Harris County Regional Digital Government Summit 2025 Banner

Overview

The Regional 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

I am looking forward to this year’s Regional Digital Government Summit and the opportunity to collaborate, share ideas, and develop partnerships with fellow tech leaders. The Harris County/Houston region has so many engaging thought leaders when it comes to fields such as data governance, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, and this summit is an ideal event where we can come together as government IT professionals and engage in meaningful interactions to improve our processes and thereby enhance our service to the people in our respective communities. This event is a great opportunity to connect with public sector IT officials from across the region to uplift one another and Texas as a whole.

– Sindhu Menon, Executive Director/Chief Information Officer, Harris County Universal Services

Speakers

Phil Bertolini

Phil Bertolini

Chief Delivery Officer, Government Technology

Phil Bertolini is a Chief Delivery Officer for Government Technology, the premiere event and thought leadership content provider for state and local government technology professionals. 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.

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Venkatesh Balan, Ph.D.

Venkatesh Balan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Engineering Technology, Biotechnology Program, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston

Dr. Balan has been an Associated with the Department of Engineering Technology, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, since September 2017. His research focuses on biomass conversion to fuels, chemicals, edible mushrooms, animal feed, and biomaterials. He also specializes in CO2 sequestration using algae, processing algal biomass into proteins, biofuels, and biochemicals, and adding value to mushroom industry waste. Additionally, he works on annotating fungal genes to identify novel enzymes for industrial applications. Dr. Balan has published over 192 papers, holds 9 patents, and has more than 17,000 citations. He has also edited books on biomass conversion and microbial lipids and served as an expert reviewer for numerous scientific journals and review panels.

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David Crawley

David Crawley

Professor of Practice, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston 

David Crawley is Professor of Practice certified as an Innovation Engineering Black Belt and published analyst for emerging markets. He serves the University of Houston College of Engineering as subject matter expert regarding the cognitive disciplines of innovation, workforce upskilling, corporate intelligence and artificial intelligence. His background is industry focused working with energy and engineering companies such as: EXXON, Nabors Industries, KBR, FMC Technologies, Southwestern Energy, and others. His consumer activities involve creating emerging markets for PepsiCo business units in Europe, Mexico, and America that include co-managing the manufacture of Mirinda soft drinks out of Monterrey, Mexico and launching Frito-Lay/Russia. As Deputy CEO for Y&R Advertising he was responsible for the Moscow CIS office reorganization and introducing new products and services in emerging economies. Prior to joining UH he worked with HP global business units developing solution models for population-based computing and VP-Corporate Intelligence for Idoneous Global security and intelligence firm founded by Jim Bernazzani former Deputy Director law enforcement CIA.

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Laurie Christensen

Laurie Christensen

Fire Marshal, Harris County  

Laurie Christensen is the Fire Marshal of Harris County, Texas, the third-most populous county in the United States with 4.7 million residents, 2.1 million of whom reside in the unincorporated county. Fire Marshal Christensen is a graduate of the University of Houston Downtown with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management from Sam Houston State University. She is an accredited Fire Marshal, a Certified Fire Protection Specialist, a Master Peace Officer, a Master Firefighter and Certified Texas Emergency Manager.
Currently, she serves on the International Fire Marshal’s Association board, International Chiefs of Police Homeland Security Committee, Texas Fire Marshal’s Legislative Committee, County Fire Marshal Committee, Lone Star College Law Enforcement Academy Committee, National Fire Protection Assoc. (NFPA) 3000 and 1037. She is one of the authors of NFPA 3000, the first national standard written for Active Shooter Hostile Event Response (ASHER). Fire Marshal Christensen is a published author, guest editor, and guest speaker throughout the state and country. Christensen also provides frequent expert testimony to the Texas legislature.

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Otto Dobretsberger Ph.D

Otto Dobretsberger Ph.D

Senior Software Developer with CODE Consulting, University of Houston

Otto Dobretsberger is a Senior Software Developer with CODE Consulting. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Biomedical Informatics in Austria, and a Masters and PhD in Computer Science from the University of Houston. His background is in heavy computational genetic and genomic data analysis using C and C++. He specializes in WPF, C#, and C++, and is proficient in several other languages as well. His experience ranges from working on projects in the fields of biomedical image processing, genetic and genomic data analysis, analytical software for the oil/ gas industry, and custom control development for various business solutions. Most frequently he develops AI driven consumer and enterprise solutions, with integrated LLM copilots and semantic kernels. He has authored scientific papers, magazine articles, and is a frequent speaker at various conferences.
Since 2014, Otto is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston, having taught various programming courses such as C++, Python, JavaScript, and Java. When he's not writing code, he's usually found in the gym, training for his next powerlifting competition and defending his USPA National and World Records.

