Minnesota State Chapter
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Leadership
Sean Qualy
LEDA Minnesota State Chapter President
Sean Qualy was hired by the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office in 2000 and has served in a variety of roles, including jail operations, court security, prisoner transport, School Resource Officer, patrol and general investigations. Sean has been a member of the Sheriff’s Office Drone team since its inception in 2015 and became the Chief Pilot overseeing Drone Team Operations in 2019. In 2023, Sean was promoted to Patrol Sergeant supervising the midnight shift.
Since 2015, Sean has been an Operator on the South Metro SWAT Team where he oversees the SWAT Technology Team utilizing robots, drones and other areas of technology. In 2020, Sean realized the need for communication and unity amongst public safety drone teams within Minnesota. He has since started and maintained a list of over 100 police, fire and EMS drone teams, often keeping them up to date on new technology, information, laws and regulations.
Along with Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, Sean works for the Minnesota State Fair Police Department where he works side by side with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to detect drones flying within the FAA identified Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) area during the 12 days of the “Great Minnesota Get Together.”
Sean also works part-time with Vertex Unmanned Solutions as the Senior Public Safety Specialist assisting client agencies with anything they need related to operating drones in public safety.
Tino Starke
LEDA Minnesota State Chapter Vice President
Tino Starke has been an Officer with the Eden Prairie Police Department since 2017. Previously, he had worked for the Stevens Point Police Department, WI for five years, and the German Police Force for 7.5 years. He became a UAS pilot in 2022, and ever since he has been playing an active role in the continuous development of the department’s UAS program and team. Additionally, Tino is part of the department’s Crime Tech Unit, a founding member of the department’s Wellness Team, and a point of contact for Minnesota Law Enforcement Torch Run events involving his current department. Over his expansive career, Tino has held many positions at his departments and has been a member of the Training Unit, Juvenile Liaison Unit, Traffic Unit, and US-Military Liaison Unit.
Tino has been a LEDA attendee since 2022 and introduced many elements from that year’s LEDA conference to his department, including NIST testing, UAS squad set-up, BVLOS and tactical drone operations. In 2025, Tino joined Grey Group LLC as a Drone Instructor, teaching intensive three-day courses across the country focused on drone operations, tactics, and advancing both interior and exterior piloting skills for new and seasoned UAS pilots alike.
Tino is always on the lookout for new knowledge and developments regarding drone trends across the country, and is constantly expanding his ever-growing network of law enforcement partners sharing common goals.
In his off time, you can find him following advancements in UAS applications for public safety and exploring new strategies and equipment in the world of UAS. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, two kids, and their family-dog “Dino” and focusing on his active lifestyle by working out, playing pickleball, and doing home improvement projects.
Kris Geiger
LEDA Minnesota State Chapter Secretary
Sergeant Kris Geiger has been active in public safety for over 20 years. His years of service include time as an active duty Air Force Military Police Sergeant and as a Minnesota State Trooper. Kris graduated from the American Military University with a Master of Arts degree in Emergency and Disaster Management. Additionally, he received undergraduate degrees from the Metropolitan State University and the Community College of the Air Force.
Kris is currently a Technical Sergeant in the Minnesota State Patrol, assigned as a Crash Reconstruction Specialist. Kris began his work with drone technology in 2019, flying both personally and professionally for the State Patrol. He assisted in the founding and development of his agency’s drone program, pilot training, and crash/crime scene mapping, and to this day he continues to develop and further expand the program. His experience with drones continued to grow in 2024 when he led the establishment of the State Patrol’s interior drone program, including continued testing of new airframes.
With his diverse skill set and forward-thinking approach to drone technology, training, and public safety, Sergeant Geiger continues to be a critical asset to his department, the community, and the advancement of drone technology in law enforcement operations.
Lieutenant Mike Herrick
LEDA Tennessee State Chapter Treasurer
Lieutenant Mike Herrick’s commitment to public service spans over two decades. A graduate of Victor Valley High School in California, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he served from 1998 to 2005. Following his military service, Lieutenant Herrick transitioned to law enforcement, being appointed as a police officer on June 25, 2006. He is a graduate of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Bethel University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2012.
Currently serving as the Lieutenant in the Traffic Enforcement Division at the Cookeville Police Department, Lieutenant Herrick has a strong background in public safety and leadership. He also plays a vital role in specialized areas where he serves as the Commander of the Crisis Negotiation Team and coordinates the Methamphetamine Lab Response Team.
Lieutenant Herrick began his work with drone technology in 2020, founding the department's drone program. His experience with drones grew in 2024 when he helped establish the Putnam County Rescue Squad’s drone program. He has led several successful drone deployments, including a notable 7-day deployment to East Tennessee after Hurricane Helene, where he served as the team lead.
With his diverse skill set and forward-thinking approach to technology and public safety, Lieutenant Herrick continues to be a critical asset to his department, the community, and the advancement of drone technology in law enforcement and rescue operations.
Lieutenant Herrick is a founding board member and Treasurer of the Tennessee State Chapter of the Law Enforcement Drone Association.
Jordan Koras
LEDA Minnesota State Chapter Treasurer
Jordan Koras has been with the Eden Prairie Police Department since 2017, first serving as an Officer and then being promoted to Sergeant in 2021. He previously worked as Deputy Sheriff in North Dakota beginning in 2012, where he was also a member of the Regional Water Rescue & Recovery Team. From there, he became a Police Officer in Wisconsin where he continued as a member of the local dive rescue team.
In 2018, Jordan obtained his Part 107 license and was one of the five founding members of the Eden Prairie Police Department’s UAS program. With his promotion in 2021, he became a team lead for the UAS program. Since 2018, the team’s drone use has expanded to include use during patrol operations, major events, scene mapping, missing persons, investigatory functions, SWAT deployments (interior/exterior), fire incidents, and the expansion of capabilities and equipment.
Over his career, Jordan has held the roles of Evidence Technician, UAS pilot, Training Unit Instructor, Retail Crime Officer, Airport Liaison (KFCM) and Technology Sergeant. In his time off, he and his wife enjoy world travel, photography, and scuba diving recreationally together. Jordan enjoys all things aviation.
Joe Tomes
LEDA Minnesota State Chapter Board Member
Joe is a current Lakeville Fire Fighter and part of the Dakota County Special Operations Team (DCSOT). As a member of DCSOT, Joe is operational in incidents involving hazardous materials, weapons of mass destruction, technical rope rescue, confined space rescue, SWAT operations, wide area search and rescue, wildland fires and structural fires. DCSOT is also part of the Minnesota Structural Collapse Team known as Minnesota Task Force One (MN-TF1). Together with Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, and Rochester Fire Departments, MN-TF1 responds with specialized equipment and trained personnel to assist with Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and Structural Collapse Incidents throughout Minnesota. Joe is one of two coordinators for the Lakeville Fire Department Drone team and a Pilot for the DCSOT drone team.
Joe is also a licensed private pilot and an Air Traffic Controller with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at Minneapolis International Airport.