Name: New Jersey Digital Government Summit 2025
Start: 2025-05-13T08:00
Location: The War Memorial

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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!

Winners of the 2025 New Jersey Excellence in Technology Awards will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 13 at the New Jersey Digital Government Summit in Trenton, NJ. Please submit your nominations here. Nominations close on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Each year we welcome State, Local Government employees, and vendors to the New Jersey Digital Government Summit, where the entire day is spent discussing the latest technology and how we can improve the services for the residents of New Jersey. This year, we are excited to see the maturation of AI’s usage beginning to deliver improved government services, and we look to exchange ideas, and learn from each other’s solutions.

– Christopher Rein, Chief Technology Officer, State of New Jersey

Speakers

Christopher Rein

Chief Technology Officer, State of New Jersey

Chris Rein is the chief technology officer for the State of New Jersey. In this position, he leads the state’s Office of Information Technology — a 700-person team charged with operating the technology infrastructure for more than 50 state departments, agencies and offices. Rein was the former deputy director of the state’s Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell. In this role, he also served as the deputy state chief information security officer. Rein’s background includes 37 years developing, integrating and managing software, as well as holding leadership roles with large and complex information technology projects. Prior to joining the NJ Office of Homeland Security, Rein was the vice president and chief information officer for CSI Technology, a New Jersey software development company serving law enforcement, regulatory and judiciary markets.

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Scott Klososky

Technologist, Futurist, Humanist, Author and Consultant

As a founding partner of digital strategy firm, Future Point of View (FPOV), Scott lives on the leading edge of technology and innovative thinking. Scott speaks to large audiences worldwide about the intersection of humanity and the Digital Transformation. Through FPOV, Scott provides advisory work for clients including Fortune100, SMB’s and government entities. This work has driven him to develop unique concepts such as the HUMALOGY® Scale for measuring the amount of human or machine involved in a system or process, and the Rivers of Information® process for building learning eco-systems. He also pioneered a framework for looking accurately into the future of an industry sector in order to set organizational strategy: The High Beam process.
Scott co-founded Alkami Technology (ALKT), the developer of a second-generation online banking platform with innovative features non-existent in current systems. The company went public in 2021 at a $3billion valuation and is today headquartered in Dallas with over 350 employees.
Scott is recognized globally for his unique ability to accurately predict future digital trends and explain the logic behind why these will alter the current status quo of the economy and society. While business application of his insights is extremely valuable to leaders and companies, he is also motivated help improve the impact post Covid environments are having on people and their daily lives. Technology has been increasingly driving change and stress and recent events are amplifying this problem. He has a unique perspective on how to manage the personal toll technology is causing people, teams and organizations.
Even as a young child, Scott was destined to see the world through a Humalogy® lens. His father was a programmer for Boeing and his mother was a counselor who mixed many philosophies into her practice of helping people in life. To this day, he is a hybrid of a technologist and humanist who strives to find a hopeful future in blending the two.
Scott has the ability to entertain, inspire, and enlighten audiences, while helping them gain new perspectives about how technology is impacting us. Scott never does a canned presentation with the exact content across events. He sets himself apart from other speakers by architecting his content with the latest examples, current events and trends relevant for the keynote he is delivering.
He is equally adept at giving large stage keynotes, speaking to small boards of directors, facilitating half and full day workshops, and doing break-out sessions. As an added bonus of his presentations, attendees come away learning how to be a better facilitator, speaker or presenter by seeing Scott use different applications and technologies to engage audiences either in a virtual, hybrid or in person setting. The best measure of his ability to inspire and inform audiences is the high percentage of speaking clients who bring him back for follow up work with their audiences.
He produces a podcast titled “The Digital Optimist” in which he delivers ideas about the transformation of humanity through the impact of technology with a positive and hopeful lens. He also writes a blog titled Digital Awakening – both can be found at his website at www.klososky.com.