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Frances Castaneda Dyess

Frances Castaneda Dyess

President, Houston East End Chamber of Commerce 

Frances Castañeda Dyess is a native Houstonian and a dedicated connector of individuals and businesses, driven by her passion for community and the belief that businesses are essential engines of economic progress. Since becoming President of the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce in 2010, Ms. Castañeda Dyess has spearheaded significant growth in both Chamber membership and operating revenue, enhancing the economic presence and influence of this vital area adjacent to downtown Houston.
Under her leadership, the Chamber has developed robust economic and workforce development programs, empowering member businesses to forge new relationships and strategic partnerships. Her commitment to the East End is deeply personal, rooted in her childhood experiences in the community. Ms. Castañeda Dyess has also initiated programs such as the East End Education Symposium, to create a bridge between industry and education, to create a workforce that meets the needs of businesses and the East End Youth Leadership Program, addressing employability skills and career exploration.
Prior to joining the East End Chamber, Ms. Castañeda Dyess was Director of Corporate Services for the Houston Rockets and remains the team’s #1 Fan. A graduate of Southern Methodist University, she worked in the advertising industry in Dallas, and returned to her beloved Houston with Lopez Negrete Communications.
Ms. Castañeda Dyess believes deeply in the power of community, and she supports numerous communities causes throughout Houston. She chaired the 2009 Talento Bilingue de Houston Gala; the 2011 Girls Inc. Luncheon; in 2013 co-chaired the El Centro de Corazon Luncheon; in 2016 the working chair for Child & Adult Protective Services’ 50th Anniversary Luncheon; in 2020, co-chaired the El Centro de Corazon Luncheon.
In 2019, she was appointed by Harris County Commissioners Court as the first Hispanic female member of the newly formed, Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Ports of Harris County, where she is currently the only female Commissioner. Her other Board of Director appointments include the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board, St. Agnes Academy; HISD Foundation; Texas Executive Women; YMCA of Greater Houston; and the East Downtown RA/TIRZ-Projects Committee Chair.
Ms. Castañeda Dyess is also a member of the Latin Women Initiative Advisory Board; Port Houston Partners in Maritime Education Committee (PHPME); Rotary Club of Harrisburg; American Leadership Forum Class of XXVII; Center for Houston’s Future 2015 Fall Class and former board member of the Harris County Child & Adult Protective Services; American Leadership Forum; Sam Houston Council Boy Scouts; TBH de Houston; and appointed to a 5-year member of the HCC Bond Oversight Committee (BOC) during their $425 million capital improvement program.
Among her many honors, Ms. Castañeda Dyess was honored as a 2022 Woman of Excellence by the Federation of Houston Professional Women; a 2021 Comcast Hispanic Hero Award Recipient: 2021 El Centro de Corazon-Making a Difference Award Honoree; 2021 Houston Rockets Hispanic Noche Latina Game Honoree; 2020 Leadership Award from Center for Pursuit; Top 30 Influential Women of Houston of 2016 by d-mars.com; SER-Jobs for Progress Inaugural Alumni & Community Leader Award in 2014; named one of Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women of 2013 by Houston Women’s Magazine; 2012 Outstanding Hispanic Community Leader by the Houston Dynamos; 2010 Hispanic Women in Leadership Recipient; and, 2008 Woman on the Move by Texas Executive Women.
She has completed ten full marathons and enjoys world traveling with her husband John and spending time at their East End home with their German Shepherd dog Joy.

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Blake Ellis, PhD

Blake Ellis, PhD

Chief Talent and Communication Officer, Harris County Precinct 4 Commission Lesley Briones 

With 20+ years of experience in higher education, the nonprofit sector, and local government, Blake is an executive leader with a focus on building the talent pipeline for Harris County.
He currently works as Chief Talent Officer for Harris County Precinct 4, which serves roughly 1.2 million constituents in the nation's third-largest county. In that role, he builds and aligns a team of 480+ public servants and equips those leaders to make an impact across the region. He also serves as Chief Communications Officer, overseeing media and press relations, messaging, and digital communications for Precinct 4. Before accepting his current position, Dr. Ellis served as a professor, associate vice president, vice president, and Chief Engagement Officer.
From his start as an adjunct faculty member to the present, Blake has focused on developing a diverse talent pipeline and helping organizations build strong, inclusive teams. He has also been a steadfast advocate for equity-based leadership and a creator of systems-level change. Most fundamentally, he is motivated by his deep belief that what happens in Harris County resonates across the country.
Blake earned his Ph.D. in 20th-century political history from Rice University and holds master's degrees from Baylor University and Rice University. He is a two-time recipient of National Endowment for the Humanities awards, winner of Rice University’s Stockbridge Vaughan prize, a Lone Star College-CyFair Student Success Lifetime Achievement Award, and the recipient of the Robert McGehee Equality Award.
He is a co-founder of New Leaders Council-Houston, past board member for the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus, past treasurer for Equality Texas, and a Senior Fellow for the Houston-Gulf Coast American Leadership Forum. He lives in Houston with his husband and their two children.

