Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Level 4 SW Lobby and Room 400D

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Room 400AB

Alberto Gonzalez, Chief Information Officer, State of Idaho

Phil McGrane, Secretary of State, State of Idaho

Keynote – Have You Ever Jumped from an Airplane? (The Journey of Delivering a Complex Project in the Public Sector)

Room 400AB

Large-scale public-sector technology projects are complex, often requiring IT leaders to address technical debt and legacy issues before envisioning future advancements. Launching new projects involves evaluating everything from the RFP process to relationship management, and regulatory compliance. Join Saby Waraich as he shares actionable insights from his journey of transforming a struggling digital transformation project into a success. Discover the strategies he employed to overcome these challenges and understand the true essence of 'jumping out of an airplane' in the context of leading successful digital transformations.

Saby Waraich, Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas Community College

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Level 4 SW Lobby and Room 400D

Concurrent Sessions

Low-Code, No-Code, and You

Room 410A

Are low-code and no-code the future of application development? Most say yes. Without a doubt, low-code and no-code tools are playing increasingly important roles in speeding up the delivery of applications. But the landscape is complex. There are pros and cons to each approach, depending on the scope of the project, customization requirements, and capabilities within your organization. This session takes a look at which approach(es) might be best suited to your needs.

Skye Swoboda-Colberg, Technical Product Manager - Eforms and Workflow, University of Idaho

Changing the Game: Redefining IT’s Role from Cost Center to Strategic Partner

Room 410B

Technology alone doesn’t drive transformation, people do. This session explores how IT teams in state, local, and education sectors can become true business partners by focusing on change management, communication, and collaboration. Learn how to engage users, build trust, and deliver solutions with your customers—not to them—to avoid shadow IT and ensure lasting impact.

Butch Schierman, Chief Information Officer, City of Nampa

Making IT Essential: Funding and Sustaining Technology in Every Idaho Community

Room 410C

In Idaho, where most cities are small, but tech needs are big, IT is no longer a luxury - it’s essential. This session will guide you through prioritizing, funding, and sustaining essential IT services like cybersecurity, internet access, and crisis response. Whether you’re in a rural district or a growing metro, you’ll gain practical strategies, real-world insights, and a roadmap for making IT a protected and permanent part of your budget. Let’s talk about what’s truly critical - and how to secure it.

Chris Carlisle, Software License Architect, Office of Information Technology Services, State of Idaho

Lunch

Room 400AB

General Session - AI That Works: Success Stories from Idaho’s Public Sector

Room 400AB

As AI rapidly evolves, IT leaders are uniquely positioned to drive its responsible and impactful adoption across Idaho’s public institutions. This session focuses on practical, real-world AI use cases that are already delivering value in state agencies, local governments, and higher education. From automating help desk operations and optimizing infrastructure monitoring to enhancing data-driven decision-making and improving digital services for citizens, this session will showcase how AI can solve today’s IT challenges. Join us to explore proven tools, implementation strategies, and governance considerations that empower IT leaders to lead the AI transformation with confidence and clarity.

Moderator: Jordan Wilkins, National Conference Director, Government Technology

Phil Merrell, Director of Innovation & Academic Systems, Boise State University

Leif Nelson, Acting Director, Research Computing, Boise State University

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

Operation Cyber Idaho in Action

Room 410A

Discover how Idaho is uniting state agencies, local governments, and educational institutions to build a stronger cybersecurity posture. This session highlights Operation Cyber Idaho’s innovative approach to training, infrastructure support, and workforce development - empowering communities to detect, protect, and respond to evolving cyber threats.

Daniel Warren, Consulting System Architect, Fortinet

Data Governance: Navigating the Present and Shaping the Future

Room 410B

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and exponential data growth, organizations face unprecedented challenges and opportunities in managing and sharing data effectively. This session delves into the critical considerations and strategies for navigating the complex landscape of data governance and sharing - both now and into the future.

Jennifer Dvorak Landry, Chief Information Security Officer, Idaho Courts

Len Mudgett, Lead Sales Engineer, Portage Cybertech

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Room 410C

Hosted by: Alberto Gonzalez, Chief Information Officer, State of Idaho

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Level 4 SW Lobby and Room 400D

Idaho’s Digital Government Challenge – A Public Sector Trivia Showdown

Room 400AB

Think fast. Collaborate under pressure. Test your knowledge of governance, policy, and emerging tech in this high-energy, team-based trivia showdown. More than a competition - this is a chance to network, share insights, and strengthen connections across Idaho’s public sector. Whether you want to build new relationships or sharpen your expertise, this interactive session delivers. Are you ready to lead your team to victory?

Presenter: Jordan Wilkins, National Conference Director, Government Technology

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Level 4 SW Lobby and Room 400D

Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.