New Hampshire Digital Government Summit 2024 Banner

Overview

To view speaker presentations where available, see Agenda, below.

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

I am really excited the Digital Government Summit will come back to New Hampshire in June! Our first event last year was a big success as we saw a great appetite from the IT community for a platform like this to collaborate. Getting state and local government tech leaders together in one place, alongside our industry partners, gives us a chance to facilitate a timely and relevant exchange of ideas. I hope to see you there on June 4th!

– Denis Goulet, Commissioner/Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology, State of New Hampshire

Speakers

Sharon Gai

Sharon Gai

Keynote Speaker and Author

Sharon Gai is an international female keynote speaker for corporations, associations and the public sector. Using her unique background from the east and west, she works with leaders worldwide to understand how to adopt AI into their workflows to increase productivity and efficiency. In her tenure at Alibaba, she advised brands and heads of state in crafting their digital strategy with programmatic marketing and AI. She has been the keynote speaker at TEDx, Singularity University, UBS, Deloitte, LVMH, Nestle, Ecomworld, and Etail. She is in the AAE list of Top Keynote Speakers in 2023. She is also one of 2024’s RETHINK Retail’s Top Retail Expert and a LinkedIn Top Voice in Public Speaking 2023. She has appeared on Bloomberg, ABC, CBC, CCTV, Techcrunch, Retail Asia, Wired, and The Next Web. She is the author of the book, Ecommerce Reimagined. Sharon has an Honors Bachelor’s degree in International Development from McGill and a Masters in Information and Knowledge Strategy from Columbia University.

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Charles Burns

Charles Burns

Information Technology Lead Business Relationship Management Division State of New Hampshire

Charles Burns has over 40 years of private-sector IT experience in industries such as high technology and manufacturing. Burns has held positions ranging from Software Developer to Sr. Director of Architecture, Development and Operations. Currently serving at IT Lead serving the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

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Margaret Byrnes

Margaret Byrnes

Executive Director New Hampshire, Municipal Association

Margaret has served as Executive Director of the New Hampshire Municipal Association since 2019. She joined NHMA in 2014 as a staff attorney. Previously, she was an associate attorney with the firm Hage Hodes, P.A. in Manchester and an adjunct professor of legal research and writing at Northeastern University School of Law, Suffolk Law School, and The Massachusetts School of Law. Margaret has an M.B.A. from The University of New Hampshire Paul School of Business, a J.D. from the Massachusetts School of Law, and a B.A. in English Language and Literature and Classical Languages from Smith College, and volunteers as a CASA (Guardian ad Litem) for CASA of New Hampshire.

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Joe Conti

Joe Conti

Trustworthy AI Leader, Government and Public Services, Deloitte

Joe is a seasoned leader with over 24 years of experience in Data Analytics, Risk and Audit.  He is a thought leader in the Trustworthy and Ethical use of  Artificial Intelligence and is passionate about empower agencies to utilize AI to solve some of the most complex problems they face, while mitigating and monitoring AI risk and protecting the American public.  Joe has held various global leadership roles in innovation and analytics over the past 14 years.  He is currently Deloitte Trustworthy AI leader for the Government and Public Services practice.  In prior roles he was Head of Innovation and Analytics for Bank of New York Mellon’s Internal Audit department after a track record of success as the Head of Data, Analytics and Automation, beginning 2016. Prior to BNY Mellon, Joe held two global leadership roles at AIG, starting as the Head of Data Analytics within the Internal Audit Department and progressing to the Head of Data Analytics within the Chief Data Office. From 2000 to 2012, Joe held multiple positions in the Risk Information Services group within Deloitte’s Risk Advisory Services.

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Robin Copland

Robin Copland

Managing Director – Advisory Business Group, Avanade

With over 25 years of experience in new business development, customer relationship management, and digital transformation, Robin has dedicated his career to helping organizations navigate the evolving landscape of the future of work. As the Managing Director of the Advisory Business Group, Northeast Region at Avanade, Robin leads a team focused on integrating human-centered strategies with the latest in AI, cloud, and data analytics to drive transformative business outcomes. His passion lies in harnessing these technological advancements to create strategies that resonate with human needs, ensuring meaningful and sustainable change.
His approach to business challenges is rooted in a deep understanding of market dynamics and a keen insight into technological possibilities, enabling him to shape impactful business strategies and navigate through complex situations. Having worked with diverse teams across multiple industries, he has developed a nuanced perspective that aids in foreseeing industry trends and preparing businesses for future challenges. He is continually inspired by the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals and organizations eager to transform and excel in a digitally-driven world.

