Political Science from Oklahoma State University; an M.A. in Political Science from the University of Central Oklahoma; and a B.F.A. in Drama Speech Education from the University of Oklahoma. Her fields of research include: American government, public administration education, and first amendment rights.

Lytle Soule & Curlee

Steve Mullins

Steve Mullins has practiced law as a member of the Oklahoma bar since 1982.  He began his career as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable United States District Judge Luther Bohanon. During his career he devoted his practice to public service as both a federal and state governmental lawyer. Mullins’ federal service includes duty as: United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota, Senior Department of Justice Legal Advisor in Afghanistan, General Counsel of the Department of Justice Executive Office of United States Attorneys in Washington, D.C., and Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma. At the state level, Mullins served as General Counsel to Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin from 2012 to 2016. During his career, Mullins was particularly active as a courtroom litigator as lead trial counsel handling a diverse criminal and civil practice.  His litigation skill was recognized by the Department of Justice when he was chosen by the United States Department of Justice on multiple occasions to be a part of specially formed trial teams to handle complex litigation matters across the United States. Since 1991, Mullins has regularly instructed as an Adjunct Professor for the University of Oklahoma, College of Law.  He was recognized as a “Top Manager” in the federal government and has spoken on a variety of leadership and management subjects as a frequent lecturer at the U.S. Department of Justice National Advocacy Center.  Mullins is currently Of Counsel with the Oklahoma City firm of Lytle Soule & Curlee.

Make It Matter!

Donna Rynda

Since starting her own business in 2005 as a Training Specialist and Motivational Speaker, Donna Rynda’s speaking engagements have included keynote addresses, conference workshops, and leadership retreats for more than 100 state and national organizations—including previous Management & Ethics Conferences at Randall University. Before becoming her own boss, Ms. Rynda’s thirty-year experience as a Training & Development Supervisor and Human Resources Director included management positions for various organizations involved with retail sales, computer technology, grocery distribution, education, hospitality, and foodservice. Her last corporate employment was with Sonic Industries as a Field Training Specialist where she spent 75% of her time traveling throughout all the states west of Oklahoma. Ms. Rynda’s experiences and travels inspired her to name her company Make It Matter because she truly believes that “no matter what we do, we all want to make it matter.”

William ‘Bill’ Federer

William is a nationally known speaker, best-selling author, and president of Amerisearch, Inc., a publishing company dedicated to researching America’s noble heritage. He graduated from Saint Louis University in 1980 with a degree in Accounting/Business Administration.

Federer has written 20 books, including George Washington Carver – His Life and Faith in His Own Words; America’s God and Country: Encyclopedia of Quotations; The Faith of FDR; The Ten Commandments and Their Influence on American Law; Three Secular Reasons Why America Should Be Under God; and What Every American Needs to Know About the Quran: A History of Islam and the United States.

He hosts the daily program Faith in History on the TCT Network and has a daily radio show, The American Minute, which summarizes what happened on a certain day in history, on the Salem Radio Network.^[2]

AWARDS: Bill gained national recognition for lecturing and writing, receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from American Christian College in 2004; and an Honorary Doctorate of Global Leadership from Midwest University in 2013; George Washington Honor Medal by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Broward County Chapter; Bott Radio Network Great American Award, honored by the American Legion Defense of Veterans Memorials Project, Rees Lloyd, Director; and the Eagle Award from Phyllis Schlafly, Eagle Forum.

Professor Steve Byas

Steve is an instructor of history and government at Randall University and the author of hundreds of articles on history and current affairs in both popular and academic journals. He received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Central Oklahoma with additional coursework at the University of Oklahoma. He has written two mystery novels and the book History’s Greatest Libels in which he challenges some falsehoods against historical personalities. He and his wife live in Norman.

Professor Steve Emmons

Steve teaches in the RU MPA Program. He is the former Executive Director of the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement & Training (CLEET). His previous experience includes the Director of Bogus Checks Division, Investigator with Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office, Criminal Justice Program Coordinator, and Adjunct Professor at Rogers State University. Emmons also has 21 years of experience with the Tulsa Police Department. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Central Missouri State University, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma. Emmons is also adjunct instructor in the Master of Forensic Sciences Program at Oklahoma State University.

Captain Stan Florence

Stan has served with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation since 2003. He was previously Grady County Sheriff until he became Director of the OSBI (2010–2018). In addition, Florence is an ordained minister in the Church of Christ, and has presented for CLEET and at the Management Conference for several years, in addition to serving on the R.U. Master of Public Administration Advisory Council since 2014.

Professor Darren Grant

Darren teaches science at R.U. and has been a certified science teacher since 1991. He has taught Earth Science, Biology, Life Science, Chemistry, Physical Science, Creation Science/Geology, Anatomy, advanced topics in Science, Applied Biology Chemistry, Practical Prepping and Survival Science (PPSS), Electricity and Energy, Physics, and renewable energy over the last 30 years at elementary, high school, and college levels. He has a M.S. in Science Education from the Institute for Creation Research Graduate School, and a B.S. Ed. in Chemistry and Psychology from Pittsburg State University.  Darren and his beloved wife Cara have 5 daughters and one son.

