2025 Western States ORC Conference Agenda
Sept 10-12
Seaside, Oregon
9/9: PRE-CONFERENCE DAY
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM | EARLY REGISTRATION & WELCOME RECEPTION
Holiday Inn Express Conference Room
● Registration packet pickup and badge distribution
● Meet & greet networking with light refreshments
● Vendor raffle ticket distribution begins
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | VENDOR SETUP
Seaside Convention Center Main Foyer
9/10: DAY 1
7:00AM - 9:45 AM | EVENT REGISTRATION
Necanicum Room
Coffee and light refreshments provided.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM | TASK FORCE COMMANDER MEETING & BREAKFAST
Executive Boardroom
Sponsored by Amazon
Exclusive meeting for ORC Task Force Commanders from across the Western States.
By invitation only.
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM | OPENING CEREMONIES
Main Ballroom
● Honor Guard Presentation of Colors with representatives from the Sheriff's Office, Tigard, and other West Side agencies
● Welcome to Seaside - Lt Guy Knight of the Seaside Police Department extends a warm welcome to the beautiful coastal city of Seaside, Oregon
● Western States Welcome Video - Meet the planning board members from across the Western states who came together to create something different. Hear from retail investigators, law enforcement officers, and prosecutors about why this conference breaks the traditional mold, how we're building true partnerships instead of vendor pitches, and what it means to have boots-on-the-ground collaboration driving every session. This isn't just another conference - it's a movement to change how we fight Organized Retail Crime together.
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM | KEYNOTE: "TURNING THE TIDE: WASHINGTON COUNTY'S BOLD STAND AGAINST RETAIL CRIME"
Main Ballroom
Speaker: Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton Introduced by: District Attorney Kevin
Barton shares Washington County's journey from being overwhelmed by retail crime to securing millions in grant funding and becoming a model jurisdiction for effective prosecution. Discover the practical strategies, public awareness campaigns, and collaborative approaches that have transformed how an entire county addresses organized retail crime.
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM | COFFEE BREAK / TRANSITION TO BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Networking Break - Sponsored by Auror
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM | MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Choose One)
MAIN STAGE: "Beyond Borders: A Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington County Partnership on Retail Crime"
Main Ballroom
Speakers: Washington County DA Kevin Barton, Multnomah County DA Nathan Vasquez, & Clackamas County Chief Deputy DA Chris Owen Moderator: Clackamas County Detective Mike Zacher
For years, ORC networks played jurisdictions against each other in the Portland metro, knowing cases would fall through the cracks when crimes crossed county lines. That changed when three district attorneys decided to stop working in silos and start working as allies. In this candid discussion, hear directly from the DAs who broke down the barriers, shared resources, and created a unified prosecution strategy that's finally making criminals think twice about operating in Portland. Learn the practical steps they took to align their offices, the challenges they overcame, and the measurable impact their collaboration has had on retail crime rates across the region.
● BREAKOUT ROOM 1: “HOW MALL SECURITY TEAMS ARE WORKING ORC"
Riverside Rooms - 2nd Floor
● Speakers: Carl Kleinknecht (Director of Mall Security for Bellevue Square and Vice President of WAORCA)
High-end malls are prime targets for organized retail crime, but they're also uniquely positioned to fight back. Carl Kleinknecht, a retired assistant police chief now running security at one of the West Coast's premier shopping destinations, will share the real-world strategies his team uses to identify, track, and build cases against ORC subjects. From plain-clothes surveillance techniques to building partnerships with individual retailers, learn how mall security can evolve from reactive guards to proactive investigators. This session covers practical approaches any mall security team can implement, regardless of budget or size.
