Name: Louisiana Digital Government Summit 2024
Start: 2024-10-15T08:00
Location: Renaissance Baton Rouge

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

OTS is excited to co-host the 6th Louisiana Digital Government Summit with Government Technology magazine. This year's summit is designed to accelerate innovation through the open exchange of groundbreaking ideas and solutions in information technology by bringing together state and local government IT professionals with partners from around the industry. We look forward to your participation and to collectively exploring the future of technology.

- Matthew Vince, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Louisiana Office of Technology Services

Speakers

Saby Waraich

Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas County Community College  

Recognized by Thinkers360 as a Global Thought Leader and Influencer in the Top 10 for Project Management and Business Strategy, and in the Top 50 for Leadership, Saby Waraich is not just a speaker—he's a practitioner in the trenches every single day. Delivering keynotes and workshops that are as inspiring as they are practical, Saby marries actionable insights with a captivating storytelling style. His mission is not just to inspire but to equip you with the strategies needed to excel personally and professionally.
A veteran in driving change and fostering innovation, Saby offers a unique perspective backed by real-world experience. Whether on stage or virtually, his energetic and engaging approach provides the tools you need to stand out as a leader, build trust, and ultimately drive better results. Don't just listen to a speech; gain a professional edge from someone who's living it.

Grant Black

Director, Department of Technology, St. Tammany Parish Government

Grant Black is a distinguished technology leader with a remarkable career spanning over 25 years in the IT industry with 21 of those year as a Department of Defense Contractor. His journey has been one of constant innovation and transformation, marked by his diverse roles as a Program Manager, System Architect, System Integrator, System Administrator, Database Administrator, Data Analyst and, Developer. Grant spearheaded the pioneering migration of the U.S. Navy's First and Largest ERP deployment into the AWS Cloud, the system archived full Department of Defense Risk Management Framework accreditation. In his role as Director of Technology at St. Tammany Parish Government, Grant commands a realm of all technological functions including Cybersecurity, Network Administration, System Administration, Helpdesk, Desktop Support, Geographic Information Services (GIS), and Archives. His GIS Team won a Special Achievement in GIS Award from ESRI in 2024 and Grant is the Louisiana IT Symposium 2023 IT Leader of the Year.

Eyal Darmon

Public Service Data, AI, and GenAI Lead, Accenture  

Eyal works with clients across the public sector to help them take advantage of the Generative AI and AI innovations that are transforming the delivery of customer experiences, the organization’s workforce, and the enterprise. He leads teams of dedicated strategy, consulting, technology, and operation professionals to design, implement, and deliver Generative AI solutions that can enable public sector organizations to transform their operations and the customer experiences they offer, simplifying and accelerating how citizens can access government services. Eyal combines passion and pragmatism to shape innovative solutions that positively impact his clients’ customers. 

Heather Doxon

Regional Engagement Manager, MS-ISAC

Heather Doxon is a Regional Engagement Manager (REM) with the Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MS-ISAC®). As part of the MS-ISAC’s Stakeholder Engagement team, she works with our nation’s State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal (SLTT) governments and public education institutions to provide free cybersecurity resources and services through partnerships and collaborations. Heather manages partnerships with the hundreds of MS-ISAC® members throughout CISA Region 5, supporting their overall cybersecurity posture. She also holds a GISF certification.
Heather joined the Center for Internet Security (CIS) as an Account Manager with the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing & Analysis Center (EI-ISAC®). Prior to that, Ms. Doxon worked in the Elections field for almost 15 years, most recently as a Training & Implementation Specialist for the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Elections Division and worked closely with the counties of the state on Elections security and best practices.
Heather holds a Certified Elections Registration Vendor (CERV) from The Election Center and is a graduate of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She also is part of Women in Cybersecurity and volunteers in her community with various civic and animal welfare organizations.

Christine Evans

GIS Manager, St. Tammany Parish Government

Christine Evans brings over two decades of experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to her role as GIS Manager at St. Tammany Parish Government, where she has served for nearly four years. With a robust background in the government sector, Christine has been instrumental in modernizing GIS operations, notably guiding St. Tammany Parish through a significant upgrade from an outdated system to the latest ESRI Enterprise solutions. Her expertise in integrating cutting-edge ESRI products has been crucial in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Parish’s GIS capabilities.
A proud graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, Christine holds a Bachelor of Science degree that has aided her extensive career in GIS. At St. Tammany Parish, she not only led the transition to advanced GIS technology but also took a proactive role in organizing and facilitating training sessions for Parish Government employees, ensuring a smooth adaptation to the new platforms.
Christine’s dedication to advancing GIS practices has been recognized with the prestigious Special Achievement in GIS Award from ESRI, awarded to the St. Tammany Parish GIS Department at the 2024 User Conference. Her innovative approach and commitment to excellence continue to drive the success of GIS initiatives in her community.

