Name: Alabama Digital Government Summit 2025
Start: 2025-11-13T08:00
Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Montgomery

Overview

The Alabama Digital Government Summit is an event that brings together public sector leaders and technology professionals to explore innovative solutions to solve government problems. Key themes include cybersecurity, digital transformation, AI implementation, data governance, and fostering collaboration across multiple stakeholders. Attendees will benefit from expert discussions, peer networking, and insights into the future of government technology. Join us and let’s improve the future of government together!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

The power of meaningful collaboration, idea sharing, and networking simply cannot be overstated in today’s fast-paced world. This is true for any career field or industry, but especially so in state government information technology. IT professionals across all levels of state government must have opportunities to join together to exchange ideas, learn new strategies, and discuss shared challenges. This is why events like the Alabama Digital Government Summit are so important and impactful. The State of Alabama Office of Information Technology is proud to continue its partnership with Government Technology to present this exciting annual conference. I hope you will make plans to attend the 2025 Summit in Montgomery, Alabama on Thursday, November 13.

– Daniel Urquhart, Secretary of Information Technology, Chief Information Officer, State of Alabama

Speakers

Shawnee Delaney

Founder and CEO, Vaillance Group and Former Spy

Shawnee Delaney is the founder and CEO of Vaillance Group and a globally recognized expert in human risk management, insider threat, and security investigations. As a decorated former Clandestine Services Officer with nearly a decade at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), she conducted human intelligence (HUMINT) operations worldwide, including four combat zone tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, ultimately serving as both Detachment Chief and Supervisory Branch Chief. After leaving DIA, Shawnee supported the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in protecting U.S. critical infrastructure with the Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT) before leading the creation of insider threat programs at Fortune 500 companies such as Uber and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Shawnee has advised nation-states, multinational corporations, and startups alike on preventing, detecting, and managing insider threats and continues to be a highly sought-after keynote speaker and consultant on insider threat, cybersecurity, and risk management. Her insights have been featured by The Financial Times, Fox Business, The Hill, USA Today, The Cipher Brief, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance and numerous international outlets. She holds master’s degrees in Counter-Terrorism & Counter-Proliferation and Cybersecurity and is currently completing a third in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

Roger Bowman

Executive Director of Support Services, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama  

Roger Bowman serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Information Technology’s (OIT) Support Services Division. Mr. Bowman has more than twenty-seven years of experience in the field of information technology. He began his career in the private sector working in various software development roles, as well as on technical teams supporting software in the textile and apparel manufacturing space.
Over the past seventeen years, Mr. Bowman has served in multiple roles within State of Alabama government including as a software architect, software development manager, and software development director. The experience Mr. Bowman gained in each of these previous roles prepared him well for his current position leading OIT’s Support Services Division.

Keith Cousins

Executive Director, Business Execution, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama

Keith Cousins serves as Executive Director of Business Execution for OIT where he leads the Business Relations (contracts, solicitations, and vendors), Enterprise Services (enterprise architecture, enterprise service management, and service catalog), Grants, and Programs and Projects.
Before OIT, Keith held executive and senior leadership positions in public and private companies including KinderCare, Movie Gallery, Hollywood Entertainment, AT&T Prime Communications, Aronov, Newton Oldacre McDonald, and Triton Management. Keith has keyman experience in federal government IT acquisitions and modernizations, business analysis, process improvement, lifecycle costing, and program control with Computer Sciences Corporation, MCR Federal, and Tecolote Research.

Shannon Crane

Director, Medicaid Enterprise Systems, Alabama Medicaid Agency 

Shannon Crane is the Medicaid Enterprise Systems Director for the Alabama Medicaid Agency and leads the Alabama Medicaid Enterprise Systems Modernization Program (AMMP). The modernization effort will replace the current Medicaid Management Information System with a modern suite of systems where each module supports unique and separate business functions. She has a passion for working on large complex programs like AMMP where IT can truly make a difference in a client’s life. Since 2011, she has worked in various positions within the Agency gaining deep Medicaid knowledge specifically in claims, eligibility & enrollment, care management and provider management. Prior to healthcare, she had over 15 years of experience in senior program management implementing large solutions in the manufacturing and federal space.

