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2023 GMIS MEETS Speakers & Presentations

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Keynote Speaker

Five Secrets to an Unstoppable Memory
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Ron White – Memory Expert

Ron White is a 2 Time USA Memory Champion. He has held the record as the fastest to memorize a deck of cards in the USA. His strategies have helped people in building relationships by remembering names and faces, remembering what they learn and developing quick, sharp and powerful brains.

In 2010, University of Texas scientists conducted an MRI on Ron’s brain as he memorizes and found that 35% more of his brain is activated when he memorizes than the average person. Ron will share specifically how he does this and how you can engage 35% more of your brain's capability.

Ron’s goal is to help everyone meet and remember 100 new people in next 12 months. In his talk, you will learn how to develop a quick, sharp and healthy brain as you use it to be more productive and profitable. In addition to his time sharing memory tricks with groups and on many TV shows over the past 27 years, Ron served in the US Navy from 2002 – 2010 and completed a tour of Afghanistan in 2007.

Abstract

In this session, Ron will teach you how to:

  1. Remember names to build relationships
  2. Remember what you read or learn from conferences to 10x your knowledge at incredible rates
  3. Give speeches from memory to be a more confident speaker
  4. Trust your memory more as you develop a quick, sharp and healthy brain

General Session Speakers

A Customer Journey Redefined: Find, Understand, Do, and Engage with Granicus
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Luke Norris - Vice President of Platform Enablement, Granicus | Carahsoft

Luke Norris serves as the Vice President of Platform Enablement for Granicus. Prior to his firm, OpenCities being acquired, Luke served as the Managing Director for OpenCities. He's also helped start a government payment firm Payit and was an early staff member of the national nonprofit Code for America where he played a key role in helping over 110 governments with digital transformation projects ranging from public health, public safety, entrepreneurship and other key policy areas for state, city and county governments. Luke's a thought leader in government technology and has spoken frequently at the US Conference of Mayors, ICMA, National Association of Counties and other events on topics ranging from digital transformation to smart cities and community engagement. Luke lives in Kansas City, MO where he's an incredibly active member of the community and serves in a variety of nonprofit leadership roles.

Abstract

Imagine a resident's journey through the lens of a better customer experience, one that empowers them to Find, Understand, Do, and Engage with government services online like never before. Our expert speaker will walk you through a transformative narrative, highlighting the real-life benefits of Granicus in the context of your residents' needs.

Key Highlights of the Demo:

  • 🔍 Find: Witness how Granicus enables residents to effortlessly discover the services they need through intuitive navigation and user-centric design.
  • 💡 Understand: Dive into the platform's capabilities to provide transparent information, clarifying even the most intricate government processes for your residents.
  • 📝 Do Things Online: Experience the ease with which residents can complete forms, applications, and transactions from the comfort of their homes, saving time and effort.
  • 🗣️ Engage: Explore innovative tools that foster greater community engagement, from interactive town halls to feedback channels that amplify the resident's voice.
DHS-Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) 101
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John Bryant - Cybersecurity Advisor, DHS/Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Mr. John Bryant serves as a Cybersecurity Advisor for Region 7 (IA, KS, MO and NE) for the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Integrated Operations Division. Based in Kansas City, Missouri he supports the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) mission of partnering with industry and government to understand and manage risk, strengthening the security and resilience of the nation’s critical infrastructure. Mr. Bryant provides Cybersecurity resource briefings, Cybersecurity assessments, and Incident Response planning to the nation’s sixteen critical infrastructure sectors and state, local, tribal, and territorial government entities.

Prior to joining CISA, Mr. Bryant spent 11 years working for the U.S. Army with the last 4 as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Army University on Fort Leavenworth, KS. He was responsible for the operations and security of the Information Technology Architecture and Infrastructure of the campus. He began his career in U.S. Naval Intelligence, where after nine years of service he joined private industry in the Information and Technology field. Mr. Bryant held various IT positions in both the Private and Government sectors, which includes 9 years in Cybersecurity, 8 years in IT Management, and 8 years as CIO for three different organizations.

Abstract

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This session will provide an introduction to Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (a Department of Homeland Security agency), which includes services and resources offered. As a government organization, our vision and mission focus on securing and developing resilient critical infrastructure. We were developed to advise and support organizations, our goals are “Defend today to Secure Tomorrow.”