Elliot Flautt

Director, State Data Solutions, Tyler Technologies 

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.

Shermaine Haymer

Project Services Manager, Access Sciences

With over 20 years of experience in Technical Delivery Management roles, Shermaine Haymer is no newcomer to the world of Enterprise Content Management. She has extensive expertise in ECM, software development and systems implementations. As a Technical Project Manager with Access Sciences, her goal is to drive efficient delivery of right outcomes for the customer and organization using proven methodologies.
Shermaine has delivered solutions for State Farm, Lockheed Martin at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office and LASERS. Most recently, Shermaine’s Access Sciences team worked with Louisiana OTS & DOTD to replace Content Manager with the FileNet Enterprise Architecture platform. She enjoys the challenge of solving complex, recurring problems that are rooted in organizational culture and ways of working. 

Delicia Justice

Highway Data & GPS Collection Supervisor – Engineer Tech 7, Dept of Transportation & Development, State of Louisiana

Delicia Justice has served the State of Louisiana’s Transportation Department as an Engineering Technician for 23 years She has 14 years of experience in collecting GPS and Highway Inventory Data, 6½ years assessing QA/QC for data within Pavement Management and 2½ years in Construction Inspection for Louisiana’s Highways. She graduated from the International School of Brussels Belgium (1981) and has two Trades Degrees in CADD (Computer Aided Drawing & Drafting) and Commercial Art with Certification as a CADD Operator from Louisiana Technical College. She continues to participate in continuing education courses the Department offers in both ArcGIS and CADD. She values how data, collection methods, digital mapping and data integration endure and evolve.

James O. Murray, Jr.

DJA Director of IT Services, Information Technology, Louisiana Supreme Court

James O. Murray, Jr. is a dynamic and accomplished information technology professional with over two decades of experience in the field. Currently serving as the Deputy Judicial Administrator Director of Information Technology Services at the Louisiana Judiciary Branch of Government (Louisiana Supreme Court), where he has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in managing and executing numerous infrastructure advancements for the Louisiana Judiciary.
Under his direction, the Louisiana Supreme Court has seen the successful implementation of the E-Box System, a cutting-edge solution that has revolutionized the way the court operates. Mr. Murray's expertise and vision have played a critical role in bringing this project to life, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the court system as a whole.
In addition to his work at the Supreme Court, Mr. Murray has also played a key role in directing a broad range of court Information Technology initiatives and Cyber Security, providing invaluable support to the Judicial Administrator's Office and Case Management Information Systems (CMIS) objectives. His ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams has been a driving force behind his success, allowing him to bring new and innovative solutions to the table.
Mr. Murray's education is a testament to his commitment to excellence in the field of information technology. He holds a Master's Degree in Developmental Education from Grambling State University, as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from the same institution. These achievements, along with his extensive experience, have made him a valuable asset to the Louisiana Judiciary Branch of Government and the wider community.

Brandon O’Deay

IT Director, Ascension Parish Government

Brandon is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in Business and a concentration in Computer Information Systems. He began his IT career in 1998 as a helpdesk technician for the LA Department of Education.   He finished his time at DOE in 2007 as a IT Tech Support Supervisor where he lead an IT starup team for the New Orleans Recovery School District.
Today Brandon is the IT Director for Ascension Parish Government where he has served for 16 years.  His accomplishments in Ascension include the implementation of a modern ERP system, the launch of the official Ascension Parish mobile app, an award-winning GIS mapping portal, and the creation of the Ascension Parish Citizen Services Center.
Brandon has an ITIL 4 Foundation Certification, is a graduate of the Leadership Ascension class of 2010,  is currently serving as the assistant regional executive for the local Delta Region Sports Car Club of America, and is the region 2 team lead for the Louisiana State Guard Cyber Reserve.

