Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Digital Government Summit 2025 Banner

Overview

The 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

Welcome to the Dallas-Ft. Worth Regional Digital Government Summit. This summit is about harnessing that pioneering spirit of public servants to explore how technology can enhance operational efficiency, improve citizen services, and fortify our digital infrastructure for a resilient future. From securing our critical infrastructure to efficiently delivering citizen services, our goal is to collaborate with identifying strategies that strengthen our communities. While we represent dozens of municipalities, we share a common mission: serving our communities. Together, we can innovate more expeditiously and build a more resilient community for all.

– Enrique Martinez Jr., Chief Technology Officer, City of Arlington

Speakers

Enrique Martinez, Jr.

Enrique Martinez, Jr. LinkedIn

Chief Information Officer, City of Arlington, TX

Enrique Martinez, Jr., has 28 years of government and private sector experience in the field of information technology. He has served as CTO at the City of Arlington, TX, since 2019, where they oversee a team of 67 personnel and manages an annual budget of $20 million. In his previous role as the director of IT at the City of El Paso, TX, they were responsible for a $20 million annual budget and led a team of 90 employees. Enrique also worked as a project manager at both the City of El Paso and Wyle-CAS, where they successfully facilitated and managed various IT projects. Prior to that, they served as a QA/QC engineer at ESEI and as a member of technical staff at Alcatel-Lucent. Enrique attended the University of Phoenix from 2001 to 2004, earning a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology.

More
Saby Waraich

Saby Waraich

Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas County Community College  

Recognized by Thinkers360 as a Global Thought Leader and Influencer in the Top 10 for Project Management and Business Strategy, and in the Top 50 for Leadership, Saby Waraich is not just a speaker—he's a practitioner in the trenches every single day. Delivering keynotes and workshops that are as inspiring as they are practical, Saby marries actionable insights with a captivating storytelling style. His mission is not just to inspire but to equip you with the strategies needed to excel personally and professionally.
A veteran in driving change and fostering innovation, Saby offers a unique perspective backed by real-world experience. Whether on stage or virtually, his energetic and engaging approach provides the tools you need to stand out as a leader, build trust, and ultimately drive better results. Don't just listen to a speech; gain a professional edge from someone who's living it.

More
Deborah Moore

Deborah Moore

IT Manager, Software Services, City of Arlington

Deborah is a visionary IT leader with over two decades of experience driving digital transformation, modernizing enterprise systems, and leading high-performing technology teams. As the IT Manager for the City of Arlington, Deborah oversees enterprise applications, integrations, and service delivery, managing a $4.5M portfolio and a team of 22.
Recognized for leading successful Workday HCM implementations, embedding ITIL-based service management, and aligning technology with strategic goals, Deborah brings a practical yet forward-thinking approach to IT leadership. With a strong background in enterprise platforms, data strategy, and governance, she has partnered across the organization to deliver solutions that enable measurable business outcomes.

More
Keshnel Penny

Keshnel Penny

Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology, City of Grand Prairie

Keshnel serves as the Chief Information Officer for the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, leveraging over two decades of experience in information technology along with over 15 years of executive municipal leadership. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Health Administration, which inform his comprehensive approach to strategic IT governance.
In his role as CIO, Keshnel champions cybersecurity, innovation, and digital inclusivity. His specialized area of focus is in cybersecurity and responsible AI research, guiding the ethical development and implementation of artificial intelligence to enhance municipal services and ensure transparent, accountable technology use.
Dedicated to values-driven leadership, Keshnel is committed to fostering a digitally connected, sustainable community that responsibly harnesses emerging technologies for the public good.

More
View Speakers

Agenda

Tuesday, October 21

8:00 am Central

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

9:00 am Central

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Enrique Martinez, Jr., Chief Information Officer, City of Arlington

9:20 am Central

Keynote – Have You Ever Jumped from an Airplane? (The Journey of Delivering a Complex Project in the Public Sector)

Large-scale public-sector technology projects are complex, often requiring IT leaders to address technical debt and legacy issues before envisioning future advancements. Launching new projects involves evaluating everything from the RFP process to relationship management, and regulatory compliance. Join Saby Waraich as he shares actionable insights from his journey of transforming a struggling digital transformation project into a success. Discover the strategies he employed to overcome these challenges and understand the true essence of 'jumping out of an airplane' in the context of leading successful digital transformations.

Saby Waraich, Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas County College

10:20 am Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

10:50 am Central

Concurrent Sessions

Public Sector AI Adoption: Leading Innovation and ROI

Government agencies are leveraging AI to streamline operations, enhance constituent services, and achieve measurable ROI through cost savings. This session will explore real world use cases that balance innovation with security and public trust. The expert panel will discuss AI’s fiscal impact and how to implement low-risk tools and overcome skepticism through targeted upskilling.

