Maine Digital Government Summit 2026
Overview
The Maine Digital Government Summit is where innovation meets impact!
Bringing together the brightest minds in state and local government, this summit empowers public-sector leaders to explore cutting-edge technologies, modernize operations, and solve pressing challenges. From cybersecurity and AI to data governance and digital service delivery, sessions are designed to spark insight, foster collaboration, and accelerate real-world results. Whether you're shaping strategy or implementing solutions, the Summit delivers valuable peer connections and actionable guidance to help move your mission forward.
More than ever, states, counties, municipalities, school districts, and local communities are being asked to manage technology, cybersecurity, and digital innovation with decreasing federal support and guidance. That reality makes collaboration not just important, but essential. The future of digital government depends on our ability to work together, share knowledge, pool resources, and support one another across every level of government so we can build stronger, more resilient communities for the people we serve.
– Nicholas Marquis, Acting Chief Information Officer, State of Maine
Speakers
Agenda
Tuesday, November 10 |
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8:00 am Eastern |
Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area |
9:00 am Eastern |
Opening RemarksNicholas Marquis, Acting Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, State of Maine |
9:10 am Eastern |
Keynote – Transform Adversity into Advantage: How to Conquer Life's HurdlesThe world has become more difficult, and the challenges are bigger than ever. Adopting a “new normal mindset” is necessary to empower your team to navigate the challenges and opportunities through a contextual model to overcome adversity. How will you manage uncertainty? Is your team ready to embrace change? This session will provide a powerful and interactive message of resilience and perseverance that will inspire you to see change as an opportunity for growth.
John Register, Inspirational and Motivational Speaker, Author, and Two-Time Paralympic Silver Medalist |
10:10 am Eastern |
General Session - Building Digital Trust: Securing the Future of Government ServicesAs government services become more connected and AI transforms how information is created and shared, digital trust is essential to successful modernization. This session explores digital identity, security, information integrity, responsible data practices, and transparent governance as foundations for building trust. Hear from government leaders on how to balance innovation with security while creating digital services and experiences people can use with confidence.
Charles Rote, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology, State of Maine |
10:50 am Eastern |
Networking Break in the Exhibit Area |
11:20 am Eastern |
Concurrent SessionsGoverning AI Before It Governs YouAI adoption is accelerating faster than governance. This session explores practical strategies for managing AI safely, including AI governance, Shadow AI, agentic AI, and risk management. Learn how organizations at different stages of AI maturity can embrace innovation while protecting systems, data, and public trust.
Modernization at Mission Speed: Building Capacity Under ConstraintGovernment organizations must modernize even as budgets, staffing, and operational capacity remain tight. This session explores how to prioritize investments, standardize enterprise applications, consolidate licensing, automate infrastructure and patching, and make thoughtful build-versus-buy decisions without disrupting essential services.
Digital Accessibility and Inclusion for Every MainerDigital transformation only succeeds when it reaches every resident. This session explores how governments can expand access through digital accessibility, shared services, enterprise mobility, and resident-centered design to create more inclusive, efficient, and connected public services.
From Data Silos to Better Services: Sharing Information with PurposeGovernment holds valuable data, but its public benefit depends on how responsibly and effectively that information is governed, shared, and used. Using examples of information exchange among agencies and departments, this session explores how to reduce duplication, improve customer experience, and make better operational decisions. Participants will examine practical approaches to data governance, privacy, quality, stewardship, and interagency collaboration that build trust while enabling smarter services.
Stronger Together: Building Maine’s Cyber ResilienceCyber threats cross jurisdictions, putting critical infrastructure and essential services at risk. This session explores how state agencies, municipalities, schools, utilities, and other public-sector organizations can strengthen cyber resilience through shared security initiatives, state-local collaboration, and available resources. Learn how cross-government partnerships can help communities of all sizes improve preparedness and protect the essential services Mainers rely on.
Charles Rote, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology, State of Maine |
12:20 pm Eastern |
Lunch |
1:15 pm Eastern |
General Session - From Launch to Impact: The Evolution of Maine’s Digital ServicesBuilding the platform was only the beginning. This session provides an update on Maine’s constituent portal, including how it has evolved, what the State has learned from adoption and implementation, and how those insights are shaping the next generation of digital services. Explore progress in digital connectivity and interoperability, data integration, privacy, user experience, and opportunities to expand and improve access to government services.
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1:35 pm Eastern |
Short BreakPlease proceed to the concurrent sessions.
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1:40 pm Eastern |
Concurrent SessionsAI Promptathon: Put AI to Work for MaineBring your laptop for a hands-on workshop exploring how AI can support everyday public-sector work. As adoption accelerates, governments must distinguish where AI can deliver measurable value from where expectations have outpaced its capabilities. Designed for technical and non-technical attendees, this session combines demonstrations, practical prompting exercises, and real-world use cases to help participants identify appropriate opportunities, evaluate outputs, and use AI safely and effectively.
Built to Endure: Operational Continuity Through ChangeLeadership turnover, staffing transitions, shifting priorities, funding changes, and unexpected disruptions can place essential services and technology initiatives at risk. This session explores how agencies can preserve institutional knowledge, clarify responsibilities, strengthen cross-training, and use durable governance and transition playbooks to maintain critical operations. Learn how to keep technology and cybersecurity programs moving while adapting to new goals, teams, and constraints.
