I worked in the private sector before beginning my public service career in 1999 with the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Served as the Mississippi Emergency Medical Services Information Systems Manager
Member of the Emergency Response Team
I began working for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety in 2008 as a Senior Business Systems Analyst working with the Driver Services Division of the Highway Patrol.
Served as project manager for the Real ID project
February 2011, promoted to Executive Director of Public Safety Planning
Member of the Executive Board of the Governor’s Highway Safety Association
Served on the Mississippi Rail Safety Task Force
I currently serve as the CIO for the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
Member of the Executive Advisory Council APHSA – IT Solutions Management affiliate

Leah Kathryn Anzenberger is an attorney and serves as the Chief Privacy Officer for the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services. Leah Kathryn is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) with experience in data privacy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence and has a strong interest in emerging technology trends and issues. 

Ben Cohen has served as the Chief Information Officer for the Mississippi Department of Transportation since 2014.  Cohen began his career with MDOT in 2001 as a software developer on the financial system.  Nine years later, he moved into a project manager role overseeing a team that provided software support for the financial and fleet management systems.  Since becoming CIO, the Information Systems Division has focused on mobile app development, field data collection, business intelligence and reporting, as well as workforce development. Under his direction, the MDOT Information Systems Division supports several mission critical applications, a colocation data center environment and a traffic network consisting of over 1000 traffic cameras statewide. Cohen holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Mississippi College (2006) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi (2001).

Dameion Brown has 24 years of experience in the public (military & academic) and private sector as a senior security analyst. In the military, he served two tours of duty with the U.S. Army, one tour in support of Operation Joint Forge, 2001, Bosnia Herzegovina, and the other in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, 2012, Afghanistan. He helped develop, manage, or conduct threat/vulnerability analyses to determine the probable frequency and severity of natural and man-made disasters, criminal activity on organizational profitability, and ability to deliver products/services through the military and private sector oil company. In addition, he helped evaluate methods to improve security and loss prevention systems continuously with auditing, review, and assessment. As a retired Army Officer, he was an Army Basic Instructor Course (ABIC) trained in small group instruction and faculty development. The small group experience provides white teaming opportunities in an Army 1000-man exercise called Cyber Shield, where 24 defensive cybersecurity teams receive mentorship, coaching, and teaching for two weeks in network defense, forensic analysis, reporting, and mitigation. He was also an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Jackson State University’s Army ROTC program from 2020 to 2022 before retiring a s Major later that September.
Dameion is currently the Director of Information Security and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with Jackson State University’s Division of Information Technology. There he develops and enforces cybersecurity policies and procedures, test software systems and mobile applications, and analyzes/obtains knowledge of cybersecurity trends impacting related security procedures, processes, and the current/developing information technology service requirements in a higher educational institution. Lastly, he serves as an adjunct professor at teaching Information Security, Risk Management, and Network Defense in cybersecurity at both Cambridge College – a non-profit university in the Boston, MA area and Jackson State University. He has a Bachelors from Mississippi State University (Political Science and Communications with an Emphasis in Public Relations); he earned a Masters of Military Science from the Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, KA. Laslty, he holds a Masters of Business Administration degree within the University of Texas system at the Soules School of Business in Tyler, TX.

Steven’s career, spanning some twenty-five years, has been supporting National, Federal, State and Local Governments in the Cyber Security Industry. His extensive knowledge and experience have given him insight as organizations adopt a more secure environment in an ever-changing landscape. Prior to joining Fortinet in 2022, he served as Senior Engineering Leader for Cisco Systems Global Security Sales Organization, supporting U.S. Civilian Agencies. Steven is based in Atlanta, GA, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of Tennessee.

