Name: South Dakota Digital Government Summit 2025
Start: 2025-04-17T08:00
Location: Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center

Overview

The Digital Government Summit is an event that brings together public sector leaders and technology professionals to explore innovative solutions to solve government problems. Key themes include cybersecurity, digital transformation, AI implementation, data governance, and fostering collaboration across multiple stakeholders. Attendees will benefit from expert discussions, peer networking, and insights into the future of government technology. Join us and let’s improve the future of government together!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

The future of government services is digital, and South Dakota is committed to modernizing legacy systems, enhancing cybersecurity, and delivering innovative solutions that serve our citizens efficiently. The Digital Government Summit provides an invaluable opportunity to collaborate, share best practices, and explore emerging technologies that will define the future of government services at the state, county, and local levels. As we continue our journey toward a more agile and secure digital infrastructure, we remain focused on building resilient systems that protect data, ensure service continuity, and drive operational excellence.

– Madhu Gottumukkala, Chief Information Officer, State of South Dakota

Speakers

Saby Waraich

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

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

Jim Edman

Cybersecurity Coordinator, Cybersecurity, and Infrastructure Security Agency, State of South Dakota

Jim Edman is the Cybersecurity Coordinator for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in South Dakota. As Cybersecurity Coordinator, Jim works with critical industry sectors across the state on cyber risk management and improved cybersecurity hygiene.
Prior to joining CISA in 2021, Jim worked with South Dakota state government in the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications (BIT) with experience in applications development and networking technologies for state government, K-12 and Higher Education. Jim served as Chief Information Security Officer for the last 13 years. Establishing operational, strategic, and collaborative platforms to successfully safeguard constituent and government data. He also served as the Broadband Manager for the ConnectSD project to bring high speed broadband to every South Dakotan. Other positions include Deputy Chief Information Officer and acting Chief Information Officer.
He enjoys reading, hunting pheasants, playing basketball, golf and doing all sorts of family activities.

Clarence Foster

Business Security Officer, T-Mobile 

Clarence Foster is a seasoned information security professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry. As the Business Information Security Officer (BISO) at T-Mobile, Clarence is responsible for ensuring the digital security of their assigned business division and serves as a trusted advisor for information security matters. Leveraging extensive knowledge of the company's information security program, including security policies and technical solutions, Clarence provides guidance to business stakeholders on security protections, customer security requirements, and regulatory controls. Before joining T-Mobile, Clarence served as the VP of Information Security/IT/CISO at NetMotion for 15 years, until it was acquired by Absolute Software. At Absolute, Clarence became the Senior Director of Security Operations before moving to T-Mobile. Clarence was instrumental in building NetMotion’s IT security program from the ground up, transitioning operations to the cloud, and establishing a robust IT security infrastructure. Clarence also executed a security plan to protect against reportable breaches and conducted risk assessment training, among other achievements. Additionally, Clarence has worked at other tech companies such as Attachmate Corp and F5 Networks. With a diverse background in the tech industry, Clarence has also held the role of Director of Technical Support, where they led customer support activities and applied data analysis and process improvement methods to meet business objectives. Clarence is well-versed in several key areas of information security, including CISO, cybersecurity leadership, GRC, cyber defense, and cyber threat hunting (CTH).

Jim Gilbert

Director of Information Technology, City of Rapid City

Jim Gilbert has had a long and varied career spanning almost 3 decades in the IT industry. Holding a Bachelor's Degree in Physics with a minor in Mathematics from Moorhead State University, Jim laid a solid foundation for a career marked by strategic leadership and a commitment to technological innovation. Currently serving as the IT Director for the City of Rapid City, Jim leads a team of extremely talented individuals that support the employees and citizens of Rapid City. He has also spearheaded major updates to the city's IT infrastructure and is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Data Science. Jim's notable achievements extend beyond his current role, including a pivotal position at Microsoft, where he played a key role in building and maintaining Microsoft Learning-related tools and supporting communication security as a civilian with the U.S. Army.