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James Henderson

Chief of Staff, Harris County Universal Services 

James joined Universal Services in 2021 after completing a 30-year career in the U.S. Army where he served throughout the world as an Infantry commander at multiple echelons, a member of joint staffs, and as a strategic planner for the U.S. Pentagon. He holds a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Master of Strategic Studies. As a certified Project Management Professional, he enjoys leading HCUS through design implementations of various projects and programs to streamline services to the offices and departments within the county.

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Khaled Kahlouni

Khaled Kahlouni

Business Intelligence Sr. Manager, Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)  

Khaled Kahlouni is currently working as a Senior Business Intelligence & Analytics Manager at Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC).   He has experience of over 25 years in Information Technology leadership.  For all these years, he has worked at various industries (Oil/Gas, Space, Health Care, Energy Trading, Insurance, and public service).  He specializes in Business Intelligence, AI, Project Management, and Business Analysis. 
He began his career in 1990, working for Rockwell International at NASA supporting several Space Shuttle missions for the department of Defense.  During the past two years, he held a position at HPD as an Assistant Director for IT applications and project Management Office.  Prior to that, Khaled held a position at American National Insurance as a VP of Business Intelligence and Analytics, where he managed a group that is responsible for business intelligence, data governance, and predictive modeling.
Khaled graduated from UH late1989 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.  He represented UH at the National meeting of the American Mathematical Society - Boulder, Colorado, 1989  where he presented his research on "Numerical Method for Singularly perturbed Systems".
He is PMP and scrum master certified.  He is inspired by his wife, two daughters and son.  He Loves spending time with his family, volunteering, traveling, and playing chess.

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Domenick Lasorsa

Domenick Lasorsa

Community Innovation Manager for US Ignite

Domenick Lasorsa serves as a Community Innovation Manager for US Ignite, where he supports a variety of programs: US Ignite Communities, where he manages tech-enabled projects for a handful of communities; InnovateSLC & InnovateDMV where he manages the small business training aspect of two Economic Development Administration grants; and supports business development and outreach opportunities across the US Ignite portfolio. Currently, he leads US Ignite’s effort in creating an updated Harris County Broadband Deployment and Expansion Plan and a pilot opportunity for communities to utilize mesh networks via lighting.
Before joining US Ignite, Domenick was the Associate Director of the Veterans Career Program at Paralyzed Veterans of America, where he built, managed, and grew a virtual engagement program for veterans and their families. He also spent several years working directly with city leaders at the National League of Cities, focusing on affordable housing and homelessness. Before moving to Washington, D.C., Domenick worked for the Mayor of Little Rock, AR, and completed a year of service with City Year Little Rock.
Domenick received his Bachelor’s degree in international political economy and Latin American studies from Fordham University and his Master’s Degree from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

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Dr. Meng Li

Founder, and Director, Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute, C. T. Bauer College of Business 

Dr. Li is a professor, the founding director of Bauer Human-Centered AI Institute, SCM PhD coordinator, and Endowed C.T. Bauer Chair of AI at C.T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston. His recent research interests focus on human-centered AI. His research has appeared in journals such as Management Science, Manufacturing and Service Operations Management, Operations Research, Production and Operations Management, Journal of operations Management, Strategic Management Journal, and Nature Sustainability. He is a Department Editor for Journal of Operations Management and Decision Sciences Journal, and a Senior Editor for Production and Operations Management. His work has been funded by companies such as Shell and HPE.

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Mike Miles

Mike Miles

Superintendent, Houston Independent School District 

Mike Miles was appointed Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District on June 1, 2023 and left his position as the CEO of Third Future Schools, a network of high-quality public schools in Colorado and Texas that he founded in 2016.
Prior to his latest work, Mike served three years as the Superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District and six years as the Superintendent of the Harrison School District in Colorado Springs. Under his leadership, both districts implemented ground-breaking initiatives, established a high-performance culture, and experienced significant growth in student achievement.
Mike has also served the public interest as a soldier and statesman. He served as a Company Commander and in the Army’s elite Ranger Battalion. Mike later served in the U.S. State Department as a Soviet analyst and member of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. He then served as a Diplomat to Poland and Russia at the end of the Cold War.
Mike holds degrees from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the University of California at Berkeley, and Columbia University

