Name: Nevada Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2025
Start: 2025-04-15T08:00
Location: Grand Sierra Resort

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Overview

The Summit focuses on addressing the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by the public sector. The event brings together government leaders and IT security professionals to discuss strategies for safeguarding sensitive information, enhancing cybersecurity infrastructure, and staying ahead of evolving threats. Attendees can expect expert insights, collaborative discussions, and practical solutions tailored to the needs of public sector organizations.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Cybersecurity is mission-critical to every community we serve and requires collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats. The 2nd Annual Nevada Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit in Reno is a key opportunity to learn, connect, and build a more resilient future for all Nevadans. I encourage you to attend and be part of this important event!

- Bob Leek, Chief Information Officer, Clark County, Nevada

Speakers

Bob Leek

Chief Information Officer, Clark County, NV

Bob Leek is CIO for Clark County, Nevada. He has over 25 years of leadership experience, including almost 20 years in information technology disciplines. His servant leadership at Clark County supports public services including health, human services, justice systems, administrative and public safety programs achieving positive outcomes in diverse communities. He is accountable for internal service teams providing application technology solutions at the county. 
Before joining Clark County, Bob worked in county government for seven years and human and pet health care for the previous thirteen years. His experience includes leadership roles in retail operations, corporate financial reporting and decision support system development, sales, international operations, logistics management and bringing inclusion and equity to nurture the individual growth of his diverse staff in recruiting, supervision and retention activities. His previous teams include Multnomah County (Oregon), Kaiser Permanente, Banfield Pet Hospital and Egghead.com. 
Bob is proudest of his work planning and executing large-scale, transformational change in complex organizations. His personal tag line is: Leveraging technology and change management to improve outcomes in the communities we serve. Bob is a native of the Netherlands and received his BA degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Berry College in Rome, Georgia.

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Rachel Wilson

Managing Director and Chief Data Officer, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and Former NSA Senior Executive

Rachel Wilson is a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and Chief Data Officer. Her team of security professionals is responsible for protecting all sensitive client data from any type of theft, loss or compromise. She also oversees the resilience of Wealth Management’s critical infrastructure and the continuity of core business processes at times of turbulence. Additionally, Rachel supervises the client fraud risk program, which institutes technical and business controls to help prevent unauthorized access to or misuse of client funds. As a senior subject matter expert, Rachel regularly advises Wealth Management leadership and clients on the cyber threat landscape and mitigation strategies.
From 2017-2020, Rachel served as the first-ever Head of Wealth Management Cybersecurity. In this role, Rachel advised senior business and technology leaders on a range of cybersecurity issues, including secure code development standards, secure network architecture, vendor relationships, advanced persistent threat (APT) detection and mobile security. Her team drove innovation for new cybersecurity and authentication technology in the pursuit of protecting the integrity and confidentiality of firm and client data. In 2019, Rachel was recognized by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management as part of the MAKERS Class, a program that honors women who serve as groundbreakers, innovators and advocates. She was also named one of the Top Women in WealthTech 2020 by ThinkAdvisor.
Prior to joining the firm in 2017, Rachel spent 15 years at the National Security Agency (NSA), where she held several key senior executive-level leadership positions. Between 2008 and 2010, she ran NSA’s counterterrorism operations and led a global enterprise in detecting and disrupting terrorist plotting against the U.S. and its allies. Between 2010 and 2012, Rachel served as NSA’s Chief of Operations in the U.K., working out of the U.S. Embassy in London. In this role, she worked with U.K. intelligence services to counter terrorist and cyber threats to the 2012 Olympics. Returning to the U.S. in 2012, Rachel spent nearly five years leading NSA’s cyber exploitation operations as the Deputy and then Chief of the Remote Operations Center within NSA’s Tailored Access Operations. In this capacity, she led the planning and execution of thousands of cyber exploitation operations against a wide array of foreign intelligence, military and cyber targets, and served as the committing official for many of NSA’s highest risk and most important intelligence gathering activities.

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Jeramie Brown

Information Technology Chief, Department of Transportation, State of Nevada

Jeramie Brown is the CIO at Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) with more than ten years of experience as an Information Technology (IT) leader. He excels at working with cross-functional teams to achieve organizational objectives and is an ardent supporter of IT modernization efforts at all levels. Jeramie holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science and a Master of Science in Information Technology with a specialization in Information Assurance from the University of Maryland University College and is a lifetime member of the Phi Kappa Phi, Upsilon Pi Epsilon, and Alpha Sigma Lambda honor societies. Jeramie previously served as the Deputy CIO, IT Operations Manager, and Information Security Officer for NDOT, held a voting position on the State Information Security Committee, which sets Information Security Policy for the State of Nevada, serves as the Chair of the State Information Technology Advisory Board, and helped lead the charge to improve the State of Nevada’s IT Security future. Jeramie has 24 years of Air Force Public Affairs experience and 15 years of experience in various IT roles, including desktop support, network administration, system administration, and information assurance/security. He is also on the Board of Directors for the CyberSafeNV non-profit, which avidly supports ongoing information security awareness education for people of all ages and experience levels.