Shane Hoenke

Cybersecurity Advisor, South Dakota Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) 

Shane Hoenke serves as the Region VIII Cyber Security Advisor (CSA) for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). He supports the CISA mission of strengthening the security and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure. His daily responsibilities include coordinating cyber preparedness information sharing and collaboration, risk mitigation and incident response, and providing cyber security resources, including providing assessments.
Shane Hoenke has over 27 years working as a professional in Information Technology, to include his previous assignment as the Information Systems Security Manager for the South Dakota Army National Guard, which he successfully fulfilled for over 15 years.
Shane Hoenke has served in the Military for the past 29 years and is currently serving as a Master Sergeant, Cyber Network Defender with the South Dakota National Guard’s Defensive Cyber Operations Element (DCOE) and Cyber Protection Team (CPT). He is prior service Navy where he operated and maintained the SPY-1D RADAR system aboard the USS John S McCain (DDG-56).
Shane Hoenke has numerous IT / Cyber Certifications to include:
GIAC Security Expert (GSE #337), Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP), ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialist (CFS) / Cybersecurity Maintenance Specialist (CMS), Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH), Certified Network Defense Architect (C|NDA) and 16 additional GIAC certifications.

Paul Kern

Chief Information Security Officer, Information Technology, South Dakota State University

Paul Kern is the Chief Information Security Officer at South Dakota State University. Paul started his professional career in 1995 as a secondary English and Computer Science teacher. While Paul does enjoy literature and Shakespeare, his time as a computer teacher ignited a love for information technology that would change the course of his life. Paul left teaching in 2001 to pursue an IT career, and he spent the next eleven years working in the telecommunications industry doing networking, system administration, and web development. During this time, Paul discovered that information security principles and practices were critical to a business’s survival, and his love for cybersecurity was born. In 2012, Paul accepted a cybersecurity position with the South Dakota Board of Regents and in the twelve years since, he has had the privilege of working in various cybersecurity roles in Higher Education and the Financial Services industry. Paul holds GIAC certifications in network penetration testing (GPEN) and web application penetration testing (GWAPT), and he is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Bryan Langley

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government 

Bryan J. Langley was appointed as the Senior Advisor at Cyber Florida to lead and coordinate public and private efforts developing Florida’s critical infrastructure risk assessment, to include writing a report to the Governor, Legislator, and the Cybersecurity Advisory Council with recommendations to protect FL’s critical infrastructure from major cybersecurity incidents and events.
Previously, Bryan served as the senior vice president of defense development at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, where he implemented the strategic plan for long-term state investment in the defense marketspace, with the goal of tripling federal defense investments by December 2024.
Bryan served as executive director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Advisory (HSA) for US DHS, where he oversaw the State Fire Marshalls Office, Emergency Management, State Building Commissioner and chaired Indiana’s School Safety and Cybersecurity Boards.
He served as global security manager at Columbus-based Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) and as a senior consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton Consulting. He also worked in the White House as the U.S. assistant chief of protocol under the George W. Bush administration.

Joe Moran

Director of Data and Research, Division of Data and Research, South Dakota Department of Education 

Joe Moran is the Division of Data and Research Director for the South Dakota Department of Education. Joe has spent much of his professional career in the education field, which includes six years teaching the sixth grade, three years in state assessment management, and two years in educational policy and strategy. In mid-2021, he was tasked with facilitating a reorganization aimed at modernizing several of the primary agency data collection and reporting systems, including but not limited to the K12 student information (SIS) system, K12 personnel record form (PRF) system, and the statewide longitudinal data system (SLDS).