We provide resources to offer organizations for the protection of critical infrastructure and furthering Cybersecurity for the nation. Resources include assessments, active monitoring and vulnerability mitigation processes.

GMIS Round Table: Cybersecurity
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Moderator: Robert McQueen - GMIS Past President, Director of Information Technology , Township of Franklin, NJ

Robert McQueen is the Director of Information Technology for the Township of Franklin, Somerset, NJ. He provides leadership for the continued development of an innovative, robust, and secure information technology environment throughout the Township. Franklin Township’s Information Technology provides support for technology, delivery of IT infrastructure and services, information security systems and compliance, administrative systems, and client support services. Prior to joining Franklin Township, McQueen spent 21 years in information technology roles in local government. Most recently, he served as the Chief Information Officer for the town of Princeton. McQueen holds a Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) from the University of North Carolina School of Government Chapel Hill, NC. He is also proud to have served as president of GMIS International from 2020-2022.

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Moderator: Brenda Ternes - GMIS President-Elect, IT Director, City of Newton, KS

Brenda Ternes is the Director of Information Technology for the City of Newton, Kansas. Brenda is the self-proclaimed Queen Geek of the City of Newton for 16 years. Recently, she was able to double her department for a total of 2 FTE for over 200 users. She also directs a managed solutions team who has assisted in innovative development of the IT infrastructure. Brenda works with all city departments to provide leading edge technology solutions to better optimize service to the citizens of Newton. Primary responsibilities include oversight of technology support, technology infrastructure, network infrastructure, network security, project planning/implementation, IT budget and policy and procedures. Brenda has been an active member of GMIS International since 2010, currently serving as President-Elect of GMIS International and Past President for the Kansas GMIS Chapter.

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Panelist: Daniel Holland - Director of Information Technology, Town of Narragansett

Dan currently serves as the Director of Information Technology for the Town of Narragansett for the past 7 years, and Systems administrator for the prior 17. He’s been active in technology since the age of 10 and has seen the massive changes from the days of main frames to our cloud/mobile systems of today. Dan has extensive experience and skills in budgeting, project management, and system development. Dan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology from Columbia Southern University and has worked in many facets of municipal government giving him a unique vantage point in managing technology for all municipal departments. Dan further serves as chairman of the Narragansett Pension Board.

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Panelist: Lou Melograna - Chief Technology Officer, StarNet Solutions

Lou Melograna started in WAN technology back in the early 1990s. Since then he has worked with every major vendor in the field and has been involved in thousands of installations, troubleshoots and consulting jobs. He started StarNet Solutions 22 years ago to provide customers with a superb experience with a company that puts their customers' needs first. Our goal is to truly provide the best possible solution with the best customer service possible with open communication.

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Panelist: Jonathan Reich, CGCIO - Chief Information Office, Gainesville, GA

Jonathan Reich is currently the CIO of the City of Gainesville GA. He brings over 27 years of experience in the field of Information Technology and has a diverse background in both the public and private sectors, setting innovative technology standards and providing visionary leadership for numerous organizations. Jonathan currently manages a team of professionals committed to delivering a variety of services, including Public Safety applications and technology, Data Center & Infrastructure, Citywide Enterprise Applications, Strategic Planning, Open Data and much more. Under his leadership, the City of Gainesville has implemented a multi-jurisdictional high-speed fiber network and hyper-converged SDN datacenters, along with policy updates and procedures to better serve citizens and staff. Jonathan continues to collaborate with other local government agencies, nonprofits and other community stakeholders in an effort to bolster citizens' quality of life through technology. Jonathan will serve as the President of the Georgia chapter of GMIS International (beginning July 1) and has completed his CGCIO certification via UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute. Jonathan is a long-time Georgia resident and lives in the North Georgia area outside of Atlanta with his family, and hopes to complete the training for his private pilot’s license someday.

Abstract

Join us for a fun and informative dive into current cybersecurity issues with a panel of industry experts and YOU, the audience. This interactive session uses live polling for attendees to send feedback, opinions and questions to the panel. Topics covered will include vendor management and cybersecurity, MFA/2FA, cyber insurance, intrusion detection and more. This session is not to be missed!

