Nevada Digital Government Summit 2024 Banner

Overview

The Digital Government Summit brings together technology focused public-sector professionals with leading industry partners to connect on innovative approaches, get inspired and discover new technologies. Join us and let’s improve the future of government together!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

The 20th Annual Nevada Digital Government Summit offers a unique platform for government IT leaders and industry experts to collaborate, share best practices, and explore cutting-edge solutions to help drive innovation in the state and improve services for all Nevadans. I hope you will join us!

- Timothy Galluzi, State Chief Information Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Governor, State of Nevada


“The 20th Annual Nevada Digital Summit will bring together government and industry technology leaders to share ideas, best practices, and a vision for the future of government technology. It is increasingly clear that our role in delivering infrastructure, security and privacy, digital transformation, resident engagement, and new capabilities like AI will benefit from learning and sharing insights across all public service organizations in Nevada. I look forward to it and hope to see you there!

– Bob Leek, Chief Information Officer, Clark County, Nevada

Speakers

John Matelski

John Matelski

Executive Director, Center for Digital Government. 

Prior to joining the Center, Matelski served for 25 years as an Information Technology & Security executive for municipal (City of Orlando, FL) and county government (Gwinnett County, GA), most recently retiring from DeKalb County, GA after 12 years of service.  John’s duties included executive management of all information technology and security resources and systems that support operations and drive innovation throughout the County enterprise. As DeKalb County CIO, he oversaw more than 100 employees serving ~800 million residents.
Matelski graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.B.A. with an emphasis in Computer Information Systems and has been a Certified Government CIO since 2011.  Matelski has a proven track record of leadership in the public and private sectors, utilizing innovation and resourcefulness with a proven ability to build a compelling vision and move an organization toward it. Matelski rebuilt DeKalb County, GA’s technology capabilities from the ground up, helping lead to 8 straight years of recognition as a top 10 winner of the Center for Digital Government annual Digital Counties Survey.  
John has won numerous awards including Government Technology’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers, State of Georgia CIO ORBIE Award Finalist, and the Computerworld/Smithsonian Laureate Award for Information Technology.  During his tenure with DeKalb County, Matelski was also very active in technology leadership roles with the National Association of Counties (NACo), having served as Chair of the IT Standing Committee, Vice Chair of the Telecommunication & Technology Committee, and Vice Chair of the County Technology Advisory Council.

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Saby Waraich

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.

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Dr. Anne Milkovich

Dr. Anne Milkovich

Chief Information Officer, Nevada System of Higher Education 

Dr. Anne Milkovich is the Chief Information Officer for the Nevada System of Higher Education. Anne has over 15 years of experience in higher education including CIO and related roles at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and Montana State University. Prior to that, Anne spent 20 years in private sector IT fields and business consulting.
Her education includes an MBA and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration, with research in the practice of academic program prioritization. Her IT experience is primarily in the business management aspects of IT: leadership and management; financial planning and investment management; contracts and acquisitions; portfolio, program, and project management.

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Agenda

Tuesday, December 10

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

9:00 am Pacific

Opening Remarks

Timothy Galluzi, State Chief Information Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Governor, State of Nevada

Bob Leek, Chief Information Officer, Clark County

9:15 am Pacific

Keynote – Leading Beyond Our Limits

We’re pressed to the edge of our comfort zone daily. Faced with evolving challenges, unforeseen obstacles, and constant change, it can be tempting to stick to the familiar and avoid risk. Yet, there’s opportunity on the other side of discomfort, and standing out as a leader who’s willing to embrace uncharted territories is a remarkable way to inspire innovation and drive transformation. Join Saby Waraich as he draws on his real-life experience as a trailblazing guide in leadership. Learn to step into the uncomfortable to expand your impact, conquer complex challenges, and build a legacy of resilient leadership.

Saby Waraich, Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas Community College

10:15 am Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

10:45 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Cyber Resilience: Strategies for Continuity in the Face of Attacks (Table-Top Exercise)

In an era marked by escalating cyber threats, ensuring the continuity of government services during a cyber-attack is critical. This session focuses on building resilience against cyber disruptions, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding critical digital infrastructure and data. Participants will engage in a table-top exercise that explores lessons learned from past cyber incidents and how to apply them to enhance future preparedness. We will delve into continuity of operations plans and share best practices in IT continuity and recovery, equipping public sector organizations with the strategies needed to effectively respond to and recover from cyber threats.

Storytelling to Communicate Business Value

Effectively communicating the business value of IT initiatives is crucial for securing support from leadership, stakeholders, and the public. Join us to learn strategies for engaging diverse audiences, addressing media scrutiny, and selling your vision throughout the organization. We will discuss how to align efforts with broader business outcomes and demonstrate how your work drives meaningful improvements, including leveraging analytics to craft compelling narratives showcasing the value of your initiatives. This session provides practical advice for roles at all levels, from tactical approaches to strategic storytelling.

Driving Change: Preparing Your Teams and Technology

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, governments face the immense challenge of keeping pace with emerging technologies while effectively managing change. By addressing common challenges such as resistance to change, communication breakdowns, and managing stakeholder expectations it is possible to align organizational readiness with technical changes! This session highlights strategies to prepare teams and stakeholders for transition while fostering a culture of innovation and examines best practices for minimizing disruption to ensure both people and systems are fully prepared for transformation.