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Brian Cohen

Vice President, Center for Digital Government

Brian Cohen is the vice president of the Center for Digital Government and Center for Digital Education, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government and education. Prior to joining the Center, Brian was vice chancellor and University CIO for the City University of New York (CUNY).
As the vice chancellor and University CIO at CUNY, Brian directed the Office of Computing and Information Services (CIS), developed and managed the enterprise IT vision, strategy and day-to-day technology operations of the University. His areas of focus included academic and business systems, cloud strategies, IT policies and procedures, cybersecurity, project management, IT resiliency and disaster recovery and network and telecommunications.
Brian also served in leadership roles with the City of New York. Among his many accomplishments, Brian developed the City of New York’s e-Government strategy, implemented the City’s award-winning nyc.gov website and managed the City’s effort to address the Y2K technology challenge.

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Robert Kumapley

Chief, Enterprise Asset Management Division, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Robert Kumapley is the Chief of Enterprise Asset Management at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. With over 35 years of experience in civil engineering, construction, and asset management, he has led the Agency’s Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) Program since 2021.
Under his leadership, the program has established a unified governance framework, breaking down silos and standardizing data and system design to drive asset lifecycle performance. His work brings together Engineering, Technology, Finance, and Line Departments to support strategic planning, operational excellence, and long-term infrastructure resilience.

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Monica Ladd

Director of Strategic Engagement, Tyler Technologies

Monica Ladd’s career at Tyler, beginning in 1997, has been marked by a diverse exploration of the company's offerings, from marketing and sales to networking, support, implementation, and project management. For a decade, she spearheaded the leadership of Tyler’s Content Manager product, significantly contributing to its development and growth. In her current role as Director of Strategic Engagement, Monica works intimately with product groups across Tyler and its partners, crafting cutting-edge solutions that enhance resident engagement and foster community connections.

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Aaron Meyerson

Chief Innovation Economy Officer and Director of Broadband, Invest Newark

Aaron Meyerson is the Chief Innovation Economy Officer and Director of Broadband at Invest Newark, the City of Newark’s economic development agency. He works closely with the City of Newark and the Newark Alliance to progress broadband and innovation work citywide. He supports the Newark Fiber initiative, a public-private partnership to bring high-speed affordable broadband to all Newark residents, along with attracting, retaining, and expanding high-growth businesses in Newark. Prior to joining Invest Newark, Aaron served as the Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Broadband for the City of New York. Meyerson also served as founding employee and Senior Director of Operations for WiredScore, a venture backed global broadband and real estate technology company. He earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Syracuse University, and a master’s in urban planning from New York University.

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Lee Micai

President, NJ- GMIS 

Lee Micai is an energetic, and focused Information Technology (IT) professional and thought leader with over 25 years of professional experience in public sector IT. Lee is the Management Information Systems (MIS) Department Head for Mercer County Board of Social Services responsible for the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards. Lee currently serves as NJ-GMIS Foundation President, a professional association of New Jersey government technology professionals and Conference Director for GMIS International.

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Dan Oliva

GIS Specialist, Bureau of GIS, Department of Environmental Protection, State of New Jersey

Dan Oliva is a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist with a Bachelor of Science degree in GIS from Rowan University. Since joining the Bureau in 2014, Dan has worked on metadata development, data publication, and various Python projects. As one of the Bureau’s Open Data administrators, Dan plays a key role in ensuring accessibility and transparency of data resources.

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Carrie Smith

Chief Innovation & Technology Strategist, Dell Technologies

Carrie is known for her out of the box creative thinking, problem solving skills, being an advocate for customer success & driving sales to enable Cities & States to operate more efficiently. As a Breast Cancer Survivor, she never shy’s away from a challenge & focuses on the specific goals of the agencies to provide holistic solutions to prove Dell is the best Technology Partner in the business.

