Name: Florida Digital Government Summit 2025
Start: 2025-07-16T08:00
Location: Donald L Tucker Civic Center

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

Speakers

Michelle Taylor

Chief Information Officer, Leon County Government

Michelle Taylor is the Chief Information Officer since January of 2020 for the local government of Leon County, Florida, where she previously served as the Director of IT Operations. Prior to her career with Leon County, Michelle held technology positions with The Florida State University’s College of Law, Department of Biological Sciences, and College of Education. Michelle received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from The Florida State University and is a Certified Government Chief Information Officer through FSU’s Florida Institute of Government. Michelle has three decades of experience in successful IT hiring.

Jessica O. Matthews

CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate

Founded award-winning power and data infrastructure tech company credited with inventing an energy generating soccer ball and revolutionizing vision AI in energy efficiency
Mission-driven leader who values positive social impact and inspires audience to use innovation and technology to meet everyday needs
Recognized as Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs, 30 Under 30 list for Forbes and Inc., and Scientist of the Year by Harvard University
Powerhouse speaker dedicated to using technology to change the world
Innovation, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility have always been intrinsic to Jessica O. Matthews, even from a young age. At just 19, she invented SOCCKET, an energy-generating soccer ball that reflects her vision for a better world. Matthews was inspired by her experiences in Nigeria, when she noticed the reliance on dangerous diesel generators during power outages. She addressed a community need and created a safer alternative that harnesses power from an everyday activity to provide a source of light.
Her invention of SOCCKET exemplifies Matthews’ unique blend of altruism and a disruptive technological mindset that encourages her audience to embrace innovation and actively contribute to positive change. She channeled these qualities into founding Uncharted, an award-winning sustainable-infrastructure company that empowers small and under-resourced cities. As CEO, she takes her social responsibility seriously, creating solutions that enhance access to energy, water, air, and transit. Notably, Matthews has revolutionized vision AI in energy efficiency, developing technology that employs “smart photos” to visually assess homes. These photos then determine potential savings on energy bills and qualifying rebates. Matthews is committed to preserving the unique identities of the cities she serves, asserting that citizens shouldn’t have to "leave where they are from to get where they are goingExclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Jessica O. Matthews captivates audiences with her engaging presentation style. A relatable, down-to-earth speaker, she refers to herself as a “blend of Beyoncé and Bill Nye the Science Guy.” Her enthusiasm engages audiences, and she often jumps rope on stage to demonstrate her innovations in an interactive way. This personable approach allows her to connect deeply with her audience, fostering an honest dialogue about the challenges and opportunities in innovation. Matthews leaves audiences feeling inspired and motivated to create solutions that disrupt the status quo and encourages them to meet the needs of real people and communities. Her ability to tailor her message to resonate with the unique interests and experiences of each audience ensures that her insights are both relevant and impactful.
Jessica’s success in entrepreneurship led to a White House invitation from President Barack Obama to represent small companies for the signing of the America Invents Act in 2012. In 2016, she raised what was at the time the largest Series A round ever raised by a black female founder in history and was selected to ring the NASDAQ opening ceremony bell, representing all Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni. In 2021, Jessica was officially appointed by Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm to the Electricity Advisory Committee. As a member of the Smart Grid subcommittee, she plays a key role in advising the Department of Energy on the ways we can modernize our nation’s electric delivery system, specifically focusing on accelerating the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the U.S.
A dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, Jessica has a degree in psychology and economics from Harvard University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and is listed on over 12 patents and patents pending. Her list of accolades includes Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs, Forbes 30 Under 30, Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30 and Female Founders 100, Harvard University Scientist of the Year, One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year, the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award, and Black Women Tech Talk’s Tech Trailblazer Award. She has appeared on the cover of Forbes and Forbes Africa, as well as featured in Marie Claire, Wired, Inc., TechCrunch, The New York Times, and Fast Company, among others.

Teri Takai

Chief Programs Officer, Center for Digital Goverment

Teri Takai is Chief Programs Officer, 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.
Teri is a member of several industry advisory boards. She 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.

