State of Arkansas

Asa Hutchinson is the 46th governor of the State of Arkansas. In 2018, he was re-elected with 65% of the vote, having received more votes than any other candidate for governor in the state's history.
He has won recognition for the state as a leader in computer science education, cut taxes by $150 million, and signed a law that exempts the retirement pay of veterans from state income tax.
President Ronald Reagan appointed Governor Hutchinson as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. In 1996, he won the first of three successive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his third term in Congress, President George W. Bush appointed him director of the Drug Enforcement Administration and later as an undersecretary in the newly created Department of Homeland Security.
His experience has established him as a national resource for his expertise on trade, energy, national security, and education. The governor has been invited to the White House several times to join discussions about health care, Medicaid, and education issues.
The Governor is the current Vice Chair of the National Governors Association. He is the former co-chair of the Council of Governors and the former chairman of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), Southern States Energy Board (SSEB), and the Southern Regional Education Board.
Governor Hutchinson grew up on a small farm in Gravette. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas law school. He and his wife, Susan, have been married 47 years. They have four children and six grandchildren.

Yessica Jones is the Arkansas chief technology officer (CTO) and director of the Arkansas Department of Information Systems (DIS). As DIS director, Jones leads more than 250 information technology (IT) professionals responsible for the state network, telecommunications services, and information systems.
Jones joined DIS as deputy director in January 2016. In November 2016, Governor Asa Hutchinson designated her as the acting director subsequent to the resignation of the previous director. She accepted the governor’s offer to serve as the agency’s permanent director in March 2017. As CTO, Jones is the appointed chairperson for the Arkansas State Technology Council and chairperson of the Technology Oversight Council. She is also the designated state broadband manager. Jones is a member of the Open Data and Transparency Task Force, Arkansas Homeland Security Executive Committee, Arkansas Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Board, Information Network of Arkansas (INA) Board, and Arkansas Interoperable Communications Executive Committee.
In 2019, Jones was named one of Government Technology Magazine’s Top 25 Doers Dreamers and Drivers.
Prior to joining DIS, Jones was an assistant professor in Harding University’s Department of Management Information Systems where she taught data management, database design and business applications programming. She has also served as a solutions developer for Little Rock-based Acxiom and as a database developer for Pennzoil. Jones also served as Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s outreach liaison to the Hispanic community.
Jones holds a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.B.A. from Harding University.

Dan Thurmon is the founder and President of Motivation Works, a company that helps leaders and their organizations move confidently through change and transformation so that they achieve and contribute MORE. Dan is an expert speaker and performer. He has delivered thousands of presentations across six continents for audiences including world leaders, Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, educators, and even troops on the front lines of battle. In 2011, he was inducted into the prestigious Speaker Hall of Fame. Dan recently served as the President of the National Speakers Association. During his tenure, he led the Board of Directors and the 3,000+ member organization through a critical transformation, which included new governance, a new mission, higher member value, and greater financial accountability. He’s authored two books: Success in Action and Off Balance On Purpose. Dan produces an ongoing weekly video coaching series and podcast in which he shares leadership principles and life-enhancement strategies in under three minutes. He is a health and fitness advocate. In his 50s, Dan continues to train and perform advanced acrobatics, and enjoys hobbies such as golf, mountain unicycling and the flying trapeze.

