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Overview

The Digital Government Summit brings together technology focused public-sector professionals with leading industry partners to connect on innovative approaches, get inspired and discover new technologies. Join us and let’s improve the future of government together!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Jeff Aguilar

Jeff Aguilar

Chief Information Security Officer, Los Angeles County  

As Chief Information Security Officer of Los Angeles County, Jeffrey is responsible for all aspects of information security, including information security governance, strategic direction, executive advisory, program maturity, and adherence to federal information security policy. Other responsibilities include participating in information technology advisory bodies, and other committees or agencies involving County policies, plans, methodologies, and programs related to information security.
Jeffrey is also responsible for working with the County Chief Information Officer and providing information security leadership and advisory across the 38 disparate County departments which includes but not limited to Healthcare, Justice, Elections, Tax collection and County operations.
With over 25 years of experience, Jeffrey has served as a consultant to several Fortune 500 organizations providing an array of services ranging from advisory roles to executive leadership to recommendations of technical solutions; he has experience in the automotive, healthcare, financial, technology, government and consulting industries.
Jeffrey holds industry certifications CISM, CRISC, CDPSE and earned his MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. He is an Adjunct Professor for Pepperdine Graziado Business school and an active member of several industry advisory boards including FBI Cyberwatch, Infragard, LA City CyberLabs, Secure the Village, Pepperdine CyRP program, a 2019 Government Technology award winner for Service, Support & Leadership and 2023 Government Technology award winner for High Impact Leadership .  

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Scott Klososky

Scott Klososky

Technologist, Futurist, Humanist, Author and Consultant

As a founding partner of digital strategy firm, Future Point of View (FPOV), Scott lives on the leading edge of technology and innovative thinking. Scott speaks to large audiences worldwide about the intersection of humanity and the Digital Transformation. Through FPOV, Scott provides advisory work for clients including Fortune100, SMB’s and government entities. This work has driven him to develop unique concepts such as the HUMALOGY® Scale for measuring the amount of human or machine involved in a system or process, and the Rivers of Information® process for building learning eco-systems. He also pioneered a framework for looking accurately into the future of an industry sector in order to set organizational strategy: The High Beam process.
Scott co-founded Alkami Technology (ALKT), the developer of a second-generation online banking platform with innovative features non-existent in current systems. The company went public in 2021 at a $3billion valuation and is today headquartered in Dallas with over 350 employees.
Scott is recognized globally for his unique ability to accurately predict future digital trends and explain the logic behind why these will alter the current status quo of the economy and society. While business application of his insights is extremely valuable to leaders and companies, he is also motivated help improve the impact post Covid environments are having on people and their daily lives. Technology has been increasingly driving change and stress and recent events are amplifying this problem. He has a unique perspective on how to manage the personal toll technology is causing people, teams and organizations.
Even as a young child, Scott was destined to see the world through a Humalogy® lens. His father was a programmer for Boeing and his mother was a counselor who mixed many philosophies into her practice of helping people in life. To this day, he is a hybrid of a technologist and humanist who strives to find a hopeful future in blending the two.
Scott has the ability to entertain, inspire, and enlighten audiences, while helping them gain new perspectives about how technology is impacting us. Scott never does a canned presentation with the exact content across events. He sets himself apart from other speakers by architecting his content with the latest examples, current events and trends relevant for the keynote he is delivering.
He is equally adept at giving large stage keynotes, speaking to small boards of directors, facilitating half and full day workshops, and doing break-out sessions. As an added bonus of his presentations, attendees come away learning how to be a better facilitator, speaker or presenter by seeing Scott use different applications and technologies to engage audiences either in a virtual, hybrid or in person setting. The best measure of his ability to inspire and inform audiences is the high percentage of speaking clients who bring him back for follow up work with their audiences.
He produces a podcast titled “The Digital Optimist” in which he delivers ideas about the transformation of humanity through the impact of technology with a positive and hopeful lens. He also writes a blog titled Digital Awakening – both can be found at his website at www.klososky.com

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Mike Driessen

Mike Driessen

Vice President, Government Technology

Mike Driessen is a Vice President for Government Technology and the Publisher for Industry Insider.  He is responsible for managing the strategy and operations for all recurring revenue services including GovTech Industry Navigator, a market and sales intelligence tool for private-sector SLED teams, and GovTech Industry Insider which provides daily news and insights into gov tech markets.   
Mike brings over 30 years of experience in IT consulting and systems integration with firms like Accenture, Grant Thornton and Hitachi Consulting.  His experience covers sales and marketing leadership, advising on digital strategies, and managing enterprise application alliances and implementations.  He has managed both large global teams and led start-ups. Mike lives in Los Angeles, although he grew up in the Midwest, and graduated from Marquette University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Business Administration.

