Alaska Digital Government Summit 2026
Overview
The Alaska Digital Government Summit is where innovation meets impact!
Bringing together the brightest minds in state and local government, this summit empowers public-sector leaders to explore cutting-edge technologies, modernize operations, and solve pressing challenges. From cybersecurity and AI to data governance and digital service delivery, sessions are designed to spark insight, foster collaboration, and accelerate real-world results. Whether you're shaping strategy or implementing solutions, the Summit delivers valuable peer connections and actionable guidance to help move your mission forward.
Over the past few years, the Alaska Digital Government Summit has provided a rare opportunity to bring together industry partners and public sector technology professionals in a single event focused on improving services and security for Alaskans. I look forward to seeing this valuable opportunity continue to grow and I’m extremely grateful to all participants and their commitment to the common mission of serving Alaskans.
– Bill Smith, Chief Information Officer, State of Alaska
Speakers
Bill Smith
Chief Information Officer, State of Alaska
Shortly after assuming this position, Bill played a key role in technology related response to the global pandemic. During his tenure, the State of Alaska executive branch has made significant strides in enabling secure remote access for employees, drastically reducing cybersecurity vulnerabilities, actively combating the rapid increase in threat activity, and attacking technical debt within the enterprise.
Bill has over 30 years of experience leading teams of all sizes in both the public and private sectors. During his successful career in the United States Army, he was a lead participant in several high-level Headquarters, Department of the Army projects involving operational forecasting and national force structure. Additionally, he was called upon to direct combat military operations and develop an innovative aviation organization and training program to meet critical Army intelligence collection requirements.
After retiring from the Army, Bill chose to stay in Alaska and entered the private sector with a major Alaska based broadband and communications provider. Over the course of several years, he served in senior product, project and program management roles covering the spectrum of technology solutions provided to business, consumer, and government agencies in Alaska. In his role as the Senior Manager of Customer Support, Bill redesigned the company’s service assurance manager program to provide improved and deeply engaged customer support to strategic partners.
Bill and his wife Jo have three children. Following a military career taking them around the globe, they have enjoyed raising their family and making their home in the Last Frontier.
Thor Ryan
Chief Risk Officer, Department of Revenue Information Security, State of Alaska
Agenda
Thursday, October 8 |
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8:00 am Alaska |
Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit AreaPre-Function Balcony |
9:00 am Alaska |
Welcome and Opening RemarksAnchorage/FairbanksCommissioner Paula Vrana, Department of Administration, State of Alaska |
9:15 am Alaska |
Keynote – Unlock Collective Genius and Fuel Breakthroughs in the Age of AIAnchorage/FairbanksIn this energizing keynote, Frankie Russo reveals how public sector leaders can unlock collective genius by uniting teams around a shared purpose that fuels meaningful impact in the age of AI. He shows how partnering with AI as a true copilot, not a replacement, helps leaders amplify imagination, accelerate breakthroughs, and bring bold new solutions to life. By examining what’s been holding organizations back, Russo guides audiences to unleash an infinity loop of innovation. Walk away with practical strategies to elevate human potential, harness AI for the greater good, and drive transformational change for the communities they serve.
Sponsored by: Alaska Communications, Kyndryl, Inc.
Frankie Russo, Inc. 500 Founder | Top Growth Keynote Speaker | Best-Selling Author |
10:15 am Alaska |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaPre-Function Balcony |
10:45 am Alaska |
AI and Cybersecurity: Ally and AdversaryAnchorage/FairbanksArtificial intelligence is strengthening cyber defenses while giving threat actors faster, more scalable ways to exploit systems, manipulate information, and disrupt essential services. The expanding Internet of Things adds even more devices, connections, and data to protect. How can public-sector IT leaders embrace AI while preparing for weaponization and the risks created by connected infrastructure? Attendees will learn how to assess emerging threats, identify vulnerable areas, and strengthen security strategies.
Moderator: Rob Lloyd, Executive Director, Center for Digital Government Thor Ryan, Chief Risk Officer, Department of Revenue Information Security, State of Alaska Chris White, Chief Technology Officer, Department of Administration, State of Alaska |
11:30 am Alaska |
Data Foundations: Governance and Sharing at ScaleAnchorage/FairbanksHigh quality, well-governed data is the backbone of most public sector initiatives. The value of analytics and AI depends on the quality and security of underlying data. But how can agencies improve data quality, enforce governance, and achieve true interoperability? This expert panel will examine approaches to strengthening data foundations, from governance frameworks to scalable sharing models, looking into open data projects and public data portals.
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12:15 pm Alaska |
LunchAnchorage/Fairbanks |
1:15 pm Alaska |
Bits and BytesAnchorage/FairbanksIn these lightening talks, we’ll hear about two engaging examples of successful use cases and how you can put them to work in your organization.
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1:45 pm Alaska |
Short Break |
2:00 pm Alaska |
From Portal to Partnership: The Future of Public EngagementAnchorage/FairbanksEffective public engagement requires understanding constituents’ needs and reaching those who may need help. How can agencies use technology to engage communities and serve the public more effectively? Panelists will share practical examples of digital engagement, effective outreach, and strategies for making public services more accessible, responsive, and human-centered.
