The Public Sector Show by TechTables

#221: Lisa Kent, Melissa Kraft, Derek Williams - 2026 World Cup, Fusion Teams, AI Wins, Leading WellFeaturingLisa Kent is the CIO & Director, City of Houston leading IT for America’s fourth-largest city as she prepares for the World Cup, consolidates Houston Police Department IT, and navigates the delicate balance between innovation and risk.Melissa Kraft is the CIO, City of Frisco managing IT for one of America’s fastest-growing cities (30% population growth) while experimenting with AI deployments on a municipal budget and timeline.Derek Williams is the Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist at Dell & former Louisiana State CIO who spent two decades in Louisiana state government culminating as State CIO, now bringing his battle tested public sector insights to help State & Local Governments navigate technology decisions—with real empathy for the scrutiny CIOs face daily.Timestamps(04:00) How Houston’s network transformation is preparing for the World Cup(10:15) Fusion teams in action — how Lisa’s approach to embedding IT with business units delivers measurable wins(12:00) Building systems that last — Derek’s cost allocation model Louisiana still uses a decade later(14:00) 40% efficiency gains with AI — Frisco’s wins in 911 training and traffic processing(18:00) The CIO role is transforming — all three guests discuss the shift from control to consultation and what it means for the next decade(24:00) Why 95% of AI projects fail — and the three critical stumbling blocks Derek sees everywhere(27:45) What NASA’s 23-year-old moon landing engineer teaches us about trusting younger technologists(38:45) What public sector teams deserve credit for — Derek’s defense of the hardest working people few appreciate(41:30) Small bets, big trust — Melissa shares her playbook for incremental innovation that wins department buy-inConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesListen now: YouTube x Apple x SpotifyWhenever you’re ready, there are 2 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables NewsletterGet early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more — straight to your inbox.Join now:https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 TechTables CIO CommunitiesTechTables CIO Communities are exclusive peer groups for public sector CIOs—featuring vendor-free conversations, 2x annual retreats, exclusive podcast access, and off-the-mic dialogue with leaders who face the same security theater and AI slop.We’re launching three cohorts:1) Local Government (opening soon)2) Higher Education (waitlist)3) State Agencies (waitlist).The Local Government Cohort kicks off with our first retreat in San Antonio, TX in Spring 2026—limited to 15 CIOs.​Our local government customer advisory board is led by following CIOs:Craig Hopkins, CIO, City of San Antonio & ChairChris Chirgwin, CIO, Santa Barbara CountyJustin Fair, CIO, City of GarlandBuilt by CIOs. Powered by TechTables.More details coming soon. : )Platinum Newsletter Sponsor:Join TechTables & Info-Tech Research Group at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 - New Orleans (February 3 - 4, 2026) and/or Info-Tech LIVE 2026 - Las Vegas (June 9 - 11, 2026)!Learn more about upcoming Info-Tech events here: https://www.infotech.com/eventsGold Newsletter Sponsor:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#220: From Admin to Youngest CIO — How Curiosity & Collaboration Built Two Public-Sector LeadersFeaturing:Erica Early, Chief Information Officer, Washington State Office of the State TreasurerLisa Faison, Chief Information Officer, City of Goodyear, ArizonaEpisode Highlights:What if the fastest route to becoming a CIO wasn’t a degree or a title — but saying yes to the “one more project” everyone else avoided?In this episode, two women reveal how curiosity and collaboration turned overtime testing gigs into executive leadership — and what it really takes to modernize 40-year systems, lead six generations of staff, and build careers that outlast every technology trend.Timestamps(02:00) Overtime testing that launched a CIO career (05:00) “Don’t tell me your problems” — building trust through business empathy (11:00) Six generations, zero left behind — protecting institutional knowledge (16:00) From low response to 78% engagement — redefining IT as a strategic partner (22:00) Mom & Pop