Dr. Deborah Dent is the Chief Information Officer at Jackson State University (JSU) where she oversees the management of the university's network and communications infrastructure, academic information technology (IT), the enterprise resource planning system, cybersecurity, and other IT services that support all levels of research, learning, and teaching. She joined JSU in 2012 after a 37-year career with the U. S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). She serves as PI of an ERDC Critical Infrastructure Cyber Protection BAA contract, is a founding member of the Minority Serving Cyberinfrastructure Consortium (MS-CC), and co-PI on two Internet2/MS-CC Cyberinfrastructure NSF grants.  She is a member of the Internet2 Board of Trustees and a member of the NSF Advisory Committee for CI. She holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), an MS in Computer Science from JSU, and a Ph.D. in Scientific Computing from USM.

Sally Burchfield Doty was appointed as the first director of BEAM, the Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi, by Governor Tate Reeves in April of 2022. Sally most recently served as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff.
Previously, she was elected three times to the Mississippi Senate representing Southwest Mississippi. In the Senate, Sally served as Chair of the Energy Committee, Judiciary A Committee, and was Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee. Sally also practiced law in Brookhaven, Mississippi where she defended numerous city and county governments.

Tina Gibeson, PhD, CRM, IGP has worked with state agencies and government records through various roles (from records analyst to project manager) for over 10 years. She has demonstrated expertise in records lifecycle management, data privacy and protection, procedure and retention schedule development, as well as training and change management. She now serves as the Director of Consulting Services at Access Sciences Corporation, working with organizations across a variety of industries to develop sound records and information management programs and implement information governance initiatives. Tina gives back to her local community as a student mentor and adjunct faculty for the LSU School of Information Science, as well as serving on her local ARMA chapter board.

Dr. Harris is the Director of Technology for Rankin County School District, where she has served as a teacher, trainer, and district leader for over 23 years. Dr. Harris is an active member of the Mississippi Educational Technology Leaders Association, serving on the executive board. Dr. Harris holds a B.S. in Business Education from Mississippi College, an M.S. in Technology from Mississippi State University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Mississippi College.

Stephanie Hedgepeth is a change agent with 16 years of experience managing teams and developing strong leadership skills. Her wide range of experience and chronic curiosity has led her to her current role as Chief Administrative Officer at the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services. From strategic planning and developing a performance management program, to identity and access management and leading statewide IT procurement, Stephanie brings a unique mixture of knowledge and experience that has served her responsibilities well.
As a strong Myers-Briggs ENFP, Stephanie enjoys attending and presenting at national conferences allowing her to discuss challenges and share success stories as well as learn how enterprise IT functions in other states. With a strong work ethic and a sturdy foundation in quality improvement, Stephanie is a champion for data-driven decision making and planning for strategic, incremental change to achieve big wins for the citizens of Mississippi.

Daniel Jordan is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Mississippi Secretary of State's office. With over 15 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, including 7 years working with the state of Mississippi, he oversees the agency's technology and security efforts. Daniel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity, which supports his focus on maintaining a reliable and secure IT infrastructure.
Before joining the Secretary of State’s office, Daniel was the Vice President at Seventh Knight, a Mississippi-based cybersecurity company dedicated to protecting organizations from ransomware. Following that, he served as the CIO for the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, where he managed IT operations and security initiatives. Earlier in his career, Daniel worked in healthcare as a Network Administrator at Southeast Mississippi Rural Healthcare, where he maintained and secured the organization’s IT infrastructure.
Daniel’s diverse experience across private cybersecurity, state government, and healthcare IT provides him with a comprehensive perspective and the expertise necessary to safeguard the technology and data assets of the State of Mississippi.

I moved to Mississippi in 2002 with Johnson Controls, Inc. to open the plant that would make the seats for the new Nissan Manufacturing Plant. That plant made history by launching 5 vehicles in 13 months. I was burned out as a result so I sought other employment.  I was selected as the Information Systems Manager at the City of Ridgeland and began on May 1, 2006. I quickly realized the great need to improve and modernize.  We have implemented vast improvements during a period of rapid, sustained growth in Ridgeland that included designing and building a new City Hall then moving over one weekend and remaining fully open for business on Friday at the old location then opening on time Monday at 8:00 AM in the new building.  I was able to be a part of the Design Team then assisted with management of the construction details and put together the team to accomplish the move.