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Behrang Abadi

Behrang Abadi

Digital Services Bureau Manager, City of Long Beach

Behrang serves as the Digital Services Bureau Manager for the City of Long Beach. He leads a team of technologists entrusted to provide technology solutions that improve the daily lives of Long Beach residents and staff. 

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Mirian Avalos

Mirian Avalos

General Manager of Information Technology Services, Internal Services Department, Los Angeles County  

In February 2023, Mirian S. Avalos became the first Latina to be appointed General Manager of Information Technology with the Los Angeles County Internal Services Department. Ms. Avalos is responsible for directing application development, network activities, and data center operations for one of the largest local government agencies in the nation, with 110,000 employees and over 10 million citizens. Managing a technology workforce of more than 1,000 employees and a budget of $330 million, Ms. Avalos oversees collaboration between a centralized Information Technology (IT) Service and over 40 Los Angeles County departments to develop and implement technologies for a vast range of public services, including animal care, parks, law enforcement, and social services.
Ms. Avalos is an accomplished IT executive with over two decades in the industry, successfully utilizing technology to innovate government – her mission is to create a government that is transparent and efficient. She most recently served as the Chief Information Officer of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH). Previously, she was the Chief Technology Officer at the District Attorney's Office in San Bernardino, where she led the office to become a shining example of government innovation and transparency in Southern California. Beyond this, she provided valuable insights on using Body Worn Cameras and Evidence.com while being part of the Customer Advisory Board for Taser International. Her expertise proved instrumental in creating an interface for processing evidence in the District Attorney's offices. She also Co-Chaired the Southern California District Attorney IT Directors. Beforehand, Ms. Avalos held technology positions with the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Southern California Association of Governments.
Ms. Avalos boasts an impressive educational background, having studied Clinical Informatics at the University of Chicago. She earned a dual degree in Chicano Studies and Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Woodrow Wilson Fellow in Public Policy and International Affairs recipient and a Carnegie Mellon University CIO Institute graduate. Ms. Avalos also holds a Master's in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Ms. Avalos is originally from National City, California. In the Fall, you will find her watching her daughters play field hockey games on the pitch.

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John Azariah

John Azariah LinkedIn

Sr. Solutions Engineer, Cloudera Government Solutions

Aman Bhullar

Aman Bhullar

Chief Information Officer and Assistant Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Los Angeles County

Aman Bhullar has over 25 years of experience in technology implementations and consulting. He oversees strategic planning and modernization initiatives in information technology, information security and data management for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. As the department’s Chief Information Officer, he provides executive leadership and is responsible for assisting the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk in administering and formulating the Information Technology operations of the Department with direct responsibility and oversight of Information Security standards and strategies for governance and compliance.
A pioneer leader in incorporating cutting edge technology applications and infrastructure, Mr. Bhullar supports a workforce of 1,500 employees that serves the nation’s largest and most diverse election jurisdiction of approximately 6M voters. Under his leadership, the largest voting system has been transformed through the development and implementation of the Voting Solutions for All People (VSAP). As part of the VSAP rollout, he is working to execute the Open Source strategy for the most complex, largest voting technology stack in the nation.
A seasoned technology visionary and disrupter who is recognized for driving innovative technology initiatives into enterprise software roll-out of ERP, CRM, SCM, Imaging & Electronic Records Programs, he has a proven track record for key process improvements and cost benefits to customers/end-users. Under his direction, he supports one of the largest repository of vital records in the nation, serving more than 10M constituents.
As part of election security initiatives, he deployed the ALBERT Network and Monitoring & Management system (from CIS); the first in LA County. The information and security programs implemented at RR/CC has won several national and international awards from EAC, NIST, NACO, Gold Globee, Clearie, CSAC, CDG and other organizations. He has recently been recognized as High Impact IT leader at the Los Angeles IT Leadership Forum, and has been awarded in LocalSmart Awards as the Local IT Leader of the Year 2022.

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Jayson Dunn

Jayson Dunn

Executive Government Advisor, Amazon Web Services 

Jayson is a public sector technology subject matter expert with 20 years of city and county government experience. Prior to joining AWS Jayson served as the Chief Information Officer for the City of Cincinnati where he led the city’s enterprise technology department, chaired the city’s IT Governance Board, and managed the city’s capital budget and project approval processes. Jayson also has a background in public safety technology having served as a county 911 and Emergency Communications Director, as well as experience in the private sector as a Business Analysis Manager responsible for technology contracts and procurements totaling $350 million in annually.

