Tom Armstrong is an IT executive who leads business transformation and innovation. He has helped some of the world's most recognizable and respected companies cut costs, enhance operations and customer service, and manage teams. He's an expert in digital transformations, application portfolio management, SaaS migration, and enterprise architecture. Tom is currently the Director of Strategy and Enterprise Architecture for the State of Connecticut. He's previously held positions at Fairfield University PwC Advisory, IBM, and Deloitte and has taught Computer Science and IT Management at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Tom holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and master’s degrees from Quinnipiac University and Fairfield University. He's earned certifications from Amazon Web Services, ITIL, and the Enterprise Architecture Center of Excellence.

David has worked at HP for 28 years and has held various roles during this time. With over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, he has spent the last 18 years leading technical pre-sales teams that support Cloud, Personal Systems, Retail Systems, and Print. His current role involves leading the eastern US personal systems and print pre-sales team, covering both enterprise and public sector business for HP.

As Executive Director for the CT State Commission for Educational Technology, Doug designs and manages strategic plans that ensure the successful integration of technology in Connecticut's schools, libraries, universities, and towns. The Commission oversees statewide programs such as its flagship research and education broadband network, the CEN. He also sits on numerous national leadership boards, including the State Educational Technology Directors Association.
Doug’s prior experience includes managing technology and security for CREC, a network of magnet schools that are helping to close the achievement gap between urban and suburban learners. He began his career as a middle school English teacher and brings a diversity of experience to every challenge — from managing online publications for the Smithsonian Institution to systems engineering for the U.S. House of Representatives and national security agencies. He holds a BA from the College of William & Mary, MA from Georgetown University, and MS from George Washington University. Outside of work, Doug enjoys time with family, mission work, and triathlon.

Glenn joined the Comptroller’s office in 2009. Prior to becoming Director of Core-CT in 2022, he held the position of Core-CT Technology Team Manager. Before joining the State of CT, he served as Manager of Technical Operations for a large manufacturing firm.
Core-CT is the State’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system implemented on Oracle’s PeopleSoft platform. Core-CT provides state-wide financial, human resource, payroll, pension and reporting functionality delivered through Web based portals.

Dr. George F. Claffey Jr. serves as the Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). He has served as CIO at various public higher education institutions, including Charter Oak State College, Western Connecticut State University, and the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium.
Dr. Claffey provides technology vision and leadership, developing and implementing IT initiatives that create and maintain strategic value for the university. He specializes in strategic IT planning, digital transformation, and managing complex technology infrastructures. His leadership has been pivotal in enhancing CCSU's technological capabilities, promoting innovative solutions, and improving both academic and administrative operations. Dr. Claffey is recognized for his ability to align technology initiatives with institutional goals, ensuring the university remains competitive and forward-thinking in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
As an innovation agent and champion, he combines advances in technology with current and future business challenges. His work includes leading the selection, deployment, and adoption of emerging technology solutions to meet the evolving academic and administrative goals of educational institutions and the non-profit community.
Dr. Claffey holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Central Connecticut State University, a Master of Science in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University.  Additionally, he completed postdoc work at MIT in Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, and Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality (VR/AR).

Eyal works with clients across the public sector to help them take advantage of the Generative AI and AI innovations that are transforming the delivery of customer experiences, the organization’s workforce, and the enterprise. He leads teams of dedicated strategy, consulting, technology, and operation professionals to design, implement, and deliver Generative AI solutions that can enable public sector organizations to transform their operations and the customer experiences they offer, simplifying and accelerating how citizens can access government services. Eyal combines passion and pragmatism to shape innovative solutions that positively impact his clients’ customers. 

Christopher Drake has served as the Director of the Business Services Division for the Secretary of the State since 2017.  He oversees the development and operation of the Connecticut Business Registry on business.ct.gov and the state regulations system, eregulations.ct.gov.  His division is responsible for all business organization filings, liens filed under the Uniform Commercial Code, commissioning notaries public and publishing the State Register and Manual.  The Business Services Division has 40 employees and generates over $50 million annually in revenue for the state General Fund. 