Leveraging the Cloud to Elevate the Digital Experience
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Greg Miller, PhD - Senior Manager, SaaS Migrations , Tyler Technologies

Dr. Greg Miller has been with Tyler since July 1999 and is an experienced Senior Product Support Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the computer software industry. In his current role, he manages the on-premises migration to cloud deployments for Tyler’s EERP software. He is skilled in Windows Servers, Software Installation, Networking, Disaster Recovery, and the Cloud, including AWS. A strong support professional with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) focused on Information Technology from Capella University and currently pursuing an MBA with a Concentration in Cyber Security. During his career, Greg has achieved multiple industry certifications from Microsoft, EC-Council, AWS, and CIW to name a few. Along with his work with Tyler, he is also an Adjunct Professor at Bay Path University and Southern Maine Community College, teaching Cloud Architecture and Cyber Security classes.

Abstract

The evolution of digital government services is rapidly advancing, with cloud technology at its forefront. Cloud-based solutions not only provide integrated services but also significantly enhance the resident experience. How does the cloud facilitate this transformation, and what are its implications for your digital government services?

Join us as we explore how the cloud plays a vital role in connected communities, powering resident-facing applications, civic engagement apps, and data visibility. We will delve into the benefits the cloud brings to residents and provide insights on how to leverage cloud technology to advance your public sector operations.

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will gain an understanding of the critical role cloud technology plays in enhancing the digital experience.
  • Participants will explore the various areas of the public sector that benefit from cloud technology, including resident-facing applications, and civic engagement apps.
  • Participants will discover practical steps and strategies for implementing cloud-based solutions in their own government services.

GMIS Round Table: Future of IT in a Remote Landscape

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Moderator: Felina Harris, MBA, MS, CGCIO

Felina Harris has nearly 30 years of IT and Customer Relationship Experience. She managed the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Administrative Team was responsible for the coordination and facilitation of technology initiatives for 23 years. Her background includes training, software support, customer service, and quality assurance. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Information Systems from Western Carolina University, an MBA from Gardner-Webb University and a Masters in Sociology from Appalachian State University. Felina graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill's Certified Government Chief Information Officer program in 2018. She served as the president of NCLGISA in 2017/2018 and is currently serving on the board as the Conference Chair as well as the Membership Director for GMIS International. Felina has a strong passion for helping others and spends lots of time volunteering in the community. Felina either volunteers for or serves on the Board of Directors for The Circle of Giving, Iredell Christian Ministries, Another Path, Iredell County MLK Planning Committee, and the NAACP. When she is not volunteering in the community for other organizations, including her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., or serving on the Town Council for her small town, she can be found on the sidelines cheering on her sons, Andrew (15) and Ethan (12) in their various sports or sitting in the audience while her husband of 23 years, Kenny, performs at a music gig!

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Panelist: Erin McGinnis - Director of Cyber Collaboration & Preparedness, Kansas Information Security Office

Erin joined the Kansas Information Security office in 2021 as a Business Continuity/ Disaster Recovery Analyst. When the opportunity presented itself, she stepped into the role of Director of Cyber Collaboration and Preparedness where she works to bring the whole state approach to all cyber/technology-based entities across the state. Erin’s group works to bridge the gap between the EM world and the Cyber world and works closely with cities, counties, schools, and public infrastructure, in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from Cyber events. Erin previously had worked with physical planning and disasters at the Kansas Division of Emergency Management as the State Training Program Manager and State Training Officer. She was a certified Kansas Certified Emergency Manager and instructed multiple courses across the state. Erin briefly left State Service to work with the private sector in a Micro Bio startup as the Director of Human Resources and IT.

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Luke Norris - Vice President of Platform Enablement, Granicus | Carahsoft

Luke Norris serves as the Vice President of Platform Enablement for Granicus. Prior to his firm, OpenCities being acquired, Luke served as the Managing Director for OpenCities. He's also helped start a government payment firm Payit and was an early staff member of the national nonprofit Code for America where he played a key role in helping over 110 governments with digital transformation projects ranging from public health, public safety, entrepreneurship and other key policy areas for state, city and county governments. Luke's a thought leader in government technology and has spoken frequently at the US Conference of Mayors, ICMA, National Association of Counties and other events on topics ranging from digital transformation to smart cities and community engagement. Luke lives in Kansas City, MO where he's an incredibly active member of the community and serves in a variety of nonprofit leadership roles.

