Matt Alexander is a Field Solutions Architect at Pure Storage with over 15 years of technology focused experience. In his current role, Matt supports Pure's Public Sector segment and is focused on the State, Local government and education practice in the Western US along with US Federal Civilian Agencies. He is passionate about helping customers reach their data potential.
Prior to Pure Storage, Matt spent 5 years as a senior systems administrator/architect with Jefferson County, Colorado giving him an insider's perspective on the challenges faced in the local government space. Matt grew up in Orlando where he attended the University of Central Florida before moving to the Denver Metro Area. Matt enjoys Colorado's outdoor activities, being with friends and family and helping others achieve the best version of themselves.

Jessica Wilkins Byerly is the National Conference Director at Government Technology. Over the past eight years, she has effectively led over 40 B2B events annually, including multi-day conferences, as the Director of Conferences and Events in the publishing industry. She is currently pursuing a BS in Business and Law from Western Carolina University. Jessica, who is an avid runner, is training for her first NYC Marathon.

David Carter joined the Commonwealth Office of Technology in 2007 after working as an engineer in the private sector for 10 years at a local firm. In the private sector, David gained a diverse breadth of knowledge across all aspects of IT, supporting 700 clients across the United States. David found his passion in IT security and joined the Commonwealth as the team lead in the Security Office in 2007. Holding various positions in security, David was appointed the Deputy Information Security Officer role in 2013 and the Chief Information Security Officer role in 2016. Throughout that time, he has been a key team player in the development and implementation of a top tier security program based in the Nation Institute of Standards and Technology 800-53 Risk Management Framework. Since talking the CISO role in 2016, the Office of the CISO has modernized all aspects of the Commonwealth’s security architecture and has developed a strategic plan that will pair that architecture with a mature risk management program. In light of the positive changes that the talented team in the Office of the CISO have achieved, David was awarded the 2020 Visionary Award at the Kentucky Digital Summit. 

Richard Champion was appointed Director of Finance for Louisville Metro Government in April 2021. Prior to becoming Finance Director, Richard served sixteen years in various roles within OMB as an accountant, analyst, and manager.  In his current role, he is responsible for Metro Louisville’s daily financial operations including accounting, grants management and compliance, invoice processing and payments, payroll, risk management, financial systems, treasury functions including cash collections, investments, billing, and other related administrative functions.  The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report is a key report out to the citizens, investors and public markets.  Louisville Metro has been the recipient of Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for thirteen consecutive years.  This along with an annual audit, the A-133 and Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) is managed by his team.  This provides an essential snapshot as to the financial health of the city.
Richard is a resident of Louisville.  He graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and is also a certified Project Management Professional. He and his wife have two children.

Derek Clark has been the Electronic Records Branch Manager at KDLA since March, 2019. Derek has been with the State Archives since 2015, and has served as an archivist in the Research Room, and as the former Electronic Records Analyst.
The Electronic Records Branch offers guidance to state and local agencies on preservation, digitization, storage systems, and records management, and performs digital preservation for permanent state records within the Kentucky State Digital Archives. The branch assists the State and Local Records Branches with retention scheduling and records management training. Additionally, Derek serves as the chair to the multi-agency Electronic Records Working Group.
Derek holds a Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of Kentucky, and a Bachelor’s in English from Marshall University. Originally from Ohio, he has resided in Lexington, KY for over 15 years. He has worked in the Library and Information Science field for 20 years.

David Couch is the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) chief information officer and associate commissioner for the Office of Education Technology (OET). He also is the EdTech Leader for Kentucky’s K-12 schools. He joined KDE in April 1992. Couch is a native of Johnson County, and a graduate of Kentucky’s public school system and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He served 12 years in the U.S. Army and nearly 30 years serving K-12 students, providing them skills, knowledge, hope and opportunity for the future.
Couch has received several awards for his work in education technology, including the 2011 KySTE’s “Making IT Happen” award for extraordinary commitment, leadership, courage and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities for Kentucky students. Couch has been a volunteer youth coach of five different sports over the past 20 years. He has 4 children and 3 grandchildren.