Jessica Byerly

National Conference Director, Government Technology

Jason Cox

Application Systems Analyst I, Tallahassee-Leon County GIS, Leon County

Jason Cox has worked at Tallahassee – Leon County Geographic Information Systems (TLCGIS) since 2012.  He has been utilizing AI / Deep Learning workflows for extracting features from Aerial Imagery since 2020.  Jason has taken the lead role at TLCGIS of utilizing ESRI software and Deep Learning tools to generate GIS data & provide analytic support for querying imagery.  Products generated utilizing AI/Deep Learning at TLCGIS include Service Road/ Parking Lot Lane data, Color-Enhanced Historic Black & White Aerial Photography, Countywide Building datasets, & Land-Use / Land-Cover Change datasets.  Jason is currently exploring the use of LLM’s (Large Language Models) and RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) for address matching to local, authoritative address data.

Jayson Dunn

Senior Business Manager, NVIDIA

Jayson is public sector technology leader with over 25 years of state and local government experience. Prior to joining NVIDIA Jayson worked as an Executive Government Advisor with AWS and formerly served as the Chief Information Officer for the City of Cincinnati. As NVIDIA’s Sr. Business Manager for state and local government he works closely with agency leaders and NVIDIA partners to implement impactful AI solutions securely and responsibly.

Alex Ford

Chief Data Officer, Agency for Healthcare Administration, State of Florida 

Alexander R. Ford (Alex) is the Chief Data Officer for the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) since early May 2025, leading the agency's data strategy to ensure the accuracy, integrity, actionability, and security of Medicaid data. Previously, he was the Chief of Medicaid Data Analytics at AHCA, where he developed a comprehensive data analytics strategy and led a team of 45 professionals. Alex has over 15 years of experience working in different roles within the state of Florida including the Florida Department of Children and Families, where he developed data reports and implemented enterprise data management approaches.

Paul Forrester

Chief Information Officer, Florida Department of Commerce, State of Florida   

Paul Forrester is the Chief Information Officer at the Florida Department of Commerce. Paul moved into the CIO role in October 2022 after previously serving as Deputy CIO and leading the Applications Development team. Paul also spent 25 years at the Florida Department of Revenue managing several teams in Information Technology. He has led major projects at both FloridaCommerce and the Florida Department of Revenue. He has also worked closely with Senior Leadership on a list of IT initiatives. Paul has a degree in Economics from the University of Georgia, as well as a degree in Management Information Systems from Florida State University.

Glendora Fortune

Chief Information Officer, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

In June 2023, Glendora was appointed as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Prior to this role, she served as the CIO for the Florida Legislature. Before her time with the Legislature, she spent nearly a decade at FDOT, where she led initiatives to enhance data infrastructure and management capabilities and further advance the development of enterprise services and service management. She also played a pivotal role in establishing and executing cloud infrastructure and development strategies, significantly accelerating the department’s transition to a cloud environment. Glendora is a collaborative leader, committed to fostering and strengthening relationships. She works diligently to ensure that technology is leveraged to optimally support business needs.

Sumanth Gadde

IT Technology Consultant, Child Support Program - Tallahassee, Florida Department of Revenue

Sumanth Kumar Gadde is a senior technology consultant and data transformation strategist with over 14 years of experience delivering scalable IT and data engineering solutions across both private and public sectors. His expertise spans enterprise data architecture, complex system migrations, and analytics-driven modernization—supporting major U.S. public sector initiatives.
Sumanth has played a pivotal role in large-scale database migrations, including transitioning enterprise systems from Oracle to SAP HANA, ensuring performance optimization and business continuity. He has also led enterprise-wide data protection strategies, aligning with state and federal regulations to safeguard sensitive public data.
In Florida’s public sector, Sumanth has led high-impact digital transformation projects—enabling data-informed decision-making, strengthening reporting capabilities, and integrating secure data platforms across departments. His consulting focus includes SAP ecosystems, data analytics, and secure information flows, contributing to a more agile and compliant IT infrastructure.