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Kathy Cruz

Regional Leader - West, State Local and Education GPS Services, Google

With more than 30 years of experience in information technology (IT) and cybersecurity, Kathy is a five-time Chief Information Officer (CIO) with a background across all IT and business domains. As a Mandiant Consulting Practice Leader Ms. Cruz helps clients assess, design and build effective security programs focusing on threat intelligence, defensive posture, proactive cyber management, security validation, incident response and incident preparedness.
Ms. Cruz is the recipient of the Silicon Valley YWCA Tribute to Women in Industry (TWIN) Award, is a past Board member of the Gentle Barn Foundation headquartered in Santa Clarita, CA, a past Board Member of the Career Action Center in San Jose, CA, and a former member of Golden Gate University School of Technology and Industry Executive Advisory Board. She previously served as an Ensign in the California State Guard, Cyber Operations Detachment.

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Darla Dodge

Senior Deputy Chief Information Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Governor, State of Nevada

Darla Dodge has dedicated nearly 27 years to public service in the State of Nevada, consistently excelling in various managerial and leadership roles across business operations, finance, and strategic planning. In February 2022, she assumed a pivotal position within the State of Nevada’s Enterprise Information Technology Services Division. Her leadership proved instrumental in guiding the agency through its 2023 transition to the Governor's Office of the CIO, where she now serves as Senior Deputy CIO/COO. In this role, Darla provides comprehensive oversight and exceptional leadership, managing the agency’s daily operations, financial activities, and strategic initiatives. Her extensive experience and strong business acumen make her a critical asset in aligning the agency with its broader objectives, while also fostering the development of emerging leaders to advance the agency’s mission and success.
A distinguished alumna of Western Governors University, Darla holds a Master of Business Administration. Her educational achievements, coupled with her substantial professional experience, underscore her commitment to continuous growth and her expertise in managing the complexities of technology, operations, and strategic governance.

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Dr. Anne Milkovich

Chief Information Officer, Nevada System of Higher Education

Dr. Anne Milkovich is the Chief Information Officer for the Nevada System of Higher Education. Anne has over 15 years of experience in higher education including CIO and related roles at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and Montana State University. Prior to that, Anne spent 20 years in private sector IT fields and business consulting.
Her education includes an MBA and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration, with research in the practice of academic program prioritization. Her IT experience is primarily in the business management aspects of IT: leadership and management; financial planning and investment management; contracts and acquisitions; portfolio, program, and project management.

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Liese Miller

Senior National Conference Director, Government Technology

Jeremy Nelson

CISO, North America, Insight Public Sector, Inc.

Vito Rocco

Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology, University of Nevada Las Vegas

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Agenda

Tuesday, April 15
8:00 am Pacific	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area
9:00 am Pacific	Welcome
9:05 am Pacific	Opening Remarks Timothy Galluzi, State Chief Information Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Governor, State of Nevada
9:15 am Pacific	Keynote – Strengthening the Shield: Insights from the Trenches of National Security There’s no question - public-sector leaders must continue to strengthen their cyber hygiene, foster cross-sector partnerships, and adapt to the evolving threat landscape. Join Rachel Wilson, former NSA cyber operations leader, for an engaging and action-driven keynote that bridges real-world cybersecurity expertise with the challenges of emerging technologies. Drawing on her experience safeguarding critical systems, Rachel explores the heightened risks posed by AI-enabled threats like ransomware, insider attacks, and credential exploitation. This session is a call to action for everyone, from CIOs to frontline technologists, to embrace a proactive and resilient approach to protecting critical assets in the age of AI. Rachel Wilson, Managing Director and Chief Data Officer, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and Former NSA Senior Executive
10:15 am Pacific	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area
10:45 am Pacific	Concurrent Sessions Crisis Management: Stories From the Field When a crisis hits, communication becomes your most powerful tool – and your greatest challenge. Balancing transparency with discretion, keeping stakeholders informed, and preserving trust under intense pressure requires skill and strategy. Join us for this session and hear compelling real-world stories and actionable insights to help you master the art of crisis communication. Securing Public Safety Technologies: Tools and Strategies From wildfire alerts and crowdsourced data, to fusion centers and CJIS systems, public safety technologies are transforming crisis response and law enforcement. Learn how to securely leverage these tools, enhance investigations, and optimize collaboration across agencies. In this session you will gain insights into protecting critical systems while maximizing their impact for state and local governments. Building the Cyber Workforce: Let's Get Creative! Addressing the cybersecurity workforce gap requires innovative thinking, resourcefulness, and collaboration. Balancing the need for experienced professionals with the importance of cultivating new talent is no easy feat. How are programs like SkillBridge making a difference? Can internships, certificate programs and public/private partnerships help narrow the gap? In this session we'll explore programs and initiatives to help equip you with practical tools to strengthen your cyber workforce. Moderator: Darla Dodge, Senior Deputy Chief Information Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Governor, State of Nevada Jeramie Brown, Information Technology Chief, Department of Transportation, State of Nevada Vito Rocco, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology, University of Nevada Las Vegas
11:45 am Pacific	Lunch
12:45 pm Pacific	Short Break Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
1:05 pm Pacific	Concurrent Sessions Election Security: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward Elections are high-stakes events under intense public scrutiny, making security and accuracy non-negotiable. This session examines the strategies and technologies that upheld integrity, explores lessons learned and highlights how to address future challenges. Join us to discuss maintaining trust and advancing election security in a world where visibility and stakes are higher than ever. Kathy Cruz, Regional Leader - West, State Local and Education GPS Services, Google Protecting Critical Infrastructure in the Age of IoT As IoT transforms critical infrastructure – including water systems, airports, power grids and more – the convergence of IT and OT introduces new cybersecurity challenges. This panel will explore the journey of integrating these technologies, the environmental and operational impacts, and the strategies needed to safeguard vital services. Join us and learn how to navigate the evolving threat landscape and strengthen your infrastructure's resilience. Advancing Cyber Readiness: Education, Workforce, and Innovation Preparing for the future of cybersecurity requires a collaborative approach to education, workforce development, and research. This session explores how partnerships between higher education, state agencies, and multi-state collaboratives are driving workforce skill development and advancing research infrastructure for critical data collection. Learn how these efforts are building a cyber-ready workforce equipped to address today’s evolving challenges. Dr. Anne Milkovich, Chief Information Officer, Nevada System of Higher Education
2:05 pm Pacific	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area
2:25 pm Pacific	General Session
3:25 pm Pacific	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
4:00 pm Pacific	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