Nicholas Penning

Security Operations Center Manager, Security Operations, Bureau of Information & Telecommunications, State of South Dakota 

Nicholas has over 10 years in cybersecurity from a combination of analyst, engineer and architect roles. He has a passion for defending the enterprise and leading his fellow teammates to provide the best cybersecurity capabilities for the State of South Dakota government. Outside of the tech world, He enjoy spending time with his family and long-distance running.

Mark Wixon

Director of Agency, Industry and Education, Bureau of Information and Telecommunications, State of South Dakota 

An accomplished information technology leader and strategist with a proven track record of driving business value through the alignment of IT and organizational goals. With extensive experience in developing sustainable, reliable, and secure business technology solutions, Mark delivers technical expertise and thought leadership across various domains, including technology strategy development, IT operations, cybersecurity frameworks, governance, and compliance.
Currently serving as the Director of Agency and Application Support at the State of South Dakota's Bureau of Information and Telecommunication, providing leadership expertise to state agencies' senior leadership teams. In this role, Mark supports the long-term management of IT systems, processes, and investments, assisting with the modernization, transformation, and optimization of technology to deliver on the mission of the agencies in service to the citizens of South Dakota.
Previously, Mark held several key positions at Black Hills Energy, including Senior Manager of IT Security Governance & Risk Management, Director of IT Governance & Strategy, and Director of Business Applications. In these roles, he established security governance and IT risk management practices, spearheaded significant cybersecurity investments, and led IT acquisition diligence teams for major purchases.
Mark holds an MBA from the University of South Dakota and a BS in Business Management & Marketing with a concentration in Computer Science from Northern State University. He also serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at Black Hills Federal Credit Union, where he contributes to the development of board-driven strategic direction, governance, and fiscal stability.