Prior to Governor Kelly’s appointment as Secretary of Administration, Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace served as the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies at the University of Kansas. Dr. Burns-Wallace started her career as a Foreign Service Officer (FSO) with the U.S. Department of State. Dr. Burns-Wallace has been selected for various leadership opportunities, awards and honors throughout her higher ed and government career, including the 2018 White House Champions of Change College Opportunity, and earning a Superior Honor and three Meritorious Honor awards from the U.S. State Department. Dr. Burns-Wallace serves as a national trainer and curriculum developer for various national professional development organizations, non-profits, and higher ed institutions on issues ranging including micro-aggressions, multigenerational workplace differences, diversity and inclusion, change management, professional development pathways, and strategic planning. Service is also a cornerstone of her journey. Dr. Burns-Wallace currently serves on Stanford University’s Board of Governors, and has previously held board roles in numerous local, regional, and national organizations, and international selection committees including Gates Millennium Scholars, Dell Foundation Scholars, and Rhodes, Marshall, and Fulbright fellowships. Dr. Burns-Wallace holds a dual bachelor’s degree in International Relations and African American studies from Stanford University, a Master in Public Affairs from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, and a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Kevin Albano has more than 17 years of experience working in information technology, law enforcement, and security consulting. Throughout his career, he has focused on investigating computer network intrusions, notifying impacted organizations, and disrupting some of the largest cyber espionage campaigns. At IBM, Kevin is responsible for threat intelligence collections, managing advanced threat research and directing information analysis - all focused on helping customers understand their cyber threat risk and make decisions to protect their organization.
Prior to IBM, Kevin held prominent roles at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Mandiant. As a Special Agent at the Los Angeles FBI Field Office, Kevin developed the investigative process for examining computer network attack operations. He identified largescale organized data theft operations and created the field guide for how cyber espionage investigators notify data breach victims. Kevin joined Mandiant from the FBI to help defend commercial and government entities against cyber espionage. While at Mandiant, Kevin developed programs to analyze criminal attack infrastructures, notify victim commercial entities, and define threats.

Phil Bertolini is the Co-Director of the Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. Previously, he served as deputy county executive and CIO for Oakland County, Michigan. During his 31-year tenure, Phil built a world-class IT organization in the second-largest county in Michigan, just north of Detroit. As Oakland County CIO, he oversaw more than 150 employees serving over 1.2 million residents. In 2005, he was also promoted to deputy county executive, holding dual positions until his retirement. Phil’s efforts earned the county national attention, winning numerous awards for technology innovation and excellence. He was named Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year and Government Technology Magazine’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers. He was also honored by the President Obama White House as a Champion of Change.

Jim Carter joined the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) in August of 2019 as the Chief Information Officer for the Information Technology Services Department. He thoroughly enjoys his role of providing strategic oversight of the Health Department’s information technology activities, and sponsoring IT committees. Additionally, he imparts advice to the Department's senior leadership regarding IT, information management, information assurance, and cyber security. And he works diligently to provide IT services to the Departments health units across the State of Arkansas. Jim is appointed to the Governors Information Technology Oversight Council seeking strategies to ensure information technology projects meet the needs of Arkansans.
Jim brings 35 years of hands-on experience in the field of Information Technology. He has a diverse background in both government and corporate settings, with extensive experience in networking/Infrastructure, servers, process improvement, and enterprise computing; as well as an innate ability in identifying areas that need updating to automated processes. At ADH, he oversees the Information Technology Services (ITS) division, sets IT direction, and coordinates infrastructure and service delivery across the Agency. He is also responsible for supporting enterprise applications, enterprise data, research support, teaching and learning, user support, infrastructure, communications, and information security.
Previously, Jim served as the Health Department and Arkansas State Data Center Manager. Prior to that, he was the IT Director/CIO for a major multidisciplinary Cancer Center in Little Rock- successfully building and transitioning four independently-acquired centers into one, 174,000 square foot cancer treatment facility. Preceding that, Jim served in varying technical roles with other State Government agencies such as, DHS, DAH and ADPT. Jim has also held positions as a contract technician with a local global IT company for servers, networks and customer support; and he served six years with the United State Air Force as an Intelligence Officer.

Alan is Executive Vice President of e.Republic and Publisher of Government Technology magazine and Techwire. In this role, Alan is involved in the annual production of dozens of events as well as the strategic direction for Governing, Government Technology, Emergency Management, the Center for Digital Government and the Center for Digital Education. Alan is also the senior executive that has overall charge of e.Republic’s research organization which includes, custom research, the Digital Government and Digital Education Navigator tool and the Content Studio (webinars and custom content).
Alan has been a guest lecturer at universities and a frequent speaker for key government and industry organizations. For over 35 years, Alan has worked with industry, education and government officials to help them better understand the importance and use of information technology. Alan received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at California State University, Sacramento.