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Agenda

Tuesday, May 13
8:00 am Eastern	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area
9:00 am Eastern	Opening Remarks Christopher Rein, Chief Technology Officer, State of New Jersey
9:20 am Eastern	Welcome Remarks Lee Micai, President, New Jersey GMIS
9:30 am Eastern	Keynote – The Age of Digital Disruption: Moving Forward, Faster Technology advancements continue to disrupt at a swifter pace than ever before. 2023 witnessed the impact of AI in all sectors, and this year the public sector is required to adapt and adopt at a speed unheard of in the past. For the rest of our careers, intelligence will be built into all devices, applications, and processes. This changes how we must think about the use of data and the integration of humans and machines. What are the crucial strategies for adapting to and maximizing the benefits of these advancements? This session will have you ready to move forward at high speed as it paints a vibrant picture showing how synthetic intelligence can amplify current systems and our workforce. Scott Klososky, Technologist, Futurist, Humanist, Author and Consultant
10:30 am Eastern	New Jersey Excellence in Technology Awards Ceremony Be ready to celebrate with the New Jersey Government Technology community as we recognize the amazing technology and service work done for the people across the state. Hosted by: Christopher Rein, Chief Technology Officer, State of New Jersey
11:00 am Eastern	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area
11:30 am Eastern	Concurrent Sessions AI in Action: Real-World Use Cases and Lessons Learned Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a buzzword—it’s transforming public service delivery and driving innovation across the public sector. In this compelling session, discover how government agencies are leveraging AI to solve complex challenges, optimize resource management, and enhance citizen engagement. From predictive analytics in public safety to AI-powered chatbots streamlining public services, explore real-world use cases that are delivering impactful results. This session goes beyond showcasing success stories. Hear firsthand about the challenges faced, lessons learned, and strategic adjustments made along the way. Discover how public sector leaders navigated data privacy concerns, addressed ethical implications, and seamlessly integrated AI into existing systems. Robert Kumapley, Chief, Enterprise Asset Management Division, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Carrie Smith, Chief Innovation & Technology Strategist, Dell Technologies Mastering Cybersecurity in the Digital Era As government agencies increasingly adopt digital platforms and cloud solutions, cybersecurity threats are evolving at an unprecedented pace. How can public sector leaders effectively protect sensitive data, maintain citizen trust, and ensure operational continuity amid growing cyber risks? In this session, we will explore the latest cybersecurity strategies tailored for the public sector, including zero-trust architecture, threat intelligence, and proactive incident response plans. Whether you’re an IT leader, security officer, or public sector executive, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to safeguard your digital assets. Robert Bruder, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Operations Officer, New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell Aparna Shah, Chief Technology Officer and Privacy Officer, Department of the Public Defender, State of New Jersey Achieving Digital Accessibility Are you prepared for the upcoming federal mandate on digital accessibility? By April 2026, all state and local government websites and mobile applications must meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA to provide equal access for individuals with disabilities. How can public agencies not only comply but also enhance user experiences for all citizens? In this session, discover practical strategies to bring your digital platforms into compliance. Hear firsthand from industry experts and public sector leaders who have successfully navigated this mandate. Learn how they assessed digital content, identified accessibility gaps, and implemented best practices to ensure compliance. Gain valuable insights on training staff and seamlessly integrating accessibility into your digital development workflows. Don’t get caught unprepared—join the conversation to stay ahead of the curve and lead the way in digital inclusion. Andrea Levandowski, Adult Services Specialist, New Jersey State Library Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners Hosted by: Christopher Rein, Chief Technology Officer, State of New Jersey
