2026 ICRA Annual Convention (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

2026 ICRA Annual Convention

June 23-25, 2026

Hilton Garden Inn

West Des Moines, IA

Total CEUs: 1.5

Room Block:

Hilton Garden Inn

205 South 64^th Street

West Des Moines, IA 50266

(515)223-0571

$115/per night

To reserve a room, click the link or call the hotel and request the Iowa Court Reporters room block prior to 6/4/24.

https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/dsmwhgi-93d-de328ff3-f5e0-4fac-a700-aebd5a35d977/

Your convention committee has been hard at work making sure convention is an adventure for all of you! As always, your donation of items to help raise money for ICRA is appreciated. This year we are shaking things up a bit and having a raffle for each donated item instead of a silent auction. The proceeds this year will help pay for the president’s reception in Seattle for our very own member Cathy Penniston as she becomes the NCRA president in July. What an adventure awaits her!!!

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TUESDAY, JUNE 23

12:00-1:00 p.m. Registration
1:00-2:30 p.m. Ann McDonald – Tax Tips (.15 CEU)

Learn basic tax rules for completing your 1040, especially the Schedule C, which is the business portion for an individual return. Learn common expenses for court reporters to help minimize tax liability from your business.

2:30-2:45 p.m. Vendor Break
2:45-3:45 p.m. Meggan Guns, Shannon Knutsen, S.A.F.E. Center of Iowa and SAFE Center (.1 CEU)

Learn all about the SAFE Center and S.A.F.E. Center of Iowa and the services they provide to the community and how they help victims throughout a case.

3:45-4:00 p.m. Vendor Break

4:00-5:00 p.m. District Judge Jeffrey Farrell, Dena Merk, Jeff Schultz – Intensive Drug Court Program (.1 CEU)

Learn what the intensive drug court program in Polk County is all about.

5:00-6:00 p.m. Trivia – Current Events/Historical Events/Legal Terminolgy/Medical Terminology/NCRA Rules/ICRA and Iowa Rules (.1 CEU)

Test your knowledge! Get with your fellow court reporters in groups of 8 or less and test your knoweldge about things we might hear in court and rules governing court reporters.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24

7:30-8:00 a.m. Registration

8:00-9:45 a.m. Scott Brown – State v Marique Ruth (.175 CEU)

Scott will talk to us about the investigation leading up to arrest and eventually the trial in this case regarding a murder. Was it self-defense or something else?

9:45-9:55 a.m. Vendor Break

9:55-10:50 a.m. Scott Brown - State v Marique Ruth (Snapped episode) (.1 CEU)

Watch the episode of Snapped which features this case. Scott Brown will fill in details and gaps in the story during the episode.

10:50-11:05 a.m. Vendor Break

11:05 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Lobbyists Sydney Gangestad and Jacob Schrader - Lobbyist Review and Legislative Update (.1 CEU)

Hear all about the 2026 legislative session, what went well, what didn’t, and what changes, if any, we can expect to take effect July 1, 2026.

12:00-12:15 p.m. Vendor Break

12:15-1:30 p.m Lunch/Business Meeting/Awards/Installation of Officers/NCRA Update/2026 DSA recipient

Join us as we conduct our annual business meeting. Hear from NCRA Representative Cathy Penniston regarding current NCRA issues, be there when we install our officers for the upcoming year, and help us celebrate the 2026 DSA recipient.

1:30-1:45 p.m. Vendor Break

1:45-2:45 p.m. Jason Housby – Tech Tips (.1 CEU)

Learn about the pros and cons of AI as well as computer and data security for court reporters. Learn steps you can take to help protect yourself and your work product.

2:45-3:00 pm. Vendor Break

3:00-4:00 p.m. Justice Christopher McDonald – From District Court Judge to Supreme Court Justice (.1 CEU)

Hear what it’s like to go from district court to the court of appeals to the supreme court. Learn about the process the courts go through when deciding cases, which cases they decide, and how much they actually rely on our transcripts.

4:00-4:15 p.m. Vendor Break

4:15-5:30 p.m. Cathy Penniston, M.A., CSR, RPR, CRI - From Manual Steno Machine Writer to President of NCRA (.125 CEU)

Hear from Cathy the story of her 50-year court reporting journey to becoming the president of NCRA in July of 2026.

5:30-7:00 p.m. HAPPY HOUR

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THURSDAY, JUNE 25

8:00-9:00 a.m. District Judge Brent Pattison - ICWA (.1 CEU)

Learn about some of the challenges in juvenile court related to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

9:00-9:15 a.m. Vendor Break

9:15-10:45 a.m. Hale Hawthorne – ASL in the Courtroom (.15 CEU)

Find out what it’s like to be a sign language interpreter.