Jeff Dean has served as the Department of Human Services (DHS) Chief Information Officer since January 2016. Jeff has over 25 years in the information technology industry with seventeen years in the public sector.
After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Jeff began his IT career at IBM. He worked in IBM AIX support, assisting in the startup and operation of a national support center for the organization. Upon his departure from IBM, he began an IT consulting business with two other former IBM employees. The business became a certified IBM Business Partner specializing in enterprise solutions including backup/recovery and high availability. Jeff began his public service career in 2003 when he accepted a position with the Arkansas Department of Information Systems.
In his time at DHS, Jeff has focused on modernizing the agency’s legacy solutions, eliminating manual processes, and reducing duplicate solutions within DHS.

Building on his former role as enterprise architect for the state of Iowa, Chris serves as a trusted advisor to state leaders and legislators. He has helped numerous states and organizations modernize applications, drive business process improvements, define and optimize a automation strategy, and deliver impactful citizen and worker impactful services.
With his deep technical expertise, commitment to client success and insight into public sector priorities and challenges:
• Tennessee Dept of Human Services reduced time to resolve citizen inquiries by 70%,
• Texas Dept of Information Resources achieved 83% CSAT
• Iowa DOT reduced worker onboarding from 6 hours to 30 minutes
• Chris is a proud native Iowan, actively involved in USA Judo, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and other family services social groups.

Larry Flaxman currently serves as the Chief Information Security Officer for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, the largest Arkansas state agency, providing singular accountability for information security controls and compliance across all DHS divisions and offices.
As CISO, he is responsible for establishing principal security strategies, cyber framework, and execution plans to secure the agencies 7500+ employees and programs. Larry has been integral to the development of the agencies policies and procedures related to HIPAA and CJIS compliance as well as applicable state and federal guidelines on security, privacy, audit and monitoring requirements.
As part of his role, Larry leads the DHS incident response team in investigating and mitigating cybersecurity threats and is responsible for establishing and maintaining the information security training and awareness programs required for all DHS employees.
Prior to joining DHS, he served in various essential roles for both state and federal agencies for over 24 years, and comes from a diverse background of information technology and law enforcement, including expertise in digital forensic investigation and cybersecurity defense.
In his free time, Larry divides his time between his 501c(3) foundation – The Bridge of Compassion, and the obligations of being a best-selling-author widely known for applying his unique style of analytical science to anomalous topics.

Dustin Haisler is the Chief Innovation Officer for e.Republic. As Chief Innovation Officer, he has a strategic role to help shape the company’s products, services, and future direction. Primarily, he leads e.Republic Labs, a market connector created as an ecosystem to educate, accelerate, and ultimately scale technology innovation within the public sector. Dustin began he career at a very young age as the finance director and later CIO for Manor, TX, a small city outside Austin. He quickly built a track record and national reputation as an early innovator in civic tech, for which he was named a Government Technology Top 25 Doer, Dreamer and Driver in 2009. A member of Code for America’s original steering committee, Dustin pioneered government use of commercial technologies not before used in the public sector – including Quick-Response (QR) barcodes, crowdsourcing, and gamification. Dustin went on to the private sector to help broaden the adoption of these and other civic innovations. His work has been featured in Wired, Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal, Inc., and the Today Show on NBC. An in-demand speaker, he has given two TEDx speeches – one on Disrupting Government (TEDxAustin) and the other on Disrupting Education (TEDxLivermore).

Jay Harton currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the Division of Information Systems under the Department of Transformation and Shared Services. He has worked for the Division of Information Systems for over 24 years, serving as Windows System Administator, Windows System Support Manager, and Enterprise Services Division Director prior to his current role. When Jay joined the Division of Information Systems, then known as Department of Computer Services, the agency supplied internet to all State Agencies with a 9Mbs connection and managed approximately 20 Novell, Linux, and Windows NT servers. Over the years, the agency has expanded internet services to include all State Agencies and K12 Schools with 120Gbs of internet connectivity. Additionally, DIS now manages over 1,100 Windows, Linux, and AIX servers as well as provides end user support services for various partner agencies.

