Nebraska Facilities Week

Dean Jacobs – Explorer, Educator, and High Performance Coach

Dean Jacobs is a world traveler, photographer, and educator who has explored more than 58 countries across seven continents. Drawing from nearly a decade of global journeys, including extensive time in the Amazon, Africa, and communities around the world, Dean inspires audiences to lead with purpose, connection, and courage.

Through his signature framework Dream Big, Live Tall, Make the World Better, Dean helps professionals cultivate resilience, mental fitness, and a mindset that elevates both personal well-being and organizational culture. His engaging storytelling, powerful images, and practical insights make his keynotes both energizing and deeply meaningful.

Dean works with schools, universities, nonprofits, and organizations across Nebraska and beyond, empowering individuals and teams to bring their best selves to the work that matters most.

Jonal Broekemier is President and CEO of Care Navigation Solutions, a Nebraska based facilities consulting firm providing operational and compliance training and support, along with leadership development. A seasoned facilities and safety leader, he brings corporate safety expertise and practical hands on experience across healthcare, education, manufacturing, and private industry. Jonal has led NFPA Life Safety Code and OSHA compliance initiatives, implemented CMMS and preventive maintenance programs, and supported capital planning, vendor strategy, and emergency preparedness. His background includes facilities leadership, corporate Process Safety Management, quality auditing, and business ownership. He is also the founder of Nebraska Facilities Week, a statewide conference focused on practical education and cross-industry collaboration. Jonal’s work centers on strengthening teams, improving systems, and helping organizations operate safely, efficiently, and in full regulatory compliance.  All while keeping a people first approach.  

Outside of his professional work, Jonal enjoys spending time with family. He enjoyes  home, lawn, and landscape projects, and values meeting new people and learning bout their stories.

Doug Hohbein began his career with the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Office in 1985 after graduating from Southeast Community College with an AA degree in Fire Protection Technology.  He has held the positions of Deputy Fire Marshal, Plans Examiner and Manager of the Plans Division and Assistant State Fire Marshal. The Governor appointed Doug as State Fire Marshal in October of 2025.

Doug has served on national committees for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Fire Marshal’s Association. He also has certifications through the NFPA and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Rachel Wise, PhD, is a seasoned school administrator and educational consultant with extensive experience serving—and leading—on local, state, and national boards. She spent eight years on the Nebraska State Board of Education, including leadership roles that advanced statewide policy and collaboration. Nationally, she contributed her expertise through the National Association of State Boards of Education and the Accreditation Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Rachel also strengthens her community through leadership positions on the Oakland‑Craig Foundation Board and the Oakland Golf Club Board. Her work reflects a deep commitment to effective governance and expanding educational opportunities for all.

Doug Hohbein began his career with the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Office in 1985 after graduating from Southeast Community College with an AA degree in Fire Protection Technology.  He has held the positions of Deputy Fire Marshal, Plans Examiner and Manager of the Plans Division and Assistant State Fire Marshal. The Governor appointed Doug as State Fire Marshal in October of 2025.

Doug has served on national committees for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Fire Marshal’s Association. He also has certifications through the NFPA and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Erica Montefusco is a senior executive in industrial risk, safety, and compliance and currently serves as Senior Vice President of Risk & Compliance at PROtect LLC, where she leads enterprise safety strategy, regulatory compliance, and operational risk management across complex industrial environments. 

Her path to risk leadership is unconventional. Originally trained in anthropology and geological sciences, Erica began her career studying how environments and human systems evolve over time. That scientific and anthropological lens continues to shape how she approaches industrial safety today—viewing organizations as dynamic systems where culture, pressure, and small operational changes can compound into either resilience or failure. 

Over two decades working alongside engineers, inspectors, and frontline teams in high-hazard industries, she has become known for translating regulatory frameworks into practical leadership systems that strengthen safety culture and operational reliability. 

Erica writes and speaks about risk leadership, resilience, and the role of curiosity in preventing failure. Her recent essay, “The Risk Leader as Explorer,” explores why the most effective safety leaders think less like auditors—and more like investigators of complex systems.

Marjorie Erickson is a Colorado native who grew up in the Denver suburb of Littleton.  She was a sophomore at Columbine High School during the mass-shooting that took place in 1999. For over five hours, she was trapped in a room with her teacher who suffered multiple gunshot wounds and ultimately died as a result.  Marjorie has spoken around the world about her experiences at Columbine and the effects of trauma on kids and families.

Marjorie has her master’s degree in criminal justice and spent eight years as an investigator for the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office.  Several years ago, she changed careers and now practices permanent makeup at her studios in Denver and McCook. Marjorie and her husband, Craig Erickson, recently moved part time to Nebraska so that Craig could practice medicine at Community Hospital. They are the proud parents of four rambunctious dogs and a cat who is a cuddle monster.

Charles Leslie is a cybersecurity professional with over 20 years of experience in threat intelligence, compliance, and risk management. He holds multiple industry certifications: CISSP, CISA, and PCI-ISA.