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Timothy DePal

Timothy DePal

Director of Infrastructure and Operations, Department of Information Technology, State of New Hampshire

A U.S. Air Force veteran and seasoned IT professional, Timothy has been shaping the technological landscape for 25+ years. With an MBA in IT Operations Management, his expertise was pivotal in his role at a major insurance company for more than 17 years, and now as Director for the State of NH.
Timothy's leadership extends beyond his professional duties; he is involved in his community as the committee chair of the local Boy Scout Troop. His dedication to service is matched by his commitment to family. A lover of the outdoors, Timothy finds joy, in the tradition of sugaring-making maple syrup-on family land in VT.
Working in Concord, NH, Timothy drives progress within the Department of Information Technology, ensuring that the state's infrastructure meets the needs of today and those of tomorrow.

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Denis Goulet

Denis Goulet

Chief Information Officer, State of New Hampshire 

Denis Goulet was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Information Technology for the state of New Hampshire in February 2015 by Governor Hassan. He was the re-appointed in 2019 for another four year term by Governor Sununu. Goulet has also served as A Director, Vice President, and President of the National Association of State CIO’s (NASCIO). Goulet currently serves as Past President of NASCIO.
Most recently the Director of Development for the software development firm Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Goulet has nearly 30 years of private-sector IT experience in industries such as healthcare, high technology and manufacturing. Goulet was previously the Vice President of Information Technology from 2004 to 2010 at Progress Software Corporation, were he also previously worked as the Director of Information Systems, The Director of E-Business and the Director of IT Operations. Goulet was also previously the Manager of IT Operations from 1993-1994 at Freudenberg-NOK in Bristol, New Hampshire, and he graduated from the Garner CIO Academy in 2005. Goulet received a B.A. in business and economics from St. Anselm College.

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Colonel Woody Groton

Colonel Woody Groton

Cyberspace Operations Officer, New Hampshire National Guard

Colonel Woody Groton has served in the US Army for 27 years on active duty and in the Guard and Reserves. He has commanded at every level from platoon through brigade. He served as the CIO of the New Hampshire Army National Guard from 2014 until 2021.  Woody is one of the founding officers of the Cyber Yankee exercise and is considered a cyber security subject matter expert for the National Guard. Woody chaired the New Hampshire Information Technology Council for two terms. He currently serves as the senior cyberspace operations officer for the New Hampshire Army National Guard.
In his civilian capacity Woody is a business development executive for Red River. Prior to joining Red River Woody was the Chief Information Officer for Draper in Cambridge, MA. Woody has 25 years’ experience as an IT and cybersecurity professional.
COL Groton has a Master of Science in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity from Regis University and a master’s in strategic studies from the US Army War College. He holds the (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional and ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor certifications.

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Kristin Hempstead

Kristin Hempstead

Public Sector Vertical Lead, Advanced Compute Solutions , HP Inc

 During her 14 year tenure at HP, Kristin has been in several customer-focused roles including Workstation Solution Specialist, Account Manager, and BDM for Data Science & AI Solutions.  Currently, she is the Segment Lead for Public Sector in HP’s R&D division, Advanced Compute Solutions.  Passionate about public sector and helping customers solve real world problems through technology, she actively works with NASA, DOD, Marine Biological Laboratory, SCAD, and Georgia Tech.  Kristin has her MBA in Finance and Management Information Systems from University of South Florida and a Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture from the University of Georgia. 
Outside of work, Kristin is based in Exeter, NH.  She is an avid equestrian and owns two horses riding in the disciplines of western/trail, English, and carriage driving.  When she isn’t at the barn, she is hiking around the woods of New Hampshire with her two dogs. 

