Since joining e.Republic in 2019, Mark has worked as a Strategic Account Director, Director of Marketing Strategy and Chief of Staff for the company President working across the company’s Innovation, Marketing and Ventures divisions. He currently serves as one of Government Technology’s National Conference Directors.
Mark previously worked for the Legislative Counsel’s Office and the California State Senate Judiciary Committee before joining the private sector. During his varied career he has practiced law, written for several publications and managed online marketing/advertising for a global Fortune 100 company.
Mark earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a J.D. from King Hall School of Law, University of California, Davis.

Jessica Ballew is the Chief Information Officer for the Texas Department of Public Safety, leading the agency's technology strategy and operations with a focus on innovation, reliability, security, and interoperability. Throughout her career at the agency, Jessica has managed multiple programs, including IT Applications, Enterprise Project Management, Procurement & Contract Services, Administration, Infrastructure Operations, and the Innovation and Data Office.
Jessica serves on the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s (IACP) Communications & Technology Committee, Real Time Crime Center and Artificial Intelligence Sub-Committees, and the Artificial Intelligence Workgroup. She has also served multiple terms on the State of Texas Contract Advisory Team, State Agency Coordinating Committee Procurement Sub-Committee, State Agency Coordinating Committee Records and Information Management Sub-Committee, Governor’s Commission for Women State Agency Council, and co-chaired the Texas Association for Strategic Solutions and Collaboration in Computing Special Interest Group in Project Management.
Ballew holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Arizona State University and a Master of Science in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas. She is a Certified Texas Contract Manager and Certified Texas Contract Developer, a graduate of the Governor’s Executive Development Program, and a Texas Fiscal Officers’ Academy graduate.

Mike Bimonte serves as the CTO for SLED at Armis, bringing over 30 years of extensive IT expertise from both the public and private sectors. In his previous role as Deputy Commissioner at New York City's Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT), he dedicated nearly two decades to strategic modernization, consolidation, and transformation efforts, establishing DoITT as a leading service provider for city agencies and over 8 million residents. Mike's hands-on experience with public sector clients offers invaluable insights to state and local governments. Before his tenure in New York City, he contributed to the Financial Services industry and collaborated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A native New Yorker, Mike now resides in New Jersey with his family.

Member of the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT), National Institute of Standards, US Department of Commerce (2025 – 2028)
Founding Executive Director and Current Steering Committee Member of the US Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C, NIST, US Dept. of Commerce)
Former White House Fellow and Special Assistant to the Presidential Science Advisor (Bush, ’41)
Former British American Fellow and National Security Fellow, SAIS
Dr. Broz has responsibility for leading IBM Quantum’s USG Business Development and is responsible for government quantum initiatives. Joe joined IBM Quantum in March 2021 after serving as the founding Executive Director of the federally chartered Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C) under the 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act. Prior to the QED-C, he served as Vice President of Applied Sciences at SRI, where he led six laboratories in applied science, government business development, technical and business strategy. His work has supported DOE, DOD, Air Force, Army, Navy, DHS, NIH, NIAID, DOJ, and other departments through research contracts and advisory boards. In the 1990’s he was VP of Business Development and Research at Titanium Metals, and Laboratory Director of Tenneco, Inc., where he was responsible for metallurgy, product development, manufacturing operations, quality, technology, and environmental management across corporate divisions worldwide. He has served as a White House Fellow for the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the administration of George H.W. Bush. He was a British American Fellow at Johns Hopkins SAIS, and a Senior Fellow for National Security and Energy for NORC at the University of Chicago. Broz has a B.S. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in physics from the Swiss Federal Institute (ETH) in Zurich.

Chris Bunton is a seasoned IT professional with over 20 years of experience and a passion for sharing knowledge.
Chris is a state IT Leader who has been sharing his real-life industry experience with IT professionals for over 20 years. He brings real-life industry and private sector experience, with an in-depth ability to apply technical concepts to reality. During the last 15 years, he has held Infrastructure Director, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and Chief Information Officer positions for the state. He currently serves as the Chief Information Officer for the Texas Department of Agriculture. He has also served on several advisory panels and committees in Cybersecurity and Technology, including the Technical Advisory Panel for TxDOT, Security Advancement Forum for the Enterprise (SAFE) for DADS, and a member of the Texas Research Innovation Council. Additionally, he has been a part of the IT Leadership Committee, served on the Cybersecurity Counsel, and is a member of the Digital Government Advisor Board.
Chris enjoys sharing technical expertise to help people utilize technology for advancement. He has a passion for customer service and helping Texans!