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Panelist: James Pacanowski, CGCIO - Network Administrator, City of Ventnor City, NJ

James has worked in the IT field for about 25 years. He has worked for the City of Ventnor as Network Administrator for 21 years. James received his CGCIO certification in 2016. His additional certifications include MCSE, Microsoft Office Certified instructor, A+ certified, Network Administrator certified. James graduated from Syracuse University and is married with two college age children.

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Panelist: Earl Shipman, CGCIO - IT Director, City of Cedar Hill

Earl James Shipman is currently the IT Director for the City of Cedar Hill in Texas. He has worked for the city for 20 years as of November 2023. Previously, Earl worked 3 years for the State of Pennsylvania and 7 years for the IT Department of the Sears Human Resources and Payroll Department in Atlanta after graduating from the DeVry Institute of Technology in 1991.

He has as a Bachelor's of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and achieved the CGCIO certification in 2018.

Abstract

Due to its popularity, we are excited to include a second GMIS Round Table panel discussion again this year! This session will offer a fun, informative look into the future of IT in a remote landscape, including remote work policies, insurance and tax considerations, how to attract and retain talent, cloud access and more. This interactive session uses live polling for attendees to send feedback, opinions and questions to the panel.

Top 5 Ransomware Myths

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Andrei Lonescu - Security Architect, Bitdefender

Andrei is a Security Architect for Bitdefender, helping organizations implementing Bitdefender and ensuring a smooth transition to state-of-the-art cybersecurity tools and techniques.

Abstract

Join Bitdefender to learn about dangerous myths, misconceptions, and outdated knowledge surrounding ransomware and how to become more cyber resilient.

Training Course (For government attendees only - pre-registration required)

Azure Network Engineer Associate

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Lou Melograna - Chief Technology Officer, StarNet Solutions

Lou Melograna started in WAN technology back in the early 1990s. Since then he has worked with every major vendor in the field and has been involved in thousands of installations, troubleshoots and consulting jobs. He started StarNet Solutions 22 years ago to provide customers with a superb experience with a company that puts their customers' needs first. Our goal is to truly provide the best possible solution with the best customer service possible with open communication.

Abstract

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Educational Sessions

Are You Running Blind with Misplaced Trust?

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Daniel Holland - Director of Information Technology, Town of Narragansett

Dan currently serves as the Director of Information Technology for the Town of Narragansett for the past 7 years, and Systems administrator for the prior 17. He’s been active in technology since the age of 10 and has seen the massive changes from the days of main frames to our cloud/mobile systems of today. Dan has extensive experience and skills in budgeting, project management, and system development. Dan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology from Columbia Southern University and has worked in many facets of municipal government giving him a unique vantage point in managing technology for all municipal departments. Dan further serves as chairman of the Narragansett Pension Board.

Abstract

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In this session, you'll hear a case study in vendor management and its implications to general operations and cybersecurity during software selection and implementation. A real world example, we will look at what happens when you trust a vendor and it all goes wrong. What do you do, how can you prevent this in the future, and the hard question: should your organization ever truly trust a vendor?

Making Your Case: How Do You Get the Cybersecurity Budget Your Organization Needs? a.k.a. The Golden Vector

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Ted Gruenloh - CEO, Nomic Networks

Ted has worked with network security and web technologies for more than 20 years. He began his career as a full-stack engineer in web development and design, before 'full-stack engineer' was a thing.

One of Nomic Networks' first employees, Ted supports the Nomic team's operations, the CINS Active Threat Intelligence System, and all other supporting technologies, and although he doesn't do it as often as he used to, he's not afraid to get his hands dirty supporting customers or lending a hand in software development.

He is also a well-regarded public speaker, presenting at cybersecurity conferences across the country, spreading the word about shared threat intelligence and cyber hygiene.

Abstract

We talked with several of our customers, friends, and colleagues to determine what works when lobbying leadership for precious cybersecurity dollars. The answer seems to be a complex blend of relationship building and logical arguments based on the risks and realities within the organization. We encourage audience participation to help us break these strategies down, figure out what's most important, and give you some takeaways that can help you reach what we call, "The Golden Vector." Yep, sounds a little cheesy, but it'll be an interesting and meaningful conversation you won't want to miss.

