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2024 Notary Conference

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Register Today

2024 Montana Notary conference

If you’ve never been to a Montana Notary conference, prepare to be blown away! You’ll learn things you didn’t know you didn’t know, meet people who are passionate about the notary profession, and leave with a new-found respect for the service you provide as a notary public.

  • Come for the EDUCATION…Leave with the KNOWLEDGE
  • Come for the INFORMATION… Leave with the INSPIRATION
  • Come with the QUESTIONS…Leave with the CONFIDENCE

The 2024 Montana Notary Conference is so much more than notary training. It’s an experience that will impact your perspective on the importance of the role notaries play in some of the most important events and transactions in your customer’s lives.

Registration Now Open
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save the date, aug 15-16

Notaries leave a lasting impression!

Class Descriptions

Detailed information on our breakout sessions.

Notarology 101 Beginners – Title and Verse – Montana Code Annotated Title 1, Chapter 5, Part 6.  This class presents the foundational information that every notary must have to fulfill the responsibilities of the office.  Includes the requirements for performing notarial acts, identifying signers, determining capacity and competency and the requirements for notary journal entries. [1 Hr. Credit – New (mandatory)/Renewing (suggested)]

Notarology 201- Applying the How to the What – Applying the theory of notarizing to the reality of performing notarizations in the real world is where the real challenge comes in.  Get hands-on practice in handling identification issues, and practice recognizing and completing proper and correct notarial certificates. This is a “must take” class for every notary.  [1 Hr. Credit – New (required)/Renewing (suggested)]

Battling the Butterflies – So you’ve got your commission, your stamp, and your journal, and now you’re being asked to do your first notarization and suddenly your hands are sweating and your stomach hurts.  Or maybe you’ve been a notary for years, but it’s the first time you’ve been asked to go to a hospital for a notarization for some end-of-life documents. Your notary career is a series of firsts.  Learn the secrets to overcoming those “opening night butterflies.”  [1 Hr. Credit – New/Renewing]

Stay Off the 10 Most Wanted List – There are certain practices and situations that seem to get notaries in trouble more frequently than others.  Discover the 10 most frequent errors made by notaries and learn how to avoid them.  [1 Hr. Credit – New (recommended)/Renewing (suggested)]

Are They Who They Say They Are? –Legally identifying someone for notarial purposes involves more than a quick glance at a driver’s license.  Learn the statutory requirements and best practices for identifying signers.  Discover the distinctions between digital and mobile IDs and how and when to accept them for notarial purposes.  [1 Hr. Credit – New/Renewing]

Notarizing Motor Vehicle Titles – Get the latest scoop on notarizing Montana motor vehicle titles and other MVS forms.  New laws, new technology, new forms, new requirements. [1 Hr. Credit – New/Renewing]

Real World Notarizing in the 406 – There’s no end to the variety of requests that notaries are asked to handle – signers with disabilities, documents in a foreign language, representative capacity signers – and those are the routine requests!  What about signers with no ID?  Or principals who are deceased?  Become a master of handling these situations and many more. [1 Hr. Credit – Renewing]

Protecting Vulnerable Signers – The notary’s responsibility extends far beyond simply identifying signers and witnessing signatures.  Learn how to recognize and prevent potential threats against those who may be the targets of unscrupulous activities and make sure you are handling requests from, and for, our vulnerable populations with confidence and respect. [1 Hr. Credit – New/Renewing]

Talk Like a Notary Pro – Every profession has its own vocabulary; notary is no different.  Understanding the terms common to the notary profession and using them appropriately establishes you as a professional.  Whether you’re creating a first impression or a lasting one, make sure it’s the one that establishes your credentials as a pro.  [1 Hr. Credit – New/Renewing]

Advanced Certificate Workshop – Completing a proper notarial certificate is much more complex than simply filling in the blanks of a pre-printed form.  Unlock the mysteries to completing, correcting, or creating the right certificate for any notarization. [1 Hr. Credit – New/Renewing]

The Power May Be Yours – In certain situations, Montana law permits Notaries to act with greater authority or discretion than notaries are traditionally thought to possess. Learn how applying discretion involves cultivating skills and traits not typically required of Notaries or taught in Notary practice.  [1 Hr. Credit – New/Renewing]

Documents Are Forever – Don’t let the sparkle blind you – it’s not only diamonds that have to stand the test of time.  Notarized documents often have a long life – particularly estate records and those that are recorded.  Make sure the document you notarize today will survive any challenges down the road.  [1 Hr. Credit – New/Renewing]

Creating a Valuable Record – Unlock the power of your notary journal. Whether you use a paper journal, an electronic journal, or both, be sure that you are entering the information that properly – and legally – memorializes the transaction and protects you from frivolous claims.  [1 Hr. Credit – New/Renewing]

The Human Side of Notarizing – Behind every document, there’s a signer who is relying on your expertise to provide the notarization that will assure the transaction is completed correctly and efficiently.  You are providing an essential service that protects the document originator, the signer, and all others who are parties to the transactions.  Be the notary who elevates the customer experience from perfunctory to professional.