John Kraman is the Chief Information Officer at the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE). He began this senior leadership role in 2018 to align data and data systems with the agency’s strategic policy and reform goals. His responsibilities at MDE have included implementing the $200-plus million Mississippi Connects program – rapidly establishing a statewide digital learning program to support teaching, learning, and innovation – and leading the agency’s Mississippi Student Information System (MSIS) modernization project. From 2011 to 2018, John worked at state education agencies (SEA) in Oklahoma and New Mexico in similar leadership roles.  In the decade prior to his time in SEAs, he served as the research director of multiple national education policy programs.

Dr. Kollin Napier, an employee of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), serves as the Director of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN), the nation's first statewide AI initiative. In this role, Dr. Napier leads MAIN in providing AI leadership to Mississippi by promoting AI awareness through education and training for the state's workforce. MAIN is partnered with all 15 community colleges, several universities, AccelerateMS, Intel, Dell, and other public and private organizations throughout Mississippi. Dr. Napier holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Mississippi State University (MSU), with a focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software engineering. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Additionally, he earned both his Master's and Bachelor's degrees from the same institution and an Associate of Applied Science in Information Systems Technology from Jones College. His professional experience includes several years with the MSU Extension Service, where he advanced from software apps developer to software architect, significantly contributing to technological advancements in Mississippi. Dr. Napier's expertise combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, driving innovation and excellence in the fields of computer science and education.

Michael Pantin serves as Chief Information Officer at the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services. He has over 20 years of experience in state government IT, including service at the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office, and the Mississippi Public Service Commission. In addition to his IT experience, Michael has a background in biology, psychology, business administration, and law. He is a graduate of Millsaps College and Mississippi College School of Law.

Dr. Muriel J. Reid is an accomplished leader and educator with over 20 years of comprehensive experience in information technology, talent acquisition, education, and customer service. Currently serving as the Director of Information Technology at the City of Jackson, Dr. Reid is renowned for her excellent communication, transformational leadership, interpersonal, and administrative skills.
In addition to her role at the City of Jackson, Dr. Reid teaches Computer Science and International Graduate Studies at Belhaven University. Her extensive training and experience in administration are coupled with her skills in observation, coaching, instruction, and supervising staff.
Dr. Reid's dedication to fostering growth and excellence in her colleagues and students has established her as a respected figure.

Betsy Ward is the Security Operations Manager at the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (ITS). She has been serving in this role since March 2021. She oversees the Enterprise Security Operations team that is responsible for the State’s enterprise security protections and is playing a key role in expanding those defenses to the public cloud. She has over twenty-eight years in the industry where she spent eleven years in the private sector as a consultant gaining experience as a technical writer, system tester, and web developer before coming to ITS in 2005. She joined ITS as part of the e-Gov development team before moving to the Cybersecurity team in 2015. Betsy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Business Information Systems from Mississippi State University.

Jimmy has over 38 years of experience in Information Technology, 27 years of that with the State of Mississippi. With the State of Mississippi, managed the team that deployed and managed the State’s first IP network. Created and ran the State’s first Information Security Division as the State’s first Chief Information Security Officer. I served my last couple of years with the State as the Policy and Planning Director for the State CIO. In 2013 I retired and started an IT consulting company that provided consulting services to government and education entities across the country. In 2015 I took a consulting position with C Spire and in 2018 was hired fulltime as the VP of Government Contracts. Most recently my focus with C Spire has been on development of their government and education markets in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.

Jay White has served as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Mississippi state government since 2011 providing oversight and management of the MS Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) Enterprise Cybersecurity Program. In this role, he coordinates the development and implementation of enterprise cybersecurity strategies with key government stakeholders to improve the cybersecurity posture of the State. Jay has worked at ITS for over 26 years delivering enterprise technology solutions and services.