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Heather A. Kelley

Heather A. Kelley

Director of Operations, State of New Hampshire, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification

Heather Kelley brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role of Director of Operations for the OPLC, with two decades of service in local, state, and federal capacities. She has overseen all operational aspects encompassing organizational development and design, risk and security management, compliance monitoring, and implementing strategic operational and financial planning. Prior to OPLC, she oversaw all PCI compliance for the State of New Hampshire. She recently received the Commissioner’s Award for her project, Pathways to Military Licensure, helping to reduce barriers to workforce for military personnel and their spouses in the State of New Hampshire.

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John Maddaus

John Maddaus

Chief Information Officer, Department of Corrections, State of New Hampshire

John Maddaus is the Chief Information Officer and Information Security Officer for the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, where he is presently leading major infrastructure, information systems and technology modernization initiatives. His professional interests include digital transformation and automation, emerging technologies, and enterprise architecture.
He previously worked in the financial services industry with a focus on data-driven portfolio management, regulatory compliance, data analytics, and operational excellence enabled through technology. Major clients served include the US Department of Education, Sallie Mae/Navient, and several states and commonwealths.
John graduated from the University of New Hampshire, is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional and recently earned his Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification from Microsoft. He loves Python but sometimes misses semicolons.

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Bill Mannion

Bill Mannion

Enterprise Business Intelligence Administration & Data Management, Department of Information Technology, State of New Hampshire

William (Bill) Mannion has been orchestrating the expansion of business intelligence availability to the multiple agencies of the State of New Hampshire over the past 4 years. Bill comes from 30+ years in the private and nonprofit sectors as a Vice President of Technology Solutions, VP of Supply Chain Management, Security Officer, and Director of Technology for several start-ups, mid-sized, non-profit and fortune 500 companies. Bill has implemented or matured the organization’s technology base in the verticals of manufacturing, fin-tech (online banking), distribution and supply-chain. Bill is known for creating an online loan origination system with a highly complex underwriting system that reviews 25 different credit score and fraud detection characteristics within seconds. He has leveraged Six Sigma Lean to determine the Department of Health and Human Services “Options” application modules that will be modernized to an ASP.NET MVC responsive web application. He is a “Disney Family” man and travels 3 to 4 times a year to see “Mickey”.

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Nicole MacStay

Nicole MacStay

Town Administrator, Town of Peterborough

Nicole MacStay was appointed Town Administrator of Peterborough, New Hampshire in 2021, and lead the community through the crisis and recovery stemming from the $2.1 million cybertheft. Since that time Nicole's priorities have included training the town's staff in cyber security awareness, improving financial security and technological use policies, and helping leaders understand the importance of investing time and resources in training themselves and their staff and protecting their organizations.

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Kathryn Michener

Kathryn Michener

Director of User Experience, New Hampshire Department of Information Technology

Kathryn is a passionate advocate for user-centered design. As the Director of User Experience at the New Hampshire Department of Information Technology, she oversees the migration of State agency websites from a static platform with hierarchy-based navigation to a responsive platform that encourages agency partners to put their constituents first when designing new websites.
With a background in customer service, public information and graphic design, Kathryn was a key participant in the Governor’s initiative to rebrand the State’s websites to have a consistent look and feel, which led to the template and platform now used by the State.
Kathryn is dedicated to helping agencies meet their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, offering regular training for State employees to learn how to design for accessibility when creating publications and actively emphasizing the importance of digital accessibility.

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Charlie O'Shea

Charlie O'Shea LinkedIn

Eastern Regional Executive for State Government Strategy, T-Mobile for Government

