Aaron is currently a senior systems engineer serving the State Government sector. In this role he designs next generation network technology solutions to help State IT organizations, individual agencies and departments of transportation provide high quality constituent experiences while containing cost. 

Phil Bertolini is senior vice president of the Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. Previously, he served as deputy county executive and CIO for Oakland County, Michigan. During his 31-year tenure, Phil built a world-class IT organization in the second-largest county in Michigan, just north of Detroit. As Oakland County CIO, he oversaw more than 150 employees serving over 1.2 million residents. In 2005, he was also promoted to deputy county executive, holding dual positions until his retirement. Phil’s efforts earned the county national attention, winning numerous awards for technology innovation and excellence. He was named Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year and Government Technology Magazine’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers. He was also honored by the President Obama White House as a Champion of Change.

Kevin D. Carlson serves as the Chief of Staff and Chief Financial Officer for the Division of Employment Security (DES) within the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Since joining the old Employment Security Commission, now DES, in 1989, Carlson worked in various financial positions within the Division leading up to his current role as the Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining DES, he worked in several accounting positions in the private sector. Carlson was an Accounting Analyst for Schlumberger Industries, a manufacturer of water meters and worked in multiple accounting roles for Blount Construction Group, a commercial construction company.
Carlson has served in numerous roles, including the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Workforce Agencies since 2002. He is a graduate of Florida State University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance as well as a graduate of the state’s Public Manager’s Program.

Mick DiGrazia is the Senior Director of Enterprise Operations, North Carolina Department of IT, where he provides leadership in delivering IT services to NC Citizens and State Agencies. With over 24 years of experience in IT leadership in the Higher Education and Healthcare industries, Mick has served in various capacities, including Infrastructure, Cloud Services, Identity Management, Information Security, and Risk and Compliance. As a change leader, DiGrazia has helped IT organizations embrace automation and cloud technologies via collaboration and community, helping to modernize and streamline institutional practices. Mick brings this technology and leadership experience to the State of North Carolina in support of the state's digital transformation efforts.

Raju is an IT executive with 25 years of professional experience in the information technology field. Raju joined the Division of Employment Security, NC Department of Commerce in July 2016 as their Chief Information Officer. Raju works with the assistant secretary, senior executives and directors to set business priorities and develop the supporting IT strategy at NCDES.
Prior to joining at NCDES, Raju worked at Oxford University Press for approximately six years. He held the position of US IT Director, served as the Head of Software Development and Content Systems for Global Academic business unit. Prior to that, Raju worked as the VP and CIO of a technology services company in Morrisville, NC. Raju graduated with a master’s degree in Computer Science from Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL. For more information on his professional experience, please refer to his LinkedIn profile at

Nitya Ganapathy is the Analytics Director for the Government Data Analytics Center (GDAC), a division of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT). In this role, she leads development of the enterprise technology roadmap and implementation of analytics solutions. She has been instrumental in introducing AI and machine learning techniques in fraud analytics.
Nitya has held various IT leadership roles for the state of North Carolina for the past 23 years. For the past 15 years, she has strategized the technology roadmap and implementation of numerous IT systems and analytical solutions for state agencies.
Before her public service, Nitya co-founded a technology startup that developed a quality management product for businesses. She spends her free time serving underprivileged children and families through a non-profit organization and likes to hike and cook.

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

As a thought leader in the industry, Tyler Gates has adapted Brightline Interactive’s award-winning, highly immersive and interactive technology. Under his leadership, Brightline’s highly skilled team of Creative Technologists guide clients through the effective adaptation of deep technologies, in order to allow organizations to thrive in a rapidly changing technology-driven world. His forward thinking mentality and unique ability to create and innovate outside of known possibilities, sets him apart from others in the industry.
Brightline Interactive recently merged with The Glimpse Group. In this merger, Tyler was appointed as the Chief Futurist empowered with the task of leading the vision and strategy of the company. Tyler has spent over a decade as a visionary for immersive technology, spatial computing, and the exploration of the human experience in the virtual world. He loves the idea that there are endless possibilities with creative technologies and has spent his career building companies that passionately believe the same thing. His technological prowess, in conjunction with his aptitude for behavioral psychology, enables him to seamlessly translate client needs into tangible concepts, through the use of immersive technology for training, consumer branding and enterprise solutions.

Mike is an Education and Immersive Learning Specialist for Verizon Business Group, with extensive experience in cross-functional solution building, dynamic team performance, thought leadership, and “no fail” mission execution. By leveraging Distance Learning & Immersive Training, Next-Gen Education Technology, and Verizon's extensive wireline & wireless solutions, Mike provides subject matter expertise to Verizon's Public Sector customers and internal teams.
Prior to joining Verizon Mike served in the US Air Force as a combat pilot and instructor. He has over 25 years of experience in advanced programs, special technical operations, mission planning, and executive leadership. His most recent active assignment was Commander, where he was responsible for 670+ airmen across 17 specialties in the execution of federal and state missions. He currently serves in a part-time capacity as a senior leader in the Air National Guard.
Mike holds a Bachelors of Science from the US Air Force Academy and an MBA from Webster University.

