With nearly 40 years of IT experience, Dave Burhop has served as Director of Virginia’s Division of Legislative Automated Systems (DLAS) since 2017. Dave’s agency manages the IT systems that support legislative and regulatory processing across multiple agencies.
Prior to DLAS, Dave was Deputy Commissioner and Chief Information Officer for the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for fourteen years. Dave was responsible for the management and advancement of technology that served as the foundation in providing the best possible service to the public. His work in identity management made Virginia DMV a leader in authentication and identity credentialing services. Before DMV, Dave was the CIO for Virginia’s Department of Behavioral Health for fifteen years.
During his tenure with the Commonwealth, Dave’s IT departments have received national recognition by winning various “Best-of-the-Web” awards, Hewlett-Packard’s Innovative Technology Award and placing as a semi-finalist in Harvard University’s Innovation in Technology program for the Commonwealth’s statewide Patient/Resident Automated Information System. He is a member of Virginia Commonwealth University’s IT Advisory Board, and has also served on various technology committees for the Governor’s Cabinet, the Virginia General Assembly, as well as the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. (AAMVA) He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky.

Chris has over 20 years of experience in the IT field working primarily in project management. He started his career in the private sector with Norfolk Southern helping to start up their PMO. He joined the Commonwealth in 2004 working for the Auditor of Public Accounts where he gained a broad understanding of the state's agencies with a focus on project management audits. In 2012 he was hired by the Department of Motor Vehicles as a project manager where he led several of the agency's major IT projects, including the REAL ID implementation. Chris has been with the Project Management Division of VITA for 2 years as a Project Management Consultant where he helps agencies with oversight and governance. He also teaches several classes, including a two day hands on project management introduction course. Chris is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

Barry has worked in the IT field for over 37 years holding a wide range of technology leadership positions in the public and private sectors and was most recently the CIO for Chesterfield County, Virginia where he pursues initiatives based on digital transformation, open government, and citizen centricity. Under his leadership Chesterfield County Va was four times recognized as the #1 digital county in the USA. Barry holds a masters degree in public leadership with a minor in economics from Virginia State University and a bachelors degree in computer science from DeVry University. He has been adjunct faculty for Virginia Commonwealth University and is currently adjunct faculty for the Public Technology Institute in the certified government CIO program. Barry has been an active NACo contributor, a gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia elections security standards workgroup and a two-time president of the Virginia Local Government IT Executives (VALGITE) organization. He is a certified government CIO (CGCIO), a certified information security manager (CISM) and a national top 25 Doer, Dreamer & Driver. He likes to teach, research technology, write code and blog about technology leadership from his home in Moseley, Virginia.

David Din is the Chief Information Officer for Virginia Beach City Public Schools, holding the position for half a decade. With a remarkable 28-year tenure in the IT sector, including 11 years in leadership roles, he boasts a track record of successfully overseeing enterprise-scale, high-reliability IT systems and leading proficient engineering squads. David is recognized for his collaborative approach and has particular strengths in organizational leadership and refining operational processes. His knack for bridging the gap between business and IT, combined with his adept presentation capabilities, empowers him to articulate intricate technical details seamlessly. Furthermore, his comprehensive grasp of diverse hardware and software technologies paves the way for crafting and rolling out cutting-edge technological solutions.

Shonte Eldridge is an award-winning strategy and organizational change expert who spent 23 years in State and Local Government leadership. She served in senior positions for a Governor, two States’s Attorneys, and two Mayors, and ended her public sector career as the Deputy Chief of Operations for the City of Baltimore. Shonte is currently focused on helping government leaders simplify cumbersome business operations and navigate an ever-evolving technology landscape.
Shonte was named one of the 25 women to watch by the Baltimore Sun newspaper and magazine in 2020 and is most known in the industry for her energetic approach to solving complex government challenges and developing process improvement and digital transformation strategies that get results.