Doing All You Can Do – Take a more in-depth look at the less frequent requests that Montana law authorizes notaries to perform, as well as those requests that the law prohibits.  Make sure you know the difference between certifying a fact and certifying an item, or who can certify a transcript of a deposition.  More importantly, learn how to professionally respond to requests that you aren’t familiar with or that seem to step over the line. [1 Hr. Credit – New/Renewing]

Witness For the Defense – The drama.  The suspense.  Can you prove a negative?  Be part of the jury that decides the fate of a notary who is accused of failing to notarize a document properly.

Virtually Guilty – Technology may be your friend, but can you always depend on your friend when the chips are down?  When reality bites, did the notary abdicate responsibility to an unseen “Fickle Finger of Fate“?  You decide.

Introducing RON – Online notarizations may take place in a new environment, but they’re all based on traditional notarial practices.  Learn how the notarial knowledge required for tangible documents applies to RON and RIN transactions and how to successfully make the transition between the two worlds.  (1 Hr. Credit – RON/Renewing)

Selecting the Right RON Platform – Learn how to choose the platform for the type of RON services you want to provide. Discover the questions you need to ask to get the information that you’ll need to choose the options and pricing that makes sense for the types of online notarizations you expect to do. [1 Hr. Credit – RON/Renewing]

Comparing RON Platforms – When searching for a RON platform, you’ll be inundated with terms and concepts that do more to obfuscate rather than explain.  Take the mystery out of CCPA, NIST, MISMO, IAL2 Compliant, MFA, x.509 digital certificate, and learn what features and capabilities are critical, which are valuable, and which are puffery and hype. [1 Hr. Credit – RON/Renewing]

RON Ethics for Legal Professionals – New technologies mean new practices and it’s not unusual for new ethical challenges to arise in these circumstances.  Make sure you are aware of and can avoid the potential pitfalls created by the online notarization opportunities. [1 Hr. Credit – RON/Renewing; CLE – Ethics]

RON for Legal Professionals – Whether you operate in a large firm, a one-lawyer office, or something in-between, the opportunities for increasing efficiency, productivity, and billable hours with online notarization should be explored.  The lessons shared by Proof’s Legal Counsel could be the keys to better client service and a better bottom line.  [1 Hr. Credit – RON/ Renewing]

Making RON Work for You– You don’t have a customer base; you’re new to this whole Notary/RON business.  How do you make it work for you?  Jacqueline Phillips, Notarize’s 1st Notary, shares the inside scoop from her experience on what to expect when you start out as a Remote Online Notary.  Discover how to maximize your income, minimize your stress, and have fun while building a career from home. [1 Hr. Credit – RON/ Renewing]

Demystifying Digital Signatures – Public keys, private key, digital signature, digital certificates – it’s enough to make a person crazy!  Get the information you need to operate in this brave new world.  [1 Hr. Credit – New/Renewing] Lindsay

Fine Art of Networking – Unlock the Secrets to Supercharge Your Connections and Propel Your Success!  Discover how to network for maximum effectiveness with proven communication strategies that you can implement immediately into your business (and at the Montana Conference). 

Find Your Voice – Notary entrepreneurs are a growing dynamic in the economy, yet they don’t have a seat at the table where policy decisions impacting their businesses are made.  It’s time for all notaries to understand how to be heard at the local, state, and national levels. 

A Map to Success – No matter how you define success, it’s the daily habits and routines that can boost your self-confidence and build the relationships that will take your business to new heights.  Generate more business by bringing more value to your clients.  Learn how to own your day to make sure you move toward your goals and achieve your dreams. 

Mentor Roundtable – We all agree, being a notary is hard!  It’s even more difficult when you’re new and are navigating uncharted waters.   This is an opportunity for a frank discussion about reasonable expectations for the Notary and the mentor. 

In You They Trust – Explore the opportunities for expanding your notary business as a Certified Notary Trusted Delivery Agent.

