BODE 2024 SPEAKERS
Ryan Berry
Assistant District Attorney in the 20th Circuit District
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Presentation: Unraveling the Daniel Ray Skaggs Case
Ryan has been a prosecutor for 16 years. He is the former Chair of the Prosecutor’s Section of the Mississippi Bar Association. He has been an instructor at various law enforcement training classes, including the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy. Ryan has tried various types of cases ranging from grand larceny to murder.​
Ryan was a recipient of the “Trial of the Year Award” by the Mississippi Prosecutor's Association for his work on State v. Skaggs. Ryan presented the facts of the Skaggs case to 34th International Symposium on Human Identification in Denver, as well as to the Mississippi Division of the
International Association for Identification in Jackson, Miss. The Skaggs case was featured on the show Bloodline Detectives.
Sarah Cavanaugh
Senior Research Scientist, Bode Technology
Presentation: Comparative Evaluation of Genotyping Technologies for Investigative Genetic Genealogy in Sexual Assault Casework
Sarah Cavanaugh, MSFS, holds a Master of Science in Forensic Science from Towson University in Towson, Md., and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz. Ms. Cavanaugh has been a member of the Bode Research and Development team for over 13 years. While at Bode, she has focused on efforts to evaluate, develop, and implement massively parallel sequencing (MPS) methods for a variety of forensically relevant issues, from mixture deconvolution to Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy. Her work has been funded through multiple awards from IWTSD/TSWG and NIJ. Ms. Cavanaugh also serves as a member of the NVTIC Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Technology Validation Working Group, Laboratory Technology Validation subcommittee.
Derek Coats
Senior Law Enforcement Specialist, RTI International
Presentation: A Utah SAKI DNA Story – Partially Tested Kits: Resolving and Preventing Violent Crimes by Identifying Serial Offenders
Derek Coats currently provides technical assistance to over 80 Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) sites across the United States. Derek began his law enforcement career in 1994 after graduating from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in psychology. He retired from Salt Lake City Police Department in 2017 after 23 years, spending the last eight years in major crimes investigations. He joined the Utah Department of Public Safety – State Bureau of Investigation (DPS-SBI) in 2018 as a Senior Investigator assigned to the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative project managed through the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) and Utah DPS-SBI, reviewing almost 5,000 kits for case associations and serial offenders.
He received training from the U.S. Secret Service in cell phone forensics and the FBI on how to investigate internet crimes involving children and adults. Derek has traveled out of Utah, cooperating with victim advocates, to locate survivors of sexual assault to ensure victim resources were offered. He has also traveled throughout Utah and to other states to locate suspects in cases, serving search warrants, obtaining evidence, and interviewing them when needed. All of this is accomplished through a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies, from state and local to federal levels.
Philip Curtis
Managing Attorney, Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Presentation: GBI Cold Case Unit/ Coleman-Baker Act HB88
Working as an attorney in federal, state, and local government for over a decade, Philip Curtis has served as in-house counsel with criminal law enforcement agencies and as a criminal prosecutor.
Currently, as a Managing Attorney with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Philip serves as legal advisor to the Office of Special Investigations, Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center, Georgia Crime Information Center, and Open Records Unit.
Before joining GBI, Philip served as an Assistant Chief Counsel (ACC) with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) advising federal agents at its field offices in Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC. Prior to his role with HSI, Philip prosecuted state felony criminal cases as a Senior Assistant District Attorney (ADA) in Georgia’s Clayton Judicial Circuit.
Philip received his Juris Doctorate and Master of Public Administration from Georgia State University, and his undergraduate degree in Economics from Clemson University.
Mackenzie DeHaan
Forensic Scientist Supervisor/Technical Leader/Special Agent Forensic Biology
North Carolina Department of Justice
Presentation: Promega Tech Tour
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Kelli Dixon
Forensic DNA Section Chief, Arkansas State Crime Laboratory
Presentation: Property Crimes Program Overview
Kelli Dixon, a proud native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, has established a remarkable career and is deeply committed to her community. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 2002. Starting her career at the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in 2005, Kelli underwent training in Forensic Serology and DNA analysis in the Forensic Biology section. In 2016, she transitioned to the CODIS section and served as the State Alternate Administrator. In 2021, she was promoted to supervisor of the Forensic DNA section.