Prior to joining the league in January 2023, Joe was appointed Senior Policy Advisor to the Department of Accounts by Governor Glenn Youngkin in January 2022, where he provided support to state agencies as they reported on their use of $4.3 billion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Prior to that, Joe was appointed Secretary of Finance in July 2021 by Governor Ralph S. Northam. Previously, Joe served as Deputy Secretary of Finance, where he helped lead Governor Northam’s successful Medicaid expansion effort. Joe also served as Deputy Secretary of HHR for Governor Terry McAuliffe. For two decades, Joe advised legislators in Texas, Minnesota, and Virginia on the breadth of fiscal policy issues in health and human resources, including a dozen years with Virginia’s Senate Finance Committee. Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Texas A&M University and obtained a Master of Science in Public Management and Policy from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jenny Heflin is a Managing Director in Accenture’s Public Service practice. She is passionate about furthering the mission and vision of Accenture's state and local government and higher education clients across Virginia. She brings 20 years of systems integration and consulting expertise, supporting large-scale transformation initiatives with her clients. Co-creating solutions and pulling together high performing teams that drive citizen services and student success is her focus. Jenny is a proud double Hoya having attended Georgetown University for both her undergraduate degree and MBA. Jenny is published in Forbes for her work and research titled If You Want To Be the Boss Don’t Act Like A Secretary. She also authored the forward for Second Edition of Teach to Work: How a Mentor, Mentee and A Project Can Close the Skills Gap in America. Finally, Jenny has been spotlighted in Bill Novelli's book, Good Business: The Talk, Fight, Win Way to Change the World.

Dr. Lackey has more than 15 years of experience in collaborating with government agencies, customer groups, and Fortune 500 companies to develop winning strategies, optimize business processes, and deliver on strategic growth initiatives.
In his most recent role as VP of Business Optimization at GAF, the world's largest roofing manufacturer, Dr. Lackey led strategic growth projects and productivity efficiencies across the company. During his time at GAF, he built broad networks within the building materials manufacturing, distribution, and installation industry.
Prior to GAF, he had deep relationships with manufacturing companies and energy-related public sector agencies as an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company. His business acumen and transformation skills shine through his ability to identify winning strategies and mobilize people to turn them into value for customers and citizens. Some of these include launching a new paper and packaging company post an acquisition of equals, making significant and sustainable cost reductions in an international packaging company, establishing a lean operation program for a North American oil company, and driving an organizational transformation at a multi-state public utility.
Dr. Lackey's experience driving agile product development teams, designing lean shared service organizations, and leading strategic growth initiatives have made him a force multiplier in several organizations. He leads with a clear vision, strong passion, and inquisitive approach that brings out the best in those around him. He is deeply experienced in designing, planning, and executing complex value creation work streams with the input and oversight of boards, C-suits, and external partners.
Dr. Lackey received his bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Spanish from Duke University and acquired his Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Beth Levermore has over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in transformation, change management, strategy, and program building and has been a member of the VITA team for 2 years 9 months. Beth is currently directly leading business units responsible for strategic planning, transformation and business improvements, special projects, people change management and facilities. She specializes in working cross-functionally to bring people, processes, and tools together to both develop solutions and build future capacity and capabilities.
Beth was previously with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC), most recently establishing the Business Transformation Office to realize the CEO’s strategic transformational objectives, to include managing the approximately $100 million-dollar office and warehouse relocation and strengthening the organization's people change management capabilities to enhance project outcomes.
Beth holds degrees from Virginia Tech (B.S. Marketing Management), and Virginia Commonwealth University (MBA) and certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP), and as a PROSCI Change Management Practitioner and Trainer
Beth is a dedicated mom of four, avid beach goer, and recent ceramics enthusiast.

Gary is the Account Manager for the Commonwealth of Virginia for the HP SLED MidAtlantic Region at HP Inc and a 7-year HP veteran. In this role, Gary is responsible for managing customer relationships to ensure satisfaction with HP deliverables. This includes direct engagements and partner focused relationships involving strategic account plans, product and technology strategies, and overall client awareness of HP offerings .
He is known by his colleagues and clients for responsiveness, integrity, passion, creativity, and expertise in implementing and executing Personal Systems and Print solutions. Throughout his 40 years in the IT Industry, Gary has served in a variety of sales, and management roles in the technology industry.
Gary resides in Virginia Beach, VA., and is a graduate of Virginia Tech University.

Susan Salafranca is a human resources (HR) professional with 25 years of local government and healthcare experience. She holds certifications from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA). Susan has amassed a range of expertise in policy, recruitment, training, workforce development, performance management, organizational restructuring, and more. She currently serves as a human resources coordinator for the City of Virginia Beach Information Technology (IT) Department where she partners with executives and their teams to make critical decisions on strategic talent management issues. As a member of the IT leadership team, she relies on her diverse skill set while leveraging best practices and data-driven insights to produce favorable outcomes. Susan balances the human touch and technology to successfully navigate HR in today's digital age.