Team Lead, Solution Engineer, ESRI

Zena Pelletier is a Team Lead Solution Engineer for the State & Local Government team at Esri's San Antonio Regional Office. With over 8 years at Esri, she collaborates with customers to maximize their use of Esri’s software and technology, helping them deploy solutions that achieve their business objectives. Zena brings over 20 years of experience from her tenure at the Department of Defense, where she worked on various geospatial data analysis projects for infrastructures worldwide. Her diverse background also includes expertise in surveying and drafting, construction and design management, computer programming, software development for network and system improvement, and process automation to enhance productivity.

Bill Rials

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government/Center for Public Sector AI

William (Bill) Rials, Ph.D., is a professor and associate director (department chair) of the Tulane University School of Professional Advancement IT and Cybersecurity Program, where he focuses on continually delivering and updating the program curriculum based on innovative and emerging technologies. Before transitioning to academia and higher education, he had a diverse gov tech career delivering value to state agencies, local governments, and law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Mississippi. He has served in CIO, CTO, and CISO roles for local governments and also in various leadership positions within the state of Mississippi’s IT organization as a deputy to the state CIO. Dr. Rials holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Belhaven University, a master’s degree in computer information systems and cybersecurity from Missouri State University, as well as a Ph.D. in higher education administration and public administration from Jackson State University. His dissertation research involved the critical factors that affect the adoption of cloud services within the public sector. He is a noted expert in the IT and cybersecurity space and is frequently quoted by national media outlets. He is also a frequent contributor to national IT government organizations such as NASTD and NASCIO.