Identity at the Center: Blueprint for Trusted AccessIdentity and access management (IAM) is a foundational element of secure, accessible, and user-friendly digital government. This session explores how agencies can strengthen IAM through MFA, SSO, and modern authentication while addressing accessibility, implementation costs, and public understanding. Learn practical strategies for creating trusted access that protects systems, simplifies the user experience, and demonstrates the value of digital identity.
Mission Ready: Building the Government Technology WorkforceGovernment needs specialized technology expertise, yet long hiring cycles and limited entry-level pathways make that talent difficult to secure. Explore strategies for developing employees, creating education and internship pipelines, deciding when to hire or outsource, and preparing an AI-enabled workforce.
Moderator: Patrick Williams, IT Director, Office of Information Technology, State of Maine Exclusive Briefing for Industry PartnersHosted by: State of Maine |
2:40 pm Eastern |
Networking Break in the Exhibit Area |
3:10 pm Eastern |
General Session – What’s Next, What’s Now: Frontier AI and Quantum ReadinessFrontier AI and quantum computing are advancing faster than many organizations can translate emerging risks into operational plans. This educational session separates near-term AI-enabled cybersecurity impacts from the longer-term quantum threat, then identifies practical preparations such as cryptographic inventories, workforce development, data-lifetime assessments, and better questions for technology vendors.
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3:30 pm Eastern |
General Session – 25 Years of Digital Government: How Technology, Policy and Public Service Evolved — and What Comes NextIn 2001, "digital government" meant moving paper forms to static PDF downloads. Today, it means real-time, AI-driven resident services, "whole-of-state" cybersecurity, and cloud-native infrastructure that never sleeps. As the Center for Digital Government (CDG) celebrates its 25th anniversary, we invite you to a high-energy retrospective and a forward-looking strategy session that tracks the evolution of the public sector’s digital DNA. We will walk through the "waves" of transformation we’ve navigated together and will provide a roadmap for the next quarter-century of innovation.
Zach Patton, Chief Editor, Content Studio, e.Republic |
4:00 pm Eastern |
Networking Reception in the Exhibit AreaNetwork with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
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4:30 pm Eastern |
End of ConferenceConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.
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Augusta Civic Center
76 Community Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
(207) 626-2405
Augusta Civic Center
Advisory Board
Government Representatives
Emma-Marie Banks
Coordinator of Learning Through Technology
Department of Education
State of Maine
Victor Chakravarty
Director, Artificial Intelligence
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Michael Cornwell
Director of Operations
Department of Administrative and Financial Services
State of Maine
Jeremy Cotnoir
Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
Department of the Secretary of State
State of Maine
Jill Cunningham
Director of Information and Technology
City of Auburn
Michael Dery
Information Services Director
City of South Portland
Brigadier General Diane L. Dunn
Commissioner and Adjutant General
Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management
Maine National Guard
Tony Gorneau
Senior Financial Strategist
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Sharon Horne
Executive Director of Enterprise Shared Services, Architecture and Policy
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Joshua Howe
Deputy Executive Director of Workforce Training and Remote Working
Maine Community College System
Olivia Jolley
Regional Planner
Hancock County Planning Commission
Jeff Jordan
Associate Chief Information Officer
Maine Community College System
Joy Lazore
Director of Client Technologies
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Peter Lewis
Applications Director
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Nicholas Marquis
Acting Chief Information Officer
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Brian McDonald
Director, Information Technology and Administration
Maine Municipal Association
Daisy Mueller
Cybersecurity Advisor - Maine
DHS/CISA/IOD/Region 1 (New England)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Derek Mullens
Acting Executive Director of Client and Infrastructure Services
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Jay Nutakki
Deputy Director, Information Technology Service Management
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Angela Oechslie
Director, STEM Pathways and Innovation
Project Login
Educate Maine
Brian Oliver
Acting Director, Network Services
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Dave Pascarella
Director, MaineIT Cloud Center of Excellence
Department of Administrative and Financial Services
State of Maine
Dawnna Pease
Director of Computing Infrastructure and Services
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Doug Perry
Chief Information Officer
Department of the Secretary of State
State of Maine
Jennifer Phinney
Director of Information Systems
Town of Falmouth
Christine Reynolds
Executive Assistant to the Chief Information Officer
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Ariel Ricci
Executive Director
Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations
State of Maine
John E Richards
Director of Radio Operations
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Charles Rote
Chief Information Security Officer
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Peter Rushton
Acting Director of Account Management
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
David Simsarian
Director of Business Technology Solutions
Department of Health and Human Services
State of Maine
Dale Thomas
Applications Director
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Patrick Williams
IT Director
Office of Information Technology
State of Maine
Industry Representatives
Fred Brittain
Chief Information Officer
Sam Foster
General Manager
Tyler Technologies
Jenny Phelps
Senior Account Manager
Presidio
James Sarno
Account Executive
Cisco
Rosalba Schino
Client Relationship Executive
Deloitte
Registration Information / Contact Us
Event Date: November 10, 2026
Open to Public Sector only.
Registration - Free
If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.
This event is open to all individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.
Contact Information
Need help registering, or have general event questions? Contact:
Jasmin Tetzlaff
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1308
E-mail: jtetzlaff@erepublic.com
Already a sponsor, but need a hand? Reach out to:
Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone:(916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com
Want to sponsor and stand out? Reach out to explore opportunities!
Heather Earney
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 365-2308
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com