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Lucy Ortega 

Lucy Ortega 

Chief Human Resources Officer, Harris County Universal Services

Lucy is a Human Resources leader committed to efficient public service at the local, national and international level. In her current role, Lucy serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for Harris County Universal Services, the technology infrastructure division for the third largest county in the United States. Lucy leads the Human Resources (HR) operation of over 500 employees and the communications and marketing division. Additionally, she manages a variety of priorities, projects, tasks, both strategic and tactical in the areas of enterprise-level training across the county. Lucy's approach to the employee experience is driven by her commitment to innovation and constant improvement within HR.
Lucy is a native of Brownsville, Texas and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Government from the University of Texas at Brownsville and a Master in Bilingual and Multicultural Education from the Universidad de Alcalá in Spain. She is a graduate of the inaugural class of the Latina Leadership Institute of Texas, the Valedictorian of her graduate class where she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares in Spain.
In her spare time Lucy enjoys traveling domestically and abroad with her husband Javier, having family and friends over for Javier's paella, reading inspiring memoirs and exploring Houston’s hidden treasures.

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Bert Quarfordt

Bert Quarfordt

Deputy Chief Information Officer – Infrastructure, City of Houston, TX 

Bert is an accomplished Information Technology and IT Services professional of over 30 years.  He joined the City of Houston in 2019 and is the Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO) – Infrastructure.   Bert is responsible for leading the Enterprise Infrastructure Services (EIS) Division in the Houston IT Services (HITS) Department.   The EIS division provides mission critical infrastructure services 24/7/365 to the City of Houston’s diverse group of 23 departments encompassing Public Safety, Utilities, Transportation, Community Services, and Central Service Operations. 
Prior to 2019, Bert worked in the private sector focusing on Information Technology at industry leading companies, including ConocoPhillips, Compaq, HP, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE).
Bert is a proud graduate of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Minor in Mathematics.

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Girish Ramachandran

Girish Ramachandran

Chief Technology Officer, Harris County Universal Services 

Girish Ramachandran (GR) is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Universal Service at Harris County, TX. He is responsible for leading and managing the Information Technology divisions of Enterprise Application, Enterprise IT Infrastructure, Cyber Security Program and ERP services. With over 25 years of IT Executive experience in both public and private sector he has led multiple strategic initiatives, overseen digital transformation, optimized technology operations, process improvements, advanced cloud adoption, built effective teams and delivered change successfully for organizations across Industries including Telecom, Banking, Hospitality, Aerospace, Defense, State & Local Government.
He was the former CTO for the City of Dallas, Texas and Strategy & Delivery lead at global organizations like Accenture, Wipro, DXC helping public/private sector clients to significantly improve operational efficiency and implement technology modernization programs. A Member of the Smart Cities Connect Advisory Committee (SCC), a contributor to the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) and a governing body member of the Dallas Chief Data Officer (CDO) community.

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Ryan Salmon

Ryan Salmon

Broadband Planning Analyst, Harris County Universal Services

Ryan Salmon is a passionate advocate for digital inclusion with a deep understanding of the critical role broadband plays in community development. Ryan moved to Houston and started his career in public service with Harris County Universal Services in April 2024. His work focuses on expanding broadband accessibility, affordability, and promoting digital literacy in Harris County.

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Andrea Kimble Scott

Andrea Kimble Scott

Director of Talent Acquisition, Harris County Human Resources & Risk Management Office

Andrea Scott is the esteemed Director of Talent Acquisition for Harris County, the third-largest county in the nation. In this pivotal role, she crafts innovative strategies and leads a dynamic team dedicated to sourcing, screening, and recruiting diverse talent across Harris County Departments. Since joining Harris County in 2005 as a Payroll & Benefits Clerk, Andrea has steadily risen through the ranks, consistently embracing roles of increasing responsibility over her remarkable 19-year tenure.
A proud native of Houston, Andrea holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Houston-Central and an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. Her professional excellence is further underscored by her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute and her Senior Certified Professional (SCP) designation from the Society of Human Resources Management.

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Amy L. Seymour

Amy L. Seymour

Chief Port Security and Emergency Operations Officer, The Port of Houston Authority

Amy Seymour is the Chief Port Security and Emergency Operations Officer for Port of Houston Authority. As Chief PSEO Officer, she oversees the PSEO Division, which includes the Fire Department, Port Police Department, Emergency Management Department, Safety Department, and Security Department in Port Houston’s eight public facilities along the 52-mile Houston Ship Channel, including the area’s largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient container terminals in the nation.
With 20 years of experience in operational safety across supply chain, transportation, and port terminal management, Seymour brings a dynamic, strategic, and people-centric approach to achieving outstanding results. She served as Vice President of safety, risk, and compliance as well as over driver retention for a leading drayage, transloading and domestic freight provider with over 750 trucks and 2million sq ft of warehouse space among 8 locations nationwide.
Seymour was recognized in 2016 as a National Safety Council (NSC) Rising Star of Safety, she is a contributing author of a Motor Fleet Safety Manual, and she currently serves as a delegate for the NSC delegates committee to the board of directors with the National Safety Council. She has been a guest speaker / keynote / presenter with National Maritime Safety Association (NMSA), National Safety Council (NSC), American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), and NASA (National Aeronautics & Space Administration) & KBR.
Amy holds her MBA from the University of Phoenix. She also holds her Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
Amy is passionate about fostering public safety and creating a positive workplace environment. She is driven to inspire those around her. Her dedication to people is evident in her commitment to serving as a catalyst for public safety initiatives.