Kelli is a member of the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ACASA), a statewide coalition dedicated to eradicating sexual violence and human trafficking.
Residing in Little Rock, Ark., with her daughter Kaylah, Kelli is deeply involved in her community. She holds the position of First Vice President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Delta Omega Omega Chapter, where she demonstrates exceptional leadership and dedication to service.
Kelli finds joy in spending quality time with her family and engaging in volunteer work, constantly striving to create a positive impact on her community. Her ongoing efforts drive progress and inspire change, leaving a lasting positive impact on those around her.
Jillian B. Echard
Forensic Science Examiner II, Training Coordinator, Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), Division of Scientific Services
Presentation: Addressing the Sexual Assault Kit Backlog in Connecticut
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Jillian Echard began her career in Forensics in 2004 as part of the FBI’s Regional Mitochondrial program at the Division of Scientific Services in Connecticut. Currently, she is a lead in Connecticut’s DNA section, and has the role of training coordinator. She received a bachelor's degree in Biology from Villanova University and a master’s degree in Forensic Science from the University of Central Oklahoma. She met her husband, Dustin, while in Oklahoma. They have two children, though, having an identical twin, you’ll often hear her claim she actually has four kids. You’ll find her, when she’s not at work, cheering on those kids, and the Yankees.
Heather Edgar
Forensic Anthropologist, Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico
Presentation: Collaboration and Success with Unidentified Human Remains Project
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Heather J.H. Edgar, PhD, D-ABFA, is Professor of Anthropology and Forensic Anthropologist for the Office of the Medical Investigator, University of New Mexico. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. She received her training at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (BA), Arizona State University (MA), and the Ohio State University (PhD). In addition to her practice as a forensic anthropologist, Dr. Edgar's research relates to the ways that cultural trends and historical events shape the biology of human populations.
Amy Gerow
Supervising Forensic Scientist, Arizona Department of Public Safety
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Amy Gerow has been a qualified DNA analyst with Arizona DPS since 2008 and has experience in the Casework, Database, and Familial DNA sections as both an analyst and supervisor. She received her Bachelor’s degree from University of Arizona and Master’s degree from University of Saint Joseph in Connecticut. She is an Arizona native and loves all dogs and enjoys most people.
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Kim Gin
Retired Sacramento County Coroner
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Presentation: Disaster Victim Identification: The Camp Fire, Conception Dive Boat Fire and Maui Wildfire
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Kim Gin began her career in the death investigation field as a Deputy Coroner/Medicolegal Death Investigator in 2001 at the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office. She investigated many different types of deaths during her career and was quickly drawn to the identification processes surrounding unidentified decedents and bringing closure to the families she served.
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She was appointed to Coroner in 2014. While serving as the Coroner for Sacramento County, she managed the identifications of the victims of the 2018 Butte County Camp Fire and assisted the Santa Barbara County Sheriff in identifying the victims of the 2019 Santa Barbara County Conception Dive Boat Fire utilizing Rapid DNA technology. More recently she responded to Maui to assist in wildfire victim identification.
She retired from the Coroner’s Office in the summer of 2022 and opened her own consulting agency, Kim Gin Professional Solutions, LLC.
She currently is a member of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) and the International Association of Coroner Medical Examiner (IACME) and serves on the IACME Advocacy Committee.
Michelle Graham
Acting State CODIS Administrator and Technical Leader, NMDIS Administrative Center
Presentation: Collaboration and Success with Unidentified Human Remains Project
Michelle Graham began her career as a Forensic DNA analyst nine years ago at the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. Over the next few years, she became the Local Alternate CODIS Administrator and ultimately Local CODIS Administrator. In 2020, Michelle transitioned into the role of State Alternate CODIS Administrator with the New Mexico DNA Identification System. Last year, she took over the role of NMDIS Technical Leader and is currently the Acting State CODIS Administrator.