Neil Cooke is the State Chief Data Officer for the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR). In this role, he leads and coordinates statewide efforts to make government data more trusted, connected, and actionable. He brings state agencies and institutions of higher education together to strengthen governance, improve data integrity, and expand secure data sharing while advancing AI readiness for Texas. Neil guides the development of policies, standards, and best practices that help public institutions manage data more consistently, use it confidently, and turn it into better decisions, stronger services, and measurable public value.
With over 25 years of experience in information technology, Neil brings expertise in strategic planning, performance management, and project portfolio management. Since joining the Texas public sector in 2007, he has held leadership roles at the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Health and Human Services System, including Director of the Project Management Office and Director of Program Performance Management.
Before his public service career, Neil worked as a Data Analyst and Business Analyst in the private sector in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Neil holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems, is a graduate of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs Executive Leadership for Information Technology Excellence (ELITE) program, and is a certified Project Management Professional.

As the President of Data Modernization at Rocket Software, I lead transformative initiatives that drive the future of data modernization, cloud integration, and AI-powered solutions in the enterprise technology space. With over 30 years of experience in technology strategy, I specialize in helping organizations modernize their infrastructure to unlock new capabilities and achieve greater efficiencies.

CEO, NuHarbor Security 

Justin Fimlaid is the CEO of NuHarbor Security, where he helps organizations strengthen cyber resilience and make smarter security decisions in an increasingly complex threat environment. A former CISO, Justin brings firsthand executive experience leading security strategy, operations, and risk management, along with deep expertise in the cybersecurity market and how to turn security investments into meaningful outcomes. His background also includes international security experience, giving him a broad perspective on emerging threats and the practical realities organizations face. Justin is known for connecting cybersecurity to mission, business priorities, and long-term resilience in a way that is both strategic and actionable. He is passionate about helping organizations build security programs that are effective, sustainable, and aligned to the people and missions they serve.

Martha is the Digital Accessibility Compliance Lead at the City of Austin. With the help of the Digital Accessibility Committee, including ADA colleagues, she has spearheaded the mobilization of Digital Accessibility Champions across the City to support in compliance requirements and accessibility reporting. She has a background in user experience design and outside of the digital accessibility work she is a Service Designer with a passion to make digital experiences more usable and equitable.

Daniel Gohl joined HP Inc. as head of U.S. Education Strategy in September 2022. He brings three decades of partnering for success through innovation with students and educators from pre-kindergarten through post-graduate studies. Daniel has deep knowledge and extensive experience in teaching, education management and educational policy at the local, state and national level. He is committed to helping communities, and the institutions serving them, ensure that education is contemporary, challenging and continuous. Dan was raised in the Mid-Hudson Valley region of New York and currently lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his wife and three children.

Sridhar Gopaluni (Gops) is an executive technology leader, AI strategist, and trusted advisor with more than 20 years of experience helping Fortune 500 enterprises modernize data platforms, scale AI adoption, and accelerate digital transformation across healthcare, government and technology sectors.
Gops has held leadership roles at Kyndryl, Workday, SoftBank AI Co, and Deloitte Consulting, where he partnered with global enterprises to deliver data/AI-driven business outcomes and enterprise transformation initiatives. His experience includes deploying AI solutions across business functions, building enterprise-scale data platforms, and leading high-impact modernization programs, including development of a state-level COVID-19 data platform.
A recognized thought leader and distinguished speaker, Gops regularly speaks on Data/AI strategy and enterprise transformation at premier industry forums, including the MIT Chief Data Officer Forum, Oracle OpenWorld, and Workday Rising.