Ethan Roberts

Senior Manager, Deloitte

View Speakers

Agenda

Tuesday, October 15
8:00 am Central	Registration and Morning Refreshments Bourbeau Grand Ballroom Foyer
9:00 am Central	Opening Remarks Salons I/II Derek Williams, Chief Information Officer, State of Louisiana
9:15 am Central	Keynote - Have You Ever Jumped from an Airplane? (The Journey of Delivering a Complex Project in the Public Sector) Salons I/II Large-scale public-sector technology projects are complex, often requiring IT leaders to address technical debt and legacy issues before envisioning future advancements. Launching new projects involves evaluating everything from the RFP process to relationship management, and regulatory compliance. Join Saby Waraich as he shares actionable insights from his journey of transforming a struggling digital transformation project into a success. Discover the strategies he employed to overcome these challenges and understand the true essence of 'jumping out of an airplane' in the context of leading successful digital transformations. Saby Waraich, Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas Community College
10:15 am Central	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Bourbeau Grand Ballroom Foyer
10:45 am Central	Concurrent Sessions Cybersecurity Strategies: Building a Statewide Defense Network Salon III Do you have a neighborhood watch for your IT infrastructure? Discover how to implement robust threat protection systems, establish a multi-agency approach, and collaborate with LSU and state authorities to create a comprehensive security plan. This session discusses practical insights and actionable steps that are easy to implement, empowering you to quickly protect your organization from cyber threats and foster a safer digital environment. Moderator: James O. Murray, Jr., DJA Director of IT Services, Information Technology, Louisiana Supreme Court Anthony Ayo, Chief Information Offices, St. Charles Parish Government Charles Burton, Technology Director, Calcasieu Parish Heather Doxon, Regional Engagement Manager, Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center Craig Woolley, Chief Information Officer, Louisiana State University Data Evolution and Integration: Ensuring a Resilient Digital Future Salon IV Explore the critical role data is taking in shaping Louisiana's digital landscape. This session looks at best practices for cross-functional collaboration while focusing on crisis management. Discover strategies and best practices to harness the power of data for enhanced decision-making and operational resilience across state and local entities. Moderator: Kimberly W. LaGrue, Chief Information Officer, City of New Orleans Delicia Justice, Highway Data & GPS Collection Supervisor – Engineer Tech 7, Dept of Transportation & Development, State of Louisiana Joseph Lee, IT Statewide Administrator, Data Center Operations, Office of Technology Services, State of Louisiana Ethan Roberts, Senior Manager, Deloitte Modernizing for a New Era: Louisiana's Path to Technological Advancement Bienvenue In an era of rapid technological advancements, adapting Louisiana's infrastructure to embrace technologies like Artificial Intelligence, IoT, and quantum computing has become imperative. To harness the opportunities, we must think ahead and prepare our systems for the future. This panel session navigates the complexities and challenges of modernizing our infrastructure to meet the transformative impact of these cutting-edge technologies. Moderator: Jessica Byerly, National Conference Director, Government Technology W. Grant Black III, Director, Department of Technology, St. Tammany Parish Government Chuck Grinnell, Director, Solution Consulting, Infor Shermaine Haymer, Project Services Manager, Access Sciences
11:45 am Central	Lunch Salons I/II
12:40 pm Central	Bits and Bytes – Enhancing Communication and Response: The St. Tammany Parish Mapping Collaboration Salons I/II Join us for a session exploring how shared data can enhance community services and response quality, featuring a real-world example from St. Tammany Parish. Learn about their collaborative mapping initiative with local utility companies and discover practical, easy-to-adopt data-sharing techniques to boost your community's emergency response capabilities. W. Grant Black III, Director, Department of Technology, St. Tammany Parish Government Christine Evans, GIS Manager, St. Tammany Parish Government Zena Pelletier, Team Lead, Solution Engineer, ESRI
12:55 pm Central	Short Break Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
1:00 pm Central	Concurrent Sessions AI: The Art of Possible in Louisiana Government Salon III AI is advancing into the public sector, offering the potential to improve constituent services, enhance efficiency, and drive innovation. This session will delve into how AI can transform Louisiana's government for the better. It will explore practical applications, success stories, and strategic considerations for integrating AI tools to deliver superior services for the people. Attendees will learn how AI can shape a more efficient and innovative future for state and local governments. Moderator: John W. Burris, Ph.D., Chief Information Officer, Southeastern Louisiana University Eric Romero, Chief Information Officer, City of Baton Rouge & Parish of East Baton Rouge Eyal Darmon, Public Service Data, AI, and GenAI Lead, Accenture Elliot Flautt, Director, State Data Solutions, Tyler Technologies Closing the Skills Gap: Finding, Keeping, and Growing the Best Salon IV As technology evolves, so does the workforce needed to support emerging technologies. Is your organization struggling to attract and retain top talent in the public sector? This session examines where to find new talent for critical roles, how to train and upskill existing teams, and how to assess and address skill gaps. Learn creative tactics and strategies to establish, retain, and foster a future-ready workforce, ensuring your team is equipped to meet the demands of an ever-changing tech environment. Moderator: Bill Rials, Senior Fellow, Government Technology Tom Allsup, Director-Agency Relationship Management, Office of Technology Services Jonathan London, Chief Technology Officer, Director, Technology Management Division, LA DPS&C Brandon O’Deay, IT Director, Ascension Parish Government Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners Bienvenue
2:00 pm Central	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area
2:20 pm Central	Bits and Bytes - Cybersecurity in Action: Real-Time Threats to Louisiana's IT Infrastructure Salons I/II Join us for an eye-opening session that reveals the sheer volume of cyber-attacks targeting Louisiana's state IT platforms in real time. We will showcase live data to highlight the vulnerability of state and parish systems, emphasizing the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures. Discover the potential impact of these threats and learn proactive steps to protect your IT infrastructure effectively. Chase Hymel, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Technology Services, Division of Administration, State of Louisiana
2:50 pm Central	Featured Speaker - The Constituent Digital Experience of the Future Salons I/II Constituents are accustomed to a certain level of ease and convenience when buying and receiving goods and services – typically through a smartphone button. Ensuring this digital experience is at the top of the NASCIO priorities for 2024. How can the government keep up in this fast-changing world with soaring pressures to be constituent-centric? How can the government ensure digital equity and accessibility are embedded in their solutions? How will AI and new technologies enhance the digital experience while ensuring constituent privacy? This session will look to answer those questions and discuss what it takes to deliver government services safely, equitably, and securely. Bill Rials, Senior Fellow, Government Technology
3:50 pm Central	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area Bourbeau Grand Ballroom Foyer Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
4:30 pm Central	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

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7000 Bluebonnet Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
(225) 215-7000

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Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Tom Allsup
Agency Relationship Management Director
Office of Technology Services
State of Louisiana

Anthony Ayo
Executive Director of Information Technology
St. Charles Parish

Grant Black III
Director
Information Technology
St. Tammany Parish

John Burris
Chief Information Officer
Office of Technology
Southeastern Louisiana University

Charles Burton
Technology Director
Calcasieu Parish

Arielle Collins
Program Manager
Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity, Department of Administration
State of Louisiana

Jeremy Deal
Chief Technology Officer
Office of Technology Services
State of Louisiana

David Dousay
Information Technology Director, Strategy Planning and Administration
Office of Technology Services
State of Louisiana