John Demas

Chief Information Officer, Department of Corrections, State of Alabama 

John is the Chief Information Officer for the Alabama Department of Corrections, where he leads enterprise technology, security, and compliance initiatives. He has been at the forefront of introducing low-code/no-code platforms to streamline operations, modernize legacy systems, and empower staff to solve problems without heavy development cycles.

Sara Fenn

Director of Technology, Jefferson County School District

Sara Fenn is the Director of Technology for Jefferson County Schools, the second largest school district in Alabama. Sara has served in public education in Alabama for 18 years. Throughout this time, she’s served in multiple roles, including classroom teacher and school librarian before moving into district technology administration for the last eight years. She holds a masters in Instructional Leadership from Auburn University and a Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of Alabama. Sara also serves on the board for the Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology as well as the Google Advisory Board for Alabama.

Willie Fields

Deputy Secretary, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama 

Willie Fields is Deputy Secretary for the Alabama Office of Information Technology (OIT). He joined OIT in 2021 as the Director of Network Engineering. Previously, Mr. Fields served as the CIO for the Alabama Department of Corrections. 
Before working with the state of Alabama, Mr. Fields served 22 years as a Cyberspace Operations Officer in the U.S. Air Force.
Education: MS in Administration and a Graduate Software Engineering Certificate from Central Michigan University; BS in Computer Science from the University of Alabama

Paula Ichniowski

IBM Data Intelligence Strategy Leader, IBM 

With over 25 years at IBM, she has held diverse roles spanning sales, client success, go-to-market strategy, and leadership. In her current role, she leads go-to-market efforts for IBM’s Data Intelligence technology, helping organizations establish strong data foundations to enable AI and enhance decision-making. Paula is deeply passionate about data, AI, technology innovation, and AI ethics—and thrives on collaborating with clients to solve complex business challenges. She holds an MS in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University and lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with her husband and two Newfoundland dogs.

Ram Kandula

Chief Information Officer, Department of Mental Health, State of Alabama 

Ram Kandula is the Chief Information Officer with the Alabama Department of Mental Health. With over 18 years of experience in state government, Ram Kandula has been involved in numerous projects across various levels and has served as the CIO for two state agencies in Alabama. Throughout a distinguished career, he had been dedicated to driving technological innovations and enhancing operational efficiency.
As the CIO of the Alabama Department of Mental Health, Ram’s primary goal is to provide technology and innovation to ADMH Facilities and Staff. This involves equipping employees with the proper tools to offer seamless access to critical programs and services provided by the ADMH. Ram is passionate about solving complex problems and driving business success.

Valisha Kirkland

State Business Systems Director, Department of Finance, State of Alabama 

Valisha Kirkland is the State Business Systems Director (SBS) within the Department of Finance for the State of Alabama. Kirkland earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and accounting from Troy University.  She started her successful career as a Programmer Analyst with Regions Financial Corporation for a 10 year span.  She transitioned her career to accept a position with the State of Alabama as a project manager in 2007.  Since then, she has excelled in leadership positions as the IT Director of Pardons and Paroles and her current position at SBS. As Director for SBS, she manages and supports multiple State of Alabama applications some of which include accounting, personnel & payroll, and time & leave.

Matt Massey

President, Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering 

Matt Massey has served as President of The Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE) in Huntsville, AL, since its creation in 2018. ASCTE is a first-of-its-kind public state magnet school serving grades 9-12. Under his leadership, ASCTE has become a global model for integrating cyber and engineering resiliency across all disciplines.
Before joining ASCTE, Mr. Massey served as Superintendent of Madison County Schools for five years, where he championed advanced placement programs and was recognized as Alabama District 9 Superintendent of the Year. A National Board Certified Teacher with 25 years in education, he believes all students can learn at high levels and educators must ensure this happens.
Mr. Massey earned his bachelor's degree in Secondary Math Education from Troy University, a master's degree in Mathematics from the University of Mississippi, and a Masters and Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Samford University. His passion for education drives his continued collaboration with academia, industry experts, government entities, and nonprofits to foster innovative learning communities.