Chris holds a BA from Fordham University and a JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law.  Chris is admitted to practice in Connecticut and New York.  He previously practiced as Deputy General Counsel to Governor Dannel Malloy, a litigation associate for Murtha Cullina LLP (Harris Beach Murtha as of January 1, 2025), and law clerk to Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith (ret.) for the District of Connecticut.  

Daryle began his tenure at the Connecticut Department of Labor as a Connecticut Career Trainee. For more than three decades, he has served the agency in a variety of capacities including in the tax, benefits, and adjudications units; call center operations; integrity and fraud prevention; and business and veterans’ services. In January 2019, Governor Ned Lamont appointed Daryle to his current role as Deputy Commissioner.
Daryle is an unemployment insurance and modernization expert and led Connecticut’s transition to ReEmployCT in 2022. Despite a historic influx of unemployment applications and administering the new benefits programs established during the global pandemic, Connecticut’s labor agency was able to retire its 40-year-old legacy systems on time and on budget. Daryle also supports and serves on several state and national boards and is an active member of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA).
Daryle holds a Bachelor of Science from Central Connecticut State University. He is a lifelong resident of Connecticut.

Jamie Gamble is a dynamic, charismatic communicator with over a decade of experience as an IT leader in the public sector.  Throughout his career, Jamie has partnered with numerous agency leadership teams, providing strategic IT guidance to help them achieve their missions.   
In his hometown of South Windsor, Jamie dedicated to community service, having contributed as a member of the Board of Education, a Town Councilor, and a Cub Scout Pack Leader.  His passion for helping others reach their goals and fostering an environment of growth is evident in all his endeavors.

Dan has worked in the different aspects of the state government for nearly 17 years. Until recently he served as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Director for the Connecticut Department of Social Services, overseeing the state’s largest anti-hunger program that serves over 476,000 Connecticut residents annually. In April 2023, Dan was tapped to oversee DSS’ Program Oversight & Grants Administration Division adding Medicaid Eligibility, Cash Assistance, Energy Assistance & Block Grants to his work in SNAP policy. Dan has been instrumental in the modernization of the agency’s benefits eligibility platforms and technologies, including a texting platform and the MyDSS Progressive Web App, and strives to improve the client experience for CT residents. Born and raised in Connecticut, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife and two children as well as rooting for the 6x Men’s College Basketball National Champion UConn Huskies.

Max Gigle is a government innovator with experience leveraging effective and targeted management, communication, and engagement strategies in the Public Sector. Driven by positive change, Max currently assists bring human-centered solutions to the State of Connecticut’s most pressing technical challenges. In addition to his career in government, Max is an avid street photographer and holds a master’s from the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy.

Scott Gaul is Chief Data Officer for Connecticut, at the Office of Policy and Management, where he supports the state’s efforts to improve open data, integrated data, geospatial data and data analytics and evaluation. Previously, Scott worked on research, evaluation and community indicators at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the community foundation for the Greater Hartford region. Prior to that, he served as director of analysis in the Washington, D.C.-based Microfinance Information Exchange and worked for the World Bank, Mercy Corps, and Quantitative Risk Management. He holds a master’s degree in international affairs from Johns Hopkins and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Chicago.