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Mark Sloan

Mark Sloan

Coordinator, Harris County Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Mark Sloan is Harris County, Texas’ Coordinator for Homeland Security & Emergency, serving more than 4.8 million incredibly diverse residents and covering more than 1,770 square miles. Because of Harris County’s large population, port operations, transportation infrastructure, and concentration of petrochemical plants, the Department of Homeland Security has identified Harris County as a Tier 1 region. To meet the growing expectations of emergency management, Sloan is streamlining regional emergency response coordination through the use of automated flood warning systems, traffic management systems, broadcast media capabilities, first responder and community alerting, GIS mapping systems, and regional interoperable communications.
As the director of Harris County Citizen Corps, an innovative, award-winning public preparedness initiative, recognized as a National Best Practice, he coordinates all aspects of the program. Working with a team of county technology experts, he developed one of the first websites devoted to the sharing of community preparedness volunteer opportunities and tracking of volunteer hours. The site links users to the most helpful and informative websites on citizen preparedness throughout the country. Since 2002, over 20 million individuals have visited the website (www.harriscountycitizencorps.com) and over 63,000 have completed the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training course.
During the Katrina relief effort at the Astrodome, Sloan was assigned to the Unified Command to coordinate volunteers. During the 21 days more than 60,000 volunteers received various assignments that helped over 65,000 evacuees from New Orleans. On September 9, 2005, Sloan was recognized for his efforts by ABC Nightly News as the Person of the Week and received the Special Award: Texas’ Response to Katrina Evacuees at the 2006 National Hurricane Conference in Orlando in recognition of his leadership and coordination. Mark was also honored with “The President’s Call to Service Award” in September of 2007 recognizing the accomplishments of the Harris County Citizen Corps and for coordinating the volunteer response during the Katrina relief effort.
In the fall of 2008, Sloan was also recognized by the Houston Texans football team on Reliant Stadium’s 50-yard line and later received the John C. Freeman Weather Museum’s Hurricane Hero Award for his exemplary leadership during Hurricane Ike.
In November of 2010 the Department of Homeland Security appointed Mark to serve on the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Government Coordinating Council that coordinates critical infrastructure protection guidance and strategies across all levels of government.
He is a member of the San Jacinto Type III All-Hazards Incident Management Team.
Sloan is a board member of both the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council and Big City Emergency Managers, where he serves as the Chair.
In 2018, the Emergency Management Association of Texas (EMAT) named Sloan the recipient of the “Lou Harrell” Emergency Management Coordinator of the Year award.
Sloan is also a member of the National Homeland Security Consortium.
Since 2008 as EMC, he has led the organization in over 260 EOC activations some of which include Hurricanes Ike, Bill, Harvey, Imelda, Laura and Beryl, Winter Storm Uri, numerous floods and other weather events, Super Bowls, World Series and other special events as well as COVID-19.

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Rob Stanicic

Rob Stanicic

Vice Chancellor, Technology Initiatives, San Jacinto College 

Rob Stanicic is the Vice Chancellor for Technology Initiatives at San Jacinto College, where he acts as the liaison for public policy and industry, ensuring that the College’s technology-related degree, certificate, and upskilling programs are aligned with current workforce demands. In addition, he oversees all facets of technology services within the institution. Rob brings a distinctive combination of international business and cross-industry experience, having successfully led organizational restructuring and emerging technology implementations during post-merger and acquisition phases. He was awarded a patent for his work in digital media on technology-enabled pattern recognition involving metadata streaming related to video content. Rob's advisory roles encompass product development for major tech companies and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and contributions to technology policy with the Greater Houston Partnership and the Texas Senate Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council. He earned an MBA from the University of Oxford in England and holds Bachelor’s degrees in Information Technology and Commerce from the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Queensland in Australia.