Matthew Newman

Chief Data Officer, Law Enforcement Agency, State of Alabama

Matthew is a graduate of AUM with a major in Management Information Systems and a focus on Software Engineering.
He began his career doing Visual Basic programming and Access Database management for the university.
After joining the Department of Public Safety, he rose through the ranks from entry level Programmer in 2009, to Chief Data Officer for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency in 2023.
Matthew sets the road map for ALEA’s Network Operations and Application Development teams while keeping up with evolving information technology, digital assets, agency resources and business needs.
Though it’s been a long road from VB and Access through many different iterations of code and database tech, Matthew still holds to core Object Oriented design principles and champions a reusable and scalable approach to Application Development. In his role overseeing Network Operations, he ensures the robustness of ALEA's network infrastructure, optimizing performance, and ensuring security across the board.

Don Pagel

Senior Manager, Ernst & Young 

Don is an experienced transformational technology leader with over 30 years of experience with professional services, business turnarounds, business strategy, sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship.  One of Don’s responsibilities with EY is leading the EY UKG Practice Innovations team which develops AI tools and applications. Prior to joining EY, Don was a partner of Jubilant, LLC and owner of Pagel Consulting Group, LLC focusing on technology implementations in the healthcare space. He also spent 5 years at Kronos/UKG as the Vice President of Professional Services and Vice President of Global Strategic Partnerships.

Gary D. Parker, JD

Chief Data Officer, Alabama Medicaid Agency

Mr. Parker has over 35 years of experience, at all levels of systems and policy design, development, implementation, and strategic planning, across both the public and private sectors. He began his public service career with State of Alabama in 2008 and has served in various administrative and leadership roles.
He is currently Alabama Medicaid’s Chief Data Officer, as well as the Director of Alabama’s HIE, One Health Record®. In these roles, his responsibilities are focused on formulating and guiding the Agency’s Health IT, Data Governance & Interoperability initiatives.

Greg Reed

Secretary, Alabama Department of Workforce

Greg Reed was appointed to serve as the first Secretary of Workforce by Governor Kay Ivey on February 1, 2025, after fourteen years of service in the Alabama Senate representing Senate District 5. 
Greg Reed grew up in Walker County and graduated from Walker County public schools. He attended Walker College, which is now Bevill State Community College, before earning his bachelor’s degree at the University of Alabama. He married his high school sweetheart, Mitsy Harbison of Cordova and raised three sons in Jasper.
In 2010, first-time candidate Greg Reed was elected to the Alabama Senate. In 2014, he was re-elected, without opposition, by the voters of Senate District 5. At the start of the new legislative term in 2015, his Republican colleagues elected him Majority Leader of the Alabama Senate and continued to serve until 2021.
In 2021, the Alabama Senate unanimously elected Senator Greg Reed to serve as the President Pro Tempore of the Alabama State Senate where he served with distinction until his appointment from Governor Ivey.

Jonathan Shaw

National Director of State Strategy, Fortinet

Jonathan serves as the National Director of State Strategy at Fortinet. Prior to joining Fortinet, Jonathan served the State of North Carolina in various appointed leadership positions for two separate Governor’s administrations.
Most recently, Jonathan served as the Chief Operating Officer of the NC Department of Information Technology. As COO, Jonathan ran all aspects of operations within the department and its nearly $1.2billion budget as well as the state’s $1.5 billion Statewide IT Procurement Office. He managed the Legal Division, Chief Procurement Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Legislative Affairs, Human Resources, Communications and Facilities.
Jonathan began his service to the department when he was appointed to be the General Counsel. In that role, he managed the Department ‘s legal department, with a focus on complex IT contract negotiations and legislative affairs. He also wrote the legal structure for the State’s Office of Broadband and Digital Opportunity which is set to distribute over $2billion in state and federal funds.
Prior to joining DIT, Jonathan spent over a decade with the NC Department of Justice where he was a Special Deputy Attorney General representing various state agencies including DIT where he served as legal counsel to the Statewide IT Procurement Office negotiating IT contracts for all state agencies.
Jonathan is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, in Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Central School of Law. He is a self-proclaimed rabid fan of Carolina Basketball and a lifelong Tar Heel.