Charles has worked across banking, healthcare, retail, education, and government sectors. Most recently, he served as a Senior Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, where he built and ran the organization's threat intelligence program. He has also helped small businesses meet complex government security requirements, taking one client's CMMC compliance score from 20 out of 110 to a perfect score in a single month.

Known for making difficult security topics easy to understand, Charles is a trusted voice in the intelligence community. He maintains active relationships with FBI InfraGard and Health-ISAC, and is a recipient of the Dell Champion Award.

Today, Charles runs Flash CTI, a cybersecurity consulting firm focused on helping organizations tackle modern compliance and security challenges.

I am Dale Long and have been the HVAC instructor since 2006 for Central Community College.  Before that, I was the mechatronics trainer on the Grand Island campus. I have an associate’s degree in electrical construction and diplomas in Electrical technology, mechatronics, and HVAC. I am a certified electrical instructor through the HVAC Excellence Academic Review Board. I have been a journeyman electrician since 1993. I am also the owner and operator of Long Electric Heating and Air.

Dave Graff is a lifelong Nebraskan, hands‑on leader, and mentor with decades of experience in project, program, and people management. Over his career, Dave has progressed from individual contributor to Vice President within a Fortune 500 company, leading teams of hundreds and bringing structure and clarity to complex challenges.

Since 2022, Dave has owned and operated MilliCare Lincoln‑Omaha, applying his leadership background to the professional care of commercial flooring and upholstery. He helps facility managers protect their flooring investments, extend asset life, and make informed maintenance decisions that stand up to budget and leadership scrutiny.

A lifelong learner, Dave holds multiple IICRC certifications and is currently working toward IICRC Master Cleaner certification. He regularly educates facility managers and administrators on best practices, common pitfalls, and cost‑effective strategies for maintaining healthy, professional facilities.

Dave serves on the boards of HopeSpoke and the Eastern Nebraska chapter of IFMA, where he has held leadership roles. Outside of work, he enjoys time with family and friends, home improvement projects, running, golfing, and reading.

I am the Pesticide Certification and Worker Protection Specialist for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. In our department we help with the registration of pesticide products.  We process Aerial and Dealer business licenses and help with ESA outreach and handling complaints sent in. This is all just a small piece of what the Department of Agriculture helps the state with. Outside our office we have 5 field inspectors across the state who help with different types of inspections such as Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and applicator record inspections. They also help with complainant calls and collecting samples to send into our lab. Our inspectors are who the applicators usually see the most since they also provide walk in testing sessions throughout the state.

I have been with the Department of Agriculture for about 4 years now. In my role I help process testing and recertification for pesticide applicators. I also write the pesticide tests for applicators. Along with that I work to help promote the Worker Protection Standard for agriculture handlers. Before working here I grew up raising multiple farm animals and being very involved with the local 4H groups. I have always had my heart in agriculture.

Mike has been the EHS Trainer/Coordinator for Central Community College for more than 15 years.  He is an active member of the Community and College Consortium for Health and Safety Training and has been since 2010.  He is currently an OSHA Authorized General Industry Trainer. He has 23 years of industrial manufacturing experience and over 15 years of experience in Environmental and Safety compliance and training.

My training will be Emergency planning and Response. Training title "Trust your Training"

Wyat is a dedicated safety and health professional with over 12 years' experience in workplace safety, emergency preparedness, and facility risk management. In his role as a safety leader, Wyat works closely with employees, leadership teams, and emergency responders to develop and implement effective emergency action plans that protect people, property, and operations. 

Wyat focuses on preparing people to rely on their experiences by "trusting their training" during critical situations. His work emphasizes preparedness for fires, severe weather, medical emergencies, chemical incidents, among other unplanned events that require quick and coordinated response. 

Wyat is passionate about proactive safety planning and believes that a well understood emergency action plan can save lives, reduce injuries, and minimize confusion when seconds matter most. Through engaging training sessions and real-world examples, Wyat trains people to perform at their very best when chaos occurs.

Today, Wyat will share insights on emergency action plans, highlighting key responsibilities, common gaps, and practical steps everyone can take to stay prepared during an emergency.

Jonal Broekemier is President and CEO of Care Navigation Solutions, a Nebraska based facilities consulting firm providing operational and compliance training and support, along with leadership development. A seasoned facilities and safety leader, he brings corporate safety expertise and practical hands on experience across healthcare, education, manufacturing, and private industry. Jonal has led NFPA Life Safety Code and OSHA compliance initiatives, implemented CMMS and preventive maintenance programs, and supported capital planning, vendor strategy, and emergency preparedness. His background includes facilities leadership, corporate Process Safety Management, quality auditing, and business ownership. He is also the founder of Nebraska Facilities Week, a statewide conference focused on practical education and cross-industry collaboration. Jonal’s work centers on strengthening teams, improving systems, and helping organizations operate safely, efficiently, and in full regulatory compliance.  All while keeping a people first approach.  

Outside of his professional work, Jonal enjoys spending time with family. He enjoyes  home, lawn, and landscape projects, and values meeting new people and learning bout their stories.