Event Information
We are excited to welcome you to Hometown Bank’s Fraud Survival Camp on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the Kent State University Hotel & Conference Center in Kent, OH. Thank you for registering—your participation helps make this an impactful event for our business community. If you haven’t registered yet, there is still time!
Details:
📍 Location
Kent State University Hotel & Conference Center
215 S Depeyster St, Kent, OH 44240
🚗 Parking
City of Kent Central Gateway Garage
201 E Erie St, Downtown Kent, OH 44240
(You’ll receive a voucher for free parking at check-in.)
The event space is in the wing of the hotel off Erie Street, directly across from the street exit of the parking garage—just follow the signs.
Agenda:
🎤 Event Schedule
- 12:30 PM – Registration Opens
- 1:00 – 1:15 PM – Welcome Remarks
- 1:15 – 1:35 PM – Verizon Presentation Timothy Thomas Malone II and Andrew Thomas
- 1:35 – 2:35 PM – FBI Presentation: Special Agent Milan R. Kosanovich
- 2:35 – 2:55 PM – Break / Networking / QR Code Game
- 2:55 – 3:50 PM – Tabletop Exercises
- 3:50 – 4:00 PM – Closing Announcements & Raffle
- 4:00 – 5:30 PM – Networking: Campfire Connections in the event space. Charcutery and event bar will be available. (Each attendee receives 2 drink tickets).
Safe From Fraud
- Smart Biometric Safe – (0.80 cu. ft.) Fingerprint Lock Box with Silent Mode, Backlit Keypad and LED Light
- The Folio™ Document Organizer | Custom Dyed Cloth-Bound Expanding File for Important Papers, Passports, Birth Certificates & More
- Fire blanket
- 2 Fire Extinguishers
- 2 RFID card protectors
- 2 “False” safes (shaving cream and corn)
- Wireless charger with plug
- USB charger block
Alert to Fraud
- Gevi stainless steel espresso maker for cafe-quality beverages
- Three bags of gourmet coffee
- Six mugs
- Emergency Preparedness Book
- Fire blanket
- 2 Fire Extinguishers
- 2 RFID card protectors
- Wireless charger with plug
Emergency Preparedness
- Jump Starter with Air Compressor & Portable Car Battery Booster (9.0 Gas/6.5L Diesel) with 150PSI Auto-Shutoff Tire Inflator, 12V Supersafe Lithium Battery
- The Folio™ Document Organizer | Custom Dyed Cloth-Bound Expanding File for Important Papers, Passports, Birth Certificates & More
- 2 Fire blanket
- Fire extinguisher
- 2 RFID card protectors
- First Aid kit
- Water bottle
- Emergency poncho
Shredding Risk
- Bonsaii Heavy Duty 12-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder, 5.5 Gal
- Fire blanket
- 2 Fire extinguishers
- Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Expert Advice for Extreme Situations
- 2 RFID card protectors
- Wireless charger with plug
Safe while Traveling
- Apple AirTag 4 Pack. Keep Track of and find Your Keys, Wallet, Luggage, Backpack, and More. Simple one-tap Set up with iPhone or iPad
- Suitcase
- Fire blanket & fire extinguisher
- RFID protected waist wallet, 1 RFID Passport protector & 2 RFID card protectors
- “False” safe (shaving cream)
- Travel foot hammock
- Cavs can and single bottle coolers
- USB charger block with cord
- Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Expert Advice for Extreme Situations
- USB and charger block extension cord power strip
Fraud isn’t a matter of if—it’s a matter of when.
Fraud isn’t just a risk—it’s a growing threat. Join us for a hands-on training experience where business leaders across Northeast Ohio will learn to recognize, prevent, and respond to fraud.
- Hear directly from an FBI HQ Special Agent, Economic Crimes Unit and Verizon Digital experts
- Participate in interactive fraud survival exercises
- Take home a Fraud Survival Guide with actionable checklists
- Enter to win valuable raffle prizes: biometric safe, cappuccino machine, crosscut shredder, emergency power solutions and more!
- Network with fellow Northeast Ohio businesses during a post-event reception at the hotel bar
Featured Speaker: FBI Special Agent Milan R. Kosanovich
Milan R Kosanovich has worked for the FBI for over seventeen years, specializing in white collar criminal and cyber investigations. He is a graduate of Syracuse University (B.S.) and Georgetown University (J.D.). He has worked in the New Haven and Cleveland field offices. He served as a detaileé to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission while working as a supervisor in the Economic Crimes Unit at FBIHQ. Kosanovich has lectured and taught on behalf of the FBI in 11 different countries across four continents. He currently serves on the Cyber Criminal Squad in Cleveland and founded the Midwestern Cryptocurrency Task Force. He also serves in multiple collateral duties as a member of the nationwide Financial Crimes Response Team, Virtual Currency Response Team and has been certified as a Hostage Negotiator.