Moderator: Bill Smith, Chief Information Officer, State of Alaska Benjamin Shier, Chief Information Technology Officer, University of Alaska System of Higher Education |
2:45 pm Alaska |
AI Right Now: From Possibility to PracticeAnchorage/FairbanksAI has moved from experimentation into government operations, creating immediate opportunities to improve productivity, decision-making, and service delivery. Which tools can agencies use today? How do you plan in this new token driven environment? Panelists will share practical use cases highlighting how agencies are applying these tools, along with perspectives on current capabilities and the evolving needs of technology teams. Attendees will gain a clearer view of immediate opportunities and a view into what's coming next.
Moderator: Myria Shakespeare, Department Technology Officer, Department of Health, State of Alaska |
2:45 pm Alaska |
Exclusive Briefing for Industry PartnersKenai RoomHosted By: Bill Smith, Chief Information Officer, State of Alaska |
3:15 pm Alaska |
Upskilling and the Future of WorkAnchorage/FairbanksPublic sector teams are undergoing a profound shift as emerging technology reshapes roles, skills, and service expectations. How can agencies upskill their workforce, guide employees through change, and build strong succession pipelines amid these rapid changes? This session examines practical strategies for developing AI-ready talent, strengthening organizational resilience, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, while maintaining mission continuity.
Moderator: Niel Smith, Deputy Chief Information Officer, State of Alaska |
3:45 pm Alaska |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaPre-Function Balcony |
4:15 pm Alaska |
From Dial-Up to Digital Twins: 25 Years of the CDG and the Road to 2050Anchorage/FairbanksIn 2001, "digital government" meant moving paper forms to static PDF downloads. Today, it means real-time, AI-driven resident services, "whole-of-state" cybersecurity, and cloud-native infrastructure that never sleeps. As the Center for Digital Government (CDG) celebrates its 25th anniversary, we invite you to a high-energy retrospective and a forward-looking strategy session that tracks the evolution of the public sector’s digital DNA. We will walk through the "waves" of transformation we’ve navigated together and will provide a roadmap for the next quarter-century of innovation.
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4:45 pm Alaska |
Networking Reception in the Exhibit AreaPre-Function BalconyNetwork with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
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5:15 pm Alaska |
End of ConferenceConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.
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Marriott Anchorage Downtown
820 W 7th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 279-8000
Marriott Anchorage Downtown
Advisory Board
Government Representatives
Colin Amundson
Chief Workforce and Finance Officer
Department of Administration/OIT
State of Alaska
Craig Bergquist
Department Technology Officer
Department of Corrections
State of Alaska
Mark Breunig
Cybersecurity State Coordinator
US Department of Homeland Security
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Brian Brubaker
Department Technology Officer
Department of Revenue
State of Alaska
Ted Johnston
Department Technology Officer
Department of Public Safety
State of Alaska
Ryan Kendall
Department Technology Officer
Department of Environmental Conservation
State of Alaska
Paul Krous
Department Technology Officer
Department of Education and Early Development
State of Alaska
Jerry Kung
Department Technology Officer
Department of Fish and Game
State of Alaska
Karen Lechner
Department Technology Officer
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
State of Alaska
Keith Lewis
Department Technology Officer
Department of Family and Community Services
State of Alaska
Eva Loera
Department Technology Officer
Department of Commerce and Economic Development
State of Alaska
Sioux-z Marshall
Chief Information Officer
Office of Information Technology
Municipality of Anchorage
Jennifer McCaul
Department Technology Officer
Dept of Law
State of Alaska
Dan Monarch
Chief Information Security Officer
Department of Administration/OIT
State of Alaska
Blake Moore
IT Director
Digital Services
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Chris Murray
IT Director
AlaskaCare Health Policy
Municipality of Juneau Administration
Leonard Robertson
Chief information officer
Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority
State of Alaska owned corporation
Patty Robinson
Department Technology Officer
Department of Natural Resources
State of Alaska
Thor Ryan
Chief Risk Officer
Department of Information Security
State of Alaska Revenue
Myría Shakespeare
Department Technology Officer
Department of Health
State of Alaska
Benjamin Shier
Chief Information Technology Officer
Department of Administration
University of Alaska System
Niel Smith
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Department of Administration/OIT
State of Alaska
Steve Stewart
Information Technology Director
City of Wasilla
Kelly Swearingin
Department Technology Officer
Department of Administration
State of Alaska
Chris White
Chief Technology Officer, Operations
Department of Administration/OIT
State of Alaska
Shay Wilson
Chief Information Officer
Legislature
Alaska Legislature
Vince Yelmene
Department Technology Officer
Department of Transportation and Facilities
State of Alaska
Registration Information / Contact Us
Event Date: October 8, 2026
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:
Timiko Watkins
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1314
E-mail: twatkins@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