Anthony Huey is a highly popular international speaker and communications consultant who offers session attendees pragmatic communications tools, tips and techniques they can use immediately in their professional and personal lives. His career includes tenures as a news reporter, magazine senior editor, crisis management specialist, media relations consultant and executive speech coach. Anthony heads Reputation Management, LLC, one of the nation’s leading communications training and crisis consulting companies. He has presented nearly 2,700 keynote speeches, workshops and seminars. His direct client work includes a wide variety of advertising, public relations and communications initiatives for hundreds of trade associations, municipalities and companies.

Nolan Leatherwood currently serves as the Chief Information Security Officer for the State of Arkansas. He has worked in State Government for over 19 years serving in many capacities from Desktop support, UNIX/Linux Administration and Cybersecurity roles. Nolan serves on Governor Hutchinson COVID-19 Advisory Board.

Joshua Lee is the Regional Manager at Laserfiche. With over 10 years of experience in Enterprise Content Management, Joshua has a proven track record of working with a channel of solution providers to effectively grow the Laserfiche user community. Joshua leads a dedicated team of managers for the central region and empowers public sector agencies to digitally transform and modernize the government experience. Joshua’s passion for supporting states and localities stem from helping government technology leaders realize ROI from achieving business process automation goals to reflecting Laserfiche’s vision to inspire people to reimaging how technology can transform lives. Joshua is the recipient of the Laserfiche Channel Manager of the Year award and two-time winner of the Laserfiche President's Club award. In his spare time, Joshua enjoys golfing, surfing, camping and really anything that involves the outdoors.

Daniele Loffreda is senior advisor, Healthcare State/Local Government and Education (SLED) in Ciena’s Market Development organization. In this role he leads Ciena’s initiatives to apply next generation hardware, software and services networking technologies to help these sectors deliver better services to their constituents through digital transformation, optimized cloud strategies, virtualized infrastructure and improved data security.
Daniele has more than 20 years of experience helping customers leverage information, communications and technology solutions provide greater value, improve their operations and generate higher returns on network investments. He has been involved in smart city projects since 2014, he has been a speaker at smart city events and has published a number of articles and blog posts on network connectivity as a critical foundation of smart cities.

Thomas Steegmann is a Principal Architect for AT&T Public Sector Solutions supporting the mid-Atlantic region. Tom has been in the telecommunications industry for 20+ years, focused on next generation, enterprise solutions encompassing data communications and complex integration across multiple environments. Tom is currently focused on helping his Government customers modernize their workforce and infrastructure via mobility and cloud technologies, including IOT and Smart Cities.

Teri Takai is the Co-Director of the Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. She worked for Ford Motor Company for 30 years in global application development and information technology strategic planning. From Ford, she moved to EDS in support of General Motors. A long-time interest in public service led her to the government sector, first as CIO of the State of Michigan, then as CIO of the State of California, and subsequently the CIO of the U.S. Department of Defense, the first woman appointed to this role. She then served as the CIO for Meridian Health Plan. She is a member of several industry advisory boards. Teri has won numerous awards including Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year, CIO Magazine’s CIO Hall of Fame, Government Technology Magazine’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers, the Women in Defense Excellence in Leadership Award, and the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.

Renee Tarun has over 20 years' experience in the cybersecurity and information technology fields with leadership experience in development and engineering, operations, strategy, policy, and portfolio management, across the intelligence community, law enforcement, and private industry. As Deputy CISO at Fortinet, she focuses on enterprise security, compliance and governance, and product security. Prior to joining Fortinet, she served as Special Assistant to the Director, National Security Agency (NSA), for Cyber and Director of NSA's Cyber Task Force, in which she advanced NSA's execution of its cybersecurity and cyber-related missions by overseeing resources; defining and integrating mission capabilities; and shaping agency strategy and national level policy at the White House. Renee is also a board member for the George Mason University Volgenau School of Engineering, creating synergy between the school and the professional community by addressing workforce development demands, industry expectations, and employment trends. She is married with two children.