2025 SIA Identity and Biometrics Symposium

Speakers

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  Daniel Steadman Assistant Chief, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  

  Daniel Steadman

  Assistant Chief, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

  Daniel Steadman is an assistant chief (ASC) with the United States Border Patrol (USBP), currently serving at USBP Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he oversees the e3 Next Generation Program, the primary system used by agents nationwide to process individuals for removal proceedings. His federal service spans more than 14 years with USBP, during which he has held leadership roles at both the field and national levels.

  Prior to joining the Border Patrol in 2011, ASC Steadman served eight years in the United States Marine Corps, including a combat deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His law enforcement career includes field operations in high-threat border environments, oversight of technology integration programs such as the Android Team Awareness Kit and strategic planning for major national enforcement initiatives.

  In addition to his current role, Steadman has represented USBP on high-profile panels and at national conferences, providing subject matter expertise on border security policy, operational technology and intergovernmental collaboration.
  He holds a B.A. in psychology, and a master’s in international affairs and is pursuing continued professional development in national security, public administration and leadership.

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  Patrick Grother Computer Scientist, National Institute of Standards and Technology
  

  Patrick Grother

  Computer Scientist, National Institute of Standards and Technology

  Patrick Grother is a scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where he is responsible for work on biometric standards and testing. He leads the IRis EXchange, Face Recognition Vendor Test and Face in Video Evaluation (FIVE) programs for iris and face recognition technologies that support biometrics in national scale identity management and co-chairs NIST’s International Face Performance Conference on measurement, metrics and certification. Grother also assists a number of US Government agencies in research, development and evaluation, and he has briefed senior government officials, the Army and Defense Science Boards. He serves as chair of the SC37 committee on biometrics and is editor of six International Organization for Standardization standards there. Grother also edits the biometrics specifications for the US Government’s Personal Identity Verification credentialing program, for which he received his second U.S. Department of Commerce Gold Medal. He also received the International Electrotechnical Commission 1906 award in 2009 and the American National Standards Institute Lohse IT Medal in 2013.

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  Nicole Williams Managing Director, Government and Public Sector Practice, EY
  

  Nicole Williams

  Managing Director, Government and Public Sector Practice, EY

  Nicole Williams is a managing director within EY’s Government & Public Sector practice, where she drives identity-led modernization and next-generation travel solutions across the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enterprise. A recognized thought leader and subject matter expert in biometrics, identity management and border security, she blends technical expertise with mission-focused communications and stakeholder engagement to deliver transformative outcomes.

  Before EY’s acquisition of Dignari in October 2024, Williams spearheaded marketing and strategy for DHS clients, leading innovation programs, executive communications and market positioning. Since joining EY, she has guided integration and continues to shape DHS-facing narratives and campaigns that advance mission priorities.

  Earlier in her career at Thales (formerly Gemalto), Williams directed marketing communications and strategic solution development, crafting client-facing strategies to enable next-generation travel across federal and commercial ecosystems. Her approach emphasizes relationship-centric methods, ensuring clarity, precision and impact in complex stakeholder environments.

  Williams holds a B.S. in marketing management from Virginia Tech and an M.B.A. in global business from St. Edward’s University. Outside of work, she is a proud mother of two young daughters and an avid equestrian.

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  Joseph Courtesis Founder and President, JCour-Consulting
  

  Joseph Courtesis

  Founder and President, JCour-Consulting

  Inspector Joseph Courtesis (New York City) retired, after approximately 27 years of service, from the New York City Police Department (NYPD). He is a former commander of the 105th and 106th Precincts, Central Investigations Division, and the NYPD’s Real Time Crime Center, where he provided advanced technological assistance in hundreds of high-profile investigations. Recognized as a subject matter expert with investigative technology and facial recognition policy, Courtesis’ investigative expertise includes common operating platforms, facial recognition technology, link analysis technology, social media investigative technology and GPS tracking technology.