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Lea Eriksen

Lea Eriksen

Director of Technology and Innovation, Chief Information Officer, City of Long Beach  

Lea Eriksen is the Director of Technology and Innovation and CIO of the City of Long Beach. The City of Long Beach is recognized as a Top 10 Digital City by the Center for Digital Government. Lea is in charge of implementing the City’s technology vision, developing a staff of 197 FTE and managing a $73 million budget. With over 25 years of experience working in local government, Lea’s background includes positions related to economic development, budget and finance, and technology. Prior to her current role, Lea served as the City of Long Beach’s budget manager and assistant finance director. Before joining the City of Long Beach, Lea spent 16 years with the City of Cincinnati.

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Jon Ford

Jon Ford

Head of Mandiant Cyber Security Solutions, State, Local and Education, Mandiant / Google Public Sector

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.

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Tommy Gardner

Tommy Gardner

Chief Technology Officer, HP Federal, HP Inc.

Tommy Gardner is HP’s Chief Technology Officer for HP Federal, spanning the US Federal Agencies, Higher Education, K-12 Education, State and Local government customer segments, as well as Federal Systems Integrators. His current responsibilities include technology leadership, strategic technology plans, product and technology strategies, sales force technical support, and customer and partner relationships.
Previously, Tommy has served as the Chief Technology Officer for Jacobs Engineering, Scitor, and ManTech. Earlier in his career he was a senior technical executive at Raytheon. In the U.S. Navy he served as the Deputy for Science and Technology for the Chief of Naval Research. He oversaw the Navy’s Deep Submergence Program as well as its Advanced Technology Program. He also commanded the nuclear submarine, USS San Juan (SSN 751).
Tommy’s educational background covers multiple disciplines and fields of interest including: cybersecurity, data science, blockchain, quantum information science, artificial intelligence, high performance computing and systems integration.
Tommy holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University, an M.S. in Management of Technology from MIT and a Ph. D. in Energy Economics from George Washington University. He is a Professional Engineer, an ASME Fellow, and serves on the ASME Board of Governors, the ANSI Board of Directors and the U. S. Council on Competitiveness as the Co-chair of the Advanced Computer Roundtable.

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Joel Golub

Joel Golub

Industry Executive Director, Local Government, Oracle

Joel Golub is the Industry Executive Director for Local and County Strategy for Oracle North America. Joel has 30 years of experience as a CIO in California County Government, NYC Government and NJ State Public Transit.
He most recenty served as CIO in Orange County, CA, the nation’s 6th largest county supporting 3.2 milion constituents. During his 5 years at Orange County, Joel also served on two Orange County Boards responsible for the oversight of Law and Justice Technology and Land Based Radio Communications. Joel served on the Board for California County Information Servcies Directors and worked as their President promoting technology sharing and collaboration among CA county IT organizations.
Under the Bloomberg administration in NYC, Joel served as the Deputy Fire Commissioner and Chief Information Officer for the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). As FDNY’s first CIO, Joel was responsible for key technology projects and transformations for the business.
Joel was also the CIO in San Bernardino County, CA which is the largest county in area in the United States providing services over a 20 thousand square mile area to 3 million residents.
Joel spent most of his career at NJ TRANSIT and remains one of the longest tenured CIOs in the public transit industry in the United States.
Joel studied at Montclair State University earning a BA in Mathematics and later earned his MBA from Rutgers University. Joel and his wife, Deborah reside in New Jersey and recently became grandparents.
Joel was a part time firefighter for over 40 years and recently retired from firefighting but remains extremely committed to improving technologies that support first responders and protecting the public. He is passionate about improving government services for their citizens and introducing innovation and new technology to make government more efficient and responsive to the public.

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Bharat “Bobby” Gorantla

Bharat “Bobby” Gorantla

Managing Director, KPMG 

Bobby is a Managing Director in KPMG’s Technology Enablement practice with more than 15 years of experience providing his clients with a wide range of technology, modernization, data & analytics services. Bobby uses innovative technology capabilities, data and analytics, cognitive automation strategies and Artificial Intelligence, across a variety of domains to solve complex agency problems. 

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Nadia Hansen

Nadia Hansen

Global Digital Transformation Executive, Salesforce

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiakhansen/

Nadia Hansen is a senior executive leading the Go-ToMarket strategy for local government across the USA and Canada at Salesforce. Nadia is a former CIO, board member, and recognized government leader who brings two decades of enterprise technology experience building a wide range of products, teams, and operations around the world across both public and private entities. As the former Chief Information Officer for Clark County, Las Vegas, the largest county in the State of Nevada with more than 2.4 million residents, 45 million annual visitors, and an $8 billion budget, Nadia spearheaded the technology innovation, strategy, and delivery of mission-critical services for the organization. She established Las Vegas as an innovation and technology hub for startups and budding businesses and is a key driver in engaging regional technology partners. Nadia created a first-ever technology strategic plan for the county with public-facing commitments, including the vision and mission for a unified customer experience 5 years out. She outlined the strategy and created a roadmap for improving public accessibility through Omni-channels - website, email, phone, and mobile and to bridge the digital divide.

