2026 Conference Speakers
and Topics in no particular order.
I began my law enforcement career in Centre, Alabama in 2009, as a corrections officer at the county jail. Then in 2011 I began my animal welfare career as the county animal control officer.
I was heavily influenced in my decision because of my love of animals, and maybe because I was tired of those long 12-hour shifts. When I began my animal welfare career, the training I
first received was a truck, set of keys, trap and a control pole. I wasn’t really shown how to properly use any of them. After finding out about NACA, I started attending as many classes as
possible. My goal was to become the best animal control officer that I could be, and maybe one day an instructor. I was heavily influenced by my Baptist Preacher of Dad, Jerry Clower, Justin
Wilson, Johnny Mays, Jeff Clemons, Kathy Strouse, Mindy Gilbert and Kevin Hearst, just to name a few. I’ve worked many cruelty cases in my county and assisted in many in surrounding
states. My next chapter in my animal welfare career came in 2015, when Kevin Hearst asked me to assist in teaching a state law class in Alabama. After my first day on stage, I was hooked.
My next chapter came in 2017 when I was given the honor of becoming the Shelter Manager of the newly opened county animal shelter. I’m recognized as an animal cruelty investigator and nationally certified animal control officer. Since 2015 I have been recognized as an instructor for Humane Law In-Service Training, formerly known as Big Time Speakers. I’ve had the honor of speaking at multiple training sessions, and conferences, throughout various states.
DUSTIN DUTTON
Venessa A. Sims, MEP, GA-CEM is the Director of Outreach for Law Enforcement and Emergency Management at the Georgia Department of Agriculture. She serves as a liaison and supports education and outreach for emergency management, law enforcement, and homeland security duties for the food and agriculture sector. Venessa is the Georgia representative for the Southern Animal and Agriculture Disaster Response Alliance (SAADRA) and served as the Past Board President and a current Board Member for the National Alliance of State Animal and Agriculture Emergency Programs (NASAAEP) and the Heritage Emergency Response Alliance (HERA). Venessa is the Emergency Support Function (ESF) 11 Coordinator for the state of Georgia and coordinates response activities at the State Operations Center (SOC) for ESF 11 during activations, chairs ESF 11 planning, coordination, and exercise support activities, and coordinates ESF 11 recovery endeavors. She is the Training & Exercise Coordinator for the Department where she works collaboratively with local, state, federal and private sector partners to plan, train and implement exercises related to food and agriculture and public health. She was the VISTA FORGE-ATL FSE Unified Commander (UC) and chaired the Planning Committee for animal decontamination operations and routinely serves as a subject matter expert for animal decontamination training and exercises nationwide. She served as the Food Defense UC for Super Bowl LIII and 2025 College Football in Atlanta. She has served on the AVMA CDEI Committee and the FDA FSMA Intentional Adulteration Workgroup as a state representative.
Vanessa Sims
Jennifer Dunn is currently serving as the Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Jennifer is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, she is a trainer for Mental Health First Aid and QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) to assist with Suicide Prevention. In her current role, Jennifer is helping advance the vision and mission of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities in the 89 counties of Southern Georgia with a focus on rural communities. She also is the Chair for the Georgia Department of Community Health's State office of Rural Health and their Georgia Farmworker Healthcare Program. She has a passion for all things rural, lives on a timber farm and enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 sons and 5 dogs.
Clint Ganus
Manager, Disaster Response
ASPCA – National Field Response Team
Clint Ganus is a seasoned emergency response professional with over 14 years of specialized experience in animal welfare and disaster operations. Currently serving as a Manager of Disaster Response on the ASPCA’s National Field Response team, Clint plays a vital role in mobilizing and leading field operations during natural and man-made disasters that impact animals and communities across the country.
Since joining the ASPCA, Clint has brought a wealth of field experience, logistical insight, and leadership to complex disaster missions. His expertise spans a wide range of response operations, including emergency sheltering, technical animal rescue, coordination with local and state emergency management, and interagency partnerships to ensure a seamless and humane response to crises.
Prior to his tenure at the ASPCA, Clint served as the Administrative Lieutenant for Disaster Response at the San Diego Humane Society, where he managed deployment logistics, training programs, and operational oversight for both planned and emergent incidents. He was also an integral member of the San Diego Humane Society's Emergency Response team, which specialized in disaster response, water rescue, and technical animal rescue operations.
Clint's dedication to the protection and humane treatment of animals is evident in every aspect of his work. Whether coordinating logistics for emergency deployments or working hands-on in flooded communities and wildfire zones, Clint prioritizes both animal and human safety. His approach reflects a deep commitment to preparedness, collaboration, and resilience—values that are critical to navigating the uncertainty of disaster response environments.
Clint is recognized not only for his technical expertise and calm under pressure, but also for his collaborative leadership style and ability to build strong relationships with local animal welfare organizations, emergency responders, and national partners. His work is driven by a mission to reduce suffering and restore stability for people and animals in crisis.
Clint Ganus