  Now the founder and president of JCour-Consulting LLC, a law enforcement consultant firm for technology companies, Courtesis assists with aligning products with ethical-use policies among other services, including those related to leveraging investigative technology and standing up Real Time Crime Centers.

  Courtesis is an active Crime Prevention Committee member with the International Association of Chiefs of Police and an active “Security and Integrity Group” committee member, with the Biometric Institute Graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University. Additionally, he holds certificates in project management, forensic face examination, financial investigations and internet intelligence investigations.

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  Evan Bays Criminal Justice Market Lead, IPS North America, IDEMIA Public Safety
  

  Evan Bays

  Criminal Justice Market Lead, IPS North America, IDEMIA Public Safety

  Evan Bays previously served as the vice president of justice operations, engineering and R&D within IDEMIA National Security Solutions and was recently appointed the criminal justice market lead within IPS North America. He has over 20 years of experience in designing, developing and managing information technology systems and business processes supporting biometric, identity and statical systems within the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Justice and intelligence community. Bays has led teams to conduct technical research and feasibility projects to support strategic initiatives and mandates related to integrating open-source software and migrating to hyperscale platforms. He has served as a subject matter expert throughout his career related to the implementation of biometric systems within the United States government. Bays’ in-depth knowledge and understanding of criminal justice information systems and related data models enable solutions to maximize both efficiency and satisfaction for the user. He received his Bachelor of Science in biometrics systems from West Virginia University.

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  Arun Vemury Senior Advisor, Biometric and Identity Technology Center, Science and Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  

  Arun Vemury

  Senior Advisor, Biometric and Identity Technology Center, Science and Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

  Arun Vemury serves as senior advisor for the Biometric and Identity Technology Center within the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). He oversees a portfolio of innovative projects for DHS S&T and the department’s mission components in Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration and elsewhere. Under Vemury’s leadership, DHS S&T launched a series of biometric technology rallies to provide a collaborative and innovative framework for technology providers to have their products tested in DHS operational settings. He has received multiple government awards for his contributions in the development of the department’s biometric entry/exit system. Prior to joining DHS, Vemury was a government contractor supporting biometrics and identity management projects. He completed his undergraduate work in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Maryland and his graduate degree in computer engineering at the George Washington University. He has presented at SIA events and has co-authored multiple technical articles on various aspects of biometric technologies, and he received the 2024 SIA Excellence in Government Service Award.

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  Tim Meyerhoff Director, Iris ID Systems
  

  Tim Meyerhoff

  Director, Iris ID Systems
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  Jake Parker Senior Director of Government Relations, Security Industry Association
  

  Jake Parker

  Senior Director of Government Relations, Security Industry Association

  As senior director of government relations for the Security Industry Association (SIA), Jake Parker leads the development of the association’s legislative and regulatory programs.

  Jake came to SIA with more than 12 years of experience on Capitol Hill, most recently as legislative director for U.S. Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

  He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Tennessee Temple University, a master’s degree in international relations from Salve Regina University and a graduate diploma in national security studies from the U.S. Naval War College.​

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  Paul Hunter CEO, Craefte
  

  Paul Hunter

  CEO, Craefte

  Paul Hunter is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in the field of immigration and homeland security. Currently, he serves as the CEO at Cræfte, LLC, where he applies his expertise to lead innovative solutions in the acquisition and management of resources in homeland security. His impressive journey through various pivotal roles in prominent federal agencies reflects his significant contributions to enhancing national security protocols and advancing immigration processes.

  With a robust career foundation, Hunter began his journey as the deputy director for land border integration at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In this critical position, he played an instrumental role in improving the integration of border security measures and enhancing the effectiveness of immigration controls. Following this, he transitioned to the role of director of homeland security services at URS Corporation, where he leveraged his analytical skills to oversee projects that focused on protecting U.S. citizens and upholding immigration laws. Subsequently, he advanced to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), where he served as the chief of biometrics strategy and then as the deputy chief of the Biometrics Division. Hunter’s leadership in these roles was vital for implementing biometric standards that strengthened security measures and streamlined operational efficiencies.