Mr. Charles (Charlie) O'Shea is the Eastern Regional Executive for State Government Strategy at T-Mobile. Before joining T-Mobile, Mr. O'Shea had a long and distinguished career in public service, beginning as a New York State Assemblyman. While in the Assembly, Mr. O'Shea served on several powerful committees, none more important than the Committee on Ways and Means, which gave him deep insight into the financial operations of all state departments. After twelve years in the Assembly, Mr. O'Shea ran for and was elected as the Chairman of the Nassau County Board of Assessors and Nassau County Real Property Tax Director. In this capacity, Mr. O'Shea pushed for and secured a hard-fought modernization of the county’s tax assessment and collection system. After leaving elected office, Mr. O’Shea continued his public service career as the Director of Government Affairs & External Relations for the New York State Department of Transportation. His long and dedicated career in public service has earned Mr. O’Shea respect and accolades across the political spectrum in New York City and State Government Circles. After leaving government service, Mr. O’Shea joined the highly respected law and policy firm of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein as a government relations attorney. Mr. O'Shea was motivated to join the T-Mobile brand because of his longstanding efforts to improve and modernize government.
Mr. O'Shea, a graduate of Duke University and the Fordham University School of Law, resides on Long Island, New York, with his wife, Carole.

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Bill Poirier

Bill Poirier

Chief Information Officer, University System of New Hampshire

Bill Poirier serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the University System of New Hampshire and the University of New Hampshire (UNH). He has served in multiple chief executive and chief information officer roles in private industry, state government and a full career in the United States Air Force. He is a combat veteran, having served multiple tours of duty throughout Southwest Asia.

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Brian D. Rae, Jr.

Brian D. Rae, Jr.

Information Systems Director, Information Technology Office, Town of Goffstown

As the Information Systems Director at the Town of Goffstown, Brian leads a dedicated IT Team that is responsible for providing help desk support, application support, network administration, and core infrastructure solutions for the Town's operations and services. Brian has over 20 years of experience in IT and public safety. With this experience he brings a diverse perspective and unique skillset that allows him to collaborate effectively with law enforcement, emergency services, and local government entities to problem solve and provide solutions to improve their organization. Brian believes that when we leverage technology appropriately it can lead to the betterment of both the organization and constituents. He is committed to solutions that ensure that the Town of Goffstown remains resilient, secure, and responsive to the needs of our community. Outside of the office Brian can be found with family and friends enjoying the outdoors, coaching youth sports, or responding to emergency calls in his hometown.

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Denise Reilly-Hughes

Denise Reilly-Hughes

Secretary & State Chief Information Officer, State of Vermont

Denise Reilly-Hughes brings over 20 years of extensive technology expertise in managing operations and strategic initiatives. In September 2023, Denise was appointed to the role of Vermont's Chief Information Officer and Secretary of the Agency of Digital Services. She leads the state’s technology systems and services while focusing on improved human-centered design and core technology standards of the State’s information systems. Denise is dedicated to improving Vermonter’s experience, employee enablement, and modernizing government technology services.
Before her current position with the State of Vermont, Denise spent her career in the private sector developing teams and growth initiatives within the technology industry. During that time, she helped lead numerous U.S. states through their modernization journey and adoption of cloud services. Denise is committed to ensuring the State of Vermont’s technology achieves value-based outcomes and digital services are designed to meet the needs of the Vermonters who access them.

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Garrett Roberts

Garrett Roberts

General Counsel, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, FL

Garrett Roberts is currently the General Counsel for the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office in Sebring, Florida. He graduated, summa cum laude, with an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and from Florida Coastal School of Law. Garrett practiced primarily in civil and administrative law in both state and federal courts prior to entering government service. Since starting at the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, his duties involve providing legal advice to the Sheriff, litigating a variety of claims and lawsuits on behalf of the Sheriff, ensuring compliance with legislation, drafting policies and procedures, and training members on legal matters. Garrett is also a certified law enforcement officer in Florida and an instructor at the law enforcement academy, as well as teaching various other legal courses, at South Florida State College.
Garrett is married to his wife, Desiree, and has two children: son Tanner (4), and daughter Tinsley (2). Garrett enjoys volunteering in the community and sits on the board of directors of multiple local and regional non-profit organizations.
In May of 2022, the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office suffered a significant ransomware attack and Garrett played a pivotal role assisting in the strategic response. The ransomware attack encrypted all agency systems, including permanently erasing backup devices, leading to a prolonged and complicated recovery. There were many valuable lessons learned that are unique for public sector agencies from operational, technological, and security perspectives. Since the ransomware attack, Garrett has routinely spoken and provided training to a variety of organizations.