Bobby Gorantla serves as KPMG’s Data & AI leader, bringing over two decades of expertise in the State & Local market.  As a State of Texas, Lead Technology partner, he oversees specialized teams of data scientists and data engineers tasked with solving complex organizational challenges through data and AI. With a strong focus on public sector transformation, Bobby spearheads initiatives that bridge the gap between emerging technologies and practical application. He has extensive experience guiding large-scale modernization projects, developing actionable AI use cases for critical state agencies, and advising leadership on the strategic deployment of enterprise AI capabilities. Whether optimizing management execution systems or architecting data platforms that improve citizen services, Bobby is passionate about empowering organizations to unlock the true value of their data and build intelligent, future-ready operations.

Professor Li is a professor in the Department of Physics at The University of Texas at Austin and a founding co-director of the Texas Quantum Institute. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 2003, where her graduate research included work in quantum computing during the field’s early formative years. She established her research group at UT Austin in 2007. In her role with the Texas Quantum Institute, Professor Li helps advance quantum research, education, and engagement across Texas. Professor Li has received several honors, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, a Sloan Fellowship, and a Humboldt Research Fellowship at the Technical University of Berlin. She is a fellow of the American Physical Society, Optica, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She has held a Welch Foundation Science Chair since 2023.

Jim Malmros is an information technology leader with 26 years of experience spanning state government, higher education, and the private sector. His work centers on improving software delivery through Agile methodologies, strengthening team performance, and using customer feedback to create meaningful and measurable value.
Jim currently serves as an Area Manager for Application Services at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. In this role, he oversees the enterprise applications that support the state’s financial, revenue collection, administrative, and banking operations—ensuring that critical systems remain reliable, secure, and responsive to the needs of Texas agencies and taxpayers.
Throughout his career, Jim has focused on building high performing teams and modernizing development practices to enhance product quality, delivery speed, and user satisfaction. His background includes leadership positions across diverse technical environments, giving him a broad perspective on organizational challenges and opportunities in public sector IT.
Jim holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and History from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Austin. He also maintains multiple Agile and project management certifications supporting his commitment to continuous improvement and collaborative delivery.

Jeff Martinez is Vice President and General Manager of Public Sector for the U.S. and Canada at Rackspace Technology, where he leads strategic initiatives supporting government and education organizations through AI adoption, cloud modernization and digital transformation.
With leadership experience spanning military service, enterprise technology, and public sector modernization, Jeff partners with agencies and institutional leaders to align innovation with operational outcomes and citizen impact. His experience in mission critical operations and large scale technology strategy has made him a trusted advisor to organizations navigating modernization and emerging technologies.
Jeff regularly collaborates with public and private sector leaders on topics including responsible AI, operational resilience, cybersecurity readiness, and the future of digital government.

Sean McAfee is the Federal Chief Security Technology Officer at Qualys. McAfee brings more than fifteen years of experience serving in federal and state cybersecurity leadership roles focused on protecting U.S. critical infrastructure. His background includes senior positions at CISA, where he supported national-level cyber operations, international information sharing and incident response coordination, public‑private technology partnerships, and technical assessment programs spanning vulnerability management, cyber hygiene, and red team operations. He previously served as CISO for the Ohio Secretary of State and remains active in advancing cybersecurity workforce initiatives and critical infrastructure protection as a volunteer for the Ohio Cyber Reserve (OhCR).

Roxanna “Roxy” Meneses is the IT Manager Sr for Digital Services at the City of Austin, where she leads citywide digital transformation with a focus on accessibility, governance, and building intuitive, resilient services for a diverse workforce and community. She specializes in helping organizations navigate major shifts in technology — translating complexity into clarity and creating digital experiences that work for everyone.
Her career in technology began in the early 2000s during a regional Computer Aided Dispatch modernization effort that supported the transition to a shared, multi‑agency environment. In that role, she provided post–go‑live support to staff adapting from green‑and‑black, command‑line mainframe systems to Windows‑based tools — a leap that required patience, trust, and a deep understanding of how people experience change. That early work revealed one of her defining strengths: helping people cross digital divides with confidence and clarity.
Roxy went on to expand her expertise in the private sector as a technical leader, product specialist, and account executive supporting public‑sector agencies across the U.S. and internationally. She deepened her strategic capabilities through Business Relationship Management, aligning organizational needs with sustainable technology investments and delivery. Those experiences now fuel her leadership across Austin’s enterprise digital initiatives — from the redesigned AustinTexas.gov to strengthened accessibility practices, critical infrastructure improvements, and governance models that support a large, distributed organization.
From early command‑line transitions to today’s cloud‑forward, human‑centered services, Roxy has built a career on helping people succeed through change. She bridges people, process, and platforms — ensuring transformation isn’t just delivered, but understood, adopted, and sustainable.