● BREAKOUT ROOM 2: "AI 101: A SKEPTIC'S GUIDE TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN INVESTIGATIONS"
Seaside Rooms - 2nd Floor
Speakers: Elliott Verreault (AKTEK) + Chris SIsto (Solink)
If you're tired of AI hype, confused about where to start, or convinced this is just another tech fad, this session is for you. We'll cut through the marketing noise to show you precisely what AI can and cannot do for ORC investigations. Through live demonstrations and real-world examples, learn how AI tools are already helping investigators analyze video footage, identify patterns, and extract actionable intelligence from overwhelming amounts of data. This interactive session focuses on practical applications that you can implement immediately, honest discussions about limitations, and hands-on demonstrations that will leave even the most skeptical individuals with a clear understanding of how AI can enhance their investigative work. No technical background required – just bring your questions and curiosity.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | NETWORKING LUNCH
Main Ballroom
Sponsored by Motorola
Connect with peers while enjoying a delicious lunch
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM | MAIN STAGE: "OPERATION RHINO: DISMANTLING A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR FENCING EMPIRE"
Main Ballroom
Speakers: Jeremy Girard (Target Field Investigator), Phil Smith (Fred Meyer Market Investigator), Theresa Turner (ORC Task Force Deputy DA), and Rebecca Lauderdale (ORC Task Force DA Investigator)
Sponsored by 3SI
For years, a sophisticated fencing operation known as "Gift Card Rhino" served as the beating heart of Portland's organized retail crime ecosystem, processing millions in stolen merchandise and fueling a network of professional boosters. This case study takes you inside the multi-year investigation that brought down this criminal enterprise, from the initial red flags that triggered suspicion to the coordinated takedown that recovered vast quantities of stolen goods. The investigative team reveals their strategies for building the case, the technologies that proved crucial to success, and the collaborative approach between retailers and law enforcement that ultimately prevailed.
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM | Coffee Break
Sponsored by Axon
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM | MAIN STAGE "THE DIRECTOR'S CUT: INSIDE THE ORC BATTLEGROUND"
Main Ballroom
Panelists: Rory Stallard (Ulta Beauty Investigations Director), George Torres (JCPenney Investigations Director), Javier Gonzales (Target Field Investigations Director), and Justine Venezia (Gap Inc. Investigations Director)
Moderated by: Jeremy Girard (Target Field Investigator)
Sponsored by LiveView
Step inside the command centers of America's retail giants as four elite investigations directors share their unfiltered perspectives on the evolving ORC landscape. With decades of combined experience and responsibility for protecting billions in assets, these leaders offer rare insights into how major retailers are adapting their strategies to counter increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. From resource allocation and technology deployment to team building and cross-retailer collaboration, this panel discussion reveals the high-stakes decisions that shape the industry's response to organized retail crime.
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM "FROM SEIZURE TO TREASURY: THE ASSET FORFEITURE ADVANTAGE"
Main Ballroom
Speaker: Tonya Andrews, AUSA
Many investigators and prosecutors overlook one of the most powerful tools in the fight against organized retail crime: asset forfeiture. This presentation reveals how properly structured cases can not only remove criminals from the streets but also seize their ill-gotten gains and convert them into resources for law enforcement. Through compelling case examples, learn the legal frameworks, investigative approaches, and documentation requirements that make for successful forfeiture actions. Discover how to identify forfeitable assets early in investigations, build the necessary evidence for seizure, and navigate the process of converting criminal proceeds into funding for future enforcement efforts.
4:00 PM - 4:15PM | Break
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM BAY AREA SUNGLASS BANDITS
Main Ball Room
Speaker: Sgt. Czar Valdeheuza, San Ramon PD
When a street gang in the Bay area targets Sunglass Hut for more than $1.9M over 59 incidents it draws the attention of a multiple agencies. In this case presentation Sgt Valdeheuza will share how collaboration with retailer, prosecutors and the regional task force came together to secure 33 felony indictments for a variety of criminal charges.
5:00 PM - 5:15 PM | CLOSING REMARKS & DAY 1 SUMMARY
Main Ballroom
Recap of key insights from Day 1 and preview of Day 2 agenda
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM | NETWORKING RECEPTION & RAFFLE DRAWING
Seaside Convention Center
Sponsored by Motorola/Solink/Vigilant AP
Continue the conversation in a relaxed setting with refreshments, entertainment, and exciting prize drawings. Must be present to win!
