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Resources & Information

Speakers Bureau

Are you looking for the right speaker or an emcee who will take your virtual conference, webinar or meeting to the next level? You’ve come to the right place!
Are you looking for the right speaker or an emcee who will take your virtual conference, webinar or meeting to the next level? You’ve come to the right place! The Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS) is pleased to provide a speakers bureau as a free resource to communities and organizations across Nevada! While our speakers are knowledgeable on topics of interest to veterans and military members, in addition there are also great resource as well and they share information on a wide range on topics listed below. Scroll below to find the speaker that best suits your needs and topic. They are listed in alphabetical order. Please submit speaker requests to PIO.ndvs@veterans.nv.gov. When emailing your requests, be sure to include your group’s name and mission, the date, time and location of the virtual event, plus any other details such as length of speech, etc.

Join The Speakers Bureau

If you have expertise in public speaking, as well as expertise in veterans or military issues and would like to serve as a volunteer and become a part of the NDVS Speakers Bureau, please send your resume, bio, contact information and list of speaking topics to PIO.ndvs@veterans.nv.gov to initiate the process of determining eligibility. Thank you!

Bill Baumann

bill baumann
  • Chairman, Nevada Veteran Service Commission
  • U.S. Air Force Non Commissioned Officer/ In charge of training 22 specialist career fields
  • Defense Contractor –backgrounds FAA, Aerospace Combat Veteran
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Speaking Topics

Where Life Leads – Lessons on Leadership

What does it take to be a good leader? How important are values and ethics? Those who have climbed the highest ladders to success have asked and answered those questions in the affirmative. Bill provides seasoned guidance from his experiences in the military and his life after as a civilian.

Missing Out on Earned Benefits?

Chances are you served in the military, got out and moved on with your life. But are you leaving earned benefits on the table? Claiming what you have earned could improve the quality of your life or the life of your loved ones. Don’t miss out on benefits earned through military service!

Serving After Service to Country

What does the Veterans Service Commission do for veterans and their loved ones? Bill can explain the role of this important panel. He can also provide information on how you can become involved in the process of identifying issues important to veterans as well as finding solutions, even if it means talking to Nevada State lawmakers and getting involved in the Nevada Legislative Session.

Anne Davis, PhD

anne davis
  • Former Chair, Nevada Women Veterans Advisory Committee
  • U.S. Army Colonel, Retired
  • MBA, Harvard Business School; Ph.D. (Business), City University of New York
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Speaking Topics

Are Leaders Born or Made?

Anne pulls from her experiences in the military and then from her civilian life to explore this long-standing discussion about leadership and leaders. What is it about some individuals who excel and succeed despite the odds or obstacles and barriers? Anne explores those questions and provides some insights.

Women – Fastest Growing Veteran Population But Many Feel Invisible

Anne says she sees it all the time; women veterans who feel “invisible.” She will talk about what that means, why it is important and what can be done to make them feel visible again. She discusses why women choose to serve in the military in the first place sharing her experiences from West Point cadet, in one of first classes to include women.

The History and Celebration of Women Warriors

Women have served in our country’s military since our country was born but “firsts” continue to occur for women in uniform! Anne covers the contributions women have made in the military over the years and the contributions women continue to make.

The Benefits of Volunteering for You and Your Community

Everyone benefits when you volunteer. Anne will discuss why you should volunteer, how to find a good fit, and what you can bring to an organization.

Annie Emprima

  • Metaphysical Trauma Researcher, Author
  • Service-disabled Army veteran
  • Brigade-level support operations field auditor
  • Deployed to Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, and Qatar
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Speaking Topics

Purpose as a Rebellious Act of Belonging
Intended for anyone struggling to find their sense of identity after a major life event or setback.

The Six Layers of Belonging
For individuals and organizations seeking to understand how disconnection at one level of life ripples across identity, relationships, and systems.

You Can’t Heal If You Can’t Feel
For audiences that intellectualize their experiences—reconnecting emotion to the healing process without losing control.

James F. McDonnell

jim mcdonnell
  • Former assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office
  • Navy Special Operations Veteran, enlisted and officer. (retired)
  • Business Executive and Business Owner
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Speaking Topics

  • Using Military Skills to Succeed in Business…Teamwork and Leadership.
  • Employment Benefits for Veterans…Business and Government.
  • Preparing for Opportunities…Education and Experience, know when to say “yes”

Kat Miller

kat miller
  • 1st Military Police Brigade Commander in Afghanistan
  • Commanded Army’s Largest Corrections Organization
  • Combat Veteran
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Speaking Topics

From Private to Colonel—and all the Bumps In Between

Never dreaming of a career in the military, Kat found herself following the promise of a college education into a life she never imagined; leading soldiers on 5 continents in both war and peace. Hear an inspiring—sometimes amusing, sometimes challenging—story of serving in the United States Army.