Chad Smith

Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama 

Chadwick Smith is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the State of Alabama, where he leads the State’s cybersecurity and privacy strategy with a mission to protect critical government infrastructure and sensitive data across diverse agencies and sectors.
Known for his ability to design and deliver cybersecurity initiatives with organizational goals, Smith brings over 25 years of public- and private-sector leadership experience in risk management, security operations, and digital transformation.
As CISO, Smith reports to the Secretary of Information Technology, Daniel Urquhart. He spearheads Alabama’s "whole-of-state" cybersecurity initiative, building frameworks that incorporate NIST standards while fostering collaboration across agencies and local government. His leadership spans cyber incident response, policy development, and regulatory compliance, and he frequently represents the State in federal dialogues on cybersecurity.
Prior to his current role, Smith held key technology and cybersecurity positions in banking, insurance, and global tech firms. At Cisco Systems, he spent 17 years advising Fortune 500 customers, working across verticals to design resilient architectures and develop cybersecurity programs. At Colonial Bank, he founded the bank’s first comprehensive information security program and served as regulatory liaison to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in Washington, D.C.
Throughout his career, Smith has consulted with industries ranging from finance and healthcare to manufacturing and law enforcement, applying business-aligned risk mitigation and secure system design. Notable projects include enhancing railroad emergency response systems, supporting real-time drone surveillance for law enforcement collaboration, and working with federal law enforcement on the apprehension of cyber adversaries.
A frequent speaker and trusted advisor, Smith has presented on cybersecurity topics to boardrooms, executive leadership teams, law makers, and industry groups. He has served on customer advisory boards for global technology companies, helping shape product roadmaps and market strategies. He actively serves on a non-profit board.

Mason Tanaka

Deputy Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, Alabama Medicaid Agency 

Mason Tanaka has over 43 years of IT experience ranging from computer operations to executive leadership. His diverse background includes 20 years with the US Air Force, 12 years with the commercial IT industry, and over 11 years with the State of Alabama. He currently serves as a Deputy Commissioner and Chief Information Officer for the Alabama Medicaid Agency, where he has held these positions since September 2017. His current portfolio of responsibilities include MES Modernization, Legacy MMIS Operations, HIE, EVV and E&E systems, Security/Project/Data Governance, IT Operations and Infrastructure, and Application Development.