John Hill

Distinguished Solutions Engineer, Salesforce

A leader in digital strategy, innovation, and government modernization, John has worked with all levels of government to promote technological change. Currently, John serves as a Distinguished Solutions Engineer for State & Local Government with the Salesforce Global Public Sector business unit.
John spent 11 years of his career working for management consulting firms, creating deep, client-side relationships while developing a keen understanding of the change management required to modernize government systems at US Federal Civilian Agencies and the US Department of Defense.
After overseas projects in Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, and Singapore, John returned stateside and joined an Analytics software company. During this time, he developed a passion for using data as an impetus for change and modernization in technology and business processes.
John has been with Salesforce Public Sector for the past 9 years and he lives in Sarasota, Florida with his wife and 3 children.

Margo Keeler

Principal Watsonx AI & Governance Lead, U.S. Public Market, IBM

Margo Keeler is a respected leader with over 12 years at IBM, where she helps organizations embrace innovation through artificial intelligence. As Principal Watsonx AI & Governance Lead for IBM’s U.S. Public Market, she drives the adoption of generative AI across healthcare, education, and government sectors.
Known for translating strategy into action, Margo partners closely with teams to turn complex AI concepts into real-world solutions. Her work spans Data, AI, and Automation initiatives, earning her a reputation as a collaborative, outcome-driven leader.
Margo holds a BBA from Southern Methodist University and an MBA from the University of Florida. Outside of work, she’s an avid Florida Gators fan and enjoys spending time on the golf course under the Florida sun.

Kenneth Kicia

Chief Information Officer, Department of Corrections, State of Florida

Kenneth Kicia is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Florida Department of Corrections (FDC), Florida's largest state agency and the third-largest state prison system in the country with a budget of $3.4 billion and nearly 24,000 employees. As the CIO, he is responsible for delivery of all IT services, cybersecurity and leadership of FDC’s digital transformation journey.
Previously, Mr. Kicia was a Vice President of IT Business Relationship Manager, Enterprise Applications, and Chief of Staff at Leidos, Vice President of IT at SAIC, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at SkyTECH, and a Director at BearingPoint.  Mr. Kicia served in the U.S. Navy for eight years as a submarine warfare officer and assistant branch head for Naval Nuclear Reactors. He is a Policy Board Member for NWRDC and FLVC, and has served as Advisory Board Member at University of Central Florida and at his alma mater Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Mr. Kicia holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, a Master's degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech, a Nuclear Engineering certification from the US Navy, and a Professional Engineer’s license from the state of New Jersey.

Raj Prahast Maheswarapu

IT Consultant, Florida Department of Revenue 

Raj Prahast Maheswarapu is a seasoned expert in SAP data protection, fraud detection, and enterprise transformation, with over 18 years of experience delivering complex, secure IT solutions across both private and public sector landscapes. Prior to his role as an IT consultant for the State of Florida, he spent over 9 years with Deloitte Consulting, where he implemented SAP low-code/no-code solutions and led major transformation initiatives for clients such as Daimler, Caterpillar, Avnet, and International Paper. His consulting background spans enterprise modernization, secure system design, and analytics-driven process optimization.
Raj is a recognized expert in SAP security frameworks, including UI Logging and Read Access Logging (RAL), which he has applied to protect sensitive data and ensure regulatory compliance. In recent years, he has focused on building scalable low-code/no-code solutions by leveraging the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP). He is deeply passionate about using these modern development approaches to solve real-world challenges in the public sector, helping government agencies digitize workflows, streamline operations, and deliver more responsive services.

Brent Morgan

Technology Strategist, Lumen Technologies 

Brent is a uniquely qualified professional with 25 years of experience in technology consulting, business analysis, solution design, and process implementation. He is a proven leader with strong expertise in next-generation contact centers, SaaS/CaaS, security solutions, networking, and telecommunications. He works to solve customer problems from all perspectives, while ensuring his clients are getting the correct solutions along with the strategic vision to advance their business. 
He is tasked with communicating and educating clients about Lumen portfolio offerings across the distinct platforms and works tirelessly with his clients and account managers both pre- and post-sales while managing relationships. Brent has a diverse background working in a myriad of industry verticals, consulting, designing, and delivering solutions. He is trained and certified across the three Genesys platforms; Engage, PureConnect and GenesysCloud as well as Fortinet.   