to Strategic Partner — Goodyear’s IT transformation (24:00) The 17-year-old intern reviving legacy teams (29:00) Slowing down to speed up — the 40-year system replacement story (31:00) Be someone people want to work with — final career adviceConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.comBrought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#219: How Seguin IT Built a 27-Award Culture — And What Port Houston & Flower Mound Teach About LeadershipFeaturing:Shane McDaniel, CIO, City of Seguin & 2025 TAGITM PresidentJames O’Brien, Information Security Officer, Port Houston (& 2026 TAGITM President)Jose Mendez, IT Director, Town of Flower MoundTed Gruenloh, CEO, Nomic NetworksEpisode Highlights:What happens when local IT leaders transform city government through servant leadership, authentic vendor partnerships, and homegrown talent?Shane McDaniel reveals how Seguin’s investment in people turned 2 new positions into 5 internal promotions and 27 innovation awards.James O’Brien shares his journey from a 2-person team supporting 450 employees to leading a high-trust, hybrid culture at Port Houston.Jose Mendez explains how Flower Mound’s “trust but verify” accountability framework drives transparency, measurable outcomes, and stakeholder confidence.Ted Gruenloh unpacks how authentic vendor partnerships led to 13 of 17 sales deals and why mutual trust is the foundation of sustainable partnerships.Together, they explore how servant leadership, accountability, and community (like TAG) are fueling Texas’ award-winning IT culture — and why these lessons matter for every public sector leader nationwide.Timestamps(00:32) Why Texas IT Leaders Choose Public Service — Finding Purpose and Calling (07:00) From Keyboard Warrior to Strategic Leader – James O’Brien’s Leadership Evolution (10:00) Trust Nothing, Verify Everything – Jose Mendez’s Accountability Framework (15:00) 27 Innovation Awards – How Seguin Built a Winning IT Culture from Within (19:00) 2 New Positions, 5 Promotions – Shane McDaniel’s Talent Development Strategy (23:00) 13 of 17 Deals Closed – Ted Gruenloh on Authentic Vendor Partnerships (30:06) Funny Moment – Justin Cure and Rishma Khimji Bring Some Texas Humor (32:59) 450 Employees, 2 IT Staff – How TAG Became James O’Brien’s Lifeline (33:00) Building Trust in Hybrid Work – Port Houston’s Communication Playbook (40:00) Looking Ahead to TAGITM 2026 – Why Texas Values Drive IT ExcellenceConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.comBrought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#218: How 3 State CIOs Cut Through AI Hype to Save Millions with Bill Kehoe, Tim Galluzi, Alan FullerFeaturingBill Kehoe, Chief Information Officer and WaTech Agency Director, State of WashingtonTim Galluzi, Chief Information Officer, State of NevadaAlan Fuller, Chief Information Officer, State of UtahEpisode HighlightsWhat if the future of government IT isn’t about the biggest budget—but the courage to ship fast, fail forward, and use AI that actually works?Three state CIOs share how they’re turning bold ideas into measurable wins:• Nevada detects wildfires faster and launches aircraft sooner with AI.• Utah rolled out Gemini statewide—deflecting 70% of help-desk calls.• Washington uses AI to translate legacy COBOL into plain English, cutting months of manual work.You’ll also hear Tim Galluzi’s Marine Corps lesson that “speed beats perfection,” Alan Fuller’s vision for cryptographically verifiable credentials (yes, even beekeeping licenses), and Bill Kehoe’s “Coffee with Kehoe” approach that guided teams through a $16B deficit with transparency.When CIOs put people before platforms, they build systems that truly serve citizens.Timestamps(01:00) Coffee with Kehoe: Leading Teams Through $16B Deficit with Transparency(03:31) Marine Corps to State IT: “Speed Beats Perfection” Leadership Philosophy(11:00) Utah’s Reality Check: From “Can’t Run Zoom” to Strategic Innovation Partner(15:00) Data Foundation First: From Spreadsheet Chaos to Customer Experience Insights(19:36) 3 States, 3 AI Wins: COBOL to English, 70% Deflection, $1M Saved(30:30) Wildfire AI: Nevada Saving Lives with Early Detection(36:00) “We Aren’t the Alpha Big Dog”: Learning from the Smallest Counties(39:00) Digital Identity Revolution: Every Credential Cryptographically Verifiable(42:00) One Portal, One Identity: Making Government Simple for Citizens🔥 Want more from TechTables? Check out these 3 other binge-worthy episodes you can’t miss.