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Jason J. Sgro

Jason J. Sgro

President, InfraGard 

Leading NH’s largest dedicated municipal cyber incident response team, Jason serves as Sr. Partner, Business Strategy, and Head of Cybersecurity & Human Privacy at The ATOM Group, headquartered in Portsmouth, NH. He is the president of the FBI’s InfraGard Program in NH and the Chairman of the Overwatch Foundation, which deploys NH’s statewide cyber defense grant programs protecting critical infrastructure and key resources. A lifelong native of New Hampshire, Jason is a strategist at heart, comprised of equal parts speaker, evangelist, coach, and operator. He has secured and advised public and private entities throughout New Hampshire and is widely recognized for his contributions toward building a future we can trust.

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Craig Sheil

Craig Sheil

Digital Learning Specialist, Bedford High School

Craig Sheil is a Digital Learning Specialist at Bedford High School in Bedford, NH, with 21 years of experience in education. While Craig started as a high school math teacher, his passion currently lies in inspiring others to embrace technology purposefully, empowering educators to infuse it effectively into their classrooms. He has helped equip teachers with the tools and strategies needed to navigate the digital landscape over the years.
Craig is a Google for Education Certified Trainer and adjunct faculty member at Fitchburg State University, where he teaches educational technology graduate level courses for teachers. He can also be found presenting at conferences, conducting professional trainings for school districts, and offering online workshops.

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Barbra Turner

Barbra Turner

Director of Technology, Kearsarge Regional School District

Barbra Turner is the Director of Technology for the Kearsarge Regional School District in New London, NH. With over 15 years of experience in the technology field, she has spearheaded significant advancements in educational technology. Serving as the President of the New Hampshire Chief Technology Officers Council (NHCTO), Barbra is dedicated to modernizing legacy systems in the educational environment. Her leadership has facilitated the transition from a 12:1 to a 1:1 computer use ratio, ensuring students have access to cutting-edge technology. She has also led the migration from physical servers to networked virtual servers, enhancing security and reducing costs. Passionate about collaboration and innovation, Barbra fosters a culture of continuous improvement within her team. Outside of work, she enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. Barbra holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and actively mentors future IT leaders through programs like the MS-ISAC Leadership Mentoring Program.

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Ken Weeks

Ken Weeks

Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Information Technology, State of New Hampshire

Ken Weeks is the Chief Information Security Officer for the State of New Hampshire. He spent most of his adult life as a Naval Officer, Special Duty, Cryptology and Information Warfare, and retired as a CAPT (O6). Although most of his time was spent in the Pacific Theater, he also enjoyed several all-inclusive trips to Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. After the Navy, he worked as an Executive Leader of Cyber Operations at the National Security Agency (NSA). Ken spent a couple years in the private sector as a Consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton and then moved to New Hampshire and back into public service as the Department of IT Business Relationship Manager for the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Since he always works in rooms with no windows and under artificial lights, he spends the rest of his time as an avid four seasons outdoor sportsman with his spouse, teenagers and two Irish Wolfhounds.

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Curt Wood

Curt Wood

Senior Fellow, Government Technology

Curt most recently served as the Technology Services and Security Cabinet Secretary and Chief Information Officer for Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, leading the Commonwealth’s digital and cyber security transformation. Prior to his Cabinet appointment in 2018, Mr. Wood served 8 years as the Public Safety Undersecretary for Forensic Science and CIO overseeing major public safety and justice operational and technology modernization efforts. He began his government career in 1975 and has served in multiple roles.

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Agenda

Tuesday, June 4

8:00 am Eastern

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Assembly/Contoocook

9:00 am Eastern

Opening Remarks

Pemigewasset

Denis Goulet, Chief Information Officer, State of New Hampshire

9:15 am Eastern

Keynote – Leading the AI Revolution: IT's New Role in Global Public Sector Innovation

Pemigewasset

AI is reshaping everything and IT leaders in government and public sector organizations stand at a pivotal juncture. Traditionally viewed as reactive and slower to innovate than the private sector, the public sector is now uniquely positioned to take a hands-on stance in AI implementation. To do that, we need to understand how IT departments can anticipate and address business needs proactively. In this whirlwind session, digital transformation and AI expert, Sharon Gai, will take us on a journey around the world. Starting from the bustling streets of Hangzhou to the high-tech healthcare facilities of Tokyo, and finally to the classrooms of New York. Through this session, government leaders will understand the myriad ways AI is redefining society and be equipped with actionable insights, aiding them in harnessing the full potential of AI for the betterment of their communities.