Suresh Soundararajan is a Transformation Strategist that leverages technology with a passion for Strategic Transformation initiatives that aligns with the Organization Objectives effectively with focus on process, business model and cultural transformation.
Suresh specializes in Public Sector Innovation, Journey Orchestration through human centered experience and digital transformation and has 28 years of experience leading and managing multiple programs including extensive public health experience.
As the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Suresh provides Strategic Vision, planning and guidance to the agency leadership and ensures the Technology, Data and Security delivers outcomes that support VDH goals.
Suresh has been the CIO of VDH since 2019 and in the public health space for over 15 years and acted in different roles. He has won Agency Star awards in 2010 and 2017 and was recognized as a VDH Public Health Hero in 2011. For 13 prior years, he has consulted for both Government and Private Sector clients. He is described in general as an innovative and inspirational leader maximizing team’s performance through empowering and supporting inventive ideas from conception to implementation, focusing on service delivery using strategic and cost-effective technology and data solutions goals.
Suresh led efforts to implement a variety of innovative and collaborative solutions to address COVID-19 pandemic containment and vaccination efforts and was awarded Govtech’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers for 2022, and his teams won Government Project Experience award for 2022. He was also a recipient of other Governor’s Technology Awards through the years. He is also a frequent speaker and strategic advisor on Public Sector/Government Innovations and on CIO Forums. He has been coaching youth baseball for 15 years and also a Henrico County Appointed Board of Directors for the Economic Development Authority.

Daren started his career as a co-op student working at VDOT. After receiving his BS in Mathematics and Natural Sciences from Virginia Union University, he worked at VDOT for five years as an Agency Management Analyst, Sr. Daren left state government and went to the private sector, where he spent time working with the federal government as a contractor. Daren also has worked in the telecom industry. It is here where he fell in love with project management. Daren worked for SunCom, Cingular, and AT&T. Daren has worked for several other state agencies. He spent time at VITA as a program coordinator and at the Department of Social Services as a scrum master. Most recently, Daren worked for the Federal Reserve Bank as a project manager and scrum master. He is currently the Director of the Project Management Office at Virginia State University.
Daren K. Stills is a native of Hanover County, Virginia. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Daren utilized his time. He earned a Masters Degree in IT Management from Western Governors University in April of 2022 and an Executive MBA with a dual concentration in Entrepreneurial Management and Global Supply Chain Management in December from Virginia Union University. He is married and is a proud girl dad of two adult daughters. Daren’s hobbies include playing drums, practicing TaeKwonDo (2nd Degree Black Belt), and being an active member of several masonic organizations and his church.

Marcus Thornton serves as the Deputy Chief Data Officer (CDO) for the Commonwealth and is from Danville, Virginia. He has worked in software engineering for the last 20 years. Before becoming the Deputy CDO, he worked for a data company that specializes in the collection of retail pricing data across all of North America. As the Deputy CDO, he serves as the Chief Operating Officer to the Chief Data Officer and the CDO’s technical adviser. He creates new partnerships between the Office of Data Governance and Analytics and Commonwealth agencies and shows them how sharing data across the Commonwealth can be leveraged to make more informed decisions and increase their own efficiencies.

Cheryl Truman is the Manager of Customer Relationship Management at VITA. She leads a team in the Customer Experience organization focused on organization change management and customer success enabling positive interactions and perceptions at every touchpoint with VITA and building strong relationships between VITA and its customers. She has twenty-five years of IT experience from IBM and has been working with the Commonwealth for nine years.

Peter Wallace is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the award-winning City of Virginia Beach. He leads nearly 200 employees across six business units in the Information Technology (IT) Department. With more than three decades of industry experience, Peter is a champion of innovation who empowers employees while guiding high-performance organizations toward success in a digital world. He has held senior positions at Fortune 500 technology giants including Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Merrill Lynch and IBM.
His bold yet pragmatic approach to managing change has culminated in local, national and global recognition. Under his leadership, the City of Virginia Beach has secured two CIO 100 awards and has been ranked as the #1 “Digital City” of its population size (250,000 – 499,999) in the Center for Digital Government’s Digital Cities Survey three times. Peter was named a Local IT Leader of the Year as part of the 2020 StateScoop Local Smart Awards. He was listed among Government Technology Magazine’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers of 2022.
Currently, Peter’s major tech initiatives include advancing the effort to position Virginia Beach as a tech hub and developing a multijurisdictional dark fiber, open access ring, which will support digitally empowered communities and regional prosperity.

Timothy Wyatt, Director of Information Technology, is responsible for the oversight and direction of the IT Department and technology throughout the York County Government. Mr. Wyatt began working for York County in 1999. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Old Dominion University and is a Certified Government Chief Information Officer through CompTIA. Additionally, he has a graduate certificate in Local Government Management from Virginia Tech and has obtained dozens of Microsoft, Cisco, and other industry recognized certifications. Through his leadership, York County has been ranked in the top 10 digital counties nationally by digital government for the last 7 years.