Robert D. Morehead is the CTO and Lead Architect for Armis SLED, bringing over two decades of experience as a trusted cybersecurity advisor to CIOs, CISOs, and security teams. For the past six and a half years at Armis, Robert has partnered with leadership across the largest state governments, local agencies, and higher education institutions. In his role, he focuses on enabling "Whole-of-State" cybersecurity outcomes, helping public sector organizations defend critical infrastructure and navigate complex, next-generation threat landscapes. Prior to Armis, Robert served in senior security engineering and solutions architect roles at industry-leading companies, including Mandiant/FireEye , Imperva , and Riverbed. Throughout his career, he has successfully driven high-impact security initiatives—ranging from global enterprise deployments to instrumental program developments like New York City’s Cyber Command. Robert holds a Bachelor of Science in Network and Communications Management from DeVry University.

Brittney Booth Paylor serves as Chief of Staff and Chief Public Affairs Officer for the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR). In these roles, she focuses on external engagement, the execution of agency initiatives, and cross‑government coordination and leads the Chief Public Affairs Office, overseeing the agency’s government relations, media and communications, and legislative reporting functions. Her work drives DIR’s strategic communications and strengthens engagement with policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.
Brittney joined DIR in 2020 as Director of Media and Government Relations. She brings extensive experience in public policy and government affairs, having previously served in the Texas Attorney General’s Office, worked as a contract lobbyist, and supported a Texas state representative.
Before entering Texas state government in 2008, Brittney built her career in journalism, working as a newspaper reporter and as a reporter for a local cable news network. She holds a journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin.

Rafael Pimentel Pinto is the Director of Information Technology at the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, where he serves as the agency's Chief Information Officer, Information Resource Manager, and Information Security Officer. In this role, he leads IT strategy, operations, cybersecurity, and data governance for a Texas state regulatory agency serving more than 120,000 pharmacy licensees statewide.
A bilingual technology executive with more than 24 years of progressive leadership experience, Rafael has built his career at the intersection of strategic vision and hands-on execution — leading digital transformation, AI adoption, and innovation programs across government agencies, multinational media conglomerates, and regulated industries in the United States and Mexico.
Rafael is a recognized thought leader on the role of strategic partnerships in technology innovation. As CIO and Chief Engineering Officer at MVS Capital, he designed and governed a partner ecosystem spanning cloud providers, AI vendors, systems integrators, and academic institutions across four countries — delivering 14 innovation pilots and seven production platforms, including AI-driven broadcast automation, predictive commercial intelligence, and multi-channel digital platforms, largely through lean internal teams amplified by the right external partners.
He is an official member of the Forbes Technology Council, a contributing author at The National CIO Review, and a member of the 2026-2030 Texas State Strategic Plan for Information Resources Management Advisory Committee, where he contributes to technology policy for more than 150 state agencies. Rafael was recognized by Forbes Mexico as a Digital Transformation Genius and named among Mexico's Top 100 CIOs for four consecutive years.

Dale Richardson serves as the Chief Operations Officer for the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR).  Dale has operational responsibility for the Shared Technology Services (STS), Communications Technology Services (CTS), and TEX-AN Network Services (TNS).  He joined the state in 2013 as the Director of the Data Center Services (DCS) program. Dale was instrumental in leading the STS program to new heights in terms of meeting contract service level agreements and customer satisfaction for state agencies participating in the program. Serving in several leadership positions, primarily in engineering and operations, Dale brings a demonstrated ability to lead organizational teams on planning, engineering, constructing, and operating advanced networks and data center operations. Dale holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management degree from The University of Texas at Austin. 