Celebrating the Legacy of America’s Women Warriors!

Take a walk through time as Kat highlights the history of women in the U.S. Military; from 1775 through today’s modern force. She will draw from her distinguished career to offer perspectives on the contribution of women warriors and why they are essential to the success of America’s military.

You Need America’s Veterans—More Than They Need you!

The media often portrays veterans as broken, dangerous, and unstable. While some veterans both need and deserve assistance, this inaccurate media portrayal prevents many from seeing Veterans for who they really are. Kat shares her experience as Neavda’s Director of Veterans Services to showcase the contributions of America’s Veterans and provide ideas about how you can support our military and veterans.

Brig. Gen. Robert G. Novotny

robert g novotony
  • Retired USAF Brigadier General, fighter pilot and Commander at Nellis AFB
  • Architect of USAF Thunderbirds “America Strong” during COVID-19 fight
  • Led RED FLAG, USAF Weapons School and USAF Aggressors
  • 28 years across operations, combat deployments, acquisition and policy
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Speaking Topics

  • Modern military issues, particularly Air Force and combat operations
  • Nellis / Creech after 3 assignments in Test, Weapons School
  • 57th Wing (Thunderbirds, Red Flag, Green Flag and more)
  • Acquisition, procurement and budget work
  • Current operations in the Middle East and National Defense Strategy ’18
  • Pilot crisis, HR policies across the force
  • 28 years with the last 12 in command at all levels in the Air Force

Bobi Pike Oates

bobi pike oates
  • U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant (Ret.)
  • Nevada Veterans Advocate
  • Nevada Women Veterans Advisory Committee Advisor
  • Southern Nevada Community Engagement Board Member
  • National Director, West, Air Force Association
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Speaking Topics

What the Military Has to Offer Women

From being handpicked to stand up the Air Force first remote piloted aircraft predator squadron at Creech Air Force Base to providing the leadership for the initial Air Force cadre of maintenance personnel training at Fort Hauchuca, the Air Force has provided Bobi a platform to learn and succeed. What does the military hold for your future? Bobi will be able to provide some answers.

The History and Celebration of Women Warriors

Women have served in our country’s military since our country was born but “firsts” continue to occur for women in uniform!

Bobi covers the contributions women have made in the military over the years and the contributions women continue to make.

Continuing to serve after you retire or separate from the Military

Air Force Association and helping Wounded Warriors

J. R. Stafford

jr stafford
  • US Coast Guard Master Chief Port Security Specialist, (Retired)
  • Eleventh Coast Guard District Reserve Command Master Chief 1998-2002
  • US Coast Guard thirty-two-year veteran of active & reserve duty 1974-2006
  • US Air Force SSgt. 1964-1968 – Da Nang Vietnam, August ’67- July ’68
  • President, Vietnam Veterans of America Sierra Nevada Chapter 989, 2019-2021
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Speaking Topics

  • New US Coast Guard Roles & Missions after 11 September 2001
  • Who are those (USCG) folks and why are they here on my turf
  • Coast Guard alliances with who and why
bill baumann

Bill Baumann

Bill is Chairman of the Nevada Veterans Commission, responsible for advising the Director of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services. He also reviews and makes recommendations regarding veterans issues and bills placed before Nevada State lawmakers. He has a broad and diverse educational background, including training in federal mediation and conflict management. He retired from the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Requirements Systems and Airways Facilities and Air Traffic Controllers Training Specialist. He retired from a major defense contractor as an aerospace logistics and management engineer on the Space Shuttle Program. Also played a lead role in the integration and implementation of the FAA’s Air Traffic Systems modernization program. He served in both Korea and Southeast Asia. He was one of four aircraft launch control NCOIC’s at the Royal Thai Air Base U-Tapio, Thailand, launching 1600 Aircraft Bomber and Tanker sorties over Vietnam each month. He and his team of seven trained Ethiopian Air Force aircraft technicians and flight crews in country during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Bill is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and provides oversight to the day-to-day operations of the DAV Transportation System
anne davis

Anne Davis

Anne has volunteered her time and energy in support of Women Veterans through her work with numerous committees and organizations to include the Women Veterans Advisory Committee, the Women Veterans Health Committee at the Sierra Nevada Health Care System, Lady Vets, Disabled American Veterans and as an Ambassador for the Sierra Nevada Health Care System. Anne is also a Field Force Member for West Point Admissions assisting high school students who are interested in attending a service academy.

She graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps. She served on active duty in the US Army for 29 years in various locations and leadership positions to include battalion and brigade-level commands.

She earned her MBA from Harvard Business School in 1991 and her PhD in Business from City University in New York in 2005. She taught leadership and management courses at the US Military Academy. Retiring as a Colonel, she served as an adjunct faculty member at Argosy University teaching courses in Business Psychology and Business Strategy and Execution.

She then joined Walden University’s faculty in the Doctor of Business Administration Program teaching seminars in Multicultural Management and Sustainability as well as mentoring numerous doctoral students studying various business topics. Anne has published several articles on leadership to include: Theory X and Theory Y, behavioral integrity of managers, and mentoring.

Annie Emprima

Metaphysical Trauma Researcher, Author

Annie Emprima is a metaphysical trauma researcher, U.S. Army veteran, and angel investor. She served in the Nevada Army National Guard from 2008 to 2017, including a 2016 deployment to the Middle East with the 17th Sustainment Brigade, where she conducted financial audits across multiple operational environments, including Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, and Qatar.

Today, Annie is the founder of One Emprima and the creator of the EMPRIMA Methods™, a set of frameworks that bridges neuroscience, emotional processing, and metaphysical understanding to help individuals reconcile trauma and reconnect to their original sense of self. Her work focuses on taming the “roars” by identifying the “whispers” in the body and life that precede larger disruptions, translating complex internal experiences into clear, grounded insights.

Annie has a demonstrated ability to perceive and interpret the deeper emotional and energetic patterns that underlie human behavior. Her work integrates this intuitive and metaphysical awareness with established principles from neuroscience and psychology, allowing her to identify trauma responses that often exist outside of conscious language.

She is the author of Trauma Whispers Before It Roars: A Field Manual for the Nervous System, she helps readers recognize and work with the early signals of unresolved experience. Through her Six Layers of Belonging™ framework, Annie explores how personal healing impacts not only the individual, but also families, communities, and broader systems.

In addition to her research and writing, Annie is an angel investor supporting Nevada-based entrepreneurs through formal organizations since 2016. She has also been a member of the Nevada Women Veterans Advisory Committee since 2017, where she advocates for improved systems of support for women in the Guard, Reserve, and veteran communities.

Annie’s work is informed by interdisciplinary study across neuroscience, psychoneuroimmunology, belief systems, and human behavior.

Having returned from deployment with both visible and invisible wounds, Annie brings lived experience to her work. She is committed to helping others understand the connection between trauma, purpose, and identity—and to influencing cultural change so that future generations of veterans are better supported than those who came before them.

jim mcdonnell

James F. McDonnell

In May 2018, Mr. James F. McDonnell was appointed by President Trump to serve as the Assistant Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office. The mission of the newly-established CWMD Office is to counter attempts by terrorists or other threat actors to carry out an attack against the United States or its interests using a weapon of mass destruction. Prior to this position, Mr. McDonnell was the acting Assistant Secretary of CWMD and the Director of the DHS Domestic Nuclear Detection Office beginning in early 2017. In April of 2020 Mr. McDonnell accepted a position with Mission Support Test Services, LLC. MSTS manages the Nevada National Security Site for the National Nuclear Security Administration. He serves on the Executive Leadership Team as Global Security Strategic Advisor.

kat miller

Kat Miller

Kat served 34 years in the United States Army. Beginning her career as soldier in the Woman’s Army Corps, she achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant before commissioning as a military police officer.

She has served around the world, to include Panama, Germany, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan; and commanded at company, battalion, and Army Command levels, earring the distinction as the longest serving brigade commander in modern Army history.

Kat’s three Pentagon tours included duty as the Commander of the Army Corrections Command, supervising six correctional facilities and developing policy for the detention of unlawful enemy combatants. After retiring, she taught bachelors and masters level college course at the University of Maryland and the University of Nevada, Reno until she was appointed by Governor Sandoval as Director.

Kat’s education includes a Master’s of Science degree from the U.S. Army War College and a Master’s of Public Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago.

robert g novotony

Brig. Gen. Robert G. Novotny

Brig. Gen. Robert G. Novotny serves as the 57th Wing Commander, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He is responsible for 38 squadrons at 13 installations constituting the Air Force’s most diverse flying wing.The wing flies and maintains more than 130 aircraft of the following types: A-10, F-15C/D, F-15E, F-16C/CG/CJ, F-22A, F-35A and HH-60G. The wing also utilizes E-3, RC-135, E-8, B-1, B-2, B-52, C-130, KC-135, C-17, AC-130U and MC-130P aircraft and MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft at 13 stateside bases to support the U.S. Air Force Weapons School syllabus. General Novotny is responsible for four groups: 57th Adversary Tactics Group, 57th Operations Group, 57th Maintenance Group and the U.S. Air Force Weapons School. In addition, he oversees the 561st Joint Tactics Squadron; U.S. Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School; U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds; and the Red Flag and Green Flag exercises.