12:30 pm Eastern	Lunch
1:45 pm Eastern	Short Break Please proceed to the general session.
2:00 pm Eastern	Spotlight on Innovation: Redefining Public Service with Digital Excellence Curious about how New Jersey’s top public agencies are revolutionizing public service with cutting-edge technology? Don’t miss this electrifying lightning round where innovation takes center stage! Hear firsthand from trailblazers at leading New Jersey agencies as they showcase their most game-changing digital initiatives. From boosting public safety with AI-powered systems to building smarter, more connected communities, these agencies are not just adapting to the digital age—they’re leading the way. Join us to see how digital transformation is reshaping public service delivery, driving community engagement, and setting new standards for operational efficiency. Don’t just watch the future unfold—be part of it! Moderator: Christopher Rein, Chief Technology Officer, State of New Jersey Ed Apalinski, GIS Specialist, Incident Management, Department of Environmental Protection, State of New Jersey John Harrison, Chief Information Officer, Department of Community Affairs, State of New Jersey Laks Kattalai, Chief Information Officer, New Jersey Courts Dan Oliva, GIS Specialist, Bureau of GIS, Department of Environmental Protection, State of New Jersey Matthew Ryan, Director, Information Technology, Office of the State Comptroller, State of New Jersey Eileen Troutman, Chief Information Officer, Department of Health, State of New Jersey
2:30 pm Eastern	Short Break
2:45 pm Eastern	Concurrent Sessions Transforming Resident Experience Building on the Spotlight on Innovation Showcase, this session dives deeper into how public agencies are transforming the resident experience through cutting-edge digital platforms, mobile applications, and user-centric design. After exploring groundbreaking digital initiatives that are boosting public safety, enhancing community engagement, and creating smarter, more connected communities, this session uncovers the strategies behind these transformative solutions. How can public agencies design digital experiences that truly engage citizens, ensure digital accessibility, and build trust through transparent, personalized interactions? In this interactive session, you’ll hear from industry thought leaders and public sector innovators who are driving these changes and shaping the future of digital government. Monica Ladd, Director of Strategic Engagement, Tyler Technologies Eileen Troutman, Chief Information Officer, Department of Health, State of New Jersey Smart Cities and Digital Inclusion: Building Connected Communities Imagine a world where every community is connected, inclusive, and empowered by technology. Building on the Spotlight on Innovation Showcase, this session delves into how public agencies are bringing this vision to life through smart city solutions and digital inclusion strategies. From expanding public Wi-Fi access and bridging the digital divide to enhancing how communities connect, move, and thrive. How can smart city technology and digital inclusion efforts create more connected, equitable, and resilient communities? Join this conversation to explore the latest trends and innovative strategies for designing connected communities that enhance public service delivery, foster community engagement, and promote digital equity. Robert Kumapley, Chief, Enterprise Asset Management Division, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Aaron Meyerson, Chief Innovation Economy Officer and Director of Broadband, Invest Newark Harnessing Data for Government Innovation In the digital era, data is the backbone of innovation, powering smarter decision-making, predictive analytics, and AI-driven solutions that improve public services. How can government agencies effectively harness data while ensuring security, privacy, and ethical use? Building on the showcase, this session explores how public agencies are leveraging real-time data and advanced analytics to optimize city operations, enhance service delivery, and respond proactively to community needs. Join this discussion to explore the future of data in government and how agencies can responsibly implement technologies to build more intelligent, efficient, and resilient communities. Laks Kattalai, Chief Information Officer, New Jersey Courts Aparna Shah, Chief Technology Officer and Privacy Officer, Department of the Public Defender, State of New Jersey
3:45 pm Eastern	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area
4:30 pm Eastern	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