Tony Sauerhoff is the CISO for the State of Texas. He has over 30 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity in the public and private sectors and served in leadership positions with the U.S. Department of Defense and the federal judiciary prior to joining DIR. He began his career as a communications specialist in the U.S. Air Force. Tony has a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from Champlain College, a Master of Science in Information Security and Privacy from the University of Texas at Austin and holds CISSP and GSLC cybersecurity certifications.

Joe Sepulveda serves as the Director of Geographic Infrastructure and Technology for the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). In this role, Joe supports a team of application developers, system administrators, and project managers to meet the geospatial technology needs the TWDB. He has been helping organizations maximize their technology portfolio since 2010 through various IT roles. Joe grew up in suburban Chicago and holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Geography from Northern Illinois University. He recently completed his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is a certified Project Management Professional and Scrum Master.

Anh Selissen serves as the Chief Information Officer at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) with a $500 plus million annual information technology portfolio. Anh has served as the Chief Information Officer for TxDOT since September 2019. In this position, Anh serves as a principal technology advisor to TxDOT’s Executive Director and the senior leadership team. She leads the department’s efforts to transform TxDOT by implementing smart technology solutions, promoting innovation, and strengthening TxDOT’s cybersecurity. She is responsible for transforming the agency’s technology services to exceed the expectations of the customers to meet the mission of the agency – Connecting you with Texas.
Anh has led information technology organizations in both the public and private sectors. She previously held positions as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at NuStats Inc., Director of Enterprise Systems at the University of Texas at Austin, and Deputy CIO at the Texas Comptroller’s Office. In each of her leadership roles, Anh has built a diverse range of experience working across the organization to deliver IT services to meet the needs of the organization and customer community. She is passionate about providing strong customer service and strives to work with her team to provide strong support and services to the organization and their customers. This has resulted in improved interactions with the end user communities and positive positioning of the organizations. Among several professional affiliations, Anh is on the AASHTO Transportation Technology Committee. She served two years as President of the Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications, and IT Chair of the State Agency Coordinating Council.
Most recently in April 2023, Anh received a State Leadership of the Year award from StateScoop 50. In 2022, Anh was awarded the Trailblazer Award by the CIO Roundtable 2022. She was named one of the 2021 Boss Ladies by the non-profit, Austin Women in Technology. She received the 2021 IT Executive of the Year Award sponsored by Society of Information Management (SIM) Austin. In 2020 under Anh’s leadership, the Information Technology Division was awarded the TxDOT Grit Award for exemplary performance during the agency’s ransomware event. In 2019, she was the recipient of the Austin Women in Technology - Women in Tech Excellence Award also sponsored by SIM.

Udit Sharma is the US Business Development Leader for IBM Consulting in Public Market - State, Local, and Education ( SLED) Industry. He has 26 years of extensive Global IT experience and has been with IBM for 19 years. He leads SLED business in multiple states and specializes in emerging technologies (Quantum/AI/IOA/AIoT/CyberSecurity) , speaking and moderating various Industry panels and events. He is also the co-author of National award-winning Paper Challenge by NIST for "Applications of Blockchain to Health IT" with his thoughts, articles & interviews published in IBM THINK Blogs and various media / industry publications including various university paper citations. Udit also volunteers as Chair- IEEE New York LI Section where he advocates for latest technologies with Academia, Industry and Senate/Congress members in DC leading his 2000+ members. He holds a B.E. (Computer Science & Engineering) with MBA (IT) , PMP and is based out of New York City.

Ed has over 25 years of experience in the design, development, deployment and operations of privacy sensitive electronic service delivery solutions for both public sector and banking clients. Ed’s involvement in the domains of Identity, Credential and Access management, web content management and service transformation started with his participation in the creation of the Central Frame Database at Statistics Canada. He went on to participate in the creation of the Strategis ID and the web content management solutions at Industry Canada and has made immense contributions to the Govt of Canada's vision for citizen and business centric access to information and transactions.