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Dr. Angela Hemingway

Dr. Angela Hemingway

Senior Manager, K-12 Education, T-Mobile

Dr. Angela Hemingway spent 21 years teaching in STEM classrooms at the high school and collegiate levels. After winning numerous teaching awards, Governor Otter appointed her as the first Executive Director of the Idaho STEM Action Center, focusing on educator professional development, business and industry partnerships, and digital inclusion. She has been nominated for Idaho Woman of the Year for five years and was named the Idaho CEO of Influence in 2020. She recently transitioned to serve as an Education Advisor for T-Mobile, focusing on educational policies to scale digital inclusion on a national level. She serves as an expert on policies including the Affordable Connectivity Program, the Emergency Connectivity Fund, and campus security.

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Sabra Johnson

Sabra Johnson

General Manager, Delete The Divide Initiative, County of Los Angeles 

Sabra Johnson is the General Manager of the Office of Major Programs and Initiatives with the County of Los Angeles Internal Services Department.  She leads implementation of the County’s digital equity initiatives which includes workforce programs, digital literacy, internet service connectivity, small business support, and device distribution.  The County’s Delete The Divide initiative employs over 200 Technology Professional Interns who received immersive training in all fields of technology; provides digital assistance at over 40 County libraries and senior centers; provides digital assessments to qualifying small businesses; provides digital literacy training in-person and through online platforms; and is in the process of building a low-cost, high-speed internet service for underserved communities.  Sabra is a graduate of University of California, Irvine and California State University, Fullerton.

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Kris Kademian

Kris Kademian

Emergent Technology Group - Division Chief, Los Angeles County Auditor - Controller, County of Los Angeles 

Kris Kademian is currently the Division Chief of the Auditor-Controller’s (A-C) Emergent Technology Group (ETG).  Mr. Kademian is a 30+ year veteran in the A-C with diverse experience including Information Technology, Audit, White Collar Crime and Computer Forensics Investigations, Accounting, Payroll, Tax and Disbursements. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from California State University Los Angeles and is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Fraud Specialist (CFS), Certified Private Investigator (CPI) and is PC832 certified from the Rio Hondo Police Academy. He is the recipient of numerous professional awards and has actively represented the A-C as a leader in County, State, Federal and Private settings.
In his personal time, Mr. Kademian volunteers on nonprofit boards, is an active life coach, and an avid lifelong martial artist. He also runs a community-based self-defense and wellness program that focuses on educating, equipping and empowering people from all age groups.

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Eric Kane

Eric Kane

Associate Partner, IBM Consulting

Eric Kane is an Associate Partner and Offering Lead at IBM. With over 10 years of experience, Eric leads the design, development, and implementation of integrated social service delivery platforms for state and local clients. He excels in building innovative solutions, leading diverse teams, and driving impactful outcomes in communities. Eric has been instrumental in facilitating a shared understanding of community challenges, defining solution requirements, designing user experiences, driving development lifecycles, monitoring solution success, and iterating to achieve tangible community outcomes. Residing at the Northern Jersey Shore, Eric enjoys surfing, training for triathlons, and volunteering to protect shorebirds at Gateway National Park.

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Peter Loo

Peter Loo

Acting Chief Information Officer, Los Angeles County

Peter Loo is the Acting Chief Information Officer of Los Angeles County. With over 35 years of public sector IT experience, he serves as the principal adviser to the CEO and provides strategy, leadership and guidance on enterprise IT initiatives, IT Governance and the delivery of information technology capabilities to support the County mission and Board priorities. 
Prior to joining the Los Angeles County, Mr. Loo was Director of Consulting Services at a large multi-national firm, where he was responsible for the successful delivery of multiple public-sector ERP and public health projects at State and local governments.

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Keith Nelson

Keith Nelson LinkedIn

Senior Industry Strategist, Public Sector, OpenText 

Keith Nelson is Industry Senior Strategist for Global Public Sector at OpenText. Mr. Nelson has spent more than 20 years working in the fields of public sector consulting and high-tech marketing and as a government appointee. His roles in government include serving as Assistant Secretary for Administration (a position requiring Senate confirmation), Acting Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, Acting Chief Financial Officer, and Deputy Chief Information Officer at the U.S. Departments of Transportation, Labor and Housing and Urban Development.

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Jen Ott

Jen Ott

AIML Growth Lead for North America Public Sector, UiPath – photo only

Chris Pailma

Chris Pailma

Chief Data Officer, Los Angeles County 

As the Chief Data Officer (CDO) for Los Angels County, Christopher “Chris” Pailma is responsible for the County’s Enterprise Information Management Program (EIMP) and the Analytics Center of Excellence (ACE).  He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of data management, including data architecture, data integration, data warehousing, and data analytics to facilitate information sharing, improve delivery of services, and ensure effective use of IT and data-related assets between the County’s 38+ departments, commissions, and agencies. 