Sharon Gai, Keynote Speaker & Author

10:15 am Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Assembly/Contoocook

10:45 am Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

Making AI Work for New Hampshire

Merrimack

This morning, our keynote speaker discussed how AI is reshaping public sector organizations globally. Now it’s time to zoom in on New Hampshire! How is AI impacting agencies in the Granite State? What should you expect in the near future? Should we be excited or cautious? What interesting use cases should you know about? This session considers how organizations of all sizes can practically prepare for and embrace AI as a tool to drive innovation, improve decision-making, and ultimately transform public service delivery.

Moderator: Curt Wood, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Heather A. Kelley, Heather A. Kelley, Director of Operations, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, State of New Hampshire

Josiah Raiche, Chief Data and AI Officer, State of Vermont

Craig Sheil, Digital Learning Specialist, Bedford High School

Colonel Woody Groton, Cyberspace Operations Officer, New Hampshire National Guard

Getting an A+ in Constituent Satisfaction!

Piscataquog

In an era where technology continually reshapes our world, the true north remains to improve the lives of our constituents. It’s often easier said than done, especially when constituents have varying levels of technical ability or require special assistance for disabilities. In this session, you’ll learn to ensure that your work is deliberate, user-centric, and squarely aimed at serving the diverse communities you are dedicated to. We will also discuss the upcoming updates to accessibility standards and how to prepare for them!

Moderator: Brian D Rae Jr, Information Systems Director, Information Technology Office, Town of Goffstown

Robin Copland, Managing Director – Advisory Business Group, Avanade

Denise Reilly-Hughes, Secretary & State Chief Information Officer, State of Vermont

Kathryn Michener, Director, User Experience, Department of Information Technology, State of New Hampshire

IT to the Rescue! Solving Problems and Mitigating Risk through Technology

Dartmouth

IT is here to serve the business and ensure it is equipped with the tools and solutions needed to solve its most demanding challenges. But how well do we understand the challenges and risks that keep our leaders up at night? How can IT be positioned as a true partner in solving problems and mitigating risks? In this session, we’ll hear from a panel of leaders from both the business and IT to showcase the power of partnership.

Moderator: Ken Weeks, Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Information Technology, State of New Hampshire

Margaret Byrnes, Executive Director, New Hampshire Municipal Association

Nicole MacStay, Town Administrator, Town of Peterborough

Bill Poirier, Chief Information Officer, University System of New Hampshire

11:45 am Eastern

Lunch

Pemigewasset

12:45 pm Eastern

Bits and Bytes – Cyber Crime to Cyber Warfare - The Impact on the American Way of Life

Pemigewasset

The US has always been a leading, benevolent force regarding technological advancements. However, in recent history, our collective tech advantage has been reduced and narrowed. Now, our individual responsibility to take cybersecurity threats seriously is greater than ever before. What can we do as public sector IT leaders? How do we uncover and solve the problems inside our organizations? This eye-opening session reminds us how fragile our way of life is technologically while giving us hope (and actionable takeaways) to positively impact our stance on cybersecurity for all.

Jason J. Sgro, President, InfraGard

1:05 pm Eastern

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

1:15 pm Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

Leveraging the Power of Data and AI

Merrimack

Unlocking the full potential of data while ensuring privacy and integrity presents daunting challenges for public sector organizations. Add AI into the equation, and everything becomes more complex. How do you cultivate responsible data practices while getting the total value out of the tools you use? This session explores strategies for defending sensitive data while harnessing the power of AI for equitable outcomes and enhanced security.

Moderator: Curt Wood, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Joe Conti, Trustworthy AI Leader, Government and Public Services, Deloitte

Kristin Hempstead, Public Sector Vertical Lead, Advanced Compute Solutions, HP Inc

Bill Mannion, Enterprise Business Intelligence Administration & Data Management, Department of Information Technology, State of New Hampshire

Josiah Raiche, Chief Data and AI Officer, State of Vermont

Can We Modernize That?