Kishore Thota is a senior management consulting leader who helps organizations transform to meet the needs of an evolving workforce. He partners with executive teams to redesign operating models, modernize workforce strategies, and lead large‑scale change initiatives that support flexibility, resilience, and sustained performance. Kishore’s work focuses on aligning talent, culture, and technology with business strategy as organizations adapt to shifting employee expectations, new ways of working, and accelerated digital change. He brings deep experience guiding leaders through organizational transformation, change management, and capability building to help teams thrive in dynamic environments. Known for a practical, outcomes‑driven approach, Kishore translates complex workforce and organizational challenges into clear actions that enable engagement, productivity, and long‑term value. His client‑centric style emphasizes collaboration, measurable impact, and scalable solutions that prepare organizations for the future of work.

Jodie Tullos has served with the Texas Department of Public Safety for over 30 years. Major Tullos holds a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Master Peace Officer and Advanced Instructor Certification with the same agency. He graduated from Northwestern’s School of Police Staff and Command Class #442 and received his BAAS in Criminal Justice Administration from Tarleton State University.
For more than two decades, Major Tullos provided training in the areas of Leadership, Patrol Procedures, High-Risk Stops, the Texas Transportation Code, Firearms, Use of Force, and Reality-Based Training. He served as the senior core material instructor for the Texas Highway Patrol – Patrol Procedures training cadre, instructing hundreds of Trooper Trainees from 2008 to 2018.
Major Tullos received Advanced Specialist training on the use-of-force through Force Science Institute and FLETC certifications for Field Force Operations. He has firsthand knowledge and experience applying the Texas Transportation Code, Penal Code, Texas Administrative Code, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Crash Investigation, and Use-of-Force-related issues from his many years as a THP Trooper, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. For a period, he served as the Lieutenant for TXDPS’s Professional Development Unit and Live Threat Engagement Training Coordinator for the Education, Training, and Research Division.
Additionally, Major Tullos has served on multiple TXDPS and IACP policy working groups to create or revise policies related to use-of-force, honor guard, crowd management, and patrol operations.
Before his current position with the Information Technology Division overseeing Public Safety Solutions and the Tactical System Support programs, he commanded the THP-Highway Safety Operations Center (HSOC) at the TXDPS Headquarters in Austin. The HSOC oversees the Division’s collection, analysis, and interpretation of its traffic/criminal enforcement and crash-related data, aiding its mission to be a leader in evidence-based policing methods. His current role places him at the forefront of the operational evaluation and integration of modern law enforcement technology. Working closely with each commissioned division, the PSIT seeks to provide the necessary tools and knowledge for each officer to perform their duties efficiently and as safely as possible.
When not at work, Major Tullos enjoys spending time with his wife of more than 25 years, Tina, his two adult children, and his grandson.

Karen Tuttle is a strategic executive with over 20 years of experience driving customer-centric transformations at the intersection of technology and public policy. As a Director at Verizon Business Group, she leads a consultative team helping local, state, and federal agencies reimagine constituent engagement through mission-critical digital services.

Karen specializes in deploying digital customer experience (CX) strategies and cloud-based architectures that establish trust and accessibility. With deep expertise in AI/ML and SaaS, she has been instrumental in partnering with several of the nation’s largest federal agencies and major municipalities to integrate advanced AI solutions that streamline service delivery. Throughout her career, Karen has held leadership roles in both enterprise and startup environments, fostering innovation through cross-functional collaboration. She is a recognized thought leader on the role of intelligent automation and digital transformation in the public sector.

Jerry White has been the director of Human Resources at the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) for 10 years. He was hired there in 2014 to oversee the agency’s hiring processes and was promoted to HR director the next year. He holds degrees in English writing from St. Edward’s University and mass communications from Texas State University. He is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) by the Human Resources Certification Institute and as a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) by the Society of Human Resource Management. He also has specialty certifications in people analytics, HR ethics and AI use in HR.

Derek Williams is Chief Technology & Innovation Strategist at Dell Technologies, supporting State and Local Government organizations in modernizing technology and driving innovation. He brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in public sector technology, including serving as the State of Louisiana’s Chief Information Officer. Prior to public service, Derek spent 15 years as a partner at a private IT company, advising organizations on large-scale transformation initiatives. He holds a Master of Science in Computer Science with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from the University of Kentucky. A U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, Derek applies mission-driven leadership to his work, with expertise spanning AI/ML, application and infrastructure modernization, as-a-service transformation, and technology policy and legislation.