The War Memorial

1 Memorial Drive
Trenton, NJ 08608
(609) 984-8484

Get Directions To
The War Memorial

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Nick Behmke
Director of Information Technology
Office of Legislative Services, Information Technology Unit
State of New Jersey

Lisa Blauer
Chief of Staff
Office of Information Technology
State of New Jersey

Kai Feder
Chief of Staff
Office of Innovation
State of New Jersey

John Harrison
Chief Information Officer
Department of Community Affairs
State of New Jersey

Linda Holland
Director of Information Technology
Department of Children and Families
State of New Jersey

Hagen Hottmann
Deputy CTO for Enterprise Services
Office of Information Technology
State of New Jersey

Kurt Jaegers
Chief Technology Officer
Department of Environmental Protection
State of New Jersey

Laks Kattalai
Chief Information Officer
New Jersey Courts
State of New Jersey

Bernadette Kucharczuk
Chief Information Officer
New Jersey GMIS
City of Jersey City

Robert McQueen
Director of Information Technology
Township of Hamilton

Lee Micai
Director of IT
Board of Social Services
Mercer County

Edward Michalak
Chief Information Officer
Department of Human Services
State of New Jersey

Nathan Osburn
Director of Communications
Office of Innovation
State of New Jersey

Marc Pfeiffer
Assistant Director
Bloustein Local Government Research Center
Rutgers University

Christopher Rein
Chief Technology Officer
Office of Information Technology
State of New Jersey

Dan Romanov
Director of Information Technology
Tinton Falls

Taran Samhammer
Director
Communications, Marketing & Technology
New Jersey State League of Municipalities

Aparna Shah
Chief Technology Officer and Privacy Officer
Department of the Public Defender
State of New Jersey

Poonam Soans
Chief Data Officer & Director of Application Development
Office of Information Technology
State of New Jersey

Vernon Spencer
Chief Operating Officer
Office of Information Technology
State of New Jersey

Peter Tenebruso
Chief Information Officer
Department of Environmental Protection
State of New Jersey

Eileen Troutman
Chief Information Officer
Department of Health
State of New Jersey

John Tugman
Chief Information Officer
Morris County
Morris County

Noble Varughese
Program Director
Jersey City
State of New Jersey

Julie Veffer
Director of Communications
Office of Information Technology
State of New Jersey

Jayanthi Vilayanur
Chief Information Officer
Department of Agriculture
State of New Jersey

Yolanda Windom
Director, Data Center Services and Facilities
Office of Information Technology
State of New Jersey

Loren Wizman
Business Development Director
New Jersey Association of Counties

Industry Representatives

Dana Dresser
Software Client Leader
IBM

Stuart Grayer
Client Executive
Verizon

Michael LeBlanc
General Manager
Tyler Technologies | NIC

Stephanie Schrader
Major Account Manager
Dell Technologies

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: May 13, 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:

Lee Vang
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1407
E-mail: lvang@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

New Jersey Digital Government Summit 2025

Overview

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Christopher Rein

Chief Technology Officer, State of New Jersey

Scott Klososky

Technologist, Futurist, Humanist, Author and Consultant

Brian Cohen

Vice President, Center for Digital Government

Robert Kumapley

Chief, Enterprise Asset Management Division, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Monica Ladd

Director of Strategic Engagement, Tyler Technologies

Aaron Meyerson

Chief Innovation Economy Officer and Director of Broadband, Invest Newark

Lee Micai

President, NJ- GMIS

Dan Oliva

GIS Specialist, Bureau of GIS, Department of Environmental Protection, State of New Jersey

Carrie Smith

Chief Innovation & Technology Strategist, Dell Technologies

Agenda

Tuesday, May 13

8:00 am Eastern

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

9:00 am Eastern

Opening Remarks

9:20 am Eastern

Welcome Remarks

9:30 am Eastern

Keynote – The Age of Digital Disruption: Moving Forward, Faster

10:30 am Eastern

New Jersey Excellence in Technology Awards Ceremony

11:00 am Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

11:30 am Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

AI in Action: Real-World Use Cases and Lessons Learned

Mastering Cybersecurity in the Digital Era

Achieving Digital Accessibility

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

12:30 pm Eastern

Lunch

1:45 pm Eastern

Short Break

2:00 pm Eastern

Spotlight on Innovation: Redefining Public Service with Digital Excellence

2:30 pm Eastern

Short Break

2:45 pm Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

Transforming Resident Experience

Smart Cities and Digital Inclusion: Building Connected Communities

Harnessing Data for Government Innovation

3:45 pm Eastern

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

4:30 pm Eastern

End of Conference

The War Memorial

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Industry Representatives

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: May 13, 2025

Contact Information

Venue

The War Memorial

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Room Block

Map and Directions

Event Parking

President, NJ- GMIS 