Greg Hampikian
Professor of Biology and Criminal Justice, Boise State University
Director, BSU Wastewater Epidemiology Lab (BSUWEL) and Forensic Justice Project
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Presentation: Lessons from the Misapplication of Forensic DNA: Amanda Knox, Chris Tapp, Kerry Robinson
Dr. Hampikian’s casework has been featured in Science, on the BBC, CNN and Dateline. His book Exit to Freedom with exoneree Calvin Johnson Jr. chronicles Mr. Johnson’s 17-year fight to prove his innocence using DNA. Hampikian has helped establish innocence organizations in Armenia, France, and Ireland, and served as a DNA expert in more than 3 dozen exonerations including Amanda Knox (Italy), Freddie Lawrence and Paul Jenkins (with Montana Innocence Project), Kerry Robinson (with the Georgia Innocence Project), and Christopher Tapp and Charles Fain in Idaho.
In both Idaho cases, his lab worked with police to identify new DNA genealogy matches that led to arrests, decades after the crimes. His New York Times Op-eds include “The Dangers of DNA Testing,” “When May I Shoot a Student?,” and “Men, Who Needs Them?” In addition to forensics, his lab currently works on COVID-19, HIV, cancer, and has pioneered the study of absent sequences in nature called Nullomers.
Douglas Hares
Rapid DNA Implementation Advisor, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Presentation: Critical CODIS/NDIS Updates
Dr. Hares is the Rapid DNA Implementation Program Advisor for the FBI’s Biometric Analysis Section. He joined the DNA Analysis Unit II of the FBI Laboratory in 2000 as a Forensic Examiner. In 2006, he transferred to the CODIS Unit, where he served as the NDIS Custodian until November 2019.
Dr. Hares received his doctorate in Molecular Biology from the University of North Texas. He is an invited guest and participant for the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) and the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI). He also has served as a member and advisor to Interpol’s DNA Monitoring Expert Group.
Jed Henry
Director of Photography, Recon Productions; President, PFC Lawrence Gordon Foundation
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Presentation: Honoring a Commitment - The Identification of Lt. Nathan Baskind
Jed Henry is the owner and director of photography at Recon Productions, a full-service video production company based in Wisconsin. His work is mostly in broadcast television, but also includes documentaries and corporate projects. He is also the president of the PFC Lawrence Gordon Foundation, a 501c(3) non-profit organization that works to recover, identify, and honor missing U.S. soldiers from past conflicts. with a special interest in WWII. The foundation’s namesake served in the same company as Henry's grandfather and was identified in 2014 by a group of volunteers lead by Henry. It was the only known military identification in U.S. to be completed completely outside of the U.S. government's accounting system until the Lt. Baskind case. Henry lives in Cross Plains, Wis., with his wife, Jessica, and his two daughters, Charlotte and Sophie.
Krista A. Herrera
Forensic Scientist, Forensic Biology Unit, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
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Presentation: Promega Tech Tour
Deedra Hughes
Assistant Director/CODIS Administrator, Mississippi Forensics Laboratory
Presentation: Unraveling the Daniel Ray Skaggs Case
Deedra Hughes, earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Alcorn State University and a Masters in Forensics Science from National University San Diego. Employed with the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory since 2000, she oversees the technical aspects of the four laboratories in the state and the state’s DNA Database. She assisted in authoring the DNA arrestee collection law for the state of Mississippi and trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners throughout Mississippi on the proper collection of sexual assault evidence.
Hughes is a member of the Scientific Working Group of DNA Analysis and Methods (SWGDAM) and serves as the Chair of the CODIS committee on SWGDAM. She is a trained ISO 17025 and QAS auditor and a member of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Southern Association of Forensic Science and Mississippi Division of the International Association for Identification. She also holds a national certification from American Board of Criminalistics.
Lisa Hurst
Director, North America, GTH DNA
Presentation: The Latest Legal and Legislative Action on Forensic DNA
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Lisa Hurst primarily represents clients in the multi-state division of the firm. She regularly consults with members of state legislatures, legislative staff, state agency officials, and a variety of interest groups throughout the country. She actively represents clients in matters relating to legislative appropriations and authorizations, as well as state agency budgets and regulations. In addition to her governmental affairs activities, Lisa has become well known for her ability to organize and administer significant government research projects. In 2003 Lisa was the project manager when the firm received a Department of Justice grant to study forensic DNA backlogs and has subsequently been selected to run other government research projects.