Michelle Halloran Gilman was appointed by Governor Ned Lamont in February 2022 to serve as the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services.
In her capacity as Commissioner, Gilman manages an annual budget exceeding $250 million and supervises approximately 1,000 employees responsible for delivering statewide human resources, information technology, procurement support, construction management, fleet services, and more, primarily catering to Connecticut’s executive branch. During her tenure, she has focused on stabilizing the state’s workforce in a competitive, post-pandemic economy to address the service delivery needs of Connecticut residents. Gilman has implemented various recruitment and retention initiatives, particularly targeting the healthcare, engineering, and information technology sectors.
Aiming to enhance efficiency, Gilman has prioritized centralizing the state’s IT infrastructure, ensuring accessibility of resources and knowledge for state agencies. She has spearheaded the development of a statewide digital equity plan to guarantee that all residents have the necessary education and hardware to participate in the digital economy. Additionally, Gilman has overseen ambitious climate sustainability measures across the department and collaborated with federal, state, and non-profit partners to expand agency capacity in support of small and minority businesses engaging with the state.
In her role as Commissioner, Gilman actively participates in several policy boards, including the State Bond Commission, the Connecticut Paid Family Leave Authority, the IT Capital Investment Committee, and the GreenerGovCT Steering Committee on State Sustainability.
Prior to her current role, Gilman served as the Deputy Chief Operating Officer to Governor Lamont, where she successfully managed COVID-19 initiatives, notably the nationally recognized free testing program for vulnerable populations and the implementation of the state’s vaccination program.
Before joining the Lamont Administration, Gilman acted as an advisor to various elected officials, including United States Senator Christopher Dodd and State Comptroller Kevin Lembo. A lifelong resident of Connecticut, Gilman is a proud graduate of Central Connecticut State University. In her leisure time, you can find her cheering on the Boston Red Sox, hiking with her dog Harper and husband Tim, or spending quality time with her two sons.

Dr. G. Duncan Harris has over 28 years of experience in higher education and serves as the chief executive officer of the CT State Community College Capital Campus in Hartford, CT where he is responsible for strategic direction and daily operations of the campus.  He is recognized as an expert in student success and retention, has served as a New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) evaluator, and takes pride in his role as mentor/coach to many higher education professionals. In 2014, he launched the CSCU Student Success Center, funded by the Kresge Foundation, as the founding executive director.   
He is affiliated with several state and national organizations and serves on the board of the Wadsworth Athenaeum, The New England Board of Higher Education, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Commission on Workforce and Economic Development, and Windsor Federal Bank.  Dr. Harris has received a number of awards for his leadership and contributions to the community including the Central Connecticut State University Distinguished Alumni Counseling Professional Award, NAACP 100 Most Distinguished Black People in CT, and the CT African American Affairs Commission Man of the Year Award.   
Dr. Harris holds a doctorate of education from Nova Southeastern University, a master of science degree in counseling from Central Connecticut State University, a bachelor of science degree in economics from the University of Connecticut, and certificate in Management and Leadership from Harvard University.  
He resides in Windsor, CT with his wife, Garcia, and two children, Grant and Grayson.

Barbara Irish has worked in the retail, nonprofit and technology sectors for more than 25 years, helping transform work cultures for competitive advantage and workforce engagement. Her specialty is preparing work cultures for and integrating the different cultures after a merger/acquisition.
She has three decades’ experience coaching executive teams through employee-driven participatory workplace redesign. Her clients span Fortune400, international, national, government, nonprofit and technology startups.

Marina engages Google Cloud’s financial services customers in the Americas by fostering meaningful relationships with CISOs and CxOs throughout their cloud journey and providing guidance on key areas impacting their strategic digital transformation initiatives with a focus on cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, risk management, governance and oversight.
Prior to joining Google, Marina held Legal and Compliance roles on Wall Street, as a Compliance Manager / Regulatory attorney at Thomson Reuters (now Refinitiv), leading US Compliance for the Technology, Human Capital Management and Corporate Services divisions at Goldman Sachs, and spearheading the Digital Compliance team at BNP Paribas where she specialized in advising on emerging technologies including AI/ML and digital assets, and oversaw programs related to cybersecurity, data privacy, and cloud digital transformation initiatives.
Marina is passionate about disruptive technologies and in recent years has spoken and published on various topics related to AI, primarily focused on security, governance, privacy and compliance.
Marina is a licensed attorney in NY and NJ, and has earned FINRA Series 7, 24, 63 and 99 licenses, as well as the Cloud Security Alliance’s CSSK certification.

