Feb
Cybercrime Is Calling
After my annual pilgrimage last summer to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, I was ready to attempt something new. I enrolled in a seminar that teaches how to become a public relations and marketing specialist. Not knowing for sure what opportunities would open up next for me, I figured that knowing how to do my own PR and marketing would definitely help regardless.
The information I received at the seminar was worthwhile, but one contact there changed the direction of my career. I met a young lady, Valerie Mills. Val is heavily involved with computer forensics. Something I had never even heard about. I found it fascinating! Likewise, Val found my trial consulting business fascinating. She mentioned that no one in the computer forensic industry has ever thought about joining the two together.
Since most court trials include some form of computer forensics, many consultants are drug into court to testify as an expert witness. Most of these computer geeks rarely see the outside world. Making a credible first impression for the jury members never crossed their minds, but as a jury consultant…it did mine. So, the connection was made. Now, Val introduces me to her connections and sets me up to do the image consulting and technique training.
My first project was the CyberCrime Summit 2007 in March. It was held at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. Attendees were mainly national and international investigation bureaus, law enforcement and government agencies. I was billed as a keynote speaker. My presentation, “Courtroom Testimony: How To Be An Effective Witness” was a smashing hit! I was brought back the second day for an encore performance. Since then, I have been secured as a keynote speaker for the CyberCrime Summit 2008.
Jack Wiles of The Training Company was in my audience. He was amazed at the detailed, practical advice I gave. Since his company coordinates the Techno Security Conference, another computer crime security related program, he approached me about doing a presentation at his conference. I was thrilled and quickly accepted.
The Techo Security Conference was held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in June. My lecture, “Win or Lose – You Choose: Inside Secrets to Presenting the Best You” was well attended and rumored to be one of the highlights of the conference. While at the conference, I was asked to video tape a segment to be used on their website.
To my big surprise, Jack asked me to be a co-author for his upcoming book
What an amazing year! Life is always full of surprises. I could not have written a better script myself. I have learned to be flexible and keep my options open. Who knows where it will take me next. To be continued…
Stevee Ashlock resides in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. She has been in the entertainment business for over twenty-five years and is the owner of Stoneybrook Productions, an entertainment production and multi-media marketing company. http://www.stoneybrookproductions.net
Ms. Ashlock is dedicated to her international charity involvement, focusing on women and children issues.
You may contact Ms. Ashlock at stoneybrookprods@prodigy.net
Tags: computer technology, courtroom testimony, cyber crime, expert witness, jury consultant