#209: Teena Piccione, J.R. Sloan, Mark Wittenberg, Jonathan Feldman & Joe Durante#173: Exclusive Interview with the 23rd Governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey#138: Breaking Burnout with Jim Weaver, CIO, North Carolina & Mandy Crawford, CIO, State of TexasConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#217: Supercharging Cyber Resiliency — How Texas Cities Achieve Enterprise-Level Security [2025 TAGITM]Episode HighlightsWhat if cybersecurity in government isn’t about buying the newest tools — but trusted relationships, shared intelligence, and grassroots innovation?In this episode, four Texas public sector leaders share how local governments are building enterprise-level resilience without enterprise budgets. From 27 innovation awards in the City of Seguin (and counting — Shane scored #27 mid-interview), to mutual aid agreements replacing $40K emergency response contracts, to AI solutions that collapse months of compliance work into hours — this is a masterclass in trust-powered transformation.You’ll hear how the TAGITM community launched a secure statewide Data Collective (don’t worry — Eric double-checked the security for everyone), how a Cohesity box landed in a city office just two days after the PO was signed (Jody may or may not have had it ready in the trunk), and why the best IT decisions aren’t always about cost — but collaboration, community, and a few Hawaiian shirts.(00:45) “We’re Calling on you, Rishma!” — Shane’s Shoutout to Las Vegas Airport CIO(03:00) 27 Innovation Awards (and Counting): How Shane’s Rural Team Built Big-City Security(06:00) Data vs. Cyber Resiliency: The 2016 Shift That Changed Everything(11:00) Degrees & Certs: From Zero to 13 Degrees and 27 Certs in a Small Texas Team(13:00) Data Collective: How Texas Cities Built a Secure, Peer-Driven Vendor Intelligence Platform(17:00) Mutual Aid Agreements: How 15+ Cities Replaced $40K Emergency Contracts(34:00) RAG in Action: How AI Cut Compliance Work From Months to Hours(43:00) No-Brainer Decisions: When User Experience Beats PriceFeaturingShane McDaniel, Chief Information Officer & TAGITM President, City of SeguinTony Gonzalez, IT Director & Past TAGITM President, City of New BraunfelsEric Matthews, Chief Information Officer, City of AllenMarlin McFate, CTO & CISO for Public Sector, CohesityLinks MentionedTAGITM - Serving as the premier organization for government technology professionals in TexasCohesity - Modern data security and management for local government. Protect against ransomware and other cyber threats. Manage local government agency data securely and effectively.🔥 Want more from the 2025 TAGITM Podcast Tour? Check out 2 other binge-worthy episodes you can’t miss.#213: How TxDOT's AI Cut Crashes 29% — Plus Austin's Multi-Agency Crisis Response#215: CapMetro Built AI So Human Callers Can’t Tell + How Austin Put Data Stewardship Before AI Hype + UTSA’s “Humble, Hungry, Kind” CultureBrought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Connect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#216: From Coast Guard to CIO — Craig Hopkins on Purpose-Driven Leadership in San AntonioEpisode HighlightsWhat if the secret to transformational leadership isn’t being the smartest person in the room, but being the “humble gardener” who grows others? In this episode, San Antonio CIO Craig Hopkins shares why “we’re not IT professionals, we’re operational leaders,” how small behaviors compound into culture, and what it really means to build teams with purpose. From Team of Teams to One Mission, this episode is packed with practical frameworks — a true masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.(02:00) From Coast Guard to CIO: Finding Purpose in Service(04:00) USAA’s 20-Year Leadership Lab: Five Careers, One Company(08:00) A Costly Lesson at Sea: How Tragedy Shaped Craig’s View of Leadership(14:00) Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World(16:00) One Mission: How Leaders Unite a Team of Teams(19:00) Behaviors → Character → Culture: How Small Actions Shape Organizations (for Better or Worse)(25:00) The Humble Gardener: Why Great CIOs Cultivate People, Not Control ThemLinks MentionedTeam of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World by General Stanley McChrystalOne Mission: How Leaders Build a Team of Teams by Chris Fussell🔥 Want more from the 2024 Houston Podcast Tour? Check out four binge-worthy episodes you can’t miss.