Laurel Caldwell, CGCIO, is the Director of Information Technology Services for Latah County, ID, a position she has held since 2008. She serves on the technology advisory boards for Interface, Lewis Clark State College, and on various National Association of Counties (NACo) technology committees. Laurel is currently serving as President of the Idaho Counties IT Association. She has been recognized in Government Technology’s 2020 Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers. Laurel is a leading advocate for fostering relationships among government IT professionals locally, regionally, and nationally.

Edgar has over 23 years of military service, with 19 of those years focused on directing, influencing, and designing secure and redundant cyber capability for military operations within contested environments.
He is currently the Director of Cyber Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) for the Idaho Army National Guard (IDARNG) where he has grown a strategic partnership throughout Idaho and the Department of Defense to enable cyber assessments, consultation, and assistance leveraging military readiness objectives, funding, and personnel over the past five years. Prior to this role, he served in various leadership positions through the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team (CBCT) managing the 116th CBCT enterprise communication suite for hundreds of training exercises and modernization efforts, two National Training Center rotations, Operation Saber Guardian 2016, and two combat deployments since 2001.

Elliot is a technical leader behind Tyler Technologies' initiatives on behalf of high-profile government organizations to help them manage, share, and explain their data more effectively. Elliot is an expert on cross-organizational data sharing, data analytics and visualization, and data standards. He also brings deep experience using data visualizations to help non-data savvy users understand data, and he trains government employees, developers and data scientists on how to use APIs and web visualization frameworks together.

Mr. Ford is 30-year veteran in cybersecurity, crisis response, and intelligence-led cyber operations in both government and commercial sectors. Prior to joining Mandiant, Mr. Ford served in executive leadership roles for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Mr. Ford served as the responsible executive to the U.S.
Cryptologic Centers for strategic and tactical oversight of global cyber operations and key asset protection. In these roles. Mr. Ford developed the framework used by the U.S. Government to manage risk of cyber threats supporting government and critical infrastructure capabilities receiving recognition by the White House National Security Council and the United States Congress.
Currently, Mr. Ford serves as the Head of Mandiant cyber security solutions to State, Local and Education markets as well as professional service solutions. Mr. Ford leads operations, strategy and solution for our global partners, and globally leads Mandiant’s Insider Threat risk offerings. Mr. Ford coaches boards and executives on how to measure and manage enterprise risk, regularly speaks at industry conferences. Mr. Ford is a member of the Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace and the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise. Mr. Ford is the founder of Mandiant's Elevate program to advance women in IT security into senior leadership and Board positions.
Mr. Ford serves as an adjunct professor teaching advanced curricula on cybersecurity and risk frameworks at St. Mary’s University. Mr. Ford is a graduate of Harvard, John F. Kennedy School on Cybersecurity Policy; and a graduate of Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Business in Strategic.

Angie is responsible for managing all business and technical automation projects from inception to delivery within an Agile software development environment (SCRUM) for all means-tested public benefits and the Child Support program for the State of Idaho.

CJ Kendrick began his public service career in 2013 with the Idaho Transportation Department following an enlistment in the U.S. Army. Since joining the department, he has been a champion of innovation and collaboration as essential pillars of responsible government. Throughout his time at ITD CJ has served in several different roles and is currently the Deputy Administrator for the Division of Motor Vehicles. A native Idahoan, CJ enjoys time outside ITD in the outdoors with his with his wife and 2 girls. 
“I don’t care what it was designed to do, I care what it can do.” -Gene Krantz

Lisa began her career with Idaho Transportation Department in November 2004.  At ITD, her roles have been Financial Specialist Sr., Revenue Operations Manager, DMV STAR program manager, DMV Operations Manager, DMV Deputy Administrator and then in the fall of 2022 Lisa was honored to serve as the DMV Administrator.  She holds a Bachelor Degree with honors from Lewis Clark State College in Business Management.
Idaho DMV brings remarkable value to citizens. In the last 6 years, DMV modernized 5 DMV core source systems (in a 3-year time), consolidated all online transactions into one DMV web portal, centralized renew by mail (RBM) from 44 back-office processes to ITD HQ, and improved customer satisfaction by delivering a 24 hour turn-around time for all RBM.  The centralization project was a career dream come true to standardize the process, achieve efficiency, and improve customers satisfaction.  Simultaneously DMV continues to deliver savings back to our customers who choose the Skip the Trip method! The DMV has many innovative projects on its roadmap, including virtual appointments, “selfie” driver license renewals, E-Title, and much more.
Lisa believes the heart of the DMV are amazing innovative professionals who possess the same determination and drive to elevate the DMV experience.

Cody McRoberts serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Office of the Idaho Secretary of State. Cody retired as a Colonel from the Idaho Army National Guard and U.S. Army after 27 years of service. He previously served as Directory of Operations (J3) for the Idaho National Guard, the Senior Army National Guard Advisor to U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), the Army Garrison Commander for Gowen Field and the Orchard Combat Training Center, the Chief Information Officer (CIO/G6) for the Idaho Army National Guard, and the Battalion Commander of the 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. He served two tours in Iraq in support of OPERATIONs NEW DAWN and IRAQI FREEDOM III and two tours in the Balkans in support of OPERATIONs JOINT GUARD and JOINT GUARDIAN. Cody is a graduate of the Leadership in Homeland Security Seminar program at Harvard University and the United States Army War College Fellowship program at the University of Texas at Austin. A Boise native, Cody also holds an Executive Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Boise State University.

As Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Ada County, Stephen O’Meara oversees a staff of almost one hundred IT professionals, working for Ada County, Idaho. The scope of what the department does is incredibly broad and includes desk side support, custom software development, project management, cyber security, website construction and support, enterprise software license management, 3rd party application integration and administration, as well as geospatial application and data development – across all 9 elected offices and 13 departments within Ada County.
Ada County IT is the supportive under pining of everything from the Courts to the Coroner’s Office, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office and Consolidated 911/Dispatch, Elections, the Treasurer’s Office, the County Assessor Office, the Prosecutor’s Office - even the Landfill, among many others in the county.
Prior to his service and leadership at Ada County, O’Meara spent more than fifteen years in engineering at several cellular communications companies. He is a native of Tucson, AZ and holds a BFA from the UofA. 

Pope has eight years of U.S. Military service (USMC) along with 30 years of private and public sector management experience. He has served the State of Idaho for 18 years. He is the current Operations Chief for ITS. Prior to joining ITS, Pope served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the Idaho Transportation Department and worked briefly for the Idaho Department of Lands as the Administrator for Administrative Services (IT, GIS, and Finance). His work in state government has had a strong focus on IT transformation, with an emphasis on creating efficiency in IT operations. Prior to state service, Pope worked for global oil and gas giant, British Petroleum (BP) for 15 years as a regional CTO, Asia Pacific.

Brad Richy is the Director of Idaho Office of Emergency Management. As the Director of Idaho Office of Emergency Management, he is directly responsible for Idaho emergency readiness and preparedness planning in support of the Idaho Homeland Security and Emergency Management Strategies. He serves as the Homeland Security Advisor and principal Emergency Management Advisor to the Governor and The Adjutant General. As the Governor’s Authorized Representative Brad acts as the single point of contact for all federal, regional, and state emergency management activities. Brad also serves as the State Administrative Agent overseeing implementation and compliance of all eligible Department of Homeland Security sponsored grants. The Idaho Office of Emergency Management has seven offices around the state and is staffed with 40 full-time personnel. Brad serves on multiple national level working groups. Brad was the Director of the Joint Staff, Idaho National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters. As the Joint Staff Director, he served as the principal advisor to The Adjutant General on all matters pertaining to the formulation, review, and execution of all plans, policies, and programs affecting the Idaho National Guard and its relationships with the active/reserve components. In addition, he was responsible for all Idaho National Guard actions involving operations, logistics, resourcing, manpower, communications, planning, and intelligence.

Chanel Tewalt was appointed by Governor Brad Little to serve as Director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) in January 2023.Director Tewalt first joined the ISDA while in college at Boise State University and has 15 years of experience at the department, including serving as the deputy director and chief operations officer. In her work at the agency, Tewalt has focused on collaboration with industry partners and on the implementation of agency programs with a clear understanding of statutory requirements and stakeholder needs. She also oversaw efforts to reduce regulatory red tape and respond to emergency issues impacting agriculture.
Tewalt grew up on a livestock operation in Klamath Falls, Oregon, which is home to longstanding struggles over water. These experiences and other lessons learned in agriculture, are foundational to the way Tewalt approaches her work at the ISDA. Continuing to build positive working relationships with stakeholders and partners are of primary importance to the Director. In her role at the agency, she seeks to emphasize balance, transparency and strong customer service.
Chanel was awarded an Honorary State FFA Degree by the Idaho FFA Association and an Honorary Chapter Degree from the Meridian FFA Chapter. FFA and 4-H were critical to Tewalt throughout her upbringing, and she is proud to have cultivated a strong relationship with Idaho FFA throughout her career.
Tewalt is a board member and past president of the Expo Idaho Board, a member of the Meridian FFA Alumni Chapter and a member of the University of Idaho Agricultural Education, Leadership and Communications Advisory Board. Tewalt was a board member and past president of the Communication Officials of State Departments of Agriculture, which improves communication among states on agricultural issues.
Tewalt and her husband have two children. They co-own a family club lamb and seedstock operation in the Treasure Valley and are proud to be raising their children in and around production agriculture.

Smith has 20 years of leadership experience in both private and public organizations in various technical roles.
He currently is the Deputy Administrator and Chief Technology Officer for the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) after a promotion to the role in December 2022. Smith previously served as the Lead Architect for ITS. Prior to joining ITS in May 2020, Smith served in various IT roles at the Idaho Transportation Department.

Chief Information Officer, City of Boise
Alexandra Winkler is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the City of Boise, the largest city in the rural state of Idaho. She is focused on creating a city for everyone, improving regional internet connectivity and digital access, and enabling city agencies with technology. She manages an IT team of 80, including IT operations, customer service, IT procurement, hardware/software management, audiovisual, enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, network, servers, radios/communications, applications, data and GIS, development, web, project management, and business relationship managers.
Prior to joining the City, Alex held senior management positions in the health information and IT consulting space. She served in the Air Force for more than 20 years, leading transformation efforts and flying C-130 aircraft. Alex holds a MS from Kent State in Knowledge Management and a BS in Computer Science from the University of California, Davis.