10:45-11:00 a.m. Vendor Break

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Jordan Wulf – A Survivor Story (.1 CEU)

Hear Jordan’s story of survival and her experience with the justice system.

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TUESDAY, JUNE 23

Ann McDonald - Tax Tips (.15 CEUs)

Ann graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with an undergraduate degree in finance. She and her husband, Matt, moved to Kansas City after their graduation, where she started a job at Sprint and gained experience in corporate revenue assurance and payroll. After having their son, Gabe, in 2003, they choose to move back to Iowa, and she continued to work remotely for Sprint in their IT department working on systems security. In 2005, Ann gave birth to their daughter, Sam, and, while being a mother of two young children, decided to get her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Iowa. After leaving Sprint, she became a banker in Prairie City where she now lives. While she loved being able to help customers work on budgeting and getting to know everyone in town, this still wasn't 100 percent fulfilling for her. She finally found her calling in teaching and started a new career at DMACC in 2011.

In 2018, she somehow found herself a bit bored and linked up with a former friend, Sherry Griggs, with Dimensions Accounting and became a bookkeeper and tax preparer for her. When starting at Dimensions, she was able to attend trainings and explore more tax knowledge than most probably want to know, and she again found another calling. She continued to teach for DMACC part-time until 2023, when she became a full-time lecturer at Central College. She currently teaches VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), management and marketing classes, and Capstone. In 2024, Ann joined the small business world by opening AJM Tax and Accounting. While her primary business is tax season, she also does bookkeeping and payroll for several clients year-round.

Ann’s love of tax comes from her love of numbers and reading rules and regulations to dissect and understand them. Ann will be addressing some basic tax rules for completing your 1040 but spend most of her time looking at the schedule C, which is the business portion for an individual return. She will provide ideas of common expenses for court reporters to help minimize tax liability from your business and share ways to save for retirement.

Meggan Guns, Shannon Knutsen - S.A.F.E. Center of Iowa and SAFE Center (.1 CEU)

Meggan is a seasoned prosecutor with 14 years of experience and serves as a prosecuting attorney in the Polk County Attorney’s office in Des Moines. Meggan prosecutes victim major offenses, including homicides, sex offenses, crimes against children, and other felonies.

Shannon is the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Coordinator for both the Mid-Iowa Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and the Iowa State University/Story County SART. In her role, she coordinates collaborative care at each of the nine exam sites served by Mid- Iowa SART and two exam sites in Story County and develops policies and procedures and delivers training for SANEs.

S.A.F.E Center of Iowa is a new stand-alone sexual assault center that will soon be offering on-site comprehensive acute and follow up care to those impacted by sexual assault. The center will service victims of all ages, races, and genders.

SAFE Center provides clinical services to clients immediately following their assault by trauma informed experts including, specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE Nurses).

Co-located Sexual Assault Advocates support clients during their clinical exam, connect them to crime victim programs, refer them to community resources, and provide a reassuring presence during the recovery process.

SAFE Center services go well beyond the initial exam, including follow-up medical, counseling, law enforcement, and legal services.

Meggan and Shannon will be talking to us about the SAFE Center and S.A.F.E. Center of Iowa, including the services they provide as well as sharing stories of times when these services have helped victims through the entire court process.

District Court Judge Jeffrey Farrell, Dena Merk, and Jeff Schultz - Intensive Drug Court Program (.1 CEUs)

Judge Farrell was appointed to the Polk County bench in 2013. He received his BA in 1986 and JD in 1989, both from the University of Iowa. He was a law clerk for the Fifth Judicial District from 1989–1991. Judge Farrell served for twelve years as an assistant attorney general and ten years as an administrative law judge before being appointed to the bench.

Dena Merk is a probation officer in Polk County, Iowa. She currently handles the supervision of the participants of the Intensive Drug Court Program.

Jeff Schultz is the division manager who helps oversee the Intensive Drug Court Program.

Judge Farrell, Dena, and Jeff will talk to us about the details of the Intensive Drug Court program in Polk County, including what works for the participants and what doesn’t. They will explain the five stages and share some of the stories of what they hear and deal with on a weekly basis in their oversight of this intensive program.

Trivia – Current Events/Historical Events/Legal Terminolgy/Medical Terminology/NCRA Rules/ICRA and Iowa Rules (.1 CEU)

Make up your team of no more than 8 per table and test your knowledge of terminology you might hear in court. Topics include legal terminology, current and historical events, medical terminology, legal terminology, NCRA Rules, ICRA and Iowa Rules, and pop culture.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24

Scott Brown, Division Director Area Prosecutions Division – State v Marique Ruth (.275 CEUs)

Scott Brown is currently the Division Director for the Area Prosecutions Division at the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. The main mission of Area Prosecutions is to prosecute major criminal offenses when requested by one of Iowa’s elected 99 county attorneys. Area Prosecutions typically handles homicides, sexual assaults, or child abuse, although the division prosecutes other types of offenses as well.