Grand Sierra Resort

2500 East 2nd Street
Reno, NV 89595
(775) 789-2000

Get Directions To
Grand Sierra Resort

Planning Committee

Representatives

David Axtell
Deputy Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer
Enterprise Architecture Group, Office of the CIO, Office of the Governor
State of Nevada

Matthew Beatty
Information Security & Compliance Manager
Las Vegas Valley Water District

Jeramie Brown
Information Technology Chief
Department of Transportation
State of Nevada

Chris Craig
Acting Director
Department of Innovation and Technology
City of Las Vegas

Bob Dehnhardt
Deputy Chief Information Officer, State Chief Information Security Officer
Office of Information Security, Office of the CIO, Office of the Governor
State of Nevada

Darla Dodge
Senior Deputy Chief Information Officer, Chief Operations Officer
Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Governor
State of Nevada

Jason Frame
Chief Information Officer
Southern Nevada Health District

Tim Galluzi
State Chief Information Officer
Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Governor
State of Nevada

Rishma Khimji
Chief Information Technology Officer
Harry Reid Airport
Clark County

Bob Leek
Chief Information Officer
Clark County

Scott Mazick
Director of Technical Services
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC)

Dr. Anne Milkovich
Chief Information Officer
Nevada System of Higher Education

Dennis Moriarity
Director
Information Technology
City of North Las Vegas

Kivanc Oner
Vice President, Digital Transformation and Chief Information Officer
Information Technology
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Justin Robinson
Chief Technology Officer
Department of Health & Human Services, Aging and Disability Services
State of Nevada

Vito Rocco
Chief Information Security Officer
Office of Information Technology
University of Nevada Las Vegas

Ronald Williams
Security Manager
City of North Las Vegas

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: April 15, 2025

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:

Timiko Watkins
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1314
E-mail: twatkins@erepublic.com

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

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

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

Nevada Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2025

Overview

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Bob Leek

Chief Information Officer, Clark County, NV

Rachel Wilson

Managing Director and Chief Data Officer, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and Former NSA Senior Executive

Jeramie Brown

Information Technology Chief, Department of Transportation, State of Nevada

Kathy Cruz

Regional Leader - West, State Local and Education GPS Services, Google

Darla Dodge

Senior Deputy Chief Information Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Governor, State of Nevada

Dr. Anne Milkovich

Chief Information Officer, Nevada System of Higher Education

Liese Miller

Senior National Conference Director, Government Technology

Jeremy Nelson

CISO, North America, Insight Public Sector, Inc.

Vito Rocco

Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology, University of Nevada Las Vegas

Agenda

Tuesday, April 15

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

9:00 am Pacific

Welcome

9:05 am Pacific

Opening Remarks

9:15 am Pacific

Keynote – Strengthening the Shield: Insights from the Trenches of National Security

10:15 am Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

10:45 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Crisis Management: Stories From the Field

Securing Public Safety Technologies: Tools and Strategies

Building the Cyber Workforce: Let's Get Creative!

11:45 am Pacific

Lunch

12:45 pm Pacific

Short Break

1:05 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Election Security: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward

Protecting Critical Infrastructure in the Age of IoT

Advancing Cyber Readiness: Education, Workforce, and Innovation

2:05 pm Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

2:25 pm Pacific

General Session

3:25 pm Pacific

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

4:00 pm Pacific

End of Conference

Grand Sierra Resort

Planning Committee

Representatives

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: April 15, 2025

Contact Information

Venue

Grand Sierra Resort

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Map and Directions

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