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Jonathan Thomas

Jonathan Thomas

Director of Strategic Partnerships & Technology Transfer, Sam Houston State University 

Jonathan Thomas is the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Technology Transfer at Sam Houston State University (SHSU). With this role, Jonathan is dedicated to building strong connections between research, industry, and the community. In this role, he works to create opportunities for collaboration, helping to advance research initiatives and support technology commercialization. His focus is on fostering partnerships that benefit both the university and its external stakeholders.
With a background in Higher Education Administration (M.Ed., Houston Baptist University) and Sport Management (B.S., Houston Baptist University), Jonathan has taken on several roles at SHSU, including Coordinator of Research and Strategic Partnerships and Coordinator of Research and Proposal Development. Through these positions, he has worked closely with faculty, businesses, and organizations to expand research efforts and funding opportunities.
In addition to his work at SHSU, Jonathan serves as the Principal Investigator for the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) at SHSU, where he collaborates with industry leaders to help manufacturers in Walker County and the surrounding counties grow and innovate. He is also involved in regional economic development as a Steering Committee member of the Walker County Economic Development Corporation and SHSU's Regional Division Head for the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station.
Jonathan’s contributions have been recognized through achievements such as placing second in the 2023 TARC Pitch Competition, publishing articles with the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA), and helping to launch SHSU’s Inaugural Innovation Pitch Competition.

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Derek Williams

Derek Williams

Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist, Dell

Derek is a Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist at Dell Technologies, covering the central US for State and Local Government. Prior to joining Dell, Derek spent almost two decades at the State of Louisiana, where he served in a variety of roles including the State CIO, Deputy CIO, CTO, Director of State IT Infrastructure, and an Agency IT director. He has also owned and operated a private sector IT company, and holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Computer Science with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

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Summer Xiao

Summer Xiao

Deputy CIO – Enterprise Applications/PMO, City of Houston 

Summer Xiao is the Deputy CIO for Enterprise Applications and Project Management Office at the City of Houston. Her teams provide value-add technology services for multiple city departments and strive to make a positive impact to city operations and city services through digital transformation.
Prior to joining the City of Houston, Summer was a solution delivery director for a business technology consulting firm. Her past experience also includes being responsible for the entire IT operations at an advertising company. Summer has years of business and IT experience working in various industries and developing efficient teams that deliver technology solutions which increase revenue, reduce cost, and maximize efficiency. Summer Xiao graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems. She is also a PMI certified Project Management Professional with many years of hands-on project implementation experience.

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Yunpeng (Jack) Zhang, Ph.D.

Yunpeng (Jack) Zhang, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Information Science of Engineering, University of Houston 

Dr. Yunpeng (Jack) Zhang is currently working as an Associate Professor at the University of Houston. He is the Director of USDOT UTC Transportation Cybersecurity Center for Advanced Research and Education (CYBER-CARE), and the Director of the Network, Software and System (NSS) Lab. Dr. Zhang's research focuses on developing novel security and intelligence techniques to ensure cyber/physical system reliability, security, and performance in multiple industries, including transportation, energy, healthcare, commerce, finance, government, defense, the Internet of Things, etc. He is familiar with state-of-the-art research and technologies related to cyber and physical security, and artificial Intelligence, such as cryptography, access control, intrusion detection, blockchain, trust management, intelligent monitoring, deep learning, and data analysis. Dr. Zhang conducted more than 40 research and education projects with more than $11M funding supported by NSF, DoT, NIH, TxDoT, and private institutes, etc. He has worked for Boise State University (U.S.), Dakota State University (U.S.), Oak Ridge National Lab (U.S.), Imperial College London (U.K.), Queen's University Belfast (U.K.), and University of Melbourne (Australia, etc. Dr. Zhang's work has not only resulted in more than 110 publications for prestigious journals and conferences, 6 books, and 3 book chapters in the cybersecurity and software engineering fields but has also led to practical solutions to real-world problems, e.g., invented more than 70 high-performance/security new algorithms/methods, developed 30 software systems, and holds 6 patents. He supervised more than 80 graduate/undergraduate students. Dr. Zhang has delivered over 30 invited talks and have organized more than 60 international research conferences, symposiums, and workshops across the globe. He received multiple awards in research and education fields. Dr. Zhang is keen on cooperation with academics and industry.

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Agenda

Wednesday, April 23

8:00 am Central

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Picasso Pre-Function

9:00 am Central

Opening Remarks

Picasso II / III

Sindhu Menon, Executive Director/Chief Information Officer, Harris County Universal Services

9:25 am Central

Keynote – Transform Adversity into Advantage: How to Conquer Life's Hurdles

Picasso II / III

The world has become more complex, and the challenges are more significant than ever. Adopting a “new normal mindset” is necessary to empower your team to navigate the challenges and opportunities through a contextual model to overcome adversity. How will you manage uncertainty? Is your team ready to embrace change? This session will provide a robust and interactive message of resilience and perseverance that will inspire you to see change as an opportunity for growth.

John Register, Inspirational and Motivational Speaker, Author, and Two-Time Paralympic Silver Medalist

10:25 am Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Picasso Pre-Function

11:00 am Central

Concurrent Sessions

Practical AI in the Public Sector – Cost, ROI, and Innovation

Picasso I

Exploring AI in the public sector can be challenging, especially when balancing policies and governance. This session features panelists role-playing how to handle an AI request—evaluating feasibility, costs, and ROI with stakeholders. We’ll share real-world examples showing how AI can boost efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver measurable results. Learn how strategic planning and creativity can drive AI innovation while ensuring financial responsibility and policy compliance.