View Speakers

Agenda

Thursday, April 17
8:00 am Central	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area Lake Oahe Lobby
9:00 am Central	Opening Remarks Gallery BC
9:30 am Central	Keynote - Have You Ever Jumped from an Airplane? (The Journey of Delivering a Complex Project in the Public Sector) Gallery BC Large-scale public-sector technology projects are complex, often requiring IT leaders to address technical debt and legacy issues before envisioning future advancements. Launching new projects involves evaluating everything from the RFP process to relationship management, and regulatory compliance. Join Saby Waraich as he shares actionable insights from his journey of transforming a struggling digital transformation project into a success. Discover the strategies he employed to overcome these challenges and understand the true essence of 'jumping out of an airplane' in the context of leading successful digital transformations. Saby Waraich, Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas County College
10:30 am Central	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Lake Oahe Lobby
11:00 am Central	Concurrent Sessions Actionable AI: What Can We Do Right Now? Gallery E AI is everywhere, but how can we use it to enhance service delivery? This session will explore practical steps for public sector employees to adopt AI tools, focusing on wins like automating citizen inquiries and streamlining document processing. We'll highlight cross-departmental collaboration and ways to build momentum for larger AI initiatives. Real-world examples, such as enhancing fraud detection, will connect AI capabilities with immediate opportunities. Attendees will leave with concrete next steps to start leveraging AI in their daily work. Join us for actionable insights to transform your organization. Moderator: Bryan Langley, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government Jim Gilbert, Director of Information Technology, City of Rapid City Nicholas Penning, Security Operations Center Manager, Security Operations, Bureau of Information & Telecommunications, State of South Dakota Embracing the Future: Harmonizing Modernization and Innovation Gallery F Modernizing our systems is essential to providing efficient constituent services. How can we make sure the tools we are adopting for the future are necessary, accessible, and relevant? Is it possible to tackle technical debt and innovate for the future at the same time? This session will examine those questions, and we’ll discuss how to deal with the past while also preparing for the future. We’ll look at self-managed cloud migration, automation and legacy modernization that provides scalable services. Moderator: Pat Wolberg, Information Technology Manager, County of Brown, South Dakota Mark Wixon, Director of Agency, Industry and Education, Bureau of Information and Telecommunications, State of South Dakota Digital Identity and Zero Trust: Trends, Challenges and Practical Steps Gallery G Digital identity is more than a tool; it's a crucial aspect for municipalities, balancing security with user-friendly solutions. Our panel will explore legal aspects, best practices, and effective governance. We'll also dive into practical; budget friendly Zero Trust implementation and immediate steps agencies can take. Plus, we'll discuss statewide interoperability and user experience improvements for actionable insights. Clarence Foster, Business Security Officer, T-Mobile Wayne Hayden-Moreland, Bureau of Information & Telecommunications, State of South Dakota
12:00 pm Central	Lunch Gallery BC
12:50 pm Central	Bits and Bytes - Public Sector Success Stories: Concept to Delivery Gallery BC In these use case focused Ted-style lightning talks, we’ll explore public sector success stories and what helped these projects yield effective results. We’ll feature the Secure South Dakota Project and the new vehicle registration system. The success of these initiatives is the result of collaboration and hard work, and we’ll learn what helped them get over the finish line and challenges they faced along the way. Kevin Lawrence, Director of Agency and Application Support, Bureau of Information & Telecommunications, State of South Dakota
1:20 pm Central	Short Break Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
1:30 pm Central	Concurrent Sessions Building a Collaborative Cybersecurity Culture Gallery E Cybersecurity is a critical focus that extends beyond the IT department. How can we ensure that everyone takes ownership of information security? This session will explore strategies for integrating cybersecurity into the fabric of organizational culture, highlighting successful initiatives and adopting shared incident response planning. Discover how unified efforts in cybersecurity can safeguard the future of public services. Moderator: Lisa Rahja, Executive Communications Manager, Bureau of Information & Telecommunications, State of South Dakota Jim Edman, Cybersecurity Coordinator, Cybersecurity, and Infrastructure Security Agency, State of South Dakota Jon Hampe, Chief Information Security Officer, Bureau of Information and Telecommunications, State of South Dakota Shane Hoenke, Cybersecurity Advisor, South Dakota Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Unleashing the Power of Data: Overcoming Access Challenges Gallery F Public sector organizations recognize the power of data to inform decision-making and improve service delivery. However, accessing and managing this valuable resource is often fraught with challenges. Are you struggling to unlock the full potential of data? Do you face issues with data silos, privacy concerns, and interoperability? This session will provide insights and strategies to overcome these obstacles and empower your organization to harness the power of data while ensuring integrity and security. Joe Moran, Director of Data and Research, Division of Data and Research, South Dakota Department of Education Change Management for a New Era Gallery G As emerging technologies like artificial intelligence transform the workplace, governments must cultivate a workforce adept at leveraging these tools and committed to innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. How can we effectively train and upskill our current teams and our constituents to thrive in a rapidly evolving tech landscape? How do we assess where to start and what to expect? This session will share creative tactics and strategies for building, retaining, and fostering future ready teams. Moderator: Heather Perry, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Information & Telecommunications, State of South Dakota Bobi Adams, Deputy Director of Administration, Strategy and Communications, Department of Revenue, State of South Dakota David Flute, Cabinet Secretary, Department of Tribal Relations, State of South Dakota Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners Amphitheater I
2:30 pm Central	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Lake Oahe Lobby
3:00 pm Central	General Session - Cybersecurity Transformed: From Social Engineering to Quantum (Mini-Radar for Cybersecurity) Gallery BC As cyber threats evolve, so must our defenses. From sophisticated social engineering attacks to the looming impact of quantum computing, cybersecurity is undergoing a transformation. This session will examine the shifting threat landscape, and the strategies organizations must adopt to stay ahead. Attendees will gain insights into emerging risks, cutting-edge defenses, and how to future-proof their cybersecurity strategies in an era of rapid technological change. Bryan Langley, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government
4:00 pm Central	Networking Reception Lake Oahe Lobby Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
4:30 pm Central	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center