Scott received his B.A in Communication from the University of Oklahoma in 1988 and his law degree from Oklahoma City University in 1991. Following graduation, he was employed with the City of Oklahoma City Municipal Counselor’s Office in the Criminal Division. In August of 1993 he accepted a position as an Assistant County Attorney in Des Moines County, Iowa. While employed with Des Moines County, he was promoted to the position of First Assistant County Attorney in 1994. In that position he prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases including homicides and sexual assaults.

In August of 1997 he accepted a position with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office Area Prosecutions Division. In June of 2006 he was promoted to his current position as Division Director.

Scott has prosecuted cases across the State of Iowa including murders, sexual assaults, child abuse, public official misconduct, judicial qualification cases, and cases where the local county attorney had a conflict of interest.

On August 10, 2022, Altoona police responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at a

home in Altoona. Upon arrival, officers found John Killen’s dead body in the living room.

It immediately appeared that Ruth had shot him. Ruth claimed it was in self-defense, but investigation into their volatile relationship and her social media revealed concerning

patterns and darker motives. Ruth was charged with first-degree murder and was

convicted by a Polk County jury.

Scott will talk to us about the investigation leading up to arrest and eventually to trial. He will share with us the details of what happened during the trial.

Watch the episode of Snapped that aired September 28, 2025, regarding this case as Scott fills in gaps and adds extra detail.

Lobbyists Sydney Gangestad and Jacob Schrader - Lobby Review and Legislative Update (.1 CEU)

Sydney Gangestad has over eight years of public policy experience. She previously represented the interests of the Iowa judiciary before the legislative and executive branches of the Iowa Judicial Branch. As an experienced lobbyist and grassroots strategist, she offers clients the legal services they need to accomplish their goals at the legislative and executive branches.

Jacob Schrader joined Dentons Davis Brown in August 2024 and was previously a summer associate with the Firm. Jacob works in the Iowa business division, assisting with a variety of matters including corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, government relations, administrative law, real estate, transactions, and securities. Jacob brings a unique perspective to the practice of government relations having worked with legislators at the capitol and on the campaign trail.

Sydney and Jacob will break down the 2026 legislative session and give us an overview of what it all means, what went well, what didn’t, and what we can expect to take effect July 1, 2026. They will also address any issues they see up and coming for the next legislative session.

Jason Housby – Tech Tips (.1 CEU)

Jason Housby is the Founder and CEO of Housby Consulting Services (HCS) hcs.solutions. With over 25 years in the technology sector, his extensive career includes significant roles in network engineering, systems administration, and IT leadership, providing him with a holistic perspective on the challenges facing today's modern technological landscape.

When he's not crafting innovative tech solutions, Jason enjoys: designing architecture, photography, learning about other cultures and traveling with Rosalyn, his loving wife from Cusco, Peru. Growing up in the Midwest, Jason has dedicated much of his personal time and energy to supporting the Lord's work through missions. As IT Director for Every Eye Will See Him Ministries (eewshm.org), a nonprofit organization in Haiti.

His dedication to technology excellence and humanitarian causes drives his mission and values to bridge the gap between the complexities we face today. Providing simple, safe and secure solutions, making a lasting impact with customers around the world.

Jason will talk to us about the pros and cons of AI. He will also discuss computer and data security for court reporters and steps we can take to help protect ourselves and our work product.

Supreme Court Justice Christopher McDonald – From District Court Judge to Supreme Court Justice (.1 CEU)

Justice McDonald was born in Bangkok, Thailand, and raised in Des Moines. He graduated from Des Moines Lincoln High School, and he earned his undergraduate degree from Grand View University. Justice McDonald earned his law degree, with highest distinction, from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2001. At the College of Law, he received the John F. Murray award given to the class valedictorian and was elected to the Order of the Coif academic honor society.

After graduating from law school, Justice McDonald served as a law clerk to the Honorable David R. Hansen, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Justice McDonald then worked in private practice in central Iowa for a number of years prior to being appointed to serve as a judge of the District Court, Fifth Judicial District of Iowa. In 2013, he was appointed to the Iowa Court of Appeals. In 2019, he was appointed to the Supreme Court.

Justice McDonald has supported and served numerous nonprofit and community organizations in Iowa. He has served on the Board of Directors of Bravo Greater Des Moines, the Iowa Asian Alliance, and the Iowa Foundation for Microenterprise and Community Vitality. Justice McDonald is a recipient of the Governor’s Volunteer Award.

His current term expires December 31, 2028.