Moderator: Phil Bertolini, Chief Delivery Officer, Government Technology

Dr. Meng Li, Founder, and Director, Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute, C. T. Bauer College of Business

Mike Miles, Superintendent, Houston Independent School District

Jonathan Thomas, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Technology Transfer, Sam Houston State University

Derek Williams, Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist, Dell

Effective Data Governance: Finding the Right Balance

Van Gogh Room

A successful data journey requires innovative policies and strategies at every step. Governance provides essential guardrails to keep us on track, but excessive control can hinder agility, while insufficient control can lead to chaos. Effective governance ensures the appropriate level of oversight—balancing security, compliance, and data quality with flexibility and innovation. This session explores the most critical factors in developing or refining a data governance model, helping you establish policies that support data collection, retention, security, and usability without unnecessary constraints.

Moderator: Khaled Kahlouni, Business Intelligence Sr. Manager, Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)

Marc Levin, Chief Policy Counsel, Council on Criminal Justice

Girish Ramachandran, Chief Technology Officer, Harris County Universal Services

Summer Xiao, Deputy CIO – Enterprise Applications/PMO, City of Houston

Bridging the Divide: Advancing Digital Equity and Accessibility for All!

Carter Boardroom

Digital equity and inclusion encompass more than just connectivity. Broadband access constitutes only one aspect of the equation. Issues of equitable use and accessibility also play crucial roles. What actions will governments take to create comprehensive engagement opportunities for everyone? How will technologies support this effort? How can we ensure that these technologies are accessible? This session offers foundational knowledge on advancing digital equity and accessibility while highlighting the significant work being done in Harris County to enhance the equitable use of technology.

Moderator: Ryan Salmon, Broadband Planning Analyst, Harris County Universal Services

Ty Beauchamp, I.T. Director, Harris County Public Library System

Steven David, Deputy Chief of Staff to Houston Mayor John Whitmire, City of Houston

Domenick Lasorsa, Community Innovation Manager for US Ignite

Newsflash: We’re Not Immortal!

Dali Room

Identifying the next generation of leaders while making space at the table for veterans and talent from the private sector has added new dimensions to the skill set required of technology leaders. Are there innovative methods to recruit and retain talent? How can we transform our approach to succession planning and the development of future leaders? How do we promote diversity and prepare a workforce ready for AI? This session examines essential leadership strategies for empowering teams and preparing for the future in every government organization.

Moderator: Lucy Ortega, Chief Human Resources Officer, Harris County Universal Services

Blake Ellis, PhD, Chief Talent and Communication Officer, Harris County Precinct 4 Commission Lesley Briones

12:00 pm Central

Lunch

Picasso II / III

1:00 pm Central

Bits and Bytes – Driving the Future: Sustainability and Electric Vehicles in Harris County

Picasso II / III

As technology and sustainability converge, Harris County is at the forefront of adopting electric vehicles (EVs) and green initiatives to create a cleaner, more efficient future. Public service IT professionals support the necessary infrastructure, data management, and innovative technologies that drive these sustainability efforts. This session delves into Harris County’s EV programs, sustainability strategies, and the technology that underpins them. Discover how IT innovation promotes energy efficiency, lowers carbon footprints, and enhances public services while striving for a brighter, more sustainable future for the community.

Casey Brown, President and Executive Director, Evolve

1:30 pm Central

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

1:45 pm Central

Concurrent Sessions

Envisioning the Future of Technology

Picasso I

We can’t afford to be complacent when technological advancements have the potential to drive meaningful and positive change for everyone. Emerging technologies like LLMs and quantum computing will play a significant role in the public sector for the foreseeable future. But how do we prepare our people, our systems, and our imaginations to utilize and implement what is new? This session illustrates current use cases as well as potential applications for exciting technology in government!

Moderator: Otto Dobretsberger, Ph.D., Senior Software Developer, CODE Consulting

Venkatesh Balan, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Engineering Technology, Biotechnology Program, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston

David Crawley, Professor of Practice, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston

Marques Holmes, Director, State and Local Government, Equinix

Jonathan Thomas, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Technology Transfer, Sam Houston State University

Yunpeng (Jack) Zhang, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Information Science of Engineering, University of Houston

You Must Plan It: Ensuring Continuity of Operations in the Face of Hurricanes and Public Safety Threats

Carter Boardroom

In today’s unpredictable world, the seamless operation of government services is crucial—especially when public safety hangs in the balance. Hurricanes, natural disasters, and cyber threats present significant risks to critical digital infrastructure and data, making resilience planning more vital than ever. Public sector organizations must actively collaborate to protect essential services, ensuring that communities stay safe and supported during crises. This session offers a thorough examination of continuity of operations plans, focusing on strategies for hurricane preparedness, emergency response coordination, and IT disaster recovery to uphold public safety and operational stability.