With over a decade of experience in Records Management and Information Technology, Sarah brings a unique blend of expertise in preserving both digital and physical records. As an Electronic Records Management Analyst II at the KY Department for Libraries & Archives and through various I.T. roles in higher education, Sarah has spearheaded initiatives that have significantly improved record management and business processes. She is known for developing best practice guidelines, policies, and procedures that have had a tangible impact on government agencies, educational institutions, and private sector clients.
A Kentucky resident for 20 years, Sarah finds joy in gardening and spending time with her husband and rescue dog. Her lifelong passion for photography serves as a foundation for her meticulous approach to archival work, emphasizing the importance of organization, creativity, and attention to detail. She will be graduating in 2024 with her MLIS and MBA and has been inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honors Society. 

For more than two decades, I've leveraged my software engineering background and project management expertise to lead complex projects across the public and private sectors. My experience spans diverse international locations, fostering a deep understanding of global collaboration as well as government entities. While I thrive in the dynamic world of technology, I also find balance in the serenity of nature. As an avid hiker and explorer, I enjoy discovering new trails and connecting with others who share a passion for the outdoors and life. As a Lexingtonian for over twenty years, I'm dedicated to both my professional endeavors and my vibrant community. To learn more about my background, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

In her role as a staff assistant with the Kentucky Department of Workforce Development, Katie Houghlin is supporting Team Kentucky’s efforts to ensure all Kentuckians have the skills needed to participate in the digital economy. A graduate of Murray State University, Katie has 22 years of state government experience in various state government positions, including more than 15 years in management.
Last summer, Kentucky secured a nearly $1.1 billion federal grant from the BEAD Program, the largest public investment in high-speed internet in the Commonwealth’s history. As state’s Digital Equity lead, Katie and the digital equity team, worked to develop Kentucky’s recently approved State Digital Equity Plan. Their work continues with the submission of the Capacity Grant currently pending approval with the Department of Commerce.

As Director of Architecture for the Central Region of the Commercial and Enterprise Division of Trace3, Scott is responsible for leading the regional team of Solution Architects in the development and performance of customer technology solutions, while providing leadership in meeting strategic and tactical goals. In addition to strong technical and working knowledge of infrastructure and network products, Scott has maintained network engagement methodologies which provide discovery, design, and implementation of deliverables for any given customer engagement.
As a consultant, Scott focuses on designing and implementing Pathways, Spaces, Power, Cooling, and Connectivity solutions. His strengths are in designing and constructing customer physical datacenters and infrastructure.
As a fellow in Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), Scott has served a variety of capacities including Treasurer for the HIMSS Foundation, Publication Chair, HIE Communications Task Force Chair, Fellows Council Chair and President of the Bluegrass Chapter of HIMSS.

Chris Lambert has over 25 years of experience with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and has served in a variety of I.T. roles. Over the last ten years, Chris has worked on the implementation and improvement of real-time, big data architecture for Intelligent Transportation Systems. The system supports many use cases throughout the Cabinet including Traveler Information (GoKY), Automated Incident/Crash Detection, Snow and Ice Decision Support, Work Zone Monitoring, and a variety of smaller uses cases and research projects. Chris is currently serving in the State Highway Engineer’s Office as the systems architect for the new Performance Management program, known as TRAK (Transportation Research and Analytics for Kentucky).

Carlos Luna is the General Manager of Tyler Kentucky, a Frankfort-based subsidiary of Tyler Technologies' Digital Solutions Division that manages and hosts Kentucky.gov, a collaborative, public-private partnership between the Commonwealth of Kentucky and Tyler Kentucky. Carlos joined NIC in 2001 as a Customer Service Representative for its NIC Technologies subsidiary in Washington, DC. His leadership played a key role in the development and maintenance of the Federal Election Commission's campaign finance electronic filing system for 12 years at NIC Technologies. After which he helped lead the New Mexico subsidiary for 2 years and now leads Tyler Kentucky bringing communities together and making government more available through technology. Carlos’ management not only benefited Tyler's Digital Solutions Division over the years, but his devotion to helping his fellow mankind steered him to join the United States Navy Reserve as a Hospital Corpsman in 1989 serving for twenty-two years before retiring in 2011.