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Romy Ricafort

Romy Ricafort

Senior Director, Sales Engineering, Comcast Business West Division 

With over 25 years of experience in sales engineering and leadership, Romy Ricafort has been at the forefront of developing innovative solutions in connectivity, managed network, and cybersecurity services. Currently, Romy leads a dynamic team of 127 sales engineers and leaders across 13 states, driving excellence and resilience in network architecture and cybersecurity frameworks. Romy’s extensive expertise and strategic vision have been instrumental in building robust, secure, and scalable solutions that meet the evolving needs of today’s digital landscape.

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Robert Rodgers

Robert Rodgers

Department Information Security Officer II, Department of Public Social Services, County of Los Angeles 

Robert is the Department Information Security Officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS). He has worked in the public sector for over 30 years, specializing in Information Technology and Cyber Security. In his current role, he oversees the security strategies and direction of DPSS’s security program, maintaining a vigilant approach to protecting resources, systems, PII, confidential, and sensitive data. Robert is committed to enforcing policies, standards, and procedures with a forward-leaning approach. 
One of Robert’s team's key functions is to ensure that security controls are in place, annual risk assessments are performed, and a robust Incident Response plan is maintained. The innovative thinking from the Security team at DPSS led to the development of a Robotic Process Automation (RPA) that has saved hundreds of man-hours and improved response times for reviewing and inspecting over 200 reported phishing emails daily. This RPA was recognized with a National Association of Counties (NACo) award in 2023.

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Matthew Rose

Matthew Rose LinkedIn

Principal, Global Public Sector, Snowflake

Mr. Matthew Rose is the Global Public Sector Industry Principal at Snowflake, where he leads a team serving government and education organizations. He focuses on public sector needs and bringing solutions and technologies into the public sector market. Before joining Snowflake, he led Adobe’s Public Sector Business Development and Strategy. Previously, Matthew served in government, most recently as the DOD’s Chief Design Officer, Joint Artificial Intelligence Center's Strategy and Policy Directorate Chief; GSA’s Director for Cloud and Infrastructure; and Special Advisor on Technology Protection for the Secretary of Defense. He is a founder of several companies, sits on the Stimson Center and Atlantic Council, and serves in the Army Reserve. Matthew has three graduate degrees and has published extensively on the topics of defense and technology. He resides in Warrenton Virginia with his wife and three children.

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Ted Ross

Ted Ross

Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Agency, City of Los Angeles

Ted Ross is CIO for the City of Los Angeles and General Manager of the Information Technology Agency (ITA). His department of 450 employees delivers enterprise IT services to 48,000 employees across 41 City departments and digital services to over 4 million residents. Appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2015, Ted has over 21 years of private and public sector technology experience, earning various awards along the way, including #1 Digital City, Top 25 Doer & Dreamer, and CIO of the Year according to LA Business Journal. Ted has been featured in Fortune Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist, as well as, a presenter at many conferences, such as the Andreessen-Horowitz Tech Summit, Milken Institute, and India’s NASSCOM.

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Lillian Russell

Lillian Russell

Chief Privacy Officer, Chief Executive Office, County of Los Angeles 

Lillian Russell is the Chief Privacy Officer for the County of Los Angeles. She leads the Office of Privacy within the County's Chief Executive Office - Risk Management Branch, and has overseen the development and management of the County's data privacy program for the past five years. Lillian previously served for eight years as Deputy County Counsel in the County Counsel's Office, as well as Deputy Public Conservator/Administrator with the County's Department of Mental Health. Prior to joining the County, Lillian was a Government Relations Policy Consultant with UnitedHealth/ Optum Rx, and an Attorney with Liberty Mutual Insurance. Lillian has a law degree and Certificate in Health Law from the University of Pittsburgh and dual Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of California, Riverside in Political Science/ Public Service and Sociology/ Law and Society. Lillian is a licensed attorney with the California State Bar, and holds dual certifications from the International Association of Privacy Professionals as a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM).