Moderator: Phil Bertolini, Chief Delivery Officer, Government Technology

Laurie Christensen, Fire Marshal, Harris County

James Henderson, Chief of Staff, Harris County Universal Services

Amy Seymour, Chief Port Security and Emergency Operations Officer, The Port of Houston Authority

Derek Williams, Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist, Dell

Mark Sloan, Harris County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Coordinator

Bert Quarfordt, Deputy Chief Information Officer – Infrastructure, City of Houston, TX

Improving You and Your Team: Professional Development and IT Skills of the Future

Dali Room

Effective leadership is often assessed by how well one prepares others to lead. Are we doing enough to assist emerging leaders in understanding the significance of soft skills, like storytelling, to secure funding for new technology or extra personnel? How are we performing in fostering a culture that improves employee retention? What are the essential skills that up-and-coming IT professionals in the public sector must develop to lead effectively? This panel will discuss practical strategies for identifying emerging leaders while offering support and space for mutual growth.

Moderator: Frances Castaneda Dyess, President, Houston East End Chamber of Commerce

Teri Ramsey, Director of Human Resources, Houston-Galveston Area Council

Andrea Kimble Scott, Director of Talent Acquisition, Harris County Human Resources & Risk Management Office

Rob Stanicic, Vice Chancellor, Technology Initiatives, San Jacinto College

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Van Gogh Room

Hosted by: Sindhu Menon, Executive Director/Chief Information Officer, Harris County Universal Services

2:45 pm Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Picasso Pre-Function

3:15 pm Central

General Session – Government Experience Through the AI Looking Glass: It is All About the People!

Picasso II / III

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the public sector workforce, driving efficiency, enhancing decision-making, and redefining job roles. As government agencies increasingly adopt AI-driven tools and automation, the challenge is not just about implementation but workforce optimization, human-AI collaboration, and delivering a modern constituent-centric government experience. This session will explore strategies for integrating AI into government operations while ensuring a resilient, adaptable workforce is there to serve. It will also highlight how AI and data-driven personalization revolutionize government service delivery, improve constituent interactions, and set new standards for public sector engagement.

Phil Bertolini, Chief Delivery Officer, Government Technology

4:00 pm Central

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Picasso Pre-Function

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

4:30 pm Central

End of Conference

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

JW Marriott Houston Downtown

806 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 237-1111

Get Directions To
JW Marriott Houston Downtown

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Angela Brich
Senior Talent Manager
Universal Services
Harris County

Raymond Burns
Senior Manager
Office of innovation, Universal Services
Harris County

Viet Dang
Director of Information Technology
Houston-Galveston Area Council

Robyn Doughtie
Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
Information Technology
Fort Bend County

Rina Fava
Director of Customer Service
Universal Services
Harris County Universal Services

Liz Lo
Chief Operating Officer
Universal Services
Harris County

Sindhu Menon
Executive Director & County Chief Information Officer
Universal Services
Harris County Universal Services

William Pham
Chief Technology & Innovation Officer
The Woodlands Township

Fheryl Prestage
Chief Information Officer
Core Information Services
Houston Community College

Girish Ramachandran
Chief Technology Officer
Universal Services
Harris County

Rob Stanicic
Chief Technology Innovation Officer
San Jacinto College

Robin Stone-Loftin
Assistant Director
Fort Bend County

Charles Thompson
Chief Information Officer
Port of Houston

Alma Vazquez
Special Assistant to Sindhu Menon
Universal Services
Harris County

Misty Witmer
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology Services
Galveston County

Industry Representatives

Kim Frost
Account Executive
Dell Technologies

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: April 23, 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:

Brad Loebs
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1409
E-mail: bloebs@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

Venue

JW Marriott Houston Downtown

806 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 237-1111

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Room Block

  • Room Rate: $349/night, single
  • Rate Cut-Off Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
  • To Make a Reservation:

Phone: (888) 236-2427 or (713) 237-1111 Harris County Regional Digital Government Summit.
Online: Group Reservation Link
If you experience issues booking online, call the hotel directly 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.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/houdj-jw-marriott-houston-downtown/overview/

Event Parking

  • Valet parking: $25.20/vehicle (daily); $39.20/vehicle (overnight); rates do not include sales tax.
  • EV charging: $52/day (only available through valet parking).
  • Instructions: Parking validation stickers to receive the discounted rate will be available at the event registration table.
  • Note: No trailers RVs allowed, or pallets.

Parking fees subject to change without notice.