Christina McDonald

Data Governance Administrator, Department of Transportation, State of Florida

Christine McDonald joined the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in 1997, and she has since dedicated most of her career to public service in the State of Florida. For the first 20 years, she served as a communications expert for one of FDOT’s core central offices where she managed responsibilities such as media and legislative relations, records management, database development, website and SharePoint development, and more. In 2017, she transitioned into her current role as Data Governance Administrator.
Today, Christine actively works on various strategies for building and sustaining data governance within FDOT and for the State of Florida, via an Enterprise Data Committee. She also serves as a member of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Committee on Knowledge Management, and as a co-Champion for AASHTO’s Data Governance Community of Practice.
Christine is a graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications. 

Rhianna Reichert

Strategic Architecture Services Supervisor, Office of Information Technology, Florida Department of Transportation 

Rhianna has been with the Florida Department of Transportation for eight years. She started out with the Office of Inspector General as the IT Liaison and is now the Strategic Architecture Services Supervisor on the Strategic Services team. Rhianna has over 20 years’ experience in the Information Technology field. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University in Information Technology.
Rhianna is a Tallahassee native and enjoys spending time at the beach, traveling with her husband, and spoiling her niece and nephew.

Cole Sousa

Chief Information Officer, Department of Children and Families, State of Florida 

Cole Sousa is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Florida Department of Children and Families, with four years of dedicated service, including two years as CIO. Cole is currently spearheading a significant digital transformation initiative, focused on modernizing critical departmental applications and systems. He believes in fostering collaboration among diverse teams, driving innovation, and maintaining active engagement with industry leaders to ensure the department remains a pioneering force in using technology to support the well-being of Florida's children and families. 

Kevin Talbert

Senior Solutions Engineer, Cloudera 

Kevin Talbert is a dedicated Senior Solutions Engineer with Cloudera Government Solutions. He comes from an architecture background working with large, distributed data platforms across on-premise, Hybrid Cloud, and Cloud architectures designing customer-centric solutions for problems at scale. He provides technical expertise to customers' looking to modernize their data lifecycle from discovery / lineage through consumption / insights / AI and builds solutions to integrate Cloudera wherever they are on that journey.

William Thompson, Esq.

Deputy Executive Director, Florida Prepaid College Board

William Thompson is an executive leader with deep expertise in driving technology modernization across government operations. As Deputy Executive Director of the Florida Prepaid College Board, which oversees $15 billion in assets, he led the implementations of AI-enabled SaaS platforms that replaced multiple legacy systems, delivering measurable ROI through real-time processing, cost reduction, and platform scalability. With a pragmatic approach to emerging tech, William specializes in turning innovation into outcomes—ensuring that investments in AI and digital tools are grounded in strategy, fiscal discipline, and operational impact.

Erik Van Horn

TRP Program Manager, Florida Department of Corrections

Erik Van Horn, an accomplished Senior Program Manager with an MBA from Rollins College and a proud US Army veteran, has over 15 years of experience. He has demonstrated expertise in strategy, project and program management, and delivering complex outcomes. Before joining the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) to manage a significant cloud modernization program, Erik successfully led large-scale digital transformation and application modernization initiatives at Deloitte Consulting.