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Ray San Diego

Ray San Diego

Division Chief, Systems Operations Division, Department of Auditor-Controller, County of Los Angeles

Ray San Diego is the Division Chief with the Department of Auditor-Controller’s Systems Operations Division. Ray has worked for the County of Los Angeles for over 22 years, all of which have been within the Auditor-Controller. He is responsible for managing the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems that support the County’s financials, payroll and human resources, and property tax functions. Ray holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, with a major in Management Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration with a major in Management, both from California State University, Fullerton. Ray is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

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Kris L. Schaffer

Kris L. Schaffer

Director of Technology Strategy, Lumen

Kris is originally from Canada and has lived and worked across North America with global companies and their partners.  Most recently she worked in the gathering of data, engaging predictive and cognitive analytics, to improve and enhance business outcomes – which was foundational to creating complex and powerful solutions for her clients.   Kris is an accomplished IT & Business Professional, having worked for several years at IBM enabling clients to use technology to drive better outcomes and the enhancement of workforces and workplaces.  Kris has seen the power of Artificial Intelligence as the marketplace has advanced from the simplicity of chatbots to tools and models that have enabled governments to leverage their analytics more broadly across society.  Kris is an advocate for ‘we don’t know the outcome yet thinking’, and that only through courageous use of technology can we explore and advance to new possibilities.

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Devon Winthrop

Devon Winthrop

Principal Architect II, AT&T

Devon Winthrop has been with AT&T for 24 years and is currently a Principal Architect 2 with the Government, Education and Medical organization in AT&T’s Global Public Sector. Devon support spans all of AT&T services & technologies globally.
As a Principal Architect 2, he is involved with innovation strategy and technical architecture for AT&T. Devon collaborates with Enterprise Architecture and IT leadership teams to drive strategic roadmaps that align with your technology and business objectives. He works within the innovation spaces at AT&T to forward emerging and evolving technologies. He recommends technology standards, principles and best practices, while integrating market trends and industry insights to drive forward-looking solutions.
Devon began his career as an Outside Plant Engineer, designing T-1 networks and developing AT&T’s original fiber switched Ethernet WAN services. He has over 20 years experience as an industry consultant; developing complex solutions involving traditional and emerging services in the areas of networking, voice transformation, security, mobility, IoT and Smart Cities, and network integration.
Devon also volunteers in his community as a board member on with the Live Performing Arts Academy supporting the music arts in his home city of Folsom California.

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Roozan Zarifian

Roozan Zarifian

Chief Information Officer, Human Resources Department, Los Angeles County   

Roozan has over 35 years of Information Technology (IT) experience. She currently serves as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for County of Los Angeles, Department of Human Resources (DHR).  In this position she is responsible for DHR’s strategic IT plan and ensuring technology solutions lead to outcomes in line with business and County initiatives and goals.
As the CIO, Roozan is also responsible for improving and transforming service delivery, information sharing, and data privacy.

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Agenda

Tuesday, August 13

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

California Ballroom Foyer

9:00 am Pacific

Opening Remarks

San Jose/San Francisco Room

Peter Loo, Chief Information Officer, County of Los Angeles

Ted Ross, Chief Information Officer, City of Los Angeles

9:15 am Pacific

Keynote – The Age of Digital Disruption: Moving Forward, Faster

San Jose/San Francisco Room

Technology advancements continue to disrupt at a swifter pace than ever before. 2023 witnessed the impact of AI in all sectors, and this year the public sector is required to adapt and adopt at a speed unheard of in the past. For the rest of our careers, intelligence will be built into all devices, applications, and processes. This changes how we must think about the use of data and the integration of humans and machines. What are the crucial strategies for adapting to and maximizing the benefits of these advancements? This session will have you ready to move forward at high speed as it paints a vibrant picture showing how synthetic intelligence can amplify current systems and our workforce.

Scott Klososky, Technologist, Futurist, Humanist, Author and Consultant

10:15 am Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

California Ballroom Foyer

10:45 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

AI Frontline: Navigating Readiness and Adoption

Sacramento Room

Successfully integrating AI into public sector services demands strategic planning. How can technology leaders in Los Angeles identify the best AI tools for their teams and residents? What are the necessary steps to assess readiness and ensure successful AI adoption? This session explores readiness assessments, workforce training, and the diverse perspectives on AI integration across different organizational roles. Engage with practical approaches for incorporating AI into your operations and leveraging its power to enhance the lives of Angelenos.

Moderator: Mike Driessen, Vice President, Government Technology

Jayson Dunn, Executive Government Advisor, Amazon Web Services

Bharat “Bobby” Gorantla, Managing Director, KPMG

Kris Kademian, Emergent Technology Group - Division Chief, Los Angeles County Auditor - Controller, County of Los Angeles

Keith Nelson, Senior Industry Strategist, Public Sector, OpenText

Ted Ross, Chief Information Officer, City of Los Angeles

Roozan Zarifian, Chief Information Officer, Human Resources Department, Los Angeles County

LA’s Digital Front Door

San Diego Room

As residents increasingly seek seamless access to government services via digital platforms, are current tools meeting the high expectations of today’s tech-savvy citizens? How can digital services be elevated from good to great, empowering both employees and residents? This session uncovers the latest advancements in resident-facing tools and strategies for transforming the way residents interact with government. Learn how to enable citizens to actively engage with public services, using data and analytics to innovate and automate processes. Propel the next wave of digital transformation in Los Angeles, ensuring accessible and effective services for all.