Working in governmental affairs since 1995, Lisa has experience working on Capitol Hill for a member of Congress and as an Associate with a large Washington, D.C. lobbying firm. Her federal background and experience working with state legislative and regulatory bodies, gives her a unique perspective in working with a wide variety of client interests. A native of Kentucky, Lisa received her undergraduate degree from Miami University of Ohio. She currently resides in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband, daughter, and son.
Tim Kalafut, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Science, Sam Houston State University
Presentation: What’s the Probability that DNA Evidence Isn’t Relevant Anymore? Is Anything Possible?
Tim Kalafut has a BA in Chemistry (Music minor) from Whitworth University (née College) in Spokane, Wash., and a Ph.D. in Toxicology from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. After his Ph.D., he worked in the Dallas County, Texas, crime lab for three years before moving to the U.S. Army Crime Lab in January 2002. He was a simple bench scientist at the Army lab, where he worked cases and traveled to exotic places like Korea; Minot, N.D.; and Knob Noster, Mo., to testify. As a result of an apparent mid-life crisis, he left the Army lab and the federal government to go back to school at Sam Houston State University. However, this time he is at school as a professor and not as a student. He has since found out that students have much more free time than new professors do.
His current research interests lie in the continued improvement of mixture interpretation for CE-based technology, maximizing the information contained in NGS DNA mixtures, and the evaluation of DNA evidence given activities of interest to the court. Dr. Kalafut is convinced that juries can understand and use the likelihood ratio and Bayes’ theorem as they listen to evidence and make decisions at appropriate levels of the hierarchy of propositions. In his spare time, he likes to think about having spare time, but he secretly admits he’s having fun in his current job.
Christina Kanner
Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Panel: GBI Cold Case Unit/ Coleman-Baker Act HB88
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ASAC Kanner is responsible for assisting the Special Agent in Charge with the supervision of special agents and others within the Office of Special Investigations, a unit responsible for criminal election-related investigations, public corruption investigations, and the newly formed cold case unit.
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She began her career in law enforcement with the Douglasville Police Department in 2010 before becoming a special agent with the GBI in 2012. She became a crime scene specialist in 2014. ASAC Kanner is a P.O.S.T. certified instructor and a member of the Georgia International Association for Identification (GAIAI) as well as the International Association for Identification (IAI). She is certified as a Crime Scene Technician in Georgia and served as a Technical Leader for the GBI Crime Scene Program from November 2020 until July 1, 2023. ASAC Kanner graduated from the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and a minor in Computer Science. She also graduated from the University of Tennessee National Forensics Academy.
Benjie Kirkbride
Sexual Assault Survivor
Presentation: Unraveling the Daniel Ray Skaggs Case
Benjie Kirkbride survived a brutal sexual assault in 1990, when a man hid inside of her van, put a knife to her throat and forced her to drive to a remote location, where he raped her. It would take 33 years, but relentless investigative work, DNA analysis of Kirkbride’s original rape kit, and Kirkbride’s testimony led to the conviction in 2023 of Daniel Ray Skaggs in the violent attack. In court, Kirkbridge also said she forgive Skaggs, who died in prison just weeks after he was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
Amanda Knox
Exoneree, Author and Podcast Host
Keynote Presentation: Truth Matters
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Amanda Knox spent eight years on trial and four years in an Italian prison before being exonerated of murder. The case made headlines for nearly a decade as Amanda was exploited by the media and judged on a global scale. Since her exoneration, she has fought to reclaim her identity and to find meaning from her unjust incarceration, all while advocating for a more just legal system and a more ethical media Thoughtful, passionate and revelatory, Amanda Knox has captivated audiences across the country and abroad, sharing the wisdom she learned the hard way about how to find resilience in the face of tremendous adversity.​ She is the author of The New York Times bestselling memoir Waiting to Be Heard and co-host of the podcast “Labyrinths” with her husband, Christopher Robinson.