Using an Electronic Journal – Have you ever been asked to notarize something but you didn’t have your journal with you?  eJournals are not just for RONs.  There are just those times when having your notary journal on your phone is more than just convenient.  [1 Hr. Credit – New/Renewing] 

Introduction to Apostilles for Notaries – While notaries don’t issue Apostilles, it’s important that they have an understanding of the vital role that they play in the process.  This session will introduce you to the Apostille Convention and explain what an Apostille is (and what it isn’t!), the notary’s role in the process, and how to obtain one from the appropriate Competent Authority. 

Apostilles and eApostilles for Apostille Agents – Take your knowledge about Apostille work to the next level and learn about electronic Apostilles.

Meet Our Presenters

Bill Anderson

National Notary Association

Vice President of Government Affairs at the National Notary Association. With over 25 years of experience, Bill is recognized as one of the foremost authorities on Notary best practices, procedures, technology, and ethics.
Full Bio

Marc Aronson

Pennsylvania Association of Notaries

Marc Aronson began his career at the Pennsylvania Association of Notaries (PAN) in 1972 and was appointed President and CEO in 1983. He is in his 49th year of service to the Association.

Full Bio

Kathleen Butler

American Society of Notaries

Kathleen Butler joined the American Society of Notaries as its Executive Director in 2001, guiding the Society’s reorganization, educational opportunities and member services.

Full Bio

Laura Biewer

At Your Service Mobile Notary

Laura Biewer is the founder of CoachMeLaura and owner/notary for At Your Service Mobile Notary and is an 18 year veteran of the notary industry.
Full Bio

Bill Gimbel

Nationwide Document Service

Bill Gimbel has been in the management, dispatch, and oversight of notaries nationwide since 1997, beginning with Nationwide Document Service one of the nation’s largest signing service.
Full Bio

Bill Fritzlen

Office of the Legal Adviser

Bill Fritzlen is an acknowledged expert on consular issues, in particular international judicial cooperation, domestic and international notarial law and document authentication

Full Bio

Bill Gowen

Helena Abstract and Title

Bill Gowen started out as a child in the land title business as janitor at Helena Abstract and Title Company. He is now the co-owner and Vice President of the closing and escrow side of the business.
Full Bio

Sabrina Hallsten

Jackson, Murdo & Grant, PC.

Sabrina Hallsten grew up in Arizona attending both high school and ASU classes simultaneously. After receiving her certification in cosmetology, she fled for the snowy mountains of Montana.
Full Bio

Jennell Huff

Bank of the Rockies

Jennell Huff joined Bank of the Rockies in September of 2003 where she currently serves as a relationship executive, community outreach coordinator, and as the coordinator for financial education.
Full Bio

Dale Hardy

Proof

Dale Hardy is Senior Counsel, Government & Regulatory Affairs, for Proof. In that role, Dale’s primary responsibilities include tracking, analyzing, and engaging on legislation and regulations related to Proof’s business.
Full Bio

Judi Lawrence

Lawrence Institute for Notaries

Judi Lawrence is an active Pennsylvania notary as well as a teacher, notary mentor, author, and Apostille agent.
Full Bio

Austin Lindsay

Montana Secretary of State's Office

Austin Lindsay is the Information Security Officer at the Secretary of State’s Office. He is safeguarding critical infrastructure from security threats and building cyber resiliency across organizations in the elections sector.
Full Bio

Brooke Merritt

National Notary Association

Brooke Merritt, Senior Manager of Policy Planning at the National Notary Association. Brooke has been with the National Notary Association for 13 years, where she monitors public policy changes and their impact on Notaries.
Full Bio

Matt Miller

The California League of Independent Notaries

Matt Miller is the President and Founder of The California League of Independent Notaries, an advocacy group that strives to advocate for Independent Notaries by lobbying for policy that strengthens the Office of Notary Public.

Full Bio

Jen Neitzel

Marketing4Notaries

Jen Neitzel began her career as a Notary Public focusing on loan signings after spending a decade working various positions in mortgage operations. Jen soon realized if she wanted to grow her business, she would need to develop relationships with local title offices.
Full Bio

Jacqueline Phillips

The Company 4U LLC

Jacqueline Phillips served as the Director of Notary Engagement and Education at Notarize where she oversaw outreach and education efforts to notaries across the U.S. interested in learning about remote online notarization (RON). 

Full Bio

Timothy Reiniger

Reiniger LLC

Timothy Reiniger serves as a Special Advisor to private companies, national associations, trade organizations, and governments. He specializes in information governance law and policy (data privacy and protection, information security, electronic document authentication, notarial law, remote/online/cyber notarization, and digital human rights).
Full Bio

Roger Rill

Ohio Society of Notaries

Roger Rill is the Founder and President of the Ohio Society of Notaries, a non-profit, professional association dedicated to providing education, awareness, training, and advocacy for Ohio’s notaries. A leading authority, speaker, and trainer on notary topics.