9/11 DAY 2
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM | 9/11 HONOR GUARD TRIBUTE
Main Ballroom
A solemn remembrance ceremony honoring the fallen heroes of September 11, 2001
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM | DAY 2 PREVIEW
Main Ballroom
Interactive session highlighting key takeaways from Day 1 and setting the stage for Day 2
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM | MAIN STAGE: "THE SURVEILLANCE EDGE: FIELD TECHNIQUES THAT GET RESULTS"
Main Ballroom
Speakers: Ross Hay & Nancy Amoroso, Vigilare
Sponsored by Vigilare
In an age of digital investigation, physical surveillance remains an irreplaceable tool in the ORC investigator's arsenal. This hands-on session, led by former LAPD surveillance specialists, reveals field-tested techniques for following subjects, documenting criminal activity, and building court-ready evidence without detection. Learn how to plan surveillance operations, adapt to changing conditions, leverage technology without becoming dependent on it, and coordinate team movements for maximum effectiveness. Through real-world scenarios and interactive demonstrations, discover the subtle skills that separate amateur observation from professional surveillance that stands up in court.
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM | COFFEE BREAK / TRANSITION TO BREAKOUT SESSIONS
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS - ROUND 1 (Choose One)
MAIN STAGE: "CALI GIRLS – NATIONAL BOOSTER AND FENCING BUST"
Main Ballroom
Speakers: Marc Tirheimer
Sponsored by Facefirst
For two years, boosters hit Ulta stores across 18 states, carrying out more than 250 thefts. Investigators discovered a major fencing ring operating out of San Diego selling stolen beauty products on-line, turning retail crimes into a nationwide operation.
● BREAKOUT ROOM 1: "AI 102: DATA-DRIVEN INVESTIGATIONS"
Seaside Rooms - 2nd Floor
Speakers: Elliott Verreault (AKTEK) + Chris SIsto and Cathy Langley (Solink)
In the digital age, successful investigations depend on your ability to extract actionable intelligence from overwhelming amounts of data. This practical session demonstrates how AI tools can help investigators identify patterns, connections, and anomalies that would be impossible to detect manually. Through real-world case examples, learn how retail investigators are using AI to analyze transaction data, video footage, online marketplaces, and social media to build stronger cases. Discover specific techniques for data collection, preparation, and analysis that can be implemented immediately to enhance your investigative capabilities.
● BREAKOUT ROOM 2: "LEGAL ROUNDTABLE: NAVIGATING PROSECUTION CHALLENGES"
Riverside Rooms - 2nd Floor
Facilitators: Theresa Turner (ORC Task Force Deputy DA) & Legal Partners
This closed-door session brings together prosecutors and legal professionals to candidly discuss the unique challenges of building and prosecuting ORC cases. Share experiences, strategies, and solutions in a confidential environment designed to strengthen the legal response to organized retail crime.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS - ROUND 2 (Choose One)
● MAIN STAGE: "THE HUMAN COST: TRAFFICKING NETWORKS BEHIND RETAIL CRIME"
Main Ballroom
Speakers: Det. Waddell - Portland Police Bureau
Behind many organized retail crime operations lies a darker reality: human trafficking networks that exploit vulnerable individuals as boosters, mules, and fences. This powerful session examines the intersection between ORC and human trafficking, revealing how criminal enterprises use debt bondage, coercion, and exploitation to build their theft operations. Learn to recognize the indicators that may signal trafficking involvement, understand the special considerations for approaching potential victims, and discover the collaborative approaches that can address both the criminal activity and the human suffering it perpetuates.
● BREAKOUT ROOM 1: "TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE: SOLUTIONS IN ACTION"
Seaside Rooms - 2nd Floor
Multiple Vendor Partners 3SI/Motorola/Solink
This interactive showcase brings together leading technology providers to demonstrate their latest solutions for combating organized retail crime. Rather than traditional sales pitches, vendors will present real-world applications, case studies, and measurable results. Participate in live demonstrations, ask questions directly to technical experts, and discover how these technologies can be integrated into your existing security infrastructure for maximum impact.
