Chris Arbisi, the Cyber Resiliency and Business Continuity Manager at the Department of Innovation & Technology, within the Office of the Statewide CISO, has been with CMS/DoIT since 2013. Since 2017, he has specialized in business continuity and disaster recovery. Chris leads the Cyber Resiliency and Business Continuity (CRBC) program, collaborating with over 60 executive branch agencies to develop comprehensive business impact analyses and disaster recovery plans. Chris is committed to ensuring the sustainability of critical systems during cyber disruptions and disasters. He conducts functional and tabletop exercises to validate the developed plans.
Chris holds certifications from the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and from the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) as a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) and Certified Cyber Resilience Professional (CCRP).

Bill Carter is a dynamic cybersecurity leader with a passion for securing the digital world and educating others on the evolving threat landscape. Currently serving as a public sector cybersecurity strategist at Fortinet, Bill previously protected Ohio’s 12 million citizens as the Chief Information Security Officer for the Department of Commerce and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer for the State, overseeing security strategies across 80+ agencies. With a career spanning additional roles as Field CTO, Senior Systems Engineer, and Technical Consultant, he brings deep expertise in cybersecurity strategy, infrastructure, and risk management. A hands-on technologist and sought-after public speaker, Bill holds a master’s degree in Cybersecurity and multiple industry certifications, including CISSP, SecurityX, and all MITRE credentials. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Cybersecurity, and an active member of the Ohio Cyber Reserve and the FBI’s InfraGard. Beyond his professional pursuits, Bill is dedicated to philanthropy in serving as CEO for an 80,000-person strong non-profit organization.

Tony Collings is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Region 5 Cybersecurity State Coordinator (CSC) for Illinois.
CISA protects the Nation’s critical infrastructure from cyber and physical threats by working with partners to defend against today’s threats and collaborating to build more secure and resilient infrastructure for the future.
Tony brings 40 years of information technology experience to the CSC position including nine years of cybersecurity experience. Prior to joining CISA, Tony served the State of Illinois as a Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at the Department of Innovation and Technology (DOIT), where he played a key role in the development and maturation of the state’s cybersecurity program. Tony has worked for state government for much of his career, including positions at Central Management Services, Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Corrections, and the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts. Tony has also worked in the energy sector of critical infrastructure.
Tony earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Illinois University, majoring in Computer Management. A lifetime learner, he has obtained several certifications in Cybersecurity, Cloud Security, Privacy, and Project Management.
Tony resides in Springfield, Illinois.

Fadi Fadhil is a seasoned IT executive with a 20+ years track record of digital transformation, business strategy, and partnership building both in government and education. Fadi served as the CIO of the City of Minneapolis as well as the CIO of Minneapolis Public Schools. Amongst other leadership roles, such as Director of Technology in Saint Paul Schools, MN, Fadi was also the Lead Technology Architect and liaison between the US Army and the new Iraqi government in Baghdad, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II 2003-2005. With a deep understanding of government and education, Fadi offers a unique combination of strategic vision, field experience, and wealth of knowledge in cybersecurity and IT operations.

Neal is a driven leader focusing on major digital transformation that constantly challenges the norms of the public sector. Neal has a wide variety of experience in identity and access management, identity verification, criminal/fraud investigations, technical architecture, project management, change management, and steady state operations.
At Socure, Neal is the Senior Manager of Solution Consulting within Socure’s Public Sector team where he is responsible for providing fully inclusive oversight and guidance of Socure’s industry leading product suite and integration into Government systems.
In Neal's previous public position, he built and led the digital identity platform for one of the largest states. In this role Neal accomplished major digital transformations migrating the State’s existing identity system to a cloud identity system, implementing Single Sign On to thousands of applications (Unemployment, BMV, Medicaid, etc) including MFA and identity verification services. Additionally, Neal led the User Experience/Website platform with over 150+ government websites, and the digital platform for State’s coronavirus pandemic response. At Socure, Neal continues to lead all of Socure's major projects as a dedicated advisor to the State's business and implementation teams. 