Dr. Denny Kuhn

Denny is a Professor and Program Director of the Bachelor of Letters Program at R.U. Kuhn has a B.S. in Philosophy & Religious Studies, Ball State University; M.A.R., from Reformed Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Kuhn also contributes to Integrity: A Journal of Christian Thought. Kuhn has been with Randall University since 2003.

Michael Teague

Michael is the Vice President, Government Relations, ONEOK

Teague leads the team in engaging at federal, tribal, state, and local levels drawing on his service at the cabinet level of state government as well as from a 28-year career in the U.S. Army.

As Oklahoma’s first secretary of both energy and environment, Teague became highly respected by parties across traditional political and development divides as he led the state’s response to the sudden increase in earthquakes.  His approach of bringing stakeholders together to solve contentious issues collaboratively has been used successfully with a variety of issues across the state by agencies, non-profits, and local communities.

Prior to his appointment as secretary, Teague accrued a wealth of international and domestic experience in energy and environment solutions from his nearly three-decade-long active duty Army career.  Before retiring with the rank of Colonel, Teague commanded the Tulsa District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 2010 to 2013. Teague holds a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from Norwich University, where he serves on the Board of Fellows, and Master degrees in Operations Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, and in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

Roxie Beall

Roxie Beall is the Public Outreach Coordinator for the Homeland Security division of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Under the direction of the Homeland Security Advisor/Director, she provides and coordinates community education, outreach, and training to Oklahoma citizens, with an all-hazards approach to improve whole community preparedness and resilience.

Kevin Kloesel

Kevin Kloesel is the Director of the Oklahoma Climate Survey and University Meteorologist for the Department of Campus Safety at the University of Oklahoma. As Director of OCS, Kevin is charged with providing weather and climate data, analysis, and expertise to stakeholders and decision-makers throughout the state, and was a lead author for the US Fourth National Climate Assessment. As University Meteorologist, Kevin is responsible for the weather plans and forecast support for hundreds of events each year, including OU Athletics, the NCAA Women’s College World Series, numerous NCAA regional and playoff tournaments across all sports, as well as high school sports and tournaments across Oklahoma. Kevin is a weather subject matter expert and weather plan advisor for many organizations and venues such as the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety & Security (NCS4), the Event Safety Alliance (ESA), the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA), the Daytona International
Speedway, Drum Corps International, Inc (DCI), and a multitude of outdoor concerts and events across the country. Kevin also provides weather support training for hundreds of meteorologists and emergency managers across the country. He is a Certified Oklahoma Emergency Manager, a certified FEMA Higher Education instructor, an associate professor in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences at OU, and operates the Oklahoma Mesonet weather observing network.

Sean Douglas

Sean Douglas has been with the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security since 2018. He has over 30 years’ experience in public-safety communications, emergency management, and information technology. He is APCO’s Local Advisor for Oklahoma, chairs the Southwest Emergency Management Communications Committee, is the secretary for State Interoperability Governing Board and the Region 34 700/800 MHz Planning Committee, assists with leadership of Oklahoma’s All-Hazards Public Safety Communications Committee and is a member of the Oklahoma Emergency Management Association’s Communications Committee.

Sean is an Oklahoma Certified Emergency Manager and holds additional certifications as Professional Emergency Manager, Communications Unit Leader and Technician, Planning Section Chief, Resource Unit Leader, Hazmat Awareness, and has been a licensed Amateur Radio Operator for over 30 years. He is also a volunteer Communications Specialist for Grady County Emergency Management.

Director David K. Barnes

David Barnes began his 44+ year public safety career in 1977 as a firefighter with the Edmond Fire Department.  After progressing through the ranks and obtaining the position of Deputy Fire Chief, David retired from the department in 1997 to become Edmond’s Director of Emergency Management and Communications Director.  He served in that capacity for eight and one-half years, then accepted the position of Emergency Management Director for Oklahoma County, beginning June 1, 2005.

David attended the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University and has a degree in Municipal Fire Protection.  He has served as an instructor for Fire Service Training at Oklahoma State University and is on the adjunct faculty of Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City campus.  David is a past President and board member of the Fire Service Instructors of Oklahoma, a past board member of the Oklahoma Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and a past-President of the Oklahoma Emergency Management Association.  David is also an Oklahoma Certified Emergency Manager through the Oklahoma Emergency Management Association, and recently completed a five-year term on the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal Commission, appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in July, 2015.

Sarah Jensen

Sarah Jensen serves as the Public Information Officer overseeing media relations and strategic communications for the Norman Police Department (NPD) in Norman, Oklahoma. She oversees the department’s internal and external communication initiatives, proactive citizen engagement through
digital social media, and strategic public relations. In addition, Sarah manages all media inquiries, responds to major incidents, and leads the department’s digital outreach efforts during major incidents. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with an emphasis on Broadcast Journalism and Public Relations from Oklahoma City University. Following graduation, she worked as the crime reporter and weekend evening anchor at KSWO Channel 7 in Lawton, Oklahoma. Leading the station’s coverage of the city’s violent crime and the department’s efforts to address public safety concerns, Sarah developed a passion for public information and public safety, which led her to be NPD’s first civilian Public Information Officer. Sarah has served in this role since 2015.