#208: Texas County Women Leading 6M+ Residents: From Flooded Data Centers to AI Innovation Lab to Building Unbreakable Teams#205: From Hurricane Harvey to Beryl: Houston's "One Family" Emergency Response#204: Why Texas DMV Chose $6M in Planning Over $150M (Plus TDLR's 25-Program Modernization)#203: UHCL's 6-Week Leadership Pivot + AI Student Concierge + NASA Innovation CultureWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Get early access to new episodes, insights, and event updates — straight to your inbox.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.Learn more: https://techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual Series: Where CXOs and partners solve real challenges, share lessons learned, and spark innovation — together.Join companies like Dell, SentinelOne, Polimorphic, and more that are joining the conversation.📧 Interested? Email Joe at ⁠joe@techtables.comBrought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Connect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtables This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#215: CapMetro Built AI So Human Callers Can’t Tell + How Austin Put Data Stewardship Before AI Hype + UTSA’s “Humble, Hungry, Kind” Culture — All With Limited Resources [2025 TAGITM]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Tanya Acevedo, Senior Vice President and CIO, CapMetroKendra Ketchum, VP for Information Management & Technology, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)Kerrica Laake, Chief Information Officer, City of AustinChris Stewart, Chief Technology Officer, Freeit Data Solutions (former CIO, City of Austin)What You’ll Learn:How Austin's CIO built career pathways from college intern to executive leadership over 33 years, creating high school Shark Tank programs and veteran transition pipelines that solve the government talent crisisWhy CapMetro's paratransit AI agent sounds so human that special needs riders can't tell the difference—and how it already knows their eligibility and service history before they finish speakingHow a simple homeless services app discovered 40% hidden capacity in existing lockers, helping vulnerable citizens store belongings safely during job interviews instead of hiding them in bushesUTSA's "hungry, humble, kind" framework that transformed 9 out of 11 frustrated leaders into collaborative innovators using Working Genius assessments and intentional failure policiesWhy Tanya's team failed twice on the same project before breakthrough success, and how transparent budget conversations about declining sales tax revenue actually strengthened team creativity and resource optimizationHow FreeIT Data partners with resource-constrained counties and cities to deliver the same technology solutions that large organizations require, but with creative collaboration that leverages vendor partnerships when budgets are tightTimestamps(03:00) From College Intern to CIO: Kerrica's 33-Year Austin Journey(05:00) Integrity and Accountability Crisis: Rebuilding Trust in Government IT(08:00) High School Shark Tank: Building Tomorrow's Government Tech Talent(11:00) Hungry, Humble, Kind: UTSA's Team Transformation Framework(16:00) 9 of 11 Leaders Frustrated: Working Genius Assessment Breakthrough(23:00) Austin's First Technology Conference: Breaking Down 30-Year Silos(26:00) Data Stewardship Before AI: Why Foundation Matters More Than Hype(33:00) Breaking "Always Done It This Way": Culture vs. Strategy Battle(36:00) AI Factory Framework: UTSA's Governance-First Automation Approach(39:00) AI So Human You Can't Tell: CapMetro's Mind-Blowing Paratransit Agent(44:00) Resource-Constrained Partners: FreeIT Data's Creative Government SolutionsConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Get early access to new episodes, insights, and event updates — straight to your inbox.