920 W Sioux Ave
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 224-6877

Get Directions To
Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Jill Christian
Assistant Director of Information Services
Information Technology
South Dakota Board of Regents

Mackenzie Decker
Director of Policy
Governor's Office
State of South Dakota

Jim Edman
Cybersecurity Coordinator
Information Technology
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

David Flute
Secretary of Tribal Relations
Bureau of Information & Telecommunications
State of South Dakota

Heather Forney
Chief Financial Officer
Information Technology
South Dakota Board of Regents

Jim Gilbert
Director of Information Technology
Information Technology
City of Rapid City

Madhu Gottumukkala
Chief Information Officer
Bureau of Information & Telecommunications
State of South Dakota

Shane Hoenke
Cybersecurity Advisor
Information Technology
CISA

Joshua Jensen
Director
Bureau of Information & Telecommunications
Aberdeen Public School District

Paul Kern
Chief Information Security Officer
Information Technology
South Dakota State University

Heather Perry
Deputy Commissioner
Bureau of Information & Telecommunications
State of South Dakota

Shawn Plowman
IT Administrator
Commission
Brookings County

Nicole Schneider
Senior Policy Analyst
Department of Tribal Relations
State of South Dakota

Pat Wolberg
Information Technology Director
Information Technology
County of Brown

Industry Representatives

Erik Perschmann
Senior Account Executive
T-Mobile

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: April 17, 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:

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

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

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

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

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

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South Dakota Digital Government Summit 2025

Overview

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Saby Waraich

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

Jim Edman

Cybersecurity Coordinator, Cybersecurity, and Infrastructure Security Agency, State of South Dakota

Clarence Foster

Business Security Officer, T-Mobile

Jim Gilbert

Director of Information Technology, City of Rapid City

Shane Hoenke

Cybersecurity Advisor, South Dakota Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Paul Kern

Chief Information Security Officer, Information Technology, South Dakota State University

Bryan Langley

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Joe Moran

Director of Data and Research, Division of Data and Research, South Dakota Department of Education

Nicholas Penning

Security Operations Center Manager, Security Operations, Bureau of Information & Telecommunications, State of South Dakota

Mark Wixon

Director of Agency, Industry and Education, Bureau of Information and Telecommunications, State of South Dakota

Agenda

Thursday, April 17

8:00 am Central

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Lake Oahe Lobby

9:00 am Central

Opening Remarks

Gallery BC

9:30 am Central

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

Gallery BC

10:30 am Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Lake Oahe Lobby

11:00 am Central

Concurrent Sessions

Actionable AI: What Can We Do Right Now?

Gallery E

Embracing the Future: Harmonizing Modernization and Innovation

Gallery F

Digital Identity and Zero Trust: Trends, Challenges and Practical Steps

Gallery G

12:00 pm Central

Lunch

Gallery BC

12:50 pm Central

Bits and Bytes - Public Sector Success Stories: Concept to Delivery

Gallery BC

1:20 pm Central

Short Break

1:30 pm Central

Concurrent Sessions

Building a Collaborative Cybersecurity Culture

Gallery E

Unleashing the Power of Data: Overcoming Access Challenges

Gallery F

Change Management for a New Era

Gallery G

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Amphitheater I

2:30 pm Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Lake Oahe Lobby

3:00 pm Central

General Session - Cybersecurity Transformed: From Social Engineering to Quantum (Mini-Radar for Cybersecurity)

Gallery BC

4:00 pm Central

Networking Reception

Lake Oahe Lobby

4:30 pm Central

End of Conference

Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Industry Representatives

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

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

Business Security Officer, T-Mobile 

Cybersecurity Advisor, South Dakota Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) 

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government 

Director of Data and Research, Division of Data and Research, South Dakota Department of Education 

Security Operations Center Manager, Security Operations, Bureau of Information & Telecommunications, State of South Dakota 

Director of Agency, Industry and Education, Bureau of Information and Telecommunications, State of South Dakota 