Rachel Leventhal-Weiner is the Manager of Research and Evaluation, a unit of the Data and Policy Analytics Division at the Office of Policy and Management (OPM). The Research and Evaluation team brings together work on the evaluation of American Rescue Plan Act and other federal funding efforts as well as research to inform policy-making. Dr. Leventhal-Weiner comes to the Office of Policy and Management from the Office of Early Childhood (OEC), where she served as the first Chief Research and Planning Officer. While at OEC, she leveraged her experience as an advocate and applied researcher to help the agency tell its story with data. She has led the digital transformation of OEC and has improved agency data capacity. Prior to working at OEC, she was the Assistant Director and Data Engagement Specialist for the Connecticut Data Collaborative, an Education Policy Fellow for Connecticut Voices for Children and a Visiting Assistant Professor at Trinity College in Educational Studies. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Connecticut, an MA in Higher and Postsecondary Education from the Teachers College of Columbia University, and a BA in Economics from Rutgers University. She lives with her husband and daughters in West Hartford.

James McGennis brings over 25 years of transformative leadership across government, non-profits, aerospace, and healthcare. As Executive Director for the State of Connecticut Criminal Justice Information Systems Governing Board, he leads technology initiatives to enhance digital information sharing between justice agencies. His career includes establishing an IT Project Management Office at UConn Health and leadership roles in aerospace and manufacturing. James also teaches Public Sector Procurement and Contracting at the University of Connecticut. He holds multiple advanced degrees and project management certifications, including PMP, PgMP, and PfMP.

Dr. Pritchard joined DAS in May 2023 as Director of Workforce Development and Strategic Initiatives to support the recruitment and retention of the state’s public workforce and oversee projects of importance to the Commissioner of DAS. Her focus has been on documenting the challenges to recruitment and retention of state employees and identifying solutions and building partnerships to strength the state’s workforce.
Prior to joining DAS, Dr. Pritchard served as the Chief of Staff, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer with the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system (CSCU) directing key functions within the System Office and strategic external partnerships, in collaboration with the executive team and leadership of the 17 CSCU institutions.
Dr. Pritchard’s began her career at the CT Women’s Education and Legal Fund where she focused on research and evaluation, advocacy, model program development, training, and technical assistance related to workforce development.

Deborah Schander began her tenure as Connecticut’s first female State Librarian in 2021. As head of the State Library agency, her work sits at the intersections of state and local history, government records, civic engagement, education, technology, and the humanities. In each arena, she champions the agency’s role in government and in the lives of Connecticut residents: by preserving and making our history accessible to all, we can together shape and inform our state’s future.
Deborah is an appointed member of Connecticut’s Commission on Educational Technology; the Semiquincentennial Commission; the Data Analysis and Technology Advisory Board; and the CT Humanities Board of Directors. She represents the State Library on more than two dozen other local, regional, and national law, history, library, and archives interest groups. Deborah is an active member of Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), currently serving on the Policy Committee as well as COSLA’s liaison to the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, a joint initiative of the Smithsonian and FEMA.
Prior to joining the Connecticut State Library, Deborah was an educator and law librarian, serving in library administration at Seton Hall University and Vanderbilt University as well as working at law libraries in Georgia and California, where she specialized in foreign and international legal research, technology, and library engagement. Before pivoting to law, she trained as a writer and editor, receiving her university’s inaugural Newsroom Leadership award. She holds Juris Doctor and Master’s in Library and Information Science degrees from Florida State University (2007).

Jennifer Searls is the Executive Director at Connie, Connecticut’s officially designated statewide health information exchange. In 2021, with her team, Jenn oversaw the successful launch of Connie. Within one year of launch, Connie was connected to 60% of the hospitals in the state and within 2 years the HIE had 450 data feeds contributing data for more than 4 million unique patients. Prior to joining Connie, Jenn was the COO at SoNE HEALTH, a regional clinically integrated network for 1,700 providers and five hospitals affiliated with Trinity Health Of New England and was the Chief Information Officer at ProHealth Physicians before that.