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#213: How 3 Texas Women CIOs Orchestrate Change — From TxDOT's 29% Crash-Reducing AI to CapMetro & Austin Breaking Silos [2025 TAGITM Live Podcast Tour]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Kerrica Laake, Chief Information Officer, City of AustinAnh Selissen, Chief Information Officer, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)Tanya Acevedo, Senior Vice President and CIO, CapMetroStephanie Weber, Industry Leader, State and Local Government and Higher Ed AppianWhat You’ll Learn:Breaking Silos from the Inside Out — How Kerrica's 33-year climb from city intern to CIO taught her that real transformation starts with asking "why" at every level, and why pairing IT with city executives through Austin's Business Relationship Program rewired decades of entrenched silos.Triple-Crisis Leadership at TxDOT — How Anh navigated a reorg, COVID, and ransomware attacks while launching crash-predictive AI that spots stranded vehicles before secondary collisions occur — delivering a 29% statewide reduction in secondary crashes across construction zones.Turning Financial Crisis into Transit Innovation — How Tanya's transparent leadership during a sales tax shortfall inspired cross-training initiatives that birthed $1.75 fully integrated trip planning — allowing CapMetro to directly compete with expensive, unreliable rideshare.Unified Emergency Response in Action — How Austin's women CIOs orchestrated city, state, and transit agencies in one CTEC center, creating a coordinated crisis response model.How Appian-Powered Orchestration Connects Human Services End-to-End — Linking housing assistance, food programs, and job services so no resident falls through the cracks.Why Leading Agencies Choose Process Improvement Over "Efficiency" — How component-driven approaches help departments work smarter with existing systems instead of costly rip-and-replace projects that disrupt operations.Timestamps(01:00) 33-Year Orchestration: From City Intern to Silo-Breaking CIO Leadership(02:00) Breaking Departmental Silos: Business Relationship Program Pairs IT with City Executives(04:00) Crisis as Catalyst: CapMetro's Transparent Response to Sales Tax Decline(06:00) Triple Crisis Orchestration: Surviving Reorg + COVID + Ransomware at TxDOT(13:00) Crash-Reducing AI in Action: 29% Secondary Crash Reduction Through Predictive Analytics(17:00) Transit Orchestration: $1.75 Multi-Mode Integration That Competes with Uber(21:00) CTEC Center Model: Orchestrating City, State & Transit for Emergency Response(24:00) Change Management Strategy: Applying "Weakest Link" Principles Across Organizations(28:00) AI Orchestration Framework: Ethical Pilot Programs Over Shiny Technology(32:00) Legacy System Orchestration: Innovation Labs That Modernize While Preserving FunctionConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#212: From COBOL to Salesforce: Washington State Liquor Board’s 9-Year, Multi-Million Modernization + Army Leadership LessonsBrought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:George Williams, CIO, Washington State Liquor and Cannabis BoardWhat You’ll Learn:How a 42-year-old COBOL system from 1983 finally got retired — and why a 70-year-old contractor stayed on just to see it dieWhy George paused the entire project for a year and restructured the whole team — and how that bold move led to a successful go-live after two failed attempts spanning nine yearsThe critical moment George stopped outsourcing ownership to contractors and put actual agency employees in chargeHow battlefield leadership lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan shaped George's approach to managing massive licensing operationWhy “success” nearly broke the system — and how the agency handled 30,000+ phone calls in just three months post-launchHow George built a cross-division data governance team to prevent inaccurate AI answers — and what every CIO should learn from itWhy Salesforce developers are solid gold — and how George is fighting to keep them in the public sector with training budgets and team loyaltyThe one job George believes every CIO must do: take the heat round so their team can thriveTimestamps(00:35) From Army Combat Vet to Cannabis & Liquor Board CIO(03:00) Basketball to Military: “Too Slow for Forward, Too Short for Center”(06:00) Iraq 2004: Getting Blown Up and Building Resilient Teams(12:00) 9-Year Project Nightmare: Firing Teams and Rebuilding from Scratch(16:00) 42-Year-Old COBOL System: The 1983 Legacy That Wouldn’t Die(23:00) 7 Legacy Systems to Salesforce: The Technical Transformation(26:30) 20,000 Liquor + 1,900 Cannabis Licenses: Managing Complex Customer Operations(33:00) CIO as Translator: Making Tech Make Sense to Non-Tech