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Katey Nori
Criminalist IV and Assistant Director, New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Presentation: Increasing Gun Crime Evidence Submissions Through A Testing and Analysis Turnaround
After completing a master’s degree in forensic science, Nori started her career at the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner in 2005. She has continued her almost 19 years of service in different capacities. She worked a large part of her career in the Low Copy DNA section of the laboratory, working on hundreds of cases involving violent crimes. Nori was one of a very small group that performed and lectured about Low Copy DNA testing in the country. She has worked as a DNA analyst, DNA supervisor, and now Assistant Director. In 2022, the mayor of NYC gave the agency a directive to create a Gun Crimes Unit, and Nori was given the responsibility of creating and heading the unit and ensuring the cases are completed within 30 days. The laboratory met the turnaround time within months of creating the unit.
In addition to her casework and managerial duties, she serves as the department’s Customer Liaison, which includes communicating with the NYPD, all five NYC District Attorney’s offices, and defense community about the cases that are accepted in the laboratory and the testing that will be performed helping to streamline the thousands of cases the agency tests a year.
Steve O’Camb
Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Investigator, Utah Department of Public Safety, State Bureau of Investigation
Presentation: A Utah SAKI DNA Story – Partially Tested Kits: Resolving and Preventing Violent Crimes by Identifying Serial Offenders
Steve O’Camb has been a SAKI Investigator for seven years. He has 27+ years of law enforcement experience with city, county, and state agencies. Steve began his career in 1995 at the Millard County Sheriff’s Office in Fillmore as a dispatcher, corrections officer, and patrol deputy. He then spent nearly 15 years with the West Valley City Police Department (Utah’s second largest city) before retiring in 2015. He served as detective sergeant over the special victims unit at WVPD. During his career the department underwent unprecedented reforms in trauma-informed investigation and prosecution of sex crimes. He received the Utah Domestic Violence Council Family Violence Prevention Award (2008), the WVPD Investigator of Year Award (2009), Sworn Supervisor of the Year Award (2013), and Chief’s Award (2015) for outstanding contributions to the department.
Steve earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement from Utah Valley University in 2017. As part of the SAKI team, he provides monthly training and investigative support (including Advanced DNA Testing options) to the more than 150 police agencies in Utah, on the 5,000 previously unsubmitted/partially tested sexual assault kits, and another 48 unsolved sexually motivated homicides. While at DPS, Steve has received the 2018 Crime Victim Service Award from the Utah Council on Victims of Crime, a 2019 NAACP of Utah First Responder Award, the 2020 DPS Medal of Excellence, and the 2023 Community Impact Award from SBI. He is a certified Trauma Advocate and was appointed by Governor Cox in 2021 to sit on the Utah Crime Victim Reparations and Assistance Board of Directors.
Tom Orzechowski
New Castle County, Del., Police Department
Presentation: The Effectiveness and Successes of BodeHITS, A Localized Databasing Program
Sgt. Orzechowski has been with the New Castle County Police Department since 2002, first as a patrol officer before joining the Criminal Investigation Unit as a detective in 2006. He has investigated active and cold-case homicides, sexual assaults, robberies, serious crimes against persons, burglaries, fraud, high-dollar thefts and more in his career.
In 2016, he began supervising the Evidence Detection Squad (Crime Scene Unit) and became DNA Administrator Supervisor. Sgt. Orzechowski also implemented a Local DNA Database system through Bode Cellmark Forensics, which to date has seen 3,434 DNA hits that have assisted in 1,115 cases.
In 2017, he implemented a Rapid DNA program, which has processed more than 2,000 samples that have returned 643 DNA hits. And in 2022, Sgt. Orzechowski implemented a database sharing program that shares DNA profiles with Pennsylvania, resulting in 36 cross-agency hits.
Sgt. Orzechowski has received numerous awards through his career, including Sons of the American Revolution Investigator of the Year and Crime Stoppers Investigator of Year for Delaware.