Susan Eversull
Business Analyst
Office of Technology Services
State of Louisiana

Tai Istre
Information Technology Statewide Project Officer
Office of Technology Services
State of Louisiana

Kevin Jackson
IT Director
Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control
State of Louisiana

Amy Jones
Chief Technology Officer
Division Of Technology
East Batton Rouge School District

Kimberly W. LaGrue
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology & Innovation
City of New Orleans

Joe Lee
Data Center Operations Director
Office of Technology Services
State of Louisiana

Jonathan London
Technology Director
Department of Public Safety and Corrections
State of Louisiana

James Murray Jr.
IT Director
Louisiana Supreme Court

Brandon Odeay
IT Director
Ascension Parish

Amanda Osborn-Kurall
Department Administrator
Information Technology
St. Tammany Parish Government

Mike Riley
Production Support Services Director
Office of Technology Services
State of Louisiana

Eric Romero
Chief Information Officer
Information Services
City of Baton Rouge & Parish of East Baton Rouge

Matthew Vince
Chief Product Officer
Office of Technology Services
State of Louisiana

James Zeller
Cybersecurity Analyst
Information Technology
St. Tammany Parish Government

Industry Representatives

Glenn Frederickson
Director of Records Management Operations, Business Process Outsourcing
Access Sciences Corporation

Scott Huntsman
Managing Director
Deloitte

Brendan Ori
Senior Account Executive
Infor

Jason Stelzer
General Manager
Tyler Technologies

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: October 15, 2024

Open to Public Sector only.

Registration - Free

If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.

Contact Information

For registration and general assistance contact:

Audrey Houser
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1420
E-mail: ahouser@erepublic.com

For assistance or questions concerning Sponsor Logos or Logistics please contact:

Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@govtech.com

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

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

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Louisiana Digital Government Summit 2024

Overview

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Saby Waraich

Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas County Community College

Grant Black

Eyal Darmon

Public Service Data, AI, and GenAI Lead, Accenture

Heather Doxon

Regional Engagement Manager, MS-ISAC

Christine Evans

GIS Manager, St. Tammany Parish Government

Elliot Flautt

Director, State Data Solutions, Tyler Technologies

Shermaine Haymer

Project Services Manager, Access Sciences

Delicia Justice

Highway Data & GPS Collection Supervisor – Engineer Tech 7, Dept of Transportation & Development, State of Louisiana

James O. Murray, Jr.

DJA Director of IT Services, Information Technology, Louisiana Supreme Court

Brandon O’Deay

IT Director, Ascension Parish Government

Zena Pelletier

Team Lead, Solution Engineer, ESRI

Bill Rials

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government/Center for Public Sector AI

Ethan Roberts

Senior Manager, Deloitte

Agenda

Tuesday, October 15

8:00 am Central

Registration and Morning Refreshments

Bourbeau Grand Ballroom Foyer

9:00 am Central

Opening Remarks

Salons I/II

9:15 am Central

Keynote - Have You Ever Jumped from an Airplane? (The Journey of Delivering a Complex Project in the Public Sector)

Salons I/II

10:15 am Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Bourbeau Grand Ballroom Foyer

10:45 am Central

Concurrent Sessions

Cybersecurity Strategies: Building a Statewide Defense Network

Salon III

Data Evolution and Integration: Ensuring a Resilient Digital Future

Salon IV

Modernizing for a New Era: Louisiana's Path to Technological Advancement

Bienvenue

11:45 am Central

Lunch

Salons I/II

12:40 pm Central

Bits and Bytes – Enhancing Communication and Response: The St. Tammany Parish Mapping Collaboration

Salons I/II

12:55 pm Central

Short Break

1:00 pm Central

Concurrent Sessions

AI: The Art of Possible in Louisiana Government

Salon III

Closing the Skills Gap: Finding, Keeping, and Growing the Best

Salon IV

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Bienvenue

2:00 pm Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

2:20 pm Central

Bits and Bytes - Cybersecurity in Action: Real-Time Threats to Louisiana's IT Infrastructure

Salons I/II

2:50 pm Central

Featured Speaker - The Constituent Digital Experience of the Future

Salons I/II

3:50 pm Central

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Bourbeau Grand Ballroom Foyer

4:30 pm Central

End of Conference

Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas County Community College  

Public Service Data, AI, and GenAI Lead, Accenture  

Director, State Data Solutions, Tyler Technologies 