View Speakers

Agenda

Thursday, November 13
8:00 am Central	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area Main Lobby, Embassy Ballroom Hallway and State Boardroom
9:00 am Central	Opening Remarks Embassy Ballroom I/II/DEF Daniel Urquhart, Secretary of Information Technology, Chief Information Officer, State of Alabama
9:15 am Central	General Session – IT State of the State Embassy Ballroom I/II/DEF A distinguished panel of Alabama IT leaders will deliver rapid-fire lightning talks showcasing the latest advances driving digital transformation and business acceleration across the state. Topics include: Legislative updates and their impact on key initiatives The State of Alabama Network Segmentation Project The Power Platform Application Factory The Alabama Cybersecurity Information Center (ACIC) and its support for local government entities This fast-paced session provides a concise, high-impact overview of Alabama’s most strategic technology efforts and their role in shaping a more secure, connected, and innovative future. Daniel Urquhart, Secretary of Information Technology, Chief Information Officer, State of Alabama Willie Fields, Deputy Secretary, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama Chad Smith, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama
9:45 am Central	Keynote – The Human Factor: A Spy’s Guide to Social Engineering and Insider Threats Embassy Ballroom I/II/DEF This presentation will provide an overview on what the term "insider threat" actually encompasses, from unintentional acts to malicious acts, and everything in between. It will provide details and case studies on malicious insider acts, psychological motivations of a malicious actor, and the Critical Pathway. The Critical Pathway, as identified by Shaw and Sellers, explains how personal predispositions, stressors, and concerning behaviors can lead up to Insider Threat-like behaviors and/or malicious acts. Discover how human behavior, culture, and personal vulnerabilities can expose your organization to insider threats - and what you can do to strengthen your defenses. Shawnee Delaney, Founder and CEO, Vaillance Group
10:45 am Central	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Embassy Ballroom Hallway and State Boardroom
11:15 am Central	Concurrent Sessions Preparing for AI: Practical Applications, Innovation & Risk Capital Ballroom As AI and emerging technologies evolve at a rapid pace, state and local governments must balance innovation with practicality, governance, and risk. This session explores real-world AI applications, governance considerations, and budget-conscious approaches to adoption. Attendees will gain insights into distinguishing hype from impactful use cases, strengthening governance, and successful approaches to implement emerging technologies while maintaining operational stability and public trust. Scott Brandhuber, DevOps Manager, Department of Transportation, State of Alabama Manley Haynie, Senior IT Systems Specialist, Department of Transportation, State of Alabama Jonathan Shaw, Director of State Strategy, Fortinet Aaron Tripi, Chief Information Officer, Law Enforcement Agency, State of Alabama Doing More with Less: Effective Modernization Strategies Embassy Salon A Public-sector IT leaders are under increasing pressure to modernize systems with limited resources and budgets. This session will explore strategies to advance modernization in constrained environments, from stronger project management and streamlined development to effective systems integration. Discover how agencies are cutting costs, optimizing performance, and making effective build-versus-buy decisions to keep critical projects moving forward. Moderator: Lisa Townsend, Chief Information Officer, Department of Human Resources, State of Alabama Shannon Crane, Director, Medicaid Enterprise Systems, Alabama Medicaid Agency Beverly Floyd, Chief Information Officer, Rehabilitation Services, State of Alabama Alberick Manners, Senior Programmer Analyst, Department of Transportation, State of Alabama Future-Ready Workforce Embassy Salon C As the nature of work evolves rapidly, government IT organizations must proactively prepare their workforce by identifying skill gaps and developing targeted upskilling strategies that support employees across diverse experience levels. This session will explore workforce planning tools, effective training methods, and strategies to ensure readiness for ongoing technological change, including the new skills required in an era of AI. Learn how to build a resilient, future-ready workforce equipped to meet the demands of modern public service and adapt to emerging challenges. Matt Massey, President, Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering From Fragmentation to Standardization: Strengthening the IT Enterprise Embassy Salon B Government organizations often struggle with fragmented systems, siloed services, and overlapping technologies that create complexity, inefficiency, and security risks. This session will examine how standardization – through shared services, enterprise platforms, and stronger governance – can improve efficiency, strengthen security, and reduce duplication. Attendees will also explore practical strategies for implementing enterprise platforms and balancing shared versus specialized services to build a more secure, streamlined IT environment. Moderator: Keith Cousins, Executive Director of Business Execution, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama Sara Fenn, Director of Technology, Jefferson County School District
12:15 pm Central	Lunch Embassy Ballroom I/II/DEF
12:55 pm Central	Bits and Bytes – Cyber Resources Unlocked: Tools, Funding, and Strategies for Success Embassy Ballroom I/II/DEF Fortify your organization’s cybersecurity posture in this dynamic, information-packed session! Whether you’re a municipality or state agency, discover how to access and leverage available resources and grant funding for programs, training, and risk assessments. Gain practical strategies to strengthen cyber maturity, foster collaboration, and stay ahead of evolving threats with actionable insights your team can implement right away. Lori Minton, Grants Administrator, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama Larry Prestwood, Director, Enterprise Services, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama
1:25 pm Central	Short Break Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
1:30 pm Central	Concurrent Sessions Data Strategy in Action Embassy Salon A Public-sector organizations increasingly recognize the power of data to improve decision-making and service delivery, yet many still struggle to unlock its full potential. How can fragmented government data be transformed into connected intelligence that drives better decisions, improves citizen services, and creates transparent, accountable governance? This session will explore data management strategies, including data readiness for AI and emerging technologies, strong data protection and quality practices, and effective approaches across the data lifecycle. Learn best practices for making data more manageable, discoverable, and actionable to drive meaningful impact. Moderator: Gary Parker, Chief Data Officer, Data Governance Office, Alabama Medicaid Agency Paula Ichniowski, IBM Data Intelligence Strategy Leader, IBM Srinivas Javangula, Director – Data and Research, Department of Education, State of Alabama Matthew Newman, Chief Data Officer, Law Enforcement Agency, State of Alabama Aaron Wright, Director of Application Development, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama Organizational Transformation: Balancing Innovation and Change Embassy Salon C True transformation goes beyond adopting new technologies – it requires a culture ready to adapt, innovate, and grow. This session will explore strategies for fostering innovation, overcoming resistance, communicating change across all levels of the organization, and ensuring accountability. Attendees will gain practical tactics to help teams and business units navigate the evolving landscape of IT change management, leveraging people, processes, and technology to drive adoption and build flexible, resilient organizations. Valisha Kirkland, State Business Systems Director, Department of Finance, State of Alabama Don Pagel, Senior Manager, Ernst & Young Greg Reed, Secretary, Alabama Department of Workforce Low Code, No Code and You Embassy Salon B Low-code and no-code tools are transforming how applications are built, speeding delivery while reducing development barriers. Each approach has advantages and limitations depending on project scope, customization needs, organizational capacity, and most importantly, the business problem the application is meant to solve. This session will explore how to evaluate low-code and no-code options to determine which approach, or combination, is best suited to your organization’s needs. Moderator: Roger Bowman, Executive Director of Support Services, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama Lauryn Haynie, Programmer Analyst, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama Ram Kandula, Chief Information Officer, Department of Mental Health, State of Alabama Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners Capital Ballroom Hosted by: Keith Cousins, Executive Director of Business Execution, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama Willie Fields, Deputy Secretary, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama Chad Smith, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama Daniel Urquhart, Secretary of Information Technology, Chief Information Officer, State of Alabama
2:30 pm Central	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Embassy Ballroom Hallway and State Boardroom
3:00 pm Central	General Session – Alabama Medicaid’s Modernization Program: From Vision to Reality Embassy Ballroom I/II/DEF Modernizing and integrating an agency’s IT enterprise is a complex effort requiring careful planning, governance, and execution to align systems with business goals and deliver a seamless user experience. The Alabama Medicaid Agency will share its multi-year journey to modernize its Medicaid Enterprise Systems (MES), highlighting organizational readiness, governance, enterprise architecture, certification, procurement, technical design, change management, and the use of AI to drive efficiency. Get an inside look at the strategies, processes, and solutions that transformed this vision into reality! Mason Tanaka, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, Alabama Medicaid Agency
3:45 pm Central	General Session – AI 2025 – From Administrative Assistance to Agentic AI Embassy Ballroom I/II/DEF As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves, organizations are moving beyond AI as a simple administrative assistant to leveraging more autonomous, decision-making "agentic AI." This session will explore the transition from task-based automation to AI systems capable of reasoning, adapting, and executing complex workflows with minimal human intervention. Attendees will gain insights into how governments can harness these advancements while ensuring transparency, control, and alignment with human goals. Whether you're an executive, technologist, or policymaker, this session will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the AI landscape of 2025 and beyond. Bryan Langley, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government
4:15 pm Central	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area Embassy Ballroom Hallway and State Boardroom Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
4:45 pm Central	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