Servant Leadership: Seven Tips To Help EMPOWER Your Staff

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Felina Harris, MBA, MS, CGCIO

Felina Harris has nearly 30 years of IT and Customer Relationship Experience. She managed the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Administrative Team was responsible for the coordination and facilitation of technology initiatives for 23 years. Her background includes training, software support, customer service, and quality assurance. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Information Systems from Western Carolina University, an MBA from Gardner-Webb University and a Masters in Sociology from Appalachian State University. Felina graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill's Certified Government Chief Information Officer program in 2018. She served as the president of NCLGISA in 2017/2018 and is currently serving on the board as the Conference Chair as well as the Membership Director for GMIS International. Felina has a strong passion for helping others and spends lots of time volunteering in the community. Felina either volunteers for or serves on the Board of Directors for The Circle of Giving, Iredell Christian Ministries, Another Path, Iredell County MLK Planning Committee, and the NAACP. When she is not volunteering in the community for other organizations, including her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., or serving on the Town Council for her small town, she can be found on the sidelines cheering on her sons, Andrew (15) and Ethan (12) in their various sports or sitting in the audience while her husband of 23 years, Kenny, performs at a music gig!

Abstract

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Empowering your staff should be the goal of a good leader and the results are rewarding all the way around! These 7 tips will help leaders take their staff to the next level.

How People, Process and Technology Intersect to Create Better Digital Experience For Residents
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Luke Norris - Vice President of Platform Enablement, Granicus | Carahsoft

Luke Norris serves as the Vice President of Platform Enablement for Granicus. Prior to his firm, OpenCities being acquired, Luke served as the Managing Director for OpenCities. He's also helped start a government payment firm Payit and was an early staff member of the national nonprofit Code for America where he played a key role in helping over 110 governments with digital transformation projects ranging from public health, public safety, entrepreneurship and other key policy areas for state, city and county governments. Luke's a thought leader in government technology and has spoken frequently at the US Conference of Mayors, ICMA, National Association of Counties and other events on topics ranging from digital transformation to smart cities and community engagement. Luke lives in Kansas City, MO where he's an incredibly active member of the community and serves in a variety of nonprofit leadership roles.

Abstract

Government often relies on outdated, time-consuming processes. With a digital city hall, governments can promote self-service to reduce the number of calls and walk-ins, saving time internally and externally by moving processes online.

Explore ways to improve internal and external operations, community engagement, resident services, and trust in government.

Topics covered include:

  • How to inform residents about available services
  • Encouraging self-service to reduce call volume and walk-ins
  • What data to leverage to improve the resident experience

The Township of Franklin Tackles Challenge of Document Digitization and Records Retention

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Jeremy Gibson - Account Executive, MCCi

Jeremy Gibson, Account Executive, for our Northeast territory at MCCi. I’ve been working with Laserfiche for over 10 years and have held Project Management, Director of Professional Services, Inside and Outside Sales roles. My passion is helping our existing and future customers with making their job easier through our array of solutions.

I’m a 6 year US ARMY Telecommunications veteran spending time in the Republic of Panama and working with NATO in Norfolk, Virginia. I attended Central Texas College while in the military.

Married to my wife Amy for 28 years and have two adult kids. Enjoy fishing, cycling and playing music in my free time.
He is also a well-regarded public speaker, presenting at cybersecurity conferences across the country, spreading the word about shared threat intelligence and cyber hygiene.

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Robert McQueen - GMIS Past President, Director of Information Technology , Township of Franklin, NJ

Robert McQueen is the Director of Information Technology for the Township of Franklin, Somerset, NJ. He provides leadership for the continued development of an innovative, robust, and secure information technology environment throughout the Township. Franklin Township’s Information Technology provides support for technology, delivery of IT infrastructure and services, information security systems and compliance, administrative systems, and client support services. Prior to joining Franklin Township, McQueen spent 21 years in information technology roles in local government. Most recently, he served as the Chief Information Officer for the town of Princeton. McQueen holds a Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) from the University of North Carolina School of Government Chapel Hill, NC. He is also proud to have served as president of GMIS International from 2020-2022.

Abstract

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The Township of Franklin has aggressive goals for digital transformation and electronic records management. But every project has unknowns that add complexity. In this case, complexity stems from NJ laws don’t prescribe retention schedules for every document type. In partnership with the Clerk’s Office, Bob’s team is building the infrastructure to service this goal of electronic records management while the Clerk is working with the state legislature on defining retention requirements. They are also accessing each departments records needs and engaging in scanning projects to convert files to electronic formats. They are building the engine while the car is in motion! Join this session to learn about how Bob’s approach to this complex project and the support he receives from his trusted partner.

Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Government Website Engagement

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Eric Burgess - Chief Growth Officer, Interpersonal Frequency (I.F.)

Eric is the Chief Growth Officer at Interpersonal Frequency and is responsible for cultivating new business and developing strategies to ensure ongoing client satisfaction. Drawing on over two decades of experience with complex systems and processes, Eric helps carve out flexible, customized solutions that speak to the unique technological challenges facing local governments and public institutions.

He combines findings from our innovative Voice of Citizen® analytics platform with client input, team expertise, and logistical prowess to craft data-driven project plans that answer the client’s most pressing needs and chart a course for future success. From this foundation, Interpersonal Frequency is able to build sites that not only answer client needs but also improve the lives of the millions of people living in the U.S. who depend on digital access to public services.

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Bill Nixon - CIO, Johnson County, KS

Bill Nixon is the CIO and Director of the Department of Technology and Innovation (DTI) for Johnson County Kansas Government, where he oversees 140 employees, 4,300+ users across 75 or more locations, including 28 county departments, offices, and agencies, and 19+ local entities, including some cities, police departments, and fire districts. Prior to joining Johnson County, Bill worked at UMB Bank as the Executive Vice President, following a 19 year career at Fannie Mae. Bill is also the co-inventor of United States Patent 8,423,450 issued April 16, 2013, for a “System and method for processing data pertaining to financial assets”, which was developed and filed when he was at Fannie Mae!

Abstract

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Are you tired of feeling frustrated and underwhelmed when trying to interact with government websites? It's time to change that expectation! Join Interpersonal Frequency's CEO Harish R. Rao and Bill Nixon, Johnson County Kansas’ CIO, as they share insights. Discover the trends and roadblocks that cause government websites to fail at engaging citizens, and learn how a service-forward approach can make a real impact for your community. See the success data with a real life case study with Johnson County, and learn how municipalities can attract those who may have been left behind in the digital age. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to improve government website engagement for the benefit of all citizens! By attending this session, you will:

  1. Understand the common roadblocks that cause government websites to fail at engaging citizens and learn how to overcome them.
  2. Gain insight into user trends and patterns through data from over 17 million individuals across the nation.
  3. Learn how a service-forward approach can make a real impact for your community.
  4. Discover how municipalities can attract those who may have been left behind in the digital age.

2023 IT Recruitment Landscape: Identifying Challenges and Finding Solutions to Make Hiring More Successful

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Samantha Veronda - Senior Human Resources Partner, Johnson County Government

Sam has approximately 16 years of experience in human resources. She joined Johnson County Government in February 2018. Prior to Johnson County, Sam worked in Human Resources roles for the University of Illinois, Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) and Target Corporation.

As a senior partner, Sam is responsible for advising and assisting her business partners with classification/compensation, employee relations, organizational development, and recruitment. Sam is the partner for the County Manager’s Office, the Board of County Commissioners, the Audit Department, the Legal Department, the Elections Office and the Department of Technology and Innovation. Sam also works on several projects such as the annual Engagement Survey and the ATS Implementation Project. In addition, she’s a member of the HRD Fun Committee. She holds the following:

-Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Qualitative Methods, Illinois State University
-Certifications: Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
-Professional memberships: SHRM, IPMA-HR, Greater KC Chapter of IPMA-HR.

Sam enjoys many hobbies including boating, traveling, spending time with her family and cheering on her children in sports. She resides in Olathe with her husband, Luke, and two children: Max (8) and Quinn (3).

Abstract

In this presentation, we will explore the current landscape of recruiting in 2023, discuss deeper the challenges with IT recruiting in the public sector and offer solutions that can help you attract applicants, receive accepted offers, retain employees and become an employer of choice. You will learn about real-life examples that Johnson County, KS Government has implemented to improve their recruiting outcomes.