Kermit Graham leads System Engineering in State, Local Government and Education for the Eastern United States. His organization is responsible for the design and deployment of Fortinet solutions built on integrated security architectures that help solve the business challenges of customers. After serving 13 years in the United States Marine Corps., Kermit entered the private sector via the Arrowpoint startup. After being acquired by Cisco, he held various leadership roles across Federal and SLED businesses, both domestically and internationally. With over 30 years of IT experience, he brings extensive knowledge of the Public Sector business. Kermit and his wife Deonna reside in Austin, TX and are the proud parents of two sons.

After earning 20 years of technology leadership experience as a member of the C-Suite for several public sector organizations, Greeves now serves as an Industry Advisor for SAP. In his role, he helps state and local governments, school systems and universities modernize complex systems and transform their business operations.

Nick is a Principal Client Engagement Leader for the IBM Global Government Team. He focuses on National Security & State and Local clients around the world. Nick is passionate on helping his clients use technology to solve their problems. Nick brings innovative solutions across the world, at clients like Singapore Police, NSW Police, Dubai Police, UK Home Office, NYPD, Miami Dade Police, and Gwinnett County Police.
Prior to the Global Team, Nick was a part of the US Federal Consulting practice working with Federal Defense & Intel Organizations like the US Air Force, and the Task Force for Business and Stability Operations in Afghanistan. Nick has been involved in Government consulting and technology since 2001. He is a resident of Baltimore, MD, but originally, he was born and brought up in London, UK.

As chief operating officer, Torre Jessup oversees the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s administrative functions, which include human resources, legislative affairs, internal audit, procurement, communications, and facilities.
He most recently served more than four years as commissioner of the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles, where he oversaw daily operations and provided strategic direction for the division’s key functions, including vehicle registration, driver license issuance, vehicle safety and emissions inspections as well as activities to halt vehicle theft and identity fraud. Under his leadership, NCDMV relocated its headquarters from Raleigh to Rocky Mount, made significant process improvements and expanded online services.
Jessup’s experience also includes director of the Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization for the U.S. Department of Transportation and regional administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration's Southeast Sunbelt Region.
He also spent 20 years in the office of North Carolina Rep. Mel Watt as district director and in various liaison roles. During his tenure, Jessup set policy objectives, oversaw district-level strategy and operations and managed outreach and constituent affairs.
He also served appointments on the Board of Directors for the American Association for Motor Vehicle Administrators and North Carolina Criminal Justice Information Network, as well as the North Carolina Human Relations Commission and the Charlotte Metropolitan Transit Finance Working Group.
Jessup is a graduate of Morehouse College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice.

Susan Kellogg joined the N.C. Department of Information Technology as chief deputy state chief information officer in March 2020.
In this role, she leads the Service Delivery Division and focuses her efforts on providing enterprise application and infrastructure services to state agencies, local governments and universities across North Carolina.
Kellogg has more than 30 years of IT experience in both the public and private sector. Most recently, she was with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she served since 2003 in various IT roles, including special consultant to the executive vice chancellor and provost as well as deputy CIO. She was also associate dean of information technology and CIO at UNC-Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Kellogg has a diverse background in business intelligence, student information systems, learning management systems, customer relationship management, information security, cloud infrastructure and business continuity as well as strong leadership, governance and customer service skills.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematical sciences and computer science from UNC-Chapel Hill and earned a Master of Science in computer science from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
In addition, she received the 2012 CIO of the Year Award from the Triangle Business Journal and 2011 Roy W. Holsten Award for Exceptional Service.

Leah Kraus serves as chief information officer (CIO) at North Carolina Central University. She began her appointment at NCCU on Feb 3, 2014.
Ms. Kraus is responsible for providing innovative vision, strategy, and leadership for the coordination of technology policy and planning and for the management of technology systems in the instructional, research, and administrative functions of the university. Over the course of her tenure, Ms. Kraus has enhanced the institution’s technological capabilities. She has upgraded the technology infrastructure and business systems to provide first-class support that continues to enhance teaching, learning, and research and improve the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the university through the use of technology.

Rob Main joined the N.C. Department of Information Technology in November 2017 and presently serves as state chief risk officer.
In that role, he supports the NCDIT secretary in providing leadership to develop, deliver and maintain cybersecurity programs that safeguard North Carolina’s information and supporting infrastructure against unauthorized use, disclosure, modification, damage or loss.
Previously at NCDIT, Main served for two and a half years as deputy state chief risk officer before being named interim state chief risk officer in June 2021. He was named state chief risk officer in October 2021.
With more than 23 years of IT leadership for the state of North Carolina, Main has served in various other capacities, including chief information officer for the N.C. Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, N.C. Office of State Human Resources and N.C. Department of Insurance.
Additionally, Main served 25 years in the military – first, on active duty with the U.S. Air Force as a communications and computer systems programmer. He also served with the N.C. Air National Guard as a logistics readiness officer from August 1998 until his military retirement in April 2015.
Main holds an associate degree in computer science from the Community College of the Air Force, a bachelor’s degree in computer science and business administration from Troy University, a Master of Business Administration from East Carolina University and a Certified Government Chief Information Officer certification from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Sean has spent a majority of his career designing, deploying, and securing world class wired and wireless networks for his customers.