Justice McDonald will speak to us about what it’s like to go from district court to the court of appeals and finally on to the supreme court. He will explain the process they go through when deciding cases, which cases they decide, and how much they actually rely on our transcripts.

Cathy Penniston, M.A., CSR, RPR, CRI - From Manual Steno Machine Writer to President of NCRA (.125 CEU)

Cathy Penniston currently serves as President-Elect of NCRA. She works as an independent broadcast captioner and teacher from Waukee, Iowa. Cathy worked as an official court reporter for the state of Iowa before transitioning into her broadcast captioning and teaching career. Cathy has also worked as a freelance reporter and a CART captioner.

Cathy holds a Master of Arts Degree in Education, a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration, and an Associate’s Degree in Court Reporting. She holds the national professional certifications of Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) and Certified Reporting Instructor (CRI).

At the national level, Cathy has served on numerous NCRA committees. She has served as a member of the NCRA Board of Directors since 2018, including serving as Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President, President-Elect and will be sworn in as President of NCRA in July.

At the state level, Penniston has served as president of the Iowa Court Reporters Association.

She is a recipient of the Roy Voelker Memorial Award for Distinguished Service for the court reporting profession of the state of Iowa, the Indian Hills Community College Vision Award for Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014 and the Educational Excellence Award by the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International in May of 2024.

From Manual Steno Machine Writer to President of NCRA: A Career Built to Last in a Changing World. From manual steno machine writer to real-time captioner, through decades of change, one thing has remained constant: the power of this profession to endure, to evolve, and to build careers that stand the test of time. Join Cathy as she shares her 50-year court reporting journey to become President of the National Court Reporters Association.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 25

District Court Judge, Brent Pattison - ICWA (.1 CEU)

Judge Pattison was appointed to the Polk County bench in May 2020. He received his bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University in 1993 and completed his law degree at the University of Minnesota Law School in 1999, graduating magna cum laude. Before his appointment, Judge Pattison was a clinical professor of law at Drake University Law School, as well as a staff attorney for Team Child in Seattle, Washington. He is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association.

Judge Pattision will speak to us about the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). This session will address the legal protections of the Indian Child Welfare Act and some of the most challenging practice issues that come up in juvenile court related to the Act. ICWA has been called the “gold standard” for child welfare cases because of the protections it includes for Indian families- but it has also faced recent challenges to its constitutionality (including a recent US Supreme Court case). The presentation will not only discuss the legal and policy issues related to the Act in the context of juvenile court- but also give some examples of how these cases work differently in tribal courts.

Hale Hawthorne, SHRM-CP, BEI, NIC, Court Class A – ASL in the Courtroom (.15 CEU)

Hale Hawthorne is a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and board certified through the Board for the Evaluation of Interpreters. He completed a four-year American Sign Language and Interpreter Preparation Program in Riverside, California, in 2016 and then his Bachelor's in 2019. Hale is one of only two active court-certified ASL interpreters in the state of Iowa.

His professional experience spans a wide range of settings, including national television broadcasts, private interpreting for high-profile individuals such as Michelle Obama, and assignments ranging from operating rooms to large-scale concerts with audiences exceeding 35,000.

Outside of his professional work, Hale is advancing through his 180s in preparation for the CSR and RPR, studies harp under the principal harpist of Orchestra Iowa, and maintains a strong commitment to reading and continued personal development.

Hale will talk to us about what it takes to be a successful sign language interpreter and his experiences with the HOD community in court. He will also share his thoughts on how sign language and court reporting work well together and why he has chosen to pursue a career in the court reporting field.

Jordan Wulf – A Survivor Story (.1 CEU)

Jordan was born and raised in Southeast Iowa. At 19 she found herself in her first serious relationship, and the roller coaster of emotions and red flags set her on a course that would span 2 decades and 3 children. The last 11 days of Jordan’s marriage were spent held captive, tortured, and being sexually assaulted on her rural Iowa farm by her husband.

During a moment of clarity and perfect timing Jordan was able to find her telephone and call the police. Thinking that this was the end of her nightmare, Jordan finally felt peace and comfort. But this was only the beginning. Trials, postponements, plea deals and appeals would drag on in criminal hearings and divorce court for 3 years, leaving Jordan and her boys to live on the farm that her abuse took place.

Jordan is a single mother to her 3 sons Lincoln (19), Kinnick (17), and Carter (7). She now educates youth and the general public on dating violence and warning signs to look out for. She has been active in advocating for changes to the law in divorce proceedings for women and men who were in domestic violent relationships.

Jordan will share her story of survival in an abusive relationship, her thoughts on the judicial process, her work in advocating for others change in the law, and what it looks like after the Monster has left.

ICRA upcoming events

2026 ICRA Annual Convention (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)