Dane Plaza
Director of Federal Operations, Bode Technology
Workshop: Rapid DNA Use on the Southern U.S. Border
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Mr. Plaza is responsible for the technical oversight and program management of forensic research and operations programs supporting the United States Government. He possesses over 13 years of program management experience and 21 years of experience in plant, bacterial, and human genomics. Mr. Plaza recently served as the Program Manager for a Rapid DNA Program that identified and deterred possible child trafficking by identifying fraudulent family units attempting to cross the Southwest US border.
Kimberly Rogers
Forensic Scientist Specialist
Kentucky State Police Central Forensic Laboratory
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Workshop: Kentucky's Rapid DNA Program highlighting Sexual Assault Kit Processing and DIsaster Victim Identification
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Kimberly Rogers has been an integral member of the Kentucky State Police Central Forensic Laboratory since 2005 and brings over 16 years of expertise as a DNA Analyst within the Forensic Biology Database section. She also holds the responsibility of serving as the alternate CODIS administrator and an active member of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport Mass Disaster Committee.
She is a proud alumna of the University of Kentucky, where she earned bachelor's degrees in both Chemistry and Biology, laying a strong foundation for her career in forensic science. Kim has been at the forefront of the Kentucky State Police Rapid DNA program since its inception serving as a DNA analyst and assisting in Law Enforcement training.
Jennifer Snedeker
Doctoral Student, Sam Houston State University
Presentation: DNA Analysis of Chemically Treated Human Remains
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Jennifer Snedeker is a doctoral candidate at Sam Houston State University in the Department of Forensic Science. She is interested in advancing forensic DNA and human identification methods by improving DNA extraction procedures from skeletal remains and examining novel investigative methods for these sample types. Her research is focused on highly degraded and challenging skeletal samples that closely mimic those seen in forensic casework. Prior to beginning her PhD research, Jennifer received a Bachelor of Science in human biology from Michigan State University.
Bryce Vandenbelt
Rapid BodeHITS Technical Representative
Workshop: Support for Law Enforcement Rapid DNA Programs
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Bryce is responsible for the client support and management of Bode's DNA local databasing program, BodeHITS, as well as support for clients utilizing Bode's Rapid validation and Reachback programs. Bryce has a bachelor's Degree in Biomolecular Science from the University of Michigan and a Master's Degree in Forensic Science from The George Washington University. He has been with Bode for four years and started in the evidence department before switching roles to the Sales Team in 2022.
Teresa Vreeland
Director of Forensic Genealogy Services and Designated Laboratory Official, Bode Technology
Presentation: Unraveling the Daniel Ray Skaggs Case
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Teresa Vreeland has a Bachelor of Science in Genetic Engineering with a Concentration in Forensic Science from Cedar Crest College and has been employed by Bode since 2006. Teresa has worked across many groups at Bode, including DNA Databasing, DNA Casework, Forensic Biology, Software Development, Technical Services and Casework Supervisor. More recently in 2018, Teresa played an integral role in forming Bode’s Forensic Genealogy Services team, bringing this full-service offering to Bode’s clients. In addition to her work on the genealogy team, Teresa maintains her proficiency as a Sr. Forensic Biology and DNA Analyst.
Brian Whidby
Special Agent in Charge, Office of Special Investigations, Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Presentation: GBI Cold Case Unit/ Coleman-Baker Act HB88
SAC Whidby began his law enforcement career in 1997 prior to employment with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) in 2001. SAC Whidby was assigned to the GBI Region 8 Cleveland Field Office primarily investigating violent crimes until 2013. In 2013, SAC Whidby was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) of the GBI Region 10 Atlanta Field Office. SAC Whidby has served as the ASAC for the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GISAC) Georgia’s Fusion Center from 2018 to 2020 and as the ASAC at the GBI Region 8 Cleveland Field Office from 2020 to 2022.
SAC Whidby was promoted to Special Agent in Charge of the GBI Office of Special Investigations (2022) and is responsible for supervision of the staff assigned to this statewide unit that conducts both Public Corruption investigations and Cold Case Investigations.
SAC Whidby graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1997 and received a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University in 2017. He is a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College and the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia (Session 279).