Moderator: Corey Bruins, National Conference Director, Government Technology

Jen Ott, AIML Growth Lead for North America Public Sector, UiPath

Nadia Hansen, Global Digital Transformation Executive, Salesforce

Eric Kane, Associate Partner, IBM Consulting

Ray Sandiego, Division Chief, Systems Operations Division, Department of Auditor-Controller, County of Los Angeles

Data Mastery: Building a Solid Foundation for Public Sector Innovation

Beverly Room

Effective data management is the backbone of successful public sector innovation. How can technology leaders in Los Angeles develop robust data frameworks and governance strategies? This session delves into best practices for data storage, preventing data leaks, and ensuring seamless data access across various platforms. Learn how to create a resilient data infrastructure that supports both current operations and future initiatives, including AI-readiness. Join us for actionable insights to elevate your data strategy and drive meaningful transformation.

Moderator: Chris Pailma, Chief Data Officer, Los Angeles County

Behrang Abadi, Digital Services Bureau Manager, City of Long Beach

John Azariah, Senior Solutions Engineer, Cloudera Government Solutions

Joel Golub, Industry Executive Director, Local Government, Oracle

Chitra Pannirselvam, Deputy Chief of Information Management, Chief Information Office, County of Los Angeles

Matthew Rose, Industry Principal, Global Public Sector, Snowflake

Building a Resilient Cybersecurity Framework

Mt. Washington Room

With cyber criminals increasingly targeting local governments, what unique cybersecurity challenges does the public sector face? How can organizations implement a zero-trust architecture and link risk management with recovery strategies? This session highlights the latest trends in cybersecurity and the role of cyber insurance within a comprehensive security strategy. Understand how to cultivate a strong cyber culture at every level of your organization, engaging a whole-of-government approach in protecting digital assets. Equip yourself with strategies to safeguard your infrastructure and ensure resilience against cyber threats.

Moderator: Lea Eriksen, Director of Technology and Innovation/Chief Information Officer, Department of Technology & Innovation, City of Long Beach

Jeff Aguilar, Chief Information Security Officer, Los Angeles County

Jon Ford, Head of Mandiant Cyber Security Solutions, State, Local and Education, Mandiant / Google Public Sector

Tommy Gardner, Chief Technology Officer, HP Federal, HP Inc.

Romy Ricafort, Senior Director, Sales Engineering, Comcast Business West Division

Robert Rodgers, Department Information Security Officer II, Department of Public Social Services, County of Los Angeles

11:45 am Pacific

Lunch

San Jose/San Francisco Room

12:45 pm Pacific

Bits and Bytes - Tech-Driven Transparency: Inside LA County’s New Ballot-Processing Center

San Jose/San Francisco Room

Join us for an insightful fireside chat with the Chief Information Officer of the LA County Registrar-Recorder's Office as we delve into the cutting-edge technology powering the county’s new ballot-processing center. Discover how emerging technologies and robust cybersecurity measures are transforming the way votes are counted and secured. Learn about the innovative solutions and strategies that ensure accuracy, transparency, and efficiency in election processes.

Moderator: Corey Bruins, National Conference Director, Government Technology

Aman Bhullar, Chief Information Officer, Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Los Angeles County

1:05 pm Pacific

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

1:15 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Safeguarding AI: Privacy, Security, and Ethical Use

Sacramento Room

With AI becoming an integral part of public services, ensuring its responsible use while maintaining privacy and security is essential. How can organizations mitigate risks like social engineering and other threat vectors? This session explores the critical role of ethics in AI, emphasizing the importance of training for public sector employees. Explore comprehensive strategies for establishing robust safeguards to protect sensitive data and uphold ethical standards. Gain insights into creating a secure AI environment that benefits both your organization and the community.

Moderator: Peter Loo, Chief Information Officer, County of Los Angeles

Aman Bhullar, Chief Information Officer, Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Los Angeles County

Allen Ohanian, Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Children and Family Services, Los Angeles County

Kris L. Schaffer, Director of Technology Strategy, Lumen

Carol Workman, General Manager Enterprise, State and Local Government, Microsoft

Bridging the Divide and Advancing Digital Equity

Beverly Room

Digital equity is a critical priority as technology shapes every aspect of public life. What are the key barriers to digital access and how can we effectively address them to ensure equitable opportunities for all Angelenos? Explore the strategies and initiatives aimed at closing the digital divide and learn about successful partnerships and programs that have made significant impacts across the region, as well as the role of policy in fostering an inclusive digital environment. By focusing on both the challenges and solutions, leave equipped with the tools and insights needed to promote digital equity in our region.