Brigadier General Novotny was commissioned in 1992 upon graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy and earned his wings at Laughlin AFB, Texas. He completed five operational F-15 assignments with extensive test and combat experience, in addition to serving as an action officer at a major command, a fighter squadron commander, and a test and evaluation group commander. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, the Naval Command & Staff College, the School of Advanced Air & Space Studies, and the National War College.

Brigadier General Novotny is a command pilot with more than 2,500 flight hours in 11 different aircraft, primarily in the F-15C/D/E, and more than 540 combat hours. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Deputy Director, Plans, Programs, Requirements, HQ Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

bobi pike oates

Bobi Pike Oates

Roberta Pike Oates (Bobi) is a U. S. Air Force, retired aircraft maintenance Senior Master Sergeant with 23 years of service. (1976-1999) During her Air Force career she served at several overseas and stateside bases in various Aircraft Maintenance positions. She also deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of Operation Provide Comfort. After retiring from the Air Force she was a Branch Manager for Armed Forces Bank at Nellis AFB for 9 years.

Bobi has lived in Nevada for 28 years. She received her certification as a Nevada Advocate from the Nevada Department of Veteran Services on July 26, 2015.

She served on the Governor’s Women Veterans Advisory Committee 2014-2021 and was reappointed for another term till January 2018 and elected the Vice Chairwoman.

Is a Board member of the newly formed Veterans Administration’s Southern Nevada Community Engagement Board.

She is Vice President of the Women Veterans of Nevada and a member Ceremonial team. Charter Member of the Women in Military Service for America and the Nevada Ambassador for the Women’s Memorial. Member American Legion Post 76; VFW Post 12101, DAV, Air Force Sergeants Association. DAR and United Veterans Legislature Council, Nevada. She was inducted in the Meadows Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution May 2017.

Bobi holds a BS in Business Management, AA in Aircraft Maintenance, AS in Law Enforcement, Certificates in Paralegal Studies and Banking.

jr stafford

J. R. Stafford

J. R. began his US Coast Guard reserve career in 1974 as an Explosives Loading Supervisor at the old Naval Weapons Station (Port Chicago) in Concord California. Over the next thirty-two years, he held positions as a Boarding Officer; Marine Firefighter; Marine Fire Fighting Coordinator; Pollution Investigator; Reserve Command Master Chief, (Both for the Eleventh Coast Guard District and the Pacific Area Port Security Detachment for Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay Cuba); Training Officer; and retired in 2006 as the Senior Incident Command Systems (ICS) Instructor for the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area. Along the way he also worked for Marine Safety Office (MSO) Valdez, AK in the summer of 1989 as an investigator for the EXXON Valdez oil spill and he served as Plans Section Chief for USCG Sector Mobile, Alabama after Hurricane Katrina came ashore in August 2005.

After retiring from Active Duty with the Coast Guard in 2006, J. R. taught Marine Firefighting, Port Security, and Incident Management at the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, California. He then rejoined the US Coast Guard as a civilian GS-12 in the exercise support field, facilitating major oil spill, natural disaster, terrorist, and event exercises and training in the Western Pacific, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama, and Rio de Janeiro until retiring in Reno in 2016.

J. R. holds an AS Degree in Fire Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in safety management. He holds a lifetime Teaching Credential from the University of California, Berkeley; is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM®) with the InternationFal Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM); a FEMA Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP); and a US Coast Guard Marine Environmental Safety and Security Professional.

J. R. is a Life Member of the Vietnam Veterans of America – Sierra Nevada Chapter 989; The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9211, Reno; The Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association, Golden Gate Chapter; and The Navy League of the US Carson City Chapter

J. R. and wife Brigitte reside in Reno with her three cats.

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Want more information on earned veterans benefits or have questions or concerns? You are in the right place! Veterans Service Officers are here to help. Please fill out the form and click “Submit." To find VSO Locations, please visit the Veterans Service Officer page.

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NDVS (Nevada Department of Veterans Services) is currently dealing with a large number of requests.

VSO intake appointments are taking about 30–90 days to schedule. The wait time depends on which location you choose and appointment availability. If you have already submitted a request, you may need to wait longer than usual for someone to contact you. It does not necessarily mean your request has a problem, it’s primarily a notice about the current backlog.