View Speakers

Agenda

Wednesday, July 16
8:00 am Eastern	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area Arena Access Hallway
9:00 am Eastern	Opening Remarks Exhibit Hall Michelle Taylor, Chief Information Officer, Leon County Government
9:15 am Eastern	Keynote – Find Your Fight: Innovating When the Odds Are Against You In moments when challenges feel insurmountable, and the odds are stacked against us, how do we find the will to fight—and win? In this powerful and energizing talk, Jessica O. Matthews shares how the most groundbreaking innovations often emerge from struggle, uncertainty, and adversity. Drawing from her own journey as a pioneering entrepreneur and inventor, Jessica explores how resilience, creativity, and relentless problem-solving can transform even the toughest setbacks into opportunities for impact and growth. This session will help you reframe challenges as opportunities for breakthrough innovation, develop resilience during moments of struggle, and uncover determination to keep fighting for transformative solutions. Jessica O. Matthews, CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate
10:15 am Eastern	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Meeting Room A2-3
10:45 am Eastern	Concurrent Sessions Navigating the Hype – How to Get a Return on Your Investment from Emerging Tech Meeting Room A1 As AI and emerging technologies rapidly evolve, public sector must balance innovation with practicality while optimizing resources and demonstrating a clear return on investment (ROI). This session will explore strategies for effectively budgeting and advocating for IT investments. Attendees will gain insights into distinguishing hype from impactful use cases, ensuring responsible implementation, and preparing for the operational impact of these emerging technologies. Moderator: Teri Takai, Chief Programs Officer, Center for Digital Government John Hill, Distinguished Solutions Engineer, Salesforce William Thompson, Esq., Deputy Executive Director, Florida Prepaid College Board The Data Journey: From Governance to Impactful Decision-Making Meeting Room C In the public sector, data is more than just numbers - it’s the foundation for informed policy, resource allocation, and service improvements. But how do state and local governments ensure they’re collecting, governing, and utilizing data effectively to drive better decision-making? This session will explore the full lifecycle of data - governance, cleansing, and strategy - leading to a North Star of data-driven decision-making. Panelists will share real-world examples of how they have leveraged data to shape policy, improve service delivery, set the foundation for AI, and demonstrate ROI. Moderator: Christina McDonald, Data Governance Administrator, Department of Transportation, State of Florida Alex Ford, Chief Data Officer, Agency for Healthcare Administration, State of Florida Kevin Talbert, Senior Solutions Engineer, Cloudera No-Code/Low-Code: Unlocking Possibilities for Florida’s Public Sector Meeting Room D No-code and low-code platforms offer a powerful opportunity for Florida’s public sector to accelerate innovation and reduce IT backlogs. These tools can empower staff to create solutions without the need for traditional software development. This session will explore how agencies can use no-code/low-code platforms to streamline services, improve responsiveness, and increase efficiency. Attendees will learn how to implement these technologies securely and in compliance with state standards, creating a scalable path to modernization and better service delivery. Moderator: Jessica Byerly, National Conference Director, Government Technology David Arlund, PMP, Applications Dev & BI Reporting Manager, FL Agency for Health Care Admin Sumanth Gadde, IT Technology Consultant, Child Support Program - Tallahassee, Florida Department of Revenue Raj Prahast Maheswarapu, IT Consultant, Florida Department of Revenue Jackie Schaffer, Enterprise App Strategy Lead, Office of Data Management Coexisting with Technology: Optimizing the Workforce for a New Era Meeting Room B Emerging technologies are transforming the public sector workforce by streamlining operations, enhancing decision-making, and redefining job roles. As government agencies adopt new tools and automation, the challenge lies in balancing technological innovation with workforce optimization. How can IT leaders ensure a smooth transition, empower employees with new skills, and foster effective collaboration? This session will delve into strategies for seamlessly integrating emerging technologies into government operations while cultivating a culture that is resilient. Moderator: Hansa Bernal, Senior National Conference Director, Government Technology Jayson Dunn, Senior Business Manager, NVIDIA Paul Forrester, Chief Information Officer, Department of Commerce, State of Florida