Full Bio

Amy Seitz

Cyberize It

Amy Seitz is a Certified Notary Trainer for Montana and Ohio (with more states pending). Amy discovered her love for RON and has transformed from doing her first RON transaction on Jan 1st, 2021, to becoming a full-time RON within 4 months!
Full Bio

Bill Soroka

Sign & Thrive Notary Training Course and Community

Bill Soroka is no stranger to failure in business. But now he’s on a first-name basis with success. With over 26 flops, he finally found a system that led to phenomenal success as a mobile notary and loan signing agent for the mortgage industry.
Full Bio

Kristi Strouf

MonDak Notary/Apostille Advocate

Kristi Strouf is a full-time notary offering both traditional and RON services from her home in Sidney, MT, and is an approved notary trainer for Montana, offering in-person classes throughout Eastern Montana.
Full Bio

Mike Smith

Georgia Superior Court Clerk’s Cooperative Authority

Mike Smith is the Director of Communications for the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority.

Full Bio

Mike Walker

Bureau Chief, Montana Department of Justice

Mike Walker is originally a Navy brat who’s lived in many places but called Montana home for the past 38 years. He left the state briefly to serve in the United States Air Force.
Full Bio

Kathleen Wallace

Colorado Secretary of State's Office

Kathleen Wallace is from Highlands Ranch, Colorado. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Secondary Education, graduating with Honors from the University of Northern Colorado.
Full Bio

Kate Gammill

Montana Remote Online Notary

Kate Gammill is the owner and operator of Montana Remote Online Notary. She went into business to assist Montana’s rural citizens complete business transactions without having to drive hours to get documents notarized.

Full Bio

Andy Goldberg

Proof

Andy Goldberg is the Manager, Senior Counsel of Product Compliance for Proof. As the leader of the Product Compliance Team, Andy supports the development and expansion of the Proof product suite.

Full Bio

Montana Notary Team

Keenan Blatherwick

Montana Secretary of State's Office

Keenan Blatherwick is the notary administrative assistant with primary responsibility for reviewing and processing notary applications and amendments. He is also responsible for responding to phone calls and emails directed to the notary division.
Full Bio

Lori Hamm

Montana Secretary of State's Office

Lori Hamm has been with the Montana Secretary of State’s office for almost 20 years and leads the education, outreach, compliance, and administrative functions of the Notary Division. She develops the state’s live and online notary education programs and produces the (mostly) biennial statewide notary conferences.
Full Bio

Em Krissovich

Montana Secretary of State's Office

Emily worked in the banking industry for approximately 10 years, before being hired by the Secretary of State’s Office. Em ‘s first position was in the Business Services Division, where she assisted customers in registering business names, filing annual reports, etc.
Full Bio
Event  Sponsors

The Notary  & Certifications Division of the Montana Secretary of State’s Office is grateful to the following businesses and organizations whose generous contributions have made the 2022 Montana Notary Conference possible.

Platinum  Sponsors

Gold  Sponsors

Silver  Sponsors
  • Coach Me Laura                                 
  • CNVTA
  • Integrity Notary Journal
  • Lawrence Institute of Notaries
  • California League of Independent Notaries
  • Notary Coach
  • Ohio Society of Notaries
  • Pennsylvania Association of Notaries
  • RON University
  • Unboring! Weddings

Website developed, hosted, and maintained by the staff of Christi Jacobsen at the Montana Secretary of State’s Office.

sosmt.gov

Looking for more Montana Secretary of State services? You'll find more info on Elections & Voter Services, resources for Small Business, info and education for Notaries and much more at https://sosmt.gov/.

© 2024 Montana Secretary of State’s Office. All Rights Reserved.

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Bill Anderson

Vice President of Government Affairs at the National Notary Association. With over 25 years of experience, Bill is recognized as one of the foremost authorities on Notary best practices, procedures, technology, and ethics. An educator at heart, Bill has created and presented Notary education courses in over 40 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Bill currently oversees the NNA’s legislative, government relations, and Notary bonds and insurance programs, and works to promote, professionalize, and elevate the Notary Public profession by researching Notary Public law and technology issues, writing on topics relevant to Notaries, developing policy, and promoting legislation.
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Marc Aronson