What to Do in the First 24 Hours

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Keith Macedo - Director of Information Technology, City of Fayetteville Arkansas

Keith Macedo serves as the City of Fayetteville Arkansas’ Director of Information Technology, overseeing the City’s Technology and GIS Divisions. Keith received his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and is also a Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) through the University of North Carolina. Keith has extensive skills and experience in technology, project management, budget management, contract negotiations, contract management and customer service. Prior to Fayetteville he served as the Director of Internal Services for the City of Keller, Texas overseeing all internal services departments. Prior to this position he worked for over a decade as Keller’s Director of Information Services and the Information Services Manager. Prior to his work with the City of Keller, he worked in IT and GIS for the City of Hurst, Texas. His experience and expertise extend outside of his work and into an extensive volunteer spirit, including service on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Government Information Technology managers for three years.

Abstract

Open discussion on lessons learned and what to do in the first 24 hours of a cyber security incident. Come join a conversation on the first 24 hours of a cyber incident and some of the technical and nontechnical items that could help you.

Incident Response 1, 2, 3 – Combat Ransomware with the MS-ISAC

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Megan Incerto - Regional Engagement Manager, Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC)

Megan Incerto is a Regional Engagement Manager for the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center™ (MS-ISAC®), a division of the Center for Internet Security, Inc.®. Megan manages the MS-ISAC® members in the Midwest region and works with our nation's State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) governments including all public entities. The MS-ISAC® provides no-cost and low-cost cybersecurity resources for our members with the goal of strengthening their overall cybersecurity posture and resiliency.

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Emily Sochia - Maturity Services Manager, Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC)

Emily Sochia is a Maturity Services Manager at the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC®), a division of the Center for Internet Security ®. In this role, she works to support federally funded programs and services, including the Nationwide Cybersecurity Review (NCSR), a voluntary self-assessment that measures gaps and capabilities of cybersecurity programs for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) governments. Using the results of the NCSR, the MS-ISAC® creates an anonymized summary report, which is delivered to Congress bi-yearly, providing a broad picture of the cybersecurity maturity across SLTT communities.

Abstract

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Ransomware continues to be a persistent threat to the public sector. How can you make sure your organization is protected? Join the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) in this interactive session! Walking through each step of the incident response process, you will hear best practices that the MS-ISAC recommends and learn about the no- or low-cost services that can directly assist. You will also be able to get started on your Incident Response process by implementing the tools and resources in this session and be well prepared to implement an Incident Response Policy and Plan. Finally, learn about recent cases of ransomware and how important it is to get ahead of an attack.

Tech Lab Speakers

The Most "Advanced" Strategy in Cyber Security: Get the Basics Right
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Kevin Fuller - President, ThinkGard

Kevin is Co-Founder, President and Chief Technical Officer of ThinkGard. He’s responsible for the Design and Implementation Services and Technical Support Team for the businesses.

As an MBA graduate and a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Kevin offers a unique ability to understand business needs and the technologies that facilitate them. Over the course of his career Kevin has created and implemented Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans for companies of all sizes and has a proven ability to work effectively with both technical teams and business executives. Kevin is an esteemed technology speaker in the public sector.

Kevin received both his Undergraduate and Masters Degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He and his wife Lori live in Bluff Park area in Alabama with their 3 children.

Abstract

The cyber security market is growing at an exponential rate and vendors of various types are proclaiming their products as being the most “advanced”, “next-gen”, and “paradigm shifting” products ever to be proposed to a potential client. We are all for having great tools, but our cyber security team is often tasked with consulting with IT Departments before and after cyber incidents to determine how they might be better protected. What we find almost every time is that while they might have implemented “advanced” technologies, those technologies have been negated by basic cyber security tactics being overlooked.

This presentation will walk you through the top basic cyber security tactics that we see being missed with specific real-world examples of each and the potential/actual consequences of these shortcomings to these clients. While we are sure you’ll have most of these already covered, we hope that you’ll come away from the session with at least a couple of items you could change for little or no cost, to further decrease the risk of a cyber incident within your environment.

Cyber Resilience: Recovering Quickly from Cyber-Attacks

Lewis Higginbotham - SLED Regional Sales Director, Rubrik

Lewis Higginbotham has devoted two decades supporting and serving local governments with expertise in data protection and cyber security. At Rubrik, he leads the sales teams which cater to the needs of municipal entities for the Central Region. Leveraging Rubrik's innovative technology, he empowers governments to streamline data management, bolster resilience, and fortify their cyber security posture against threats like ransomware. Lewislives in Frisco, Texas and is happy to join you in cooler climates today!