Jason has spent more than two decades at the intersection of skills-based training and upward workforce mobility. In his current role, he works with Amazon Web Services (AWS) customers to broaden and diversify their internal base of emerging tech talent by reskilling non-technical and frontline employees who have transferable skills. In his prior role at AWS, he helped customers drive cultural transformation in cloud through a prescriptive programmatic approach to cloud enablement. Prior to Amazon, Jason led teams responsible for aligning academic institution offerings to meet the evolving demands of industry, creating education-to-career partnerships on behalf of institutions including Villanova University, Michigan State University and University of Notre Dame with Fortune 500 companies such as Boeing, General Mills and Cigna.

James has served as the Chief Information Security Officer for Louisville Metro Government since 2015. During his tenure, he and his team have led the charge in reducing overall cyber risk to Louisville Metro by 85% through metrics-driven action. He has embraced an approach of progress through partnerships - both internal and external - and forged a strategy based on defense in depth that adapts to the disappearing network perimeter. He is also a Cyber Corps Major in the Kentucky National Guard and has served in the military for 33 years, including a recent mobilization with US Cyber Command. He holds multiple industry certifications and is a member of the Kentucky Chapter of the Signal Corps Regimental Association, a member of the Association of Old Crows, and a member the Kentucky Cyber Threat Working Group.

Dr. Orgeron has extensive information technology experience in both the private sector and the federal and state level of the public sector. Currently, Dr. Orgeron is Professor of Management Information Systems in the Else School of Management at Millsaps College. After beginning his career as a communications-computer systems officer in the United States Air Force, he served as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) and Chief Information Officer for the State of Mississippi. In this role, Dr. Orgeron provided statewide leadership in the provision of services that facilitated cost-effective information processing and telecommunication solutions for Mississippi government agencies and institutions.
Dr. Orgeron has served as an Executive Government Advisor with Amazon Web Services (AWS), President of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) and on the Executive Committee of the Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), as well as participated in numerous government information technology task forces and committees, such as the Mississippi Broadband Task Force, the Digital Signature Committee, the Electronic Government Task Force, and the Governor’s Commission on Digital Government, which led to the implementation of the enterprise electronic government in Mississippi. Dr. Orgeron holds a bachelor’s degree in MIS, a master’s degree and doctorate in public policy and administration from Mississippi State University. Dr. Orgeron is a certified public manager and a graduate of the Senator John C. Stennis State Executive Development Institute, as well as the Institute on International Digital Government Research, and the Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Education Series, Leadership for a Networked World, Cybersecurity: The Intersection of Policy and Technology, and the Harvard Business Analytics Program (HBAP).

Dr. Marty Park began his professional educational journey as a primary classroom teacher of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders in Georgetown, KY. After completing his Master’s of Education with an Instructional Technology focus and Computer Science endorsement, he was hired as the Chief Information Officer and District Technology Coordinator for one of the 25 largest school districts in Kentucky. After many years of leading a staff of technical and instruction technology specialists, championing many district-wide initiatives, and working collaboratively on the district level administrative leadership team, Marty moved onto the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), 2008-present. While joining the KDE team, he initially served as a KY regional education technology leader responsible for 23 school districts and became a trusted advisor for digital initiatives with superintendents, EdTech leaders, principals and school district leadership teams. In his current role as the Chief Digital Officer at the Kentucky Department of Education, he focuses on strategic implementations and experience design of new and emerging technologies for learning, as well as working on and leading special projects statewide. Marty also consults on federal and state programs, while working with many leadership and instructional technology vision topics. He can often be found speaking at international (ISTE, etc.), national and statewide events (KySTE, Kentucky Association of School Administrators, Digital Summit, Kentucky School Boards Association, Innovations for Learning, etc.), as well as making many appearances on web shows and podcasts. Marty is also a contributing and active member (speaking, presenting, and sharing) of national leadership groups such as the State Education Technology Directors Association (SETDA), the Counsel for Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), CoSN, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), and more.

Zach Patton is the chief editor of the Content Studio at e.Republic and Government Technology. He has been covering the public sector for nearly 20 years. Until 2019, he was the executive editor of Governing magazine, where he also had served as a staff writer for more than a decade.