Marc Aronson began his career at the Pennsylvania Association of Notaries (PAN) in 1972 and was appointed President and CEO in 1983. He is in his 49th year of service to the Association. He provided the initiative on a national level for the development of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA). He has been an active member of the Property Records Industry Association (PRIA) for the last 20 years, serving in many capacities, including two terms as a Board member. He is currently on the president’s Council of Advisors. He is also active as an advisor nationally on traditional paper based notarial practice and is nationally recognized as a leading expert on electronic notarial matters, working with the Electronic Signature and Records Association (ESRA), the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA),the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO), the American Land Title Association (ALTA), the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Notary Public Administrators (NPAs) section, and a number of other organizations who seek his expertise in the notarial field.
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Kathleen Butler

Kathleen Butler joined the American Society of Notaries as its Executive Director in 2001, guiding the Society’s reorganization and resulting growth in product offerings, educational opportunities and member services. Kathleen represents the Society in all matters concerning Notary Public policy at the national and state levels. She authors the Society’s publications, educational courses and online content. An experienced trainer and presenter, Kathleen deeply enjoys connecting with the Notaries who attend her seminars. She has been a part of every previous Montana Notary Conference and has consistently been rated as an audience favorite. She was also instrumental in drafting HB 370, revising Montana’s notary laws. Kathleen is a 39-year veteran of professional association work, having served with major state and national associations for such diverse industries as insurance, telecommunications, manufactured housing, and Notaries Public.
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Laura Biewer

Laura Biewer is the founder of CoachMeLaura and owner/notary for At Your Service Mobile Notary and is an 18 year veteran of the notary industry. She has maintained continuous certifications in Loan signing, Living Trusts, and teaching mandated training for the National Notary Association. Laura teaches state-specific Real World Training to commissioned notaries who want to dive deeper and develop skills for everyday documents they may be presented that contains certificate language which may or may not comply, or even be a notarial act in their state. In addition, she coaches notaries in the business of specialty work, identifying niches that produce repeatable business. And reminds notaries to be sure to build a life not just a business with her mindset course.
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Bill Gimbel

Bill Gimbel has been in the management, dispatch, and oversight of notaries nationwide since 1997, beginning with Nationwide Document Service one of the nation’s largest signing service. From his first eSignature/hybrid event in 2005, first RON in 2013 on to today; totaling of over 5 million notarial events managed, 2300 of them personally executed. An architect of 2 other RON platforms, a published author, speaker, and consultant for many of the influencing entities surrounding the notary world. Including NNA, NASA, MBA, MISMO, ABA and others. Bill is currently Director of Business Development for the Global Company Secured Signing operating in over 45 countries throughout the world.
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Bill Fritzlen

Bill Fritzlen serves as Senior Counsel in the Office of the Legal Adviser at the U.S. Department of State. He is an acknowledged expert on consular issues, in particular international judicial cooperation, domestic and international notarial law and document authentication, and has extensive experience with the related Hague and Inter-American Conventions. He is a coauthor of the first edition of the Hague Conference on Private International Law’s Handbook on the Practical Operation of the Apostille Convention and a contributor to the Handbooks on the Service and Evidence Conventions. He has served as a liaison to that organization since 2004 and was the Chairman of the Special Commission on the Practical Operation of the Hague Service, Evidence and Access to Justice Conventions in 2014. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Australia and New Zealand College of Notaries and serves as the Department of State’s liaison to the Notary Public Administrators Section of the National Association of Secretaries of State.
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Bill Gowen

Bill Gowen started out as a child in the land title business as janitor at Helena Abstract and Title Company. He is now the co-owner with his brother Russ and is the Vice President of the closing and escrow side of the business. He is very active with the Montana Land Title Association and spent many hours working with the Montana Secretary of State’s office and other stakeholders in securing the passage of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts that modernized Montana notary laws in 2019. He also serves on the Montana Land Title Association Foundation board as its President and helped in the development of the Privacy Protected Notary Journal which is a key funding component for the foundation. Their latest project is a 2-hour on-line notary course. Bill is the 2019 Montana Notary of the Year.
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Sabrina Hallsten

Sabrina Hallsten grew up in Arizona attending both high school and ASU classes simultaneously. After receiving her certification in cosmetology, she fled for the snowy mountains of Montana. She held numerous jobs for the first two years before accepting a position as the receptionist at a law firm in downtown Helena in 2007. What was supposed to be a temporary gig turned into her passion. She is currently the Office Administrator and a Paralegal at Jackson, Murdo & Grant, PC. Sabrina has been a Montana Notary since 2008, an active member of Montana Association of Legal Assistants since 2009, and a State Bar member since 2014. She has held several positions on the MALA Board over the years and is currently serving as the President. She received certification as a notary trainer in Montana in 2021 and was named Montana’s Notary of the Year in 2015.
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Jennell Huff