Piscataquog

Modernizing legacy tech and systems is about more than simply updating technology—it's about driving transformational change, improving service delivery, and better meeting the needs of constituents and stakeholders. Now is the time to take stock and consider solutions. Which innovative, agile, and adaptable approaches should you consider? Is a low-code, no-code solution for your organization? This session dives into the modernization journey from A to Z, sharing successes, best practices, and lessons learned.

Moderator: Tim DePalo, Director of Infrastructure and Operations, Department of Information Technology, State of New Hampshire

Charles Burns, Information Technology Lead, Business Relationship Management Division, State of New Hampshire

John Maddaus, Chief Information Officer, Department of Corrections, State of New Hampshire

Charlie O’Shea, Eastern Regional Executive for State Government Strategy, T-Mobile for Government

Barbra Turner, Director of Technology, Kearsarge Regional School District

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Dartmouth

Hosted by: New Hampshire State Chief Information Officer Denis Goulet.

2:15 pm Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Assembly/Contoocook

2:35 pm Eastern

General Session – Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, a Ransomware Story

Pemigewasset

No one is immune to cyberattacks, especially those serving on the front lines of government. The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office was recently hit with a sophisticated attack by a cyberterrorist group. Despite the security measures in place to protect against such attacks, these well-funded hackers were able to invade the computer systems and encrypt large portions of the network with their malware. Hear this amazing story of how the Highlands County Sherriff’s Office fought back while continuing to provide lifesaving services to its residents.

Introduction by: Ken Weeks, Chief Information Security Officer, State of New Hampshire

Garrett Roberts, General Counsel, Sheriff’s Office, Highlands County, FL

3:45 pm Eastern

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Assembly/Contoocook

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

4:15 pm Eastern

End of Conference

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

DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown

700 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 625-1000

Get Directions To
DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Charlie Burns
IT Lead, Department of Information Technology
Department of Transportation
State of New Hampshire

Margaret Byrnes
Executive Director
New Hampshire Municipal Association

Caitlin Davis
Director of Standards & Certifications
Department of Education
State of New Hampshire

Maeve Dion
Asst. Professor of Security Studies
University of New Hampshire

Annie Dove
IT Director
Office of Information Technology
City of Dover

Kenneth Dunn
Deputy Commissioner
Department of Information Technology
State of New Hampshire

Fash Farashahi
GIS/IT Director
Town of Peterborough

Jean Fortier
Director of Information Services
Information Systems Department
City of Manchester

Irena Goddard
NH e-Court Program Manager
Administrative Office of the Courts, Judicial Branch
State of New Hampshire

Denis Goulet
Commissioner & Chief Information Officer
Department of Information Technology
State of New Hampshire

John Maddaus III
Chief Information Officer
Department of Corrections
State of New Hampshire

Kate Michener
Director, User Experience
Department of Information Technology
State of New Hampshire

Josh Olstad
Director of Information Technology
Oyster River Cooperative School District

Terry Pfaff
Chief Operating Officer
General Court
State of New Hampshire

Bill Poirier
Chief Information Officer
University System of New Hampshire

Brian Rae
Information Systems Director
Town of Goffstown

Ron Reed
Information Technology Lead
Department of Safety
State of New Hampshire

Neal Richardson
Director of Technology
Hillsboro-Deering School District

Doug Schelb
Deputy Chief Information Security Officer
Department of Information Technology
State of New Hampshire

Matthew Seaton
Chief Information Officer
Administrative Office of the Courts
State of New Hampshire

Barbara Spada
Director of Information Technology
Community College System of New Hampshire

Ken Weeks
Chief Information Security Officer
Department of Information Technology
State of New Hampshire

Industry Representatives

Sang Pham
Account Executive, State Government
T-Mobile

Dawn Watson Rudnyai
Northeast Lead – Government & Public Services
Avanade Inc.

Scott Workman
Managing Director
Human Services Transformation
Deloitte Consulting LLP

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

DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown

700 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 625-1000