As a State and Local Government strategist Jon serves as a subject matter expert and thought leader to support transformation in state and local governments throughout the country. Before Dell Technologies, Jon served as Chief Customer Officer of the NC Department of Information Technology, and CIO, Office of the Governor.

Ed Moroney is the Google Cloud sales executive supporting State and Local government clients in North Carolina. He has spent the past 20 years in the IT industry where has worked at Dell Technologies and Proofpoint. He is driving innovation and change through the adoption of cloud by bringing the power of the Google Cloud Platform to all aspects of State and Local Government. Ed received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Saint Joseph's University. He lives in Apex, NC with his wife and daughter - his son is currently serving in the United States Guard. His two passions are playing music (any stringed instrument) and fly fishing.

Glenn Poplawski has more than 25 years of business experience, including five years in systems engineering and technical analysis for the federal government and 15 years working in the private information technology sector.
Prior to coming to work for the state of North Carolina, Poplawski worked for various private companies, including IBM, a systems integration firm, an internet startup bought by CMGI, the former Anderson Consulting and as a consultant to various private companies and public agencies. This work included managing client relationships and engagements, managing the operations of critical business systems, guiding the implementation of large-scale system development projects and contributing with the senior team to develop the local business strategy and operational model.
Poplawski has been working for the state for more than 10 years. Initially, he served the Office of Information Technology Services Enterprise Solutions Division in the role of team lead for the Project Management Services team. He built a team of certified project managers to manage both ITS-related projects and other executive agency projects. Subsequently, per the ITS chief information office, Poplawski took on additional duties as required to include the Service Transition organization, including the PMO, and later IT Business Applications.
Currently, Poplawski heads the N.C. Department of Information Technology's Solutions Delivery Division, which includes the Enterprise Project Management Office, the Project Management Office, Business Analysis Services, Solutions Architecture Services, Software Quality Assurance Services, Digital Commons Services and several general government CIOs.
Poplawski is a certified project management professional and government chief information officer. He has a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from Virginia Tech and a Master of Business Administration from George Mason University.

Bryan has driven thought leadership and reliability into enterprise security for over 25 years. He’s a pioneer in computer incident response and cyber intelligence, co-author and producer of some of the widest circulated security publications. Mr. Sartin is trusted advisor to Fortune 1000 CISO’s and CSO’s.
As Security & Resiliency leader for Kyndryl Advisory & Implementation Services, Mr. Sartin oversees project-based service delivery operations globally. Bryan plays a key role defining Kyndryl’s service provider DNA and path of evolution following 2021 spinoff from IBM.
Prior to Kyndryl, Mr. Sartin was Executive Director of Verizon Global Security Services. He was creator of Verizon’s Threat Research Advisory Center and co-author of the Data Breach Investigations Report publications. Bryan also founded Verizon’s RISK Team, among the fastest growing IR businesses worldwide. Mr. Sartin personally led 100s of investigations including many of the largest breaches on record. He’s testified as expert on cyber-attacks, and in the US House of Representatives.

As National Conference Director for Government Technology magazine, Zachary produces, manages and emcees government IT conferences throughout the country.

James "Jim" Weaver joined the N.C. Department of Information Technology in March 2021, with more than 30 years of leadership and management in the IT industry.
As secretary and state chief information officer, he leads the agency responsible for strategic IT planning and the procurement and delivery of IT services and solutions as well as cybersecurity and efforts to expand broadband access and affordability across North Carolina.

Frank Winn has served as chief information officer of the N.C. Department of Transportation since February 2018. He leads a team of more than 600 employees and contractors and oversees the day-to-day operations, planning and oversight of the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Transportation Division.
Previously, Winn worked for more than 13 years as NCDOT's director of Engineering Transportation Systems, where he was responsible for engineering applications and services, GIS, web development and SAP. He joined NCDOT in 1999 as manager of the Computer Aided Design Unit before moving into the role of application development manager over engineering applications.

Morgan is an internationally recognized expert on cybersecurity strategy, cyberterrorism, identity theft and privacy. Morgan's landmark testimony before Congress on Healthcare.gov changed how the government collected personally identifiable information. He is currently a contributor to TheHill.com on matters of cybersecurity, national security and intelligence in addition to his national news appearances. Previously, Morgan was a senior advisor in the U.S. State Department Antiterrorism Assistance Program and senior law enforcement advisor for the 2012 Republican National Convention. In addition to 18 years in state and local law enforcement as a highly decorated state trooper and detective, Morgan has developed solutions in defense, justice and intelligence for the largest technology companies in the world including Cisco, Alcatel-Lucent/Bell Labs, Unisys and SAIC.