Jennell Huff joined Bank of the Rockies in September of 2003 where she currently serves as a relationship executive, community outreach coordinator, and as the coordinator for financial education. Jennell is the driving force behind Bank of the Rockies’ award winning programs CONversations About Cons and Senior Champions programs and is the chairperson of the Montana Elder Fraud and Exploitation Prevention Network, a cooperative multiagency network whose mission it is to work together to detect and prevent elder fraud. She is the past president and current treasurer of the Wilsall Foundation, Inc., a local non-profit in her area, a volunteer with AARP, and serves on multiple other volunteer organizations. Most recently Jennell has been named as a member of the Montana Governor’s Northcentral Elder Justice Council.
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Dale Hardy

Dale Hardy is Senior Counsel, Government & Regulatory Affairs, for Proof. In that role, Dale’s primary responsibilities include tracking, analyzing, and engaging on legislation and regulations related to Proof’s business, including topics such as remote online notarization, identity verification, and electronic signatures. Prior to his tenure with Proof, Dale worked as a non-partisan staff member of the Judiciary Committee in Kentucky’s General Assembly. There he drafted bills on a variety of topics, including criminal law, domestic relations, animal welfare, and notarization. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law.
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Judi Lawrence

Judi Lawrence is an active Pennsylvania notary as well as a teacher, notary mentor, author, and Apostille agent. She is also an inspiration to many individuals who suddenly and unexpectedly find themselves without a job and a life plan. In 2018 Judi co-authored a book with colleague Daniel C. Lewis entitled “Make Your Business Our Business,” a step-by-step guide to starting a notary business. Last year she co-authored, “The Apostille Agents’ Survival Guide: A Not-So-Secret Reference Handbook to International Document Services” with Matt Miller. She serves as an Ambassador for the National Notary Association and was a workshop presenter at the NNA 2024 National Notary Conference.
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Austin Lindsay

Austin Lindsay is the Information Security Officer at the Secretary of State’s Office. He is safeguarding critical infrastructure from security threats and building cyber resiliency across organizations in the elections sector. He has earned cybersecurity credentials including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and the Certified in Governance, Risk and Compliance (CGRC). In his previous position, he helped expand an accounting firm into new services including business analytics, SOC audits, and cybersecurity assessments. He likes to spend his summers climbing peaks in Glacier National Park.
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Brooke Merritt

Brooke Merritt, Senior Manager of Policy Planning at the National Notary Association. Brooke has been with the National Notary Association for 13 years, where she monitors public policy changes and their impact on Notaries, and supports NNA’s government affairs and advocacy efforts. She ensures the NNA’s information resources, products, and services align with an ever-evolving regulatory landscape. Brooke is a graduate of the George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management, where she received her M.A. in Legislative Affairs.
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Matt Miller

Matt Miller is the President and Founder of The California League of Independent Notaries, an advocacy group that strives to advocate for Independent Notaries by lobbying for policy that strengthens the Office of Notary Public and represents members’ common interests. In addition to his advocacy work, Matt is a busy Mobile Notary, CNTDA and Certified Fingerprint Roller in the San Francisco bay area. Matt is also the co-author of the best-selling “Apostille Agent’s Survival Guide”.
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Jen Neitzel

Jen Neitzel began her career as a Notary Public focusing on loan signings after spending a decade working various positions in mortgage operations. Sales was not something she was particularly interested in, but Jen soon realized if she wanted to grow her business, she would need to develop relationships with local title offices. In 2019 Jen developed the 5 Point Marketing System and launched Marketing4Notaries. In 2021, Jen partnered with The Notary Coach, Bill Soroka and Coach Me Laura’s Laura Biewer to create the advanced notary mastermind, Notary Business Builder. This program gives notaries the high-level training and support needed to grow their businesses.
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Jacqueline Phillips

Jacqueline Phillips served as the Director of Notary Engagement and Education at Notarize where she oversaw outreach and education efforts to notaries across the U.S. interested in learning about remote online notarization (RON). In 2016, Jacqueline became one of the first individuals certified as an Electronic Notary in the Commonwealth of Virginia; she joined Notarize soon afterward as the first notary on the Notarize platform. Over the last five years at Notarize, she has worked as Notary Operations Team Lead and Manager of Notary Training and Compliance. Jacqueline has over 20 years of experience as a commissioned Notary Public. In 2012, she started her own notarization business, The Company 4U LLC, and has been training and mentoring notaries ever since. Jacqueline was a guest speaker at the National Notary Association’s Annual Conferences in 2019 and 2021 as a subject matter expert on RON.
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Timothy Reiniger