11:45 am Pacific

Lunch

12:45 pm Pacific

Bits and Bytes – Bridging the Divide: Advancing Digital Equity and Accessibility

Digital equity is a critical priority as technology increasingly shapes every aspect of public life. What are the key barriers to digital access and how can we effectively address them to ensure equitable opportunities for all Nevadans? Explore the strategies and initiatives aimed at closing the digital divide and learn about successful partnerships and programs that have made significant impacts across the Silver State.

1:05 pm Pacific

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

1:20 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

The Art of the Possible: AI in Action

Adopting AI technologies to enhance operational efficiency is quickly becoming the norm. Streamlining processes, optimizing resource allocation, and delivering better services to the community are no longer a “nice to have”, but a “must have”. This session looks at use cases, strategies, and key considerations for leading AI initiatives that drive innovation, improve decision-making, and ultimately transform public service delivery for the better.

Future-Proofing Your Workforce: Skills for Tomorrow's Technology

As technology rapidly advances, governments must retrain and upskill their workforce to meet future demands. Identifying skill gaps and implementing targeted training programs is essential to prepare teams for emerging technologies. In this session, we explore how to foster a culture of continuous learning, utilize non-traditional education methods, and leverage partnerships with educational institutions. We will also discuss funding opportunities and best practices for creating sustainable upskilling initiatives that empower employees and enhance organizational capability. Join us to discover how to build a resilient IT workforce equipped to tackle tomorrow’s challenges!

Bridging the Resource Gap with Portfolio Management

Technology leaders face a universal problem: unlimited demand for IT solutions and finite capacity of IT resources. Portfolio Management is a discipline that bridges that gap. The methodology quickly assesses customers' proposed solutions in a one-page business case, then prioritizes those solutions through a streamlined governance process. The result is a portfolio of projects that balances cost, benefit, risk, and strategic alignment. In this session, you will learn how to customize and apply this methodology at your organization in a transparent way that satisfies stakeholders.

Moderator: Dr. Anne Milkovich, Chief Information Officer, Nevada System of Higher Education

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Timothy Galluzi, State Chief Information Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Governor, State of Nevada

Bob Leek, Chief Information Officer, Clark County

2:20 pm Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

2:40 pm Pacific

General Session – The State of AI in GovTech: Exploring the Future

Presented by the Center for Public Sector AI, this keynote presentation delves into the present status of Artificial Intelligence in the GovTech sector, offering a detailed examination of AI's applications within state and local governments. We will explore AI's potential future paths in GovTech, highlighting emerging trends and discussing how technology and policy leaders can prepare for AI's impact on service delivery. We will address starting points for AI implementation, stressing the importance of collaboration, ethical considerations, and equitable technology access. This forward-looking talk will equip attendees with a thorough understanding of AI's trajectory in GovTech, providing practical insights to effectively leverage AI for public sector innovation and advancement.

John Matelski, Executive Director, The Centers for Digital Government and Public Sector AI

3:45 pm Pacific

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

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

4:15 pm Pacific

End of Conference

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

M Resort & Spa Casino

12300 Las Vegas Blvd
Henderson, NV 89044
(702) 797-1000

Get Directions To
M Resort & Spa Casino

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

David Axtell
Deputy Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer
Enterprise Architecture Group, Office of the CIO, Office of the Governor
State of Nevada

Jason Benshoof
Chief Data Officer
Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Governor
State of Nevada

Jeramie Brown
Information Technology Chief
Department of Transportation
State of Nevada

Chris Craig
Deputy Director
Information Technology
City of Las Vegas

Bob Dehnhardt
Deputy Chief Information Officer, State Chief Information Security Officer
Office of Information Security, Office of the CIO, Office of the Governor
State of Nevada

Marilyn Delmont
CIO
Technology Support & Services
Clark County School District

Darla Dodge
Deputy Chief Information Officer, Chief Operations Officer
Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Governor
State of Nevada

Jason Frame
Chief Information Officer
Southern Nevada Health District

Tim Galluzi
State Chief Information Officer
Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Governor
State of Nevada

Lee Grant
IT Manager
Information Technology
City of Henderson

Kevin Kanowitz
IT Manager, Administrative Infrastructure
Las Vegas Valley Water District
Southern Nevada Water Authority

Rishma Khimji
Chief Information Technology Officer
Harry Reid Airport
Clark County

Bob Leek
Chief Information Officer
Clark County

Dr. Anne Milkovich
Chief Information Officer
Nevada System of Higher Education

Dennis Moriarity
Director
Information Technology
City of North Las Vegas

Dustin Nelson
Supervisor
Information Technology
City of Henderson

Kivanc Oner
Vice President, Digital Transformation and Chief Information Officer
Information Technology
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Peace Ruggia
Chief Technology Officer
Douglas County

Maria A. Sexton
Chief Information Officer
University Medical Center of Southern Nevada

Brandon Torres
IT Manager
Department of Veterans Services
State of Nevada

Behzad Zamanian
Chief Information Officer
Technology Services
Washoe County

Industry Representatives

Wade Broyles
Vice President State & Local Technology Cloud
Oracle

Chris Congo
AVP Global Public Sector
AT&T

Ricky Gourrier
President
Tri-Strategies

Mark Jencks
Director, Partner Business Development & Strategy
Ciena

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: December 10, 2024

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:

Brittany Roberts
Government Technology
Phone:  (916) 932-1388
E-mail:  broberts@erepublic.com

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

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

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

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

Venue

M Resort & Spa Casino

12300 Las Vegas Blvd
Henderson, NV 89044
(702) 797-1000