Strategic Approaches to Modernization

Modernizing IT infrastructure in the public sector demands strategic decision-making. What are the best collaborative measures? How do you prioritize application rationalization? From cloud vs. on-prem solutions to cost management and compliance, agencies must align technology investments with organizational goals. This session covers modernization use cases and governance frameworks for accountable, efficient service delivery.

Moderator: Enrique Martinez, Chief Information Officer, City of Arlington

Deborah Moore, IT Manager, Software Services, City of Arlington

Tech-Driven Transit Innovations

Moving people from one place to another is essential when hosting major events like football and the World Cup. What technologies make transportation efficient while enhancing experience? This session focuses on what it takes to transport large numbers of people in a fast-paced city the right way!

11:50 am Central

Lunch

12:50 pm Central

General Session – Bits and Bytes

Derrick Age, Chief Information Security Officer, City of Dallas

Bryce Carter, Chief Information Security Officer, City of Arlington

Tanishia Dorsey, Interim Chief Information Officer, City of Dallas

Sallie Trotter, Deputy Chief Technology Officer, City of Fort Worth

1:20 pm Central

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

1:30 pm Central

Concurrent Sessions

Incident Response: Communication and Collaboration

When a cyber incident disrupts government operations, the aftermath demands coordinated recovery, risk mitigation, and clear internal and external communication plans. This session delves into cross agency collaboration and best practices for collective response planning, risk management frameworks and integrated communication strategies.

Keshnel Penny, Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology, City of Grand Prairie

Developing Tomorrow’s IT Leaders

Leadership in public sector IT requires more than technical expertise; it demands vision, mentorship, and the ability to inspire teams. What does it take to become an effective leader? This session will explore the realities of IT leadership, from career progression and education to motivating teams and fostering innovation. Our experts will share insights on upskilling, succession planning, and mentoring aspiring leaders.

Moderator: Deborah Moore, IT Manager, Software Services, City of Arlington

Chris Lee, Chief Information Officer, City of Levisville

Frank Feagans, Chief Information Officer, University of Texas, Dallas

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Hosted by: Enrique Martinez, Chief Information Officer, City of Arlington

Tanishia Dorsey, Chief Information Officer (Interim), City of Dallas

2:30 pm Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

2:50 pm Central

General Session – The Government Experience Revolution – Reimagining Personalized Government Delivery

Constituents today expect the same level of seamless, personalized service from government that they receive in the private sector. The Government Experience Revolution is transforming how agencies deliver services, moving from one-size-fits-all approaches to data-driven, user-centric experiences. This session will explore how governments are leveraging AI, digital identity, and advanced analytics to anticipate citizen needs, streamline interactions, and build trust through personalization.

3:30 pm Central

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.

4:00 pm Central

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

Crowne Plaza Dallas-Market Center

7050 N. Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75247
(877) 227-6963

Get Directions To
Crowne Plaza Dallas-Market Center

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Derrick Age
Chief Information Security Officer
City of Dallas

Bryce Carter
Chief Information Security Officer
City of Arlington

Tanishia Dorsey
Chief Information Officer
City of Dallas

Michelle Favors
Business Manager
City of Dallas

Frank Feagans
Chief Information Officer
University of Texas at Dallas

Kevin Gunn
Chief Technology Officer
City of Fort Worth

Melissa Kraft
Chief Information Officer
City of Frisco

Enrique Martinez
Chief Technology Officer
City of Arlington

Cheryl Nifong
Chief Information Security Officer
University of Texas at Arlington

Kevin Oden
Director of Integrated Public Safety Solutions
City of Dallas

Keshnel Penny
Chief Information Officer
Grand Prairie

Sallie Trotter
Deputy Chief Technology Officer
City of Fort Worth

Roger Wright
Chief Information Officer
City of Plano

Industry Representatives

Marques Holmes
National Director, SLED
Equinix

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: October 21, 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:

Kathy Simpson
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1394
E-mail: ksimpson@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

Venue

Crowne Plaza Dallas-Market Center

7050 N. Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75247
(877) 227-6963

Show More

Room Block

Room Rate: $139 per night, single or double.
Rate Cut-Off Date: Friday, September 26
To Make a Reservation:
   Phone: Contact Stacey McVicker (214) 630-8500 Ext 5518 and reference Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Digital Government Summit.
   Online: Group Reservation Link
If you experience issues booking, call the hotel directly or email Stacey McVicker smcvicker@pacificahost.com for assistance.

Rooms are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note, once the room block is full, you will need to make other arrangements for your accommodations with the hotel directly or at a nearby hotel.

Map and Directions

https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/dallas/dalmt/hoteldetail/directions

Event Parking

Self-parking:  $15 per day

Parking fees subject to change without notice.