Timothy Reiniger serves as a Special Advisor to private companies, national associations, trade organizations, and governments. He specializes in information governance law and policy (data privacy and protection, information security, electronic document authentication, notarial law, remote/online/cyber notarization, and digital human rights). He is an author of the Virginia Digital Identity Law (2015) and the Online Notary Law (2011), both of which are first of their kind in the US. He was a member of the team that drafted HB370, the 2019 Montana Notary Law. He was appointed as an ABA Advisor to the Uniform Law Commission’s drafting committee to amend the Revised Unifrom Law on Notarial Acts (2018), as well as the Identity Management in Electronic Commerce Study Committee (2018). For spearheading RON laws in the US, he was selected by the NNA as the 2022 recipient of the March Fong Eu Award. An internationally recognized expert on notarial law, digital identity law, e-apostilles, data privacy/protection, and interstate and international recognition of notarial acts, Tim has testified on these topics before the U.S. Congress (the Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act or “IRON Act” 2010), and legislatures in over a dozen states including Montana, California and Virginia, and the Hague Conference on Private International Law. Currently, he serves as co-chair of the Insurance, Technology and Risk Committee of the American Bar Association (SciTech). On the international level, he has served on the Advisory Board of the EC’s LIGHTest Data Sharing/Protection Project. He is founder of The Cybernotary Society. Most recently he presented a program, Business Across Borders, on e-Apostilles, e-Notarization, and Other Strategic Toolsfor U.S. Lawyers, for the ABA Business Law CLE Meeting 2024. A licensed attorney in California, DC, New Hampshire, and Maine, he graduated from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and the University of Michigan Law School.
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Roger Rill

Roger Rill is Founder and President of the Ohio Society of Notaries, a non-profit, professional association dedicated to providing education, awareness, training, and advocacy for Ohio’s notaries. A leading authority, speaker and trainer on notary topics, he is a staunch advocate of the notary office as defender of the public trust; emphasizing the centuries-old tradition behind the notary title, importance of proper notary procedures, and best practices. He received the 2011 Exceptional American Notary Award from the American Association of Notaries, and was named 2019 Notary of the Year Special Honoree by the National Notary Association. He was inducted into the Columbus Softball Hall of Fame in 2014, and honored with their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
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  • 2024 Montana Notary Conference Presenter
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Amy Seitz

Amy Seitz is a Certified Notary Trainer for Montana and Ohio (with more states pending). After years of working within the IT field and with government agencies, Amy discovered her love for RON and has transformed from doing her first RON transaction on Jan 1st, 2021, to becoming a full time RON within 4 months! Due to the high costs and limited support she encountered with the available software platforms, Amy decided it was time to make a change. Which is why Cyberize It was born.  Cyberize It is now available to notaries in 23 states, with more on the way! Amy was instrumental in developing the Montana Online Title Transfer pilot project.
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  • 2024 Montana Notary Conference Presenter
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Bill Soroka

Bill Soroka is no stranger to failure in business. But now he’s on a first-name basis with success. With over 26 flops, he finally found a system that led to phenomenal success as a mobile notary and loan signing agent for the mortgage industry. As one of the leading notary trainers and mentors in the country, Bill’s Notary Coach brand and the Sign & Thrive Notary Training Course and Community teaches thousands of notaries how to build a business and lifestyle that makes dreams come true. His life is committed to sharing the habits and routines that deepen relationships, create prolific high-quality output, and ensure a lifestyle of peace of mind and raving success.
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  • 2024 Montana Notary Conference Presenter
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Kristi Strouf

Kristi Strouf is a full-time notary offering both traditional and RON services from her home in Sidney, MT, and is an approved notary trainer for Montana, offering in-person classes throughout Eastern Montana. She is an active notary mentor, and a member of the National Notary Association, American Society of Notaries, and several notary groups. She has been involved in the Secretary of State’s eApostille pilot program, providing notarized records for customers all over the world. Kristi is very active in the community and sponsor youth sports teams. She was recognized in 2022 as Montana’s Notary of the Year.
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  • 2024 Montana Notary Conference Presenter
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Mike Smith

Mike Smith is the Director of Communications for the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority. Since joining the Clerks’ Authority in 1998, Mike has been responsible for oversight of the Notary Public Division and Online Subscriber Relations and serves as the Clerks’ Authority’s Notary Public and UCC Information Officer. Mike annually conducts training seminars across Georgia for banking associations, bar associations, filing offices and the general public on the topics of Uniform Commercial Code and notary public best practices and Georgia law. Mike currently serves as the President of the Notary Public Administrators (NPA), a staff section of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS).
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  • 2024 Montana Notary Conference Presenter
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Mike Walker