Moderator: Corey Bruins, National Conference Director, Government Technology

Terence Davis, Chief Information Officer, Parks and Recreation, Los Angeles County

Dr. Angela Hemingway, Senior Manager, K-12 Education, T-Mobile

Sabra Johnson, General Manager, Delete The Divide Initiative, County of Los Angeles

Mastering Crisis Management and Continuity Recovery

Mt. Washington Room

In government, swift recovery from crises is paramount. How can public sector leaders ensure they are prepared to respond effectively? What preparations are necessary for public sector leaders to respond effectively? This session covers crucial steps for crisis preparation, continuity of operations, and prioritizing recovery efforts. Learn about the importance of multi-jurisdictional coordination and gain insights from disaster recovery experts. Discover best practices for forming and training a disaster recovery team, enhancing your crisis management capabilities, and ensuring rapid, efficient organizational recovery.

Moderator: Dean Gialamas, General Manager, Internal Services Department, Los Angeles County (retired)

Devon Winthrop, Principal Architect II, AT&T

Lillian Russell, Chief Privacy Officer, Chief Executive Office, County of Los Angeles

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

San Diego Room

Hosted by:

Mirian Avalos, General Manager, Internal Services Department, Los Angeles County

Ted Ross, Chief Information Officer, City of Los Angeles

2:15 pm Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

California Ballroom Foyer

2:35 pm Pacific

General Session – The State of AI in GovTech: Exploring the Future

San Jose/San Francisco Room

Presented by the Center for Public Sector AI, this keynote presentation delves into the present status of Artificial Intelligence in the GovTech sector, offering a detailed examination of AI's applications within state and local governments. We will explore AI's potential future paths in GovTech, highlighting emerging trends and discussing how technology and policy leaders can prepare for AI's impact on service delivery. We will address starting points for AI implementation, stressing the importance of collaboration, ethical considerations, and equitable technology access. This forward-looking talk will equip attendees with a thorough understanding of AI's trajectory in GovTech, providing practical insights to effectively leverage AI for public sector innovation and advancement.

Mike Driessen, Vice President, Government Technology

3:45 pm Pacific

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

California Ballroom Foyer

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

4:30 pm Pacific

End of Conference

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

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites

404 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 624-1000

Get Directions To
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Majida Adnan
Chief Information Officer,Assistant Auditor Controller
Department of Auditor Controller
Los Angeles County

Amin Almuhajab
Chief Information Officer
Board of Supervisors
Los Angeles County

Mirian Avalos
General Manager
Department of Internal Services
Los Angeles County

Jonathan Behnke
Chief Information Officer
Department of Information Technology
City of San Diego

Aman Bhullar
Chief Information Officer
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Los Angeles County

Terence Davis
Chief Information Officer
Parks and Recreation
Los Angeles County

Charles Eckstrom
Chief Information Officer
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Lea Eriksen
Director of Technology and Innovation/Chief Information Officer
Department of Technology & Innovation
City of Long Beach

Dean Gialamas
General Manager
Department of Internal Services
Los Angeles County

Peter Loo
Chief Information Officer
Los Angeles County

Nyariana Maiko
Chief Information Officer
Port of Long Beach

Aura Moore
Deputy Executive Director & Chief Information Officer
Los Angeles World Airports

Fredrik Nazarbegian
Chief Technology Officer
Technology Planning
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Leah Oliver
Chief Technology Officer
Employee's Retirement Agency
Ventura County

Christopher Pailma
Chief Data Officer
Los Angeles County

Vijay Panati
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Probation Department
Los Angeles County

Michael Sylvester II
Assistant Director & Chief Information Officer
Department of Public Social Services
Los Angeles County

Industry Representatives

Rohan Batra
Client Partner, State of California
IBM

Carol Edwards
Account Manager
Lumen

Jodi Fringer
Regional Sales Director
AT&T

Taylor Gershman
Senior Account Executive
Amazon Web Services

Joel Golub
Industry Executive Director, City & County Government
Oracle

Stacey Gravett
Senior Government and Education Account Executive
T-Mobile for Government

Ferd Hurtado
Account Executive
Cloudera Government Solutions

Bindiya Khurana
Principal, Advisory
KPMG

Chloey Loman
Solutions Engineer
UiPath

Bob Muellner
Regional Vice President
Salesforce

Bryan Pfirrmann
Field Sales Representative
Google Public Sector

Jeff Ruben
Strategic Account Executive
GovEd Sales
Comcast Cable Communications Management LLC

Melanie Thaden
Account Executive
Snowflake

Jed Zercher
Director
Microsoft

Registration Information / Contact Us

Contact Information

2025 Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

Heather Earney
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

Venue

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites

404 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 624-1000