● BREAKOUT ROOM 2: CRIME ANALYST PANEL: TURNING DATA INTO ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE.
Riverside Rooms - 2nd Floor
Moderator: Jake Crank
Panel: Cara Steele - Oregon DOJ, Heather Walt - Las Vegas Metro PD, Ally Schreiter- Home Depot, Kelda Clough - Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
Crime analysts are the unsung heroes who transform raw data into the intelligence that helps solve cases. This panel brings together experienced analysts from multiple jurisdictions to share their methodologies, tools, and techniques for identifying ORC patterns. Learn about data analysis approaches specific to organized retail crime, pattern recognition techniques that reveal criminal networks, and best practices for cross-jurisdictional data sharing that breaks down information silos.
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM | NETWORKING LUNCH
Main Ballroom
Sponsored by Face First
Continue building valuable connections while enjoying a delicious lunch.
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM | MAIN STAGE: "LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE YOUR BLITZ OPERATIONS SAFER AND MORE EFFECTIVE"
Main Ballroom
Speakers: LPRC (Cory Lowe), Motorola Representatives
Modern blitz operations require more than just manpower – they need smart coordination, real-time intelligence, and seamless communication. This session examines how technology solutions are enhancing the safety of large-scale operations for officers and increasing their effectiveness against criminal networks. Discover command center software, radio tracking capabilities, situational awareness tools, and integration with camera systems and Live View towers, which combine multiple intelligence streams for enhanced operational visibility.
1:45 PM - 2:00 PM | Coffee Break
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM | MAIN STAGE: "OPERATION MARCO POLO: HOW COLLABORATION CRUSHED A MULTI-STATE RETAIL THEFT NETWORK"
Main Ballroom
Speakers: Ray Spencer (CVS) & Jake Crank (Target)
When hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise began vanishing from retail stores across Nevada and neighboring states, investigators uncovered a highly organized criminal enterprise that operated with precision and leveraged jurisdictional loopholes to evade detection.
This compelling case study explores how a dedicated task force—bringing together retailers and law enforcement agencies—combined investigative expertise, advanced data analytics, and coordinated surveillance to detect patterns, dismantle the operation, and recover over $10 million in stolen goods.
Attendees will gain insight into the early warning signs of large-scale retail theft, the tools and strategies that proved most effective, and the critical role of cross-agency collaboration in bringing a complex, multi-state criminal network to justice.
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM | Coffee Break
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM | MAIN STAGE: NIKE PRESENTATION: "INVESTIGATING CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES: ORGANIZED CRIME AND THE ILLICIT RESELL MARKET"
Main Ballroom
This presentation provides a comprehensive understanding of the connections between organized crime groups and the illicit reseller market across North America, with examples of transnational groups operating throughout the West Coast. Learn how criminal enterprises exploit the footwear market, understand the flow of stolen goods through resale channels, and discover the value of collaborative efforts between corporate investigation teams and law enforcement in identifying and disrupting these networks.
3:35 PM - 4:00PM | Break
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM ARIZONA BASED NATIONWIDE ORC INVESTIGATION CASE STUDY
Main Ball Room
Speaker: Det. Kris Knapp (Oro Valley P.D.), Asst Attorney General of AZ Matt McCray
The case was identified initially within Pima County, AZ but eventually was expanded statewide and ultimately included HSI and USPIS with search warrants being served in Connecticut as well . The case was a complex case, and a fantastic example of early collaboration between LE and Retailers leading to solid resolution.
4:45 PM - 5:00 PM | CLOSING REMARKS & DAY 2 SUMMARY
Main Ballroom
Recap of key insights from Day 2 and preview of Day 3 agenda
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM | NETWORKING PARTY & RAFFLE DRAWING
Seaside Convention Center
Sponsored by Aktek/Facefirst/LVT
Enjoy an evening of entertainment, refreshments, and the second round of exciting prize drawings. Must be present to win!