Mike Walker is originally a Navy brat who’s lived in many places but called Montana home for the past 38 years. He left the state briefly to serve in the United States Air Force. Mike joined MVD in 2015 as a training development specialist on the Vehicle Operations team. After spending 2 years in this role learning and helping to shape business change and development he was promoted to the position of Deputy Bureau Chief of the Vehicle Services Bureau in December of 2017. In October of 2022 Mike’s hard work and dedication to MVD was rewarded with a promotion to the position of Bureau Chief for the Vehicle Services Bureau. Mike’s goal at MVD is to create and maintain an amazing work culture while simultaneously modernizing business processes to better serve Montana constituents and business partners.
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  • 2024 Montana Notary Conference Presenter
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Kathleen Wallace

Kathleen Wallace is from Highlands Ranch, Colorado. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Secondary Education, graduating with Honors from the University of Northern Colorado. She received her law degree from Pacific West College of Law and is a former professor of Appellate Advocacy and Legal Theories. Kathleen is currently a Policy Advisor and Program Manager for the Colorado Secretary of State. She oversees approximately 80,000 notaries. She has worked for the Secretary of State’s Office for six years and is a recipient of the Secretary of State Service Award.
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  • 2024 Montana Notary Conference Presenter
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Kate Gammill

Kate Gammill is the owner and operator of Montana Remote Online Notary. She went into business to assist Montana’s rural citizens complete business transactions without having to drive hours to get documents notarized. Now, Montana Remote Online Notary mostly serves international citizens and tech companies that incorporate online notarization to their processes. The online notarization world is Kate’s forte. This ranges from online identification practices, document tagging, the innuendos of different notarization software, and international transactions. She teaches notary certification courses for the state of Montana, coaches notaries, and continues to be a practicing online notary all the while.
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  • 2024 Montana Notary Conference Presenter
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Andy Goldberg

Andy Goldberg is the Manager, Senior Counsel of Product Compliance for Proof. As the leader of the Product Compliance Team, Andy supports the development and expansion of the Proof product suite. Andy remains up to date on relevant industry laws and regulations and provides reasoned compliance guidance as it relates to online notarization and identity verification to help ensure the product is built and used in a compliant manner. In addition to Product Compliance, Andy leads the Proof Data Privacy initiative and fraud program. Before joining Proof, Andy worked as a Senior Attorney for a national title agency, specializing in title, appraisal, and settlement service compliance matters. Andy is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
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Keenan Blatherwick

Keenan Blatherwick is the notary administrative assistant with primary responsibility for reviewing and processing notary applications and amendments. He is also responsible for responding to phone calls and emails directed to the notary division. Keenan has been with the Secretary of State’s office for 9 years, first in the Records Management Division and for the last 3 years in the Notary Division. Keenan is a commissioned notary and loves his job.

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  • 2024 Montana Notary Team
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Lori Hamm

Lori Hamm has been with the Montana Secretary of State’s office for almost 20 years and leads the education, outreach, compliance, and administrative functions of the Notary Division. She develops the state’s live and online notary education programs and produces the (mostly) biennial statewide notary conferences. Recognized nationally as a trailblazer, Lori was an advocate for remote notarization early on, and was instrumental in the enactment and implementation of the 2015 and 2019 remote notarization statutes in Montana. She is the 2021 recipient of the National Notary Association’s March Fong Eu award, given to an individual who seeks to improve the standards, professionalism, and effectiveness of the Notary Public office in the United States. She serves on the Executive Board of the Notary Public Administrator’s Section of the National Association of Secretaries of State and was a delegate to the Hague Special Commission on Electronic Apostilles.
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Em Krissovich

Emily worked in the banking industry for approximately 10 years, before being hired by the Secretary of State’s Office. Em ‘s first position was in the Business Services Division, where she assisted customers in registering business names, filing annual reports, etc. Em was then promoted within the office to work in the Notary Division where she has mastered the art of apostilles. Her latest project has been updating the notary handbook. She is constantly striving to learn more and gain valuable knowledge to serve Montana. She is now learning the state payroll system and will be taking on payroll duties in the Secretary of State’s Office, as well as accepting new responsibilities within the HR Division. Em is excited about the various roles she plays in the Secretary of State’s Office and the opportunity to learn all there is to know in the Notary Division so she can be a valued resource for all clients of the office.

Em is a member of the Notary Public Administrator’s Section of the National Association of Secretaries of State. And the Secretary and Treasure for the National Federation of The Blind, Helena Chapter.

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  • 2024 Montana Notary Team