Troy Horton serves as the Chief Information Officer for the Health and Human Services Group at the State of Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology. With an impressive tenure spanning three decades, Troy has cultivated a rich background that bridges various sectors, from agriculture and the military to academia, commercial world & state government.
Guided by a passion for both mentorship and learning, Troy is a visionary in Information Technology. His hands-on approach to system design and development has paved the way for building reliable, scalable applications. Additionally, his adeptness at managing complex projects, even under tight deadlines, is testament to his commitment to excellence. Throughout his career, he has effectively led diverse teams, comprising systems analysts, database architects, technical analysts, test analysts, and end-user support specialists.
At the heart of his expertise is Troy's unique ability to blend technology with human-centric insights. His deep-seated interest in operations, combined with his understanding of its interplay with technology, forms the bedrock of his educational journey. Yet, it's his profound appreciation for the human elements in business and their intrinsic tie to technology that truly fuels his enthusiasm.
In his pivotal role as the CIO, Troy wears many hats. He engages directly with agency partners and clients, striving to comprehend their technological aspirations. This, in turn, enables him to craft, coordinate, and deliver integrated tech solutions that resonate. Troy proudly identifies as an innovator, and his flexibility, adaptability, and results-driven approach are evident throughout his illustrious career. Above all, he embodies passion and dedication, attributes clearly mirrored in his professional journey.
With a remarkable thirty-year career spanning diverse sectors such as agriculture, the military, academia, commercial enterprises, and state government, Troy has established himself as a visionary in Information Technology & his commitment to excellence is evident. His unique ability to blend technology with human-centric insights sets him apart, reflecting his profound appreciation for the intersection of operations and technology. As an innovator, his flexibility, adaptability, and results-driven approach define his illustrious career, embodying passion and dedication throughout his professional journey.

With over three decades of dedicated service in Illinois state government, Ragle has established himself as a seasoned technology executive. His career has spanned roles across various departments, including the Department of Corrections, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Department of Insurance, and the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT).
Over the past two decades, Ragle has focused on leveraging technology to drive efficiency and innovation within state government. In 2016, he joined the DoIT as Deputy Chief of Enterprise Applications, quickly rising to the position of Chief of Enterprise Applications in 2019.
In 2022, Ragle was appointed Assistant Secretary of DoIT and later served as interim Secretary and State CIO. His exceptional leadership during this time showcased his ability to navigate complex challenges and deliver results.
In June 2023, Ragle was appointed Deputy Secretary of DoIT and Deputy State CIO, receiving Senate approval for the position in May 2024. In this critical role, he oversees the state's technology strategy and implementation, driving digital transformation initiatives that benefit citizens and businesses alike.

Jennifer Rominger serves as the Security Program manager for the State of Illinois Chief Information Security Officer at the Department of Innovation and Technology. Jennifer manages a variety of security initiatives for the state including Homeland Security cyber grants, SLCGP grants, security awareness and identity and access management modernization. Jennifer has worked for DoIT since 2016 and previously worked for the University of Illinois and IEMA on various cybersecurity training and interoperable communication projects. She holds degrees in both mass communications and education and is certified Project Manager Professional.

Omar Sandoval is the Chief Information Officer for Government Technology, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. Prior to joining the Center, Omar was the Director of Information Technology for the Naperville Park District.
Omar has won numerous awards which include a Distinguished Services Award, by the Naperville Jaycees; Four Under 40 Achievement Award, presented by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce which recognizes young who demonstrate excellence based on leadership in the community, business leadership, and career and life balance. Government Technology magazine honored Omar with awards for Technology Innovations in the Park District Operations and Citizens categories; Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers and a Leadership Innovation Award for his efforts in assisting his own organization and others to start eSports leagues during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Omar earned his Master of Science degree in Business Analytics with a concentration in Business Administration from Benedictine University. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at the College of DuPage in the Computer and Information Technology department.  

Fred Scalera is the Director of Program Management and The Response Operations Group for the AT&T. FirstNet Program. He is Responsible for facilitating collaborative innovation with FirstNet users and Public Safety.
Fred Scalera has a long history of public safety service and innovation. Fred retired in 2008 as a Deputy Chief with the Nutley Fire Department in New Jersey. During his time with the Nutley Fire Department, Fred was assigned to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Task Force. Fred was the first Fire Service Arson Investigator to attend a Police Academy. He served as an instructor at the Essex County Police Academy for over 25 years.
During Fred’s career with the Fire Service and Municipal Government he also became a Certified Fire Official. Other responsibilities included radio communications, the Township Information Technology Bureau and the Emergency Management Coordinator. Fred not only served his home Township of Nutley, but also within Essex County as a Deputy Sherriff, the Deputy Director of the County Office of Emergency Management and the Hazardous Material Coordinator.
Fred also served in the New Jersey State Legislature. He rose to be the Deputy Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly and served Chairman of the Homeland Security Preparedness Committee. He was also served as the Bureau Chief of Interoperable Communications and was responsible for NJ as one of the FirstNet Early Builder projects.

As National Conference Director for Government Technology magazine, Jackie produces, manages, and emcees government IT conferences throughout the country. With over 20 years in the SaaS and Tech arena, Jackie proudly brings strategy, project management, operational excellence, and production together to streamline the efforts of live national events. For 15 years Jackie has worked within the greater Chicago market, while also planning and producing events throughout the US, Canada and Europe. 
Jackie is a proud member of GMIS Illinois, active with Chicago Innovation (FKA Chicago Innovation Awards), and is also known for dedicating countless hours volunteering and fundraising for non-profits including Surge for Water, Hephzibah Children's Association, SheSays Chicago, and Naperville Safety Town.