Jessica Ramsey currently serves as the Director of Technology Services for Kenton County Fiscal Court, a role she has held for four years, providing technology support to seven different local government entities. Jessica started her career in Northern Kentucky local government as a GIS Analyst and Project Manager for the City of Covington in 2013.
In her current role, her primary mission is to identify the best software solutions for Kenton County to facilitate an efficient and stable operating environment. This includes working hands on with software developers to design custom solutions where necessary, and managing the implementation, administration, and in particular the ongoing secure configuration of SaaS products.

Liz serves as the Chief Information Officer for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. Prior to her service to the City, she spent over 20 years in service to Kentucky state government, including the Commonwealth Office of Technology, the Justice & Public Safety Cabinet, and the Cabinet for Education & Workforce Development. Her career has been shaped by a passion for service management and continuous improvement, and a talent for bringing together people, processes, products and partners to make technology work for the government and those it serves. A native of Frankfort, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications from the University of Kentucky.

Jason is currently a Sr. Solutions Engineer at Okta, focused on State & Local Government and Education. Prior to joining Okta, Jason spent 10 years as a Solutions Architect at VMware focused on the digital transformation strategy for State and Local Government agencies. He has more than 20 years' experience in the IT industry and has held various consulting roles with Federal agencies in the Washington, D.C. area as an integrator for the Department of Defense. His areas of expertise are Identity, End-User Computing, and Zero Trust. Jason is a patent holder of a VMware mobile app for digitally signing documents with Derived PIV Credentials. He holds an MBA and is CISSP certified. He currently resides in Charleston, SC with his wife and 2 young daughters.

Meghan Sandfoss is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Broadband Development, a role to which she was appointed in September 2022. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and a master’s degree in Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Sandfoss has over 18 years of experience in public administration. She previously held a senior leadership position at regional development organization where she oversaw a variety of local, state, and federal programs in the areas of transportation planning, infrastructure development, comprehensive planning, and community and economic development.
Meghan is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts and serves as an adult volunteer and troop leader in the Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road Council. She also serves as a committee member for Cub Scout Pack 779 in the Dan Beard Council, Boy Scouts of America. She resides in Covington with her husband and 2 children.

Chris Seidt is the Executive Director of Metro Technology Services for Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government where he has served the residents of Louisville for the past 22 years in a variety of roles for the merged city-county government, including leading city efforts around Smart Cities, and serving the past six years as the leader of the IT organization where he has led a digital transformation of the city government. Chris holds a B.S. in Organizational Leadership from the University of Louisville and numerous technical certifications from Microsoft, CompTIA, and Cisco.

Paul Stewart has dedicated over two decades to public service, initially joining the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government in 2003 within the Department of Public Safety at the Lexington Police Department. He currently serves as the Director of Computer Services in the Department of Information Technology, where he oversees IT operations supporting the entire government.  Paul and his team provide essential tools and services, proactively engaging with partners and stakeholders to implement innovative technology solutions and optimize service delivery to the community, ensuring Lexington continues to thrive and grow in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Meredith Ward is the Deputy Executive Director for the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) and has served at the association since 2013. Meredith has 20 years of experience in state, local, federal and international professional associations. Prior to her current position, Meredith worked in government and media affairs in Washington, DC, and acquired over 10 years of experience building relationships with Members of Congress, their staff and members of the media. Meredith has worked extensively on issues related to cybersecurity, IT acquisition, criminal justice, workforce and state technology. Meredith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, with an emphasis on Government, from Centre College.

​​Stephanie Williams is the Contracting Officer for the Commonwealth Office of Technology (COT). She has over 24 years of governmental experience in contracting and procurement. Prior to working for the Commonwealth, she was a paralegal in the private sector.
Stephanie has a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Kentucky, a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies from Sullivan University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Louisville. She also has 3 national public procurement certifications: Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), and the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing certification for mid to executive level leaders in procurement (NIGP-CPP).
Stephanie resides in Frankfort with her husband Fred, a retired Major of the Kentucky State Police, their two daughters, Anna (21) and Alayna (15), and their dog Bleu.