Overview

Industry Insider – Texas members are invited to attend this in-person exclusive briefing with the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) promotes production agriculture, consumer protection, economic development, and healthy living across the state. Its Information Resources / IT Division oversees a highly specialized ecosystem of internal technology, public-facing applications and industry-specific tools designed to support the state's multi-billion-dollar agricultural economy. Under the leadership of Chief Information Officer Chris Bunton, TDA's IT oversees digitized licensing and compliance systems, builds AI-enabled tools for the state’s farming community, and administers the state’s Agriculture Technology Program, managing funding accounts geared toward tech innovation.

The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) is a $6 billion, 20-yeear initiative…the largest state cancer research investment in US history (and the second largest cancer research and prevention program in the world). CPRIT accepts applications and awards grants for a wide variety of innovative cancer-related research and product development and for the delivery of evidence-based cancer prevention programs. Projects CPRIT funds create high quality jobs, support critical lab infrastructure assets, and help thousands of cancer patients extend their lives. 

This briefing lets IT vendors hear firsthand from Texas Department of Agriculture and Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas leadership about their strategic IT priorities, current initiatives and long-term goals.

Speakers

Chris Bunton

Chief Information Officer, Department of Agriculture, State of Texas

Chris Bunton is a seasoned IT professional with over 20 years of experience and a passion for sharing knowledge. He is a state IT Leader who has been sharing his real-life industry experience with IT professionals for over 20 years. Chris brings real-life industry and private sector experience, with an in-depth ability to apply technical concepts to reality. During the last 15 years, he has held Infrastructure Director, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and Chief Information Officer positions for the state. 
Chris currently serves as the Chief Information Officer for the Texas Department of Agriculture. He has also served on several advisory panels and committees in Cybersecurity and Technology, including the Technical Advisory Panel for TxDOT, Security Advancement Forum for the Enterprise (SAFE) for DADS, and a member of the Texas Research Innovation Council. Additionally, he has been a part of the IT Leadership Committee, served on the Cybersecurity Counsel, and is a member of the Digital Government Advisor Board. 
Chris enjoys sharing technical expertise to help people utilize technology for advancement. He has a passion for customer service and helping Texans! 

 

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Heidi McConnell

Deputy Executive Officer / Chief Operating Officer of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas

Heidi McConnell is the Deputy Executive Officer / Chief Operating Officer of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. She has oversight of CPRIT’s daily operations, including financial administration, grant administration, information technology services, procurement, human resources, facilities, and CPRIT conference planning. She has been with CPRIT since 2009.
Before joining CPRIT, Ms. McConnell served as a Senior Budget Advisor and an Advisor for Health Services under Governor Rick Perry. She worked on state budget issues as well as an array of policy and finance issues for the Medicaid program, Children’s Health Insurance Program, public health disease prevention and control programs, and health care regulation. Her previous experience also includes employment at the Legislative Budget Board and The University of Texas at Austin’s IC2 Institute.
A native of Austin, Texas, Ms. McConnell earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Yale University and a Master of Public Affairs from The University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs.

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Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: November 18, 2026

This event is open to Industry Insider members only.

For registration and general assistance, contact:
Audrey Houser
Industry Insider - Texas
Phone: (916) 932-1409
Email: ahouser@erepublic.com

To learn more about becoming an Industry Insider — Texas member,
visit this page or reach out to our team at hello@industryinsider.govtech.com.