11:45 am Eastern	Lunch Exhibit Hall
12:45 pm Eastern	Bits and Bytes – Technology Showcase Exhibit Hall In these use case focused Ted-style lightning talks, we’ll explore public sector success stories. Jason Cox, Application Systems Analyst II, Tallahassee-Leon County GIS, Leon County Ashley Falls PhD, Director of Information and Technology, Florida Prepaid College Board Erik Van Horn, TRP Program Manager, Florida Department of Corrections
1:30 pm Eastern	Short Break Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
1:45 pm Eastern	Concurrent Sessions AI Strategy and Disruptive Technology Meeting Room A1 As AI and emerging tech reshape government operations, leaders must balance innovation with governance, risk management, and long-term sustainability, while also addressing the growing challenge of shadow IT. This session will explore lessons from successful initiatives, assess readiness for organizational change, and responsible technology adoption. Attendees will learn how to effectively implement emerging technologies while managing risks posed by unsanctioned tools, thus ensuring operational stability, and maintaining public trust. Moderator: Jessica Byerly, National Conference Director, Government Technology Bill Carter, Public Sector Cybersecurity Strategist, Fortinet Kenneth Kicia, Chief Information Officer, Department of Corrections, State of Florida Margo Keeler, Principal Watsonx AI & Governance Lead, U.S. Public Market, IBM As-a-Service in Action Meeting Room C There are many “as-a-service” models which can transform how governments access and manage technology if done right. This session will examine how to leverage as-a-service offerings to improve agility, reduce capital expenditures, and meet evolving citizen needs while maintaining compliance with Florida’s regulatory and procurement frameworks. We will explore successful implementation strategies and the critical role of governance in ensuring that state standards for security, privacy, and performance are met. Brent Morgan, Technology Strategist, Lumen Technologies Rhianna Reichert, Strategic Architecture Services Supervisor, Office of Information Technology, Florida Department of Transportation Modernizing Florida: Tech Buy-In & Implementation Meeting Room D Discover how public sector leaders are driving innovation and modernization by gaining buy-in for transformative technologies and driving execution. This session explores proven strategies for aligning stakeholders, overcoming resistance, and securing support. Learn actionable approaches to successfully implement emerging technologies and create lasting impact in government operations. Moderator: Tiffany Elkins, Assistant Director, CTO, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Scott Anderson, Distinguished Solutions Architect, Verizon Jason Cox, Application Systems Analyst II, Tallahassee-Leon County GIS, Leon County Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners Meeting Room B Hosted by: Michelle Taylor, Chief Information Officer, Leon County Government Glendora Fortune, Chief Information Officer, Florida Department of Transportation Cole Sousa, Chief Information Officer, Florida Department of Children and Families
2:45 pm Eastern	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Exhibit Hall
3:05 pm Eastern	General Session – GovTech Radar for 2025 – A Look at the Future of GovTech Exhibit Hall As technology reshapes the public sector, staying ahead of the curve is more critical than ever. The CDG GovTech Radar for 2025 provides a forward-looking analysis of the key trends, innovations, and disruptors set to define the next wave of government technology. From AI-driven automation and digital identity to next-gen cybersecurity and the rise of composable government services, this session will unpack what’s on the horizon. Join us for an exclusive look at the technologies that will drive efficiency, security, and citizen engagement in the year ahead—and how agencies can prepare to lead the future of GovTech. Teri Takai, Chief Programs Officer, Center for Digital Government
3:50 pm Eastern	Best of Florida Awards Program Exhibit Hall
4:15 pm Eastern	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area Meeting Room A2-3 Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
4:45 pm Eastern	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