Featured Speaker: Andrew Thomas, Principal Manager of Solutions Architecture with Verizon
Andrew Thomas is a Principal Manager of Solutions Architecture with Verizon, where he guides enterprise customers through complex technological landscapes. With 15 years of industry experience, he has a proven track record of translating intricate business needs into powerful, secure, and scalable solutions. Andrew is an expert in building robust mobile footprints that empower businesses to operate securely and efficiently in a connected world.
Featured Speaker: Timothy Malone II, Senior Account Manager, Verizon Business Group
Timothy Thomas Malone II is a seasoned Senior Account Manager with Verizon Business Group, dedicated to serving businesses in Portage County, as well as parts of Summit and Stark counties. With over a decade of experience, Timothy has become a trusted partner for local organizations, helping them navigate the complexities of enterprise technology and communication solutions. His expertise includes managing strategic accounts and providing tailored solutions that drive business growth and operational efficiency.
Timothy’s background gives him a deep understanding of the unique technological challenges facing businesses in the region. He has a passion for helping companies leverage the power of reliable connectivity and advanced security solutions to protect their critical assets and ensure business continuity. In light of the increasing importance of cybersecurity, Timothy is committed to helping his clients build resilient and secure networks.
Timothy looks forward to connecting with fellow community leaders and sharing insights on how a robust and secure technological infrastructure is a cornerstone of modern business success.
Fraud Happens: Business Survival Camp isn’t another fraud lecture— it’s your training ground. Because when fraud happens, your survival depends on what you do next.
Agenda:
- 12:30 pm: Registration Opens
- 1:00 pm: Welcome and Introductions, distribution of Fraud Survival Guides and raffle tickets
- 1:15: Verizon Business and Data Breaches with Timothy Thomas MaloneII and Andrew Thomas
- 1:35: FBI Special Agent Milan R Kosanovich
- 2:35: Break, refreshments and QR Codes
- 2:55: Tabletop Exercises
- 3:30: Tabletop Exercise Discussion/Debrief
- 3:50: Event Summary, Announcements, Raffle and Prize Drawings
- 4:00: Networking
Why Attend:
- Build confidence under pressure with step-by-step response strategies.
- Strengthen your defenses with checklists and tools you can apply immediately.
- Learn how to outlast fraud attempts by building a stronger culture and resilient processes.
- Leave with the skills, resources, and connections you need to not just play the fraud game—but to survive it.
- Enter to win great raffle baskets and prizes!
What to Expect:
- Fraud Survival Kit – Take home checklists, templates, and resources that give you a lifeline when fraud strikes.
- Expert Guides – Hear practical strategies from banking, cybersecurity, and law enforcement professionals who battle fraud daily.
- Campfire Connections – Network with fellow business leaders and community partners over refreshments.
Giveaways!
We have five great prizes we will raffle off at the end of the event (no cost to get tickets, you get them at check in and earn extra for the completed exercises)
- Be Alert To Fraud: A Gevi Espresso and Coffee Maker, six mugs and three gourmet coffees, along with some must-have tech security!
- Safe At Home: A biometric safe, secure document organizer and more to keep your important items safe at home.
- All Around Survival: An emergency kit for all situations: car jumper, fully stocked battery supply and charge indicator, cell phone wireless charger/solar powered and fire extinguishers.
- Survive On The Road: Four Air Tags and a wheeled carryon suitcase, travel power strip with USB ports and travel RFID bag, adjustable foot hammock and a hidden safe.
- Shredding your Risk: A 12-sheet cross cut shredder, Emergency weather radio/hand crank radio, hooded poncho, fire extinguishers and fire blankets and a Worst Case Survival Guide.
Why We’re Doing This…
At Hometown Bank, we know fraud isn’t a problem that stops at the bank doors—it impacts every business in our community. Traditional fraud education doesn’t resonate, and most businesses don’t have time to create their own training.
So we did the work for you—building an engaging, interactive program that makes fraud education enjoyable, memorable, and impactful. And because we’re committed to our community, we’re offering this event FREE to local businesses. Fraud is a real-life survival challenge. The threats are everywhere—from phishing emails and fake invoices to payroll scams and ransomware attacks. Criminals are constantly adapting, waiting for just one slip-up. The question is: when the pressure is on, will your business be prepared to survive?