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Montgomery, AL 36104
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Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Terence Burke
Chief Information Officer, Computer Services Bureau
Department of Transportation
State of Alabama

Bryon Campbell, PhD
Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer
Madison County Commission
Madison County

Laura Howell Crowder
General Counsel
Office of Information Technology
State of Alabama

John Demas
Chief Information Officer
Department of Corrections
State of Alabama

Mark Dokas
Director of Information Technology
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
State of Alabama

Matt Dyar
Information Technology Division Director
Department of Revenue
State of Alabama

Emily Elam
Chief Information Officer
Huntsville City Schools

Sara Fenn
Director of Technology
Jefferson County Schools

Willie Fields
Deputy Secretary
Office of Information Technology
State of Alabama

Beverly Floyd
Chief Information Officer
Rehabilitation Services
State of Alabama

Jeb Hargrove
Chief Information Officer
Emergency Management
State of Alabama

Patrick Johnson
IT Director
City of Alabaster

Ram Kandula
Chief Information Officer
Department of Mental Health
State of Alabama

Scott Kearney
Chief Technology Officer
Information Technology
City of Mobile

Nikki Kerns
IT Director
Information Technology
City of Dothan

Taylor Nichols
General Counsel
Department of Finance
State of Alabama

Tony Porterfield
Director of Information Technology
City of Montgomery

Michael Powell
Chief Technology Officer
Montgomery Public Schools

Greg Price
Vice-Chancellor Information Technology
Office of Information Technology
Troy University

William Roberson
Assistant Bureau Chief, Computer Services Bureau
Department of Transportation
State of Alabama

Mark Skelton
Director, Technical Support
Department of Public Health
State of Alabama

Chad Smith
Chief Information Security Officer
Office of Information Technology
State of Alabama

Mason Tanaka
Deputy Commissioner and Chief Information Officer
State of Alabama
Medicaid Agency

Keisha Thomas
Information Technology Director
Alabama Administrative Office of Courts
State of Alabama