Donald L Tucker Civic Center

505 Pensacola Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850-644-7469

Get Directions To
Donald L Tucker Civic Center

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Andrew Brown
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Information Resources
Florida Lottery

Alan Cash
Chief Information Officer
Executive Office of the Governor
State of Florida

Jeremy Daniell
Chief Information Officer
Department of Elder Affairs
State of Florida

Bob Endress
Chief Information Officer
Senate
State of Florida

Paul Forrester
Chief Information Officer
Department of Commerce
State of Florida

Glendora Fortune
Chief Information Officer
Department of Transportation
State of Florida

Joey Hornsby
Director of Information Technology Services
Department of Law Enforcement
State of Florida

Kenneth Kicia
Chief Information Officer
Department of Corrections
State of Florida

Joseph Martin
Chief Information Officer
Department of Business & Professional Regulation
State of Florida

Ginny Morris
Chief Technology Officer
Florida Gaming Control Commission
State of Florida

Terrence Samuel
Chief Information Officer
Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles
State of Florida

Andre Smith
Deputy Commissioner of Innovation
Department of Education
State of Florida

Cole Sousa
Chief Information Officer
Department of Children & Families
State of Florida

Marty Stevens
Chief Information Officer
Department of Environmental Protection
State of Florida

Michelle Taylor
Chief Information Officer
Office of Information Technology
Leon County Government

Mike Turner
Chief Information Officer
Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
State of Florida

Scott Ward
Chief Information Officer
Agency for Healthcare Administration
State of Florida

Industry Representatives

Josh Baker
Regional Account Manager - Public Sector
Fortinet

John Breed
Government Cloud Sales
Google

Patrick Hancock
Sr. Account Director - SLED Sales
Sales
Lumen Technologies

Tom Ladka
Cloud Data Specialist
Cloudera

Shayna Long
Account Technology Leader
SLED - State of Florida
IBM

Tim Murnane
SE Manager
NetApp

Brian Sloan
Sr Client Executive of SLED Sales
Verizon

Malone Smith
Account Executive
Salesforce

Jerry Swerczek
Data Center Sales Executive
Dell Technologies

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: July 16, 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.

Contact Information

For registration and general assistance contact:

Amanda Wallace
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1315
E-mail: awallace@erepublic.com

For assistance or questions concerning Sponsor Logos or Logistics please contact:

Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

Heather Earney
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

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Florida Digital Government Summit 2025

Overview

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Michelle Taylor

Chief Information Officer, Leon County Government

Jessica O. Matthews

CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate

Teri Takai

Chief Programs Officer, Center for Digital Goverment

Jessica Byerly

National Conference Director, Government Technology

Jason Cox

Application Systems Analyst I, Tallahassee-Leon County GIS, Leon County

Jayson Dunn

Senior Business Manager, NVIDIA

Alex Ford

Chief Data Officer, Agency for Healthcare Administration, State of Florida

Paul Forrester

Chief Information Officer, Florida Department of Commerce, State of Florida

Glendora Fortune

Chief Information Officer, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

Sumanth Gadde

IT Technology Consultant, Child Support Program - Tallahassee, Florida Department of Revenue

John Hill

Distinguished Solutions Engineer, Salesforce

Margo Keeler

Principal Watsonx AI & Governance Lead, U.S. Public Market, IBM

Kenneth Kicia

Chief Information Officer, Department of Corrections, State of Florida

Raj Prahast Maheswarapu

IT Consultant, Florida Department of Revenue

Brent Morgan

Technology Strategist, Lumen Technologies

Christina McDonald

Data Governance Administrator, Department of Transportation, State of Florida

Rhianna Reichert

Strategic Architecture Services Supervisor, Office of Information Technology, Florida Department of Transportation

Cole Sousa

Chief Information Officer, Department of Children and Families, State of Florida

Kevin Talbert

Senior Solutions Engineer, Cloudera

William Thompson, Esq.

Deputy Executive Director, Florida Prepaid College Board

Erik Van Horn

TRP Program Manager, Florida Department of Corrections

Agenda

Wednesday, July 16

8:00 am Eastern

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Arena Access Hallway

9:00 am Eastern

Opening Remarks

Exhibit Hall

9:15 am Eastern

Keynote – Find Your Fight: Innovating When the Odds Are Against You

10:15 am Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Meeting Room A2-3

10:45 am Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

Navigating the Hype – How to Get a Return on Your Investment from Emerging Tech

Meeting Room A1

The Data Journey: From Governance to Impactful Decision-Making

Meeting Room C

No-Code/Low-Code: Unlocking Possibilities for Florida’s Public Sector

Meeting Room D

Coexisting with Technology: Optimizing the Workforce for a New Era

Meeting Room B

11:45 am Eastern

Lunch

Exhibit Hall

12:45 pm Eastern

Bits and Bytes – Technology Showcase

Exhibit Hall

1:30 pm Eastern

Short Break

1:45 pm Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

AI Strategy and Disruptive Technology

Chief Data Officer, Agency for Healthcare Administration, State of Florida 

Chief Information Officer, Florida Department of Commerce, State of Florida   

IT Consultant, Florida Department of Revenue 

Technology Strategist, Lumen Technologies 

Strategic Architecture Services Supervisor, Office of Information Technology, Florida Department of Transportation 

Chief Information Officer, Department of Children and Families, State of Florida 

Senior Solutions Engineer, Cloudera 