9/12 DAY 3
CHARTING THE COURSE FORWARD
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM | RECOGNITION & AWARDS CEREMONY
Main Ballroom
Celebrating outstanding contributions to the fight against organized retail crime
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM | DAY 2 RECAP & DAY 3 PREVIEW
Main Ballroom
Interactive session highlighting key takeaways from Day 2 and setting the stage for the final day
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM | MAIN STAGE: "THE DIGITAL MARKETPLACE DILEMMA: PLATFORMS AT THE CROSSROADS"
Main Ballroom
Sponsored by Amazon
Panelists - Mike Aldridge - Amazon, Christian Harman - eBay
Moderator - Phil Smith - Fred Meyer
Amazon & eBay Online marketplaces have revolutionized retail while inadvertently creating new channels for selling stolen merchandise. This balanced panel discussion brings together marketplace representatives and retail loss prevention leaders to address this complex challenge. Hear directly from platform executives about their anti-fraud measures, data-sharing initiatives, and seller verification processes. Retail security leaders will share their experiences working with marketplaces and propose collaborative solutions that protect legitimate commerce while making these platforms hostile territory for criminal enterprises.
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM | COFFEE BREAK / TRANSITION TO BREAKOUT SESSIONS
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM | MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Choose One)
● MAIN STAGE: "FUNDING THE FIGHT: GRANT WRITING TO SUPPORT AND ACCELERATE THE MISSION"
Main Ballroom
Presenters: Mike Zacher and Theresa Turner
Teaching you firsthand how to leverage partnerships and government funding to support the ORCAs, fund LE blitz operations, and invest in tools and technology. Learn about different types of grants available to law enforcement, how to structure compelling applications, what data you need from retail partners to justify funding requests, and how to document results that ensure continued support. This session covers federal grants, state criminal justice funding, and local opportunities, with practical guidance on allowable expenses and compliance requirements.
● BREAKOUT ROOM 1: "THE GIFT CARD VULNERABILITY: CLOSING THE FRAUD GATEWAY"
Riverside Rooms - 2nd Floor
Speaker: Alec Doede, STL, Inc.
Gift cards have become the currency of choice for many ORC operations, offering a quick conversion from stolen merchandise to untraceable funds. This specialized session brings together retailers, card issuers, and technology providers to examine vulnerabilities in current gift card systems and the sophisticated schemes criminals use to exploit them. Learn about emerging fraud patterns, technological countermeasures, and policy changes that can help close this critical gateway for criminal profits.
● BREAKOUT ROOM 2: "TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE: SOLUTIONS IN ACTION" (VENDOR SHOWCASE)
Seaside Rooms
Presenters: Aktek/Facefirst/LVT
This interactive showcase brings together leading technology providers to demonstrate their latest solutions for combating organized retail crime. Rather than traditional sales pitches, vendors will present real-world applications, case studies, and measurable results. Participate in live demonstrations, ask questions directly to technical experts, and discover how these technologies can be integrated into your existing security infrastructure for maximum impact.
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM | MAIN STAGE: "WESTERN STATES DA ROUNDTABLE: PROSECUTING ORC ACROSS JURISDICTIONS"
Main Ballroom
Panelists: Colleen Baharav - Chief Deputy District Attorney (Clark County, Nevada), Alexander Poyhonen – Deputy District Attorney, (San Diego County DA’s Office)
District attorneys and prosecutors from across the Western States share their frontline experiences in prosecuting organized retail crime cases. This panel extends beyond local collaboration to examine the diverse legal strategies, challenges, and successes in building robust ORC cases across various jurisdictions. Panelists will discuss a range of topics, including case building and evidence requirements, working with retail partners, and navigating the complexities of varying state laws. Learn how different jurisdictions are adapting their prosecution strategies to combat evolving ORC networks and what lessons can be applied in your area.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | GRAND FINALE RAFFLE & CONFERENCE CLOSING
Main Ballroom
The conference concludes with major prize giveaways, final remarks, and a look ahead to next year's event. Light refreshments are provided. Must be present to win the big prizes!