BTI Fellows

Joel Aud works in cyber/physical security, combined threats, and risk assessments/ mitigations. He holds advanced degrees in technical ethics and cyber security (Johns Hopkins), and international certifications in cyber security and counterterrorism (St. Andrews, Scotland). In the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East his pragmatic designs have received national and international awards for excellence in technical innovation, produced effective results on time/under budget, and changed fundamental processes.

He has designed, development, and deployed software and mobile platform applications facilitating dynamic risk assessment and data gathering in the United States, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Central America. Used in refugee camps, disaster recovery, and disease tracking, the software has become a standard tool for multiple relief/disaster recovery agencies. As the principal and owner of Lean Tail Labs, current work centers in the development of software/hardware/process solutions for disaster response, counterterrorism, cyber aggression/defense, secure financial structures for non-profit organizations, alternative warfare methods, K-12 cybersecurity, and UAV systems.

Mr. Aud is a native of the Midwest, and has lived/worked in multiple states, Europe, Asia, and Africa. He has a B.A. in History and Ethics from William Jewell College, a M.Div. (emphasis Technical Ethics) from Southern Seminary, an M.S. in Computer Science (emphasis Cyber Security) from Johns Hopkins, and an International Certification in Counterterrorism from St. Andrews University, UK. He holds patents in radio transmission technology, has published on the application of emergent technology to border security (IACP), technical ethics (Does Your Dogma Bite?), the decision process, gamification (IEEE), advanced military technology (Small Wars Journal), and risk assessment. He possesses a U.S. Treasury Public Trust clearance and has held and maintains his eligibility for a top secret clearance.

Martha Felini, Ph.D. is an epidemiologist in the Department of Pediatrics and Women’s Health at the University of North Texas Health Science Center College of Osteopathic Medicine and affiliate faculty at the Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University. She received a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and has nearly two decades research experience using population-level data to understand the complex intersections of biologic, genetic, environmental, and social factors contributing to health disparities in our most historically underrepresented populations.

This work more recently expanded to evaluating prevention programs aimed at optimizing prevention delivery, mitigating health disparities, and advancing health equity.  Her research work has been supported by NIH, CPRIT, HRSA, and CDC funding and received recognition by AACR as among the most innovative and high impact research being conducted in the field of health disparities.  

A centerpiece of her research was partnering with Dallas law enforcement and over 35community organizations in a 5-year street initiative providing a safe exit strategy, medical triage assessment, court-related services, and social services directly to the streets for truck stop and street sex workers along interstate corridors in Dallas – many with current or past experiences in human trafficking. Findings were used to change Texas law in 2012 (SB#484) and produced a baseline health profile for healthcare organizations providing care for trafficking survivors. 

Laurie Giddens, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Information Technology and Decisions Sciences Department in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business at the University of North Texas. Prior to earning her Ph.D. in Information Systems at Baylor University, she worked for ten years in the nonprofit sector in various information technology, management, and consulting roles. Her research investigates how individuals and organizations utilize information systems to improve the well-being of the workforce and society. Specifically, her research investigates how technology impacts anti-human trafficking efforts, online exploitation, sustainable consumption, and a sustainable workforce. Her research is published in academic journals such as Information Systems Journal, Journal of the Association for Information Systems, Communications of the Association for Information Systems, and Computers and Security. Her work has been presented at numerous international information systems conferences.

Additionally, her research has been funded by The National Science Foundation, including grants from the Disruption of Illicit Supply Networks and the Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace programs. Her funded research is focused on the intersection of human trafficking and information systems, investigating how information systems and artificial intelligence is used to facilitate, detect, and disrupt human trafficking networks. Dr. Giddens is a research scholar member of the Global Association of Human Trafficking Scholars and a research member of the Jim McNatt Institute for Logistics Research at the University of North Texas.

Jaeson Jones is the Director/CEO of Omni International Intelligence, a private intelligence company that strives to make the public and government agencies aware of the threats posed by unsecure borders and best practices to combat transnational crime. Mr. Jones is a nationally recognized authority on the Mexican Cartels, lectures at the executive leaders’ program at the Naval Post Graduate School, and is a regular guest on Newsmax and Fox News.

Jaeson Jones is a retired Captain from Texas Department of Public Safety’s Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division. He managed the daily operations for the Texas Rangers, Border Security Operations Center (BSOC). He supervised Human Intelligence (HUMINT) operations in several nations and managed Intelligence lead operations for the longest 24/7 border operation in Texas history, Operation Secure Texas. He liaised daily with law enforcement and members of the intelligence community in an effort to collaborate with all disciplines of the homeland security enterprise.

Mr. Jones was responsible for providing timely information and analysis necessary to prevent and protect against all threats. This included providing analysis and Intelligence to the Texas Rangers, Criminal Investigations Division, Texas Highway Patrol, Aircraft Section, and State Emergency Management Division. Given his knowledge of Mexican Cartel operations and threats involving border security, Mr. Jones speaks frequently to executives within all disciplines of homeland security throughout the nation. His focus is on best practices for combating transnational threats and the spread of violent criminal networks.

Mr. Jones served as the Critical Incident Commander in the State Intelligence Center during both Fort Hood shootings, Austin IRS Echelon building attack, University of Texas active shooter incident, Odessa shooting involving four officers shot with over 1,200 rounds fired, Ranger Recon Mexican Cartel shooting, Murder of a Bexar County Sergeant, and the Bastrop County wildfire disaster.

Mrs. Tara Rodas has been a public servant for more than 21 years, 18 of which have been dedicated to serving the Federal Inspector General (IG) community. Tara has a master’s degree in education with a concentration in Instructional Technology, and she is a graduate of the American University Key Executive Leadership Program. She has an extensive background in adult learning principles, communication strategies, and facilitative methods. She’s a facilitator, trainer, and public speaker. On 11-16-2022, Tara gave a “TedTalk-Style” leadership presentation for CIGIE’s Annual Leadership Forum: Future Ready-Leading Change. She is a trusted leader and world-class training professional with demonstrated excellence in designing and delivering strategic learning events.

Importantly, in 2021, Tara answered the humanitarian call to support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) urgent efforts to care for and place migrant children entering the U.S. via the southern border with sponsors in the U.S. While serving on detail with HHS’ Unaccompanied Children (UC) Program, she distinguished herself as a Subject Matter Expert on “red flags” for sponsor fraud & child trafficking. As a result, she was appointed as the Deputy to the Director of the Federal Case Management Team at the Pomona Fairplex Emergency Intake Site (EIS) in Pomona, California. Her efforts directly contributed to children being referred to HHS’ Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP), HHS OIG, and other Federal Law Enforcement. On 4-26-2023, she testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement: Testimony 4-26-2023.

Tara lives in Virginia with her husband, Jorge Rodas.