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Tony VanDemark - SLED Sales Engineer, Rubrik

Tony VanDemark is a Senior Sales Engineer at Rubrik for State and Local Government for 8 states in the Midwest. He has 20+ years of background working as a consultant in business continuity, disaster recovery and security solutions.

Abstract

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Ransomware is growing fast. Cyber-attacks are getting more sophisticated, frequent, and complex resulting in significant operational downtime, costly mitigation and recovery, sensitive data loss, reputational damage, and legal consequences. An organization’s best recourse is to prepare for the inevitable with a ransomware recovery strategy. Join this tech lab presentation to learn what happens during a ransomware attack and ways to recover without paying a ransom. Get best practices for developing a ransomware remediation plan, hear how other government organizations utilize Rubrik to enhance their security posture, and ask questions on how Rubrik can help you strengthen your organization’s cyber resiliency.

Quick Wins with CIS Controls IG1: The Best Bang For Your Cybersecurity Buck
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Ted Gruenloh - CEO, Nomic Networks

Ted has worked with network security and web technologies for more than 25 years. He began his career as a full-stack engineer in web development and design, before 'full-stack engineer' was a thing.

One of Nomic Networks' first employees, Ted supports the Nomic team's operations, the CINS Active Threat Intelligence System, and all other supporting technologies, and although he doesn't do it as often as he used to, he's not afraid to get his hands dirty supporting customers or lending a hand in software development.

He is also a well-regarded public speaker, presenting at cybersecurity conferences across the country, spreading the word about shared threat intelligence and cyber hygiene.

Abstract

It's way too easy to be distracted by all the cybersecurity buzzwords being thrown your way, and miss the important stuff that's right in front of you. Luckily, Implementation Group 1 (IG1) of the CIS Controls has got your back.

We'll use our managed security experience to walk you through the cyber hygiene basics, using CIS Controls IG1 as our guide. It's all there for you: Practical advice that offers quick wins with minimal cost and effort. Some of these solutions aren't sexy, but they get the job done.

Tackling More, Using Less… Because Tackling Less is an Unlikely Option
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Brandon Stiers - SLED Segment Lead, NinjaOne

Brandon Stiers is the SLED Segment Lead for NinjaOne responsible for managing the NinjaOne Public Sector team and adhering to the needs of our State/Local Government & Education customers nationally. He joined NinjaOne in August of 2021 and works out of the Austin, TX office.

Abstract

The IT profession is not for the faint of heart. For those who become easily rattled in high-pressure situations, the allure of being a technology “go-to person” can quickly fade. And don’t forget that the IT profession is a proverbial gift that keeps on giving. You’ll continue to receive your fair share of “hair on fire” tasks that cause you to lose sleep, bookended by mundane tasks that make you sleepy and prone to mistakes. Chances of being asked to do less? Slim. So, how can you keep your IT flame burning bright, while ensuring quality work is completed in a timely manner, and also freeing-up time for strategic projects that support your professional growth? You need the right tool – one that helps you do more with less, automate key tasks, continue to provide exceptional IT service delivery while freeing you up to focus on strategic tasks. Come check out our live demo to see what you’ve been missing, and have your technical questions answered on the spot. We look forward to meeting you!

Meeting Today's IT Demands with Operational Efficiency
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Lewis Pope, SSCP, SOC Core Skills - Head Nerd - Security, N-able

Lewis is an IT Professional with 7 years of experience in a Managed IT Services environment as a Systems Administrator and another 10 years of computer technician experience. Prior to joining N-able, he helped grow a Managed Service Provider over 6 years providing service to SMBs and out-of-warranty hardware repairs for local school districts. His current focus is on training and education to bring good cybersecurity practices to SMBs and the service providers that serve them.

Abstract

In this session, we will show how N-able is helping MSPs and IT professionals to meet the ever-growing complexities of their organization's IT infrastructure by increasing their operational efficiencies and leveraging modern, cloud-based solutions. Hear from our Head Nerd in security, Lewis Pope, as he shows the benefits associated with having a robust layered security strategy including remote monitoring and management, end-point detection and response, password management, DNS Filtering, and cloud-first backup and disaster recovery with Cove Data Protection. Join us and see for yourself why N-able was voted the CRN Annual Report Card winner of the Best-in-Class RMM platform for the last two years in a row.

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