Lisa Townsend
Chief Information Officer
Department of Human Resources
State of Alabama

Aaron Tripi
Chief Information Officer
Law Enforcement Agency
State of Alabama

Daniel Urquhart
Secretary of Information Technology, Chief Information Officer
Office of Information Technology
State of Alabama

Mike Vanhook
Information Technology Chief
Department of Economic and Community Affairs
State of Alabama

Jeremy Ward
Director of Communications
Office of Information Technology
State of Alabama

Industry Representatives

Tony Godwin
Account Manager
Select Sales
C Spire

Brian Mccoun
Technology Sales Leader
IBM Corporation

Philip Robertson
Major Account Manager
Fortinet

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: November 13, 2025

Open to Public Sector only.

Registration - Free

If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.

This event is open to all individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.

Contact Information

Need help registering, or have general event questions? Contact:

Sherri Tidwell
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1382
E-mail: stidwell@erepublic.com

Already a sponsor, but need a hand? Reach out to:

Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
A Division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-mail: mgaton@erepublic.com

Want to sponsor and stand out? Reach out to explore opportunities!

Heather Earney
Government Technology
A Division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 365-2308
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

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Alabama Digital Government Summit 2025

Overview

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Shawnee Delaney

Founder and CEO, Vaillance Group and Former Spy

Roger Bowman

Executive Director of Support Services, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama

Keith Cousins

Executive Director, Business Execution, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama

Shannon Crane

Director, Medicaid Enterprise Systems, Alabama Medicaid Agency

John Demas

Chief Information Officer, Department of Corrections, State of Alabama

Sara Fenn

Director of Technology, Jefferson County School District

Willie Fields

Deputy Secretary, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama

Paula Ichniowski

IBM Data Intelligence Strategy Leader, IBM

Ram Kandula

Chief Information Officer, Department of Mental Health, State of Alabama

Valisha Kirkland

State Business Systems Director, Department of Finance, State of Alabama

Matt Massey

President, Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering

Matthew Newman

Chief Data Officer, Law Enforcement Agency, State of Alabama

Don Pagel

Senior Manager, Ernst & Young

Gary D. Parker, JD

Chief Data Officer, Alabama Medicaid Agency

Greg Reed

Secretary, Alabama Department of Workforce

Jonathan Shaw

National Director of State Strategy, Fortinet

Chad Smith

Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama

Mason Tanaka

Deputy Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, Alabama Medicaid Agency

Agenda

Thursday, November 13

8:00 am Central

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Main Lobby, Embassy Ballroom Hallway and State Boardroom

9:00 am Central

Opening Remarks

Embassy Ballroom I/II/DEF

9:15 am Central

General Session – IT State of the State

Embassy Ballroom I/II/DEF

9:45 am Central

Keynote – The Human Factor: A Spy’s Guide to Social Engineering and Insider Threats

Embassy Ballroom I/II/DEF

10:45 am Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Embassy Ballroom Hallway and State Boardroom

11:15 am Central

Concurrent Sessions

Preparing for AI: Practical Applications, Innovation & Risk

Capital Ballroom

Doing More with Less: Effective Modernization Strategies

Embassy Salon A

Future-Ready Workforce

Embassy Salon C

From Fragmentation to Standardization: Strengthening the IT Enterprise

Embassy Salon B

12:15 pm Central

Lunch

Embassy Ballroom I/II/DEF

12:55 pm Central

Bits and Bytes – Cyber Resources Unlocked: Tools, Funding, and Strategies for Success

Embassy Ballroom I/II/DEF

1:25 pm Central

Short Break

1:30 pm Central

Concurrent Sessions

Data Strategy in Action

Embassy Salon A

Organizational Transformation: Balancing Innovation and Change

Executive Director of Support Services, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama  

Director, Medicaid Enterprise Systems, Alabama Medicaid Agency 

Chief Information Officer, Department of Corrections, State of Alabama 

Deputy Secretary, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama 

IBM Data Intelligence Strategy Leader, IBM 

Chief Information Officer, Department of Mental Health, State of Alabama 

State Business Systems Director, Department of Finance, State of Alabama 

President, Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering 

Senior Manager, Ernst & Young 

Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology, State of Alabama 

Deputy Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, Alabama Medicaid Agency 