Leaders(38:00) 30,000 Phone Calls Post-Launch: When Success Creates New Problems(44:00) Leadership Lessons: Taking the Heat and Supporting Your TeamConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#211: South Florida CIO Roundtable: 1,000+ Sensor Network, Centennial Celebration, Miami Beach's AI Agents & MoreBrought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Frank Quintana, CIO, City of Miami BeachRicardo Castillo, CIO, City of North Miami BeachRaimundo Rodulfo, CIO, City of Coral GablesKyle Patel, VP of Engineering, PolimorphicWhat You’ll Learn:How Miami Beach serves millions of international tourists with 6 AI agents instead of expanding staff in their 7-square-mile destinationWhy Coral Gables found a missing child in 2 minutes during a 50,000-person event using computer vision from 1,000+ sensorsThe leadership story behind "hand the marker" - how South Florida CIOs transform interns into teachers who build better teamsHow Polimorphic's AI pre-screens applications in 30 seconds, catching 90% of errors before staff review (25 languages expanding to 70)Why North Miami Beach turned a 6-year permitting system failure into breakthrough collaboration across 14 departmentsThe governance strategy that blocks shadow AI while enabling department self-service: Miami-Dade College education + centralized licensing + technology controlsTimestamps(03:00) 7 Square Miles, Millions of Tourists: Miami Beach's AI-First Customer Service Strategy(08:00) 1,000+ Sensors to 2-Minute Rescue: Coral Gables' Smart City Emergency Response Evolution(16:00) 30-Second Application Pre-Review: Polimorphic's AI Catches 90% of Errors before staff review (25 languages expanding to 70)(22:00) Shadow AI Governance: Miami-Dade College Education + Centralized Licensing Strategy(30:00) 6-Year Permitting Failure Becomes Collaboration: Breaking Down North Miami Beach's 14-Department Silos(34:00) Hand the Marker Leadership: How Interns Become Teachers Who Build Better Teams(42:00) Human Capital as Competitive Advantage: Coral Gables' Private Sector Mindset in Government(47:00) 25 Languages to 70: Polimorphic's Multilingual Government Access Transformation(50:00) The Next Decade CIO: From Keep-the-Lights-On to Strategic Problem-Solving PartnerConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#210: Maricopa County's AI Teams Save 100s of Hours (Plus AZ's Child Safety 30-Year Data Strategy & Building AI for Service-First Gov.)Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Aaron Judy, Chief of Innovation and Emerging Technologies, Maricopa CountySteven Hintze, Chief Data and Product Officer, Arizona Department of Child SafetyKyle Patel, Lead Product and Engineering, PolimorphicWhat You’ll Learn:How to build working AI prototypes in 10 minutes that impress stakeholders and scale to production (like Maricopa County's animal contact tracing system)Why 30 years of unstructured government data delivers better AI results than traditional structured approaches—and how to leverage itThe proven framework that helped one county identify 100+ AI use cases across 55+ agencies and avoid the "SQL query disguised as AI" trapHow AI can recover 100s of hours worth of staff time by eliminating repetitive tasks while improving citizen experienceThe composable architecture strategy that lets you completely rebuild your AI stack within 30 days of production release without losing momentumTimestamps(06:00) Why 30 Years of Unstructured Data Beats Clean Databases(10:00) Beyond Press 1 Press 2: True AI Automation vs. Labor Shifting(13:00) The 10-Minute Prototype That Impressed Animal Care Directors(18:00) What Vendors Get Wrong: Extracting vs. Creating Value for Government(22:00) AI as Therapy: Validating Difficult Caseworker Decisions(30:00) The Mom Test in Government: Solving Real vs. Requested Problems(34:00) Innovation Roadshows: Getting 55 Agencies to Embrace Emerging Tech(37:00) Future Vision: Decentralized Identity and 24/7 Government(42:00) Amazon-Level Service: Building Public Trust Through Better Technology(47:00) Failing Fast with Grace: Building Psychological Safety for InnovationConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#209: Teena Piccione, J.R. Sloan, Mark Wittenberg, Jonathan Feldman & Joe Durante [Better Together Series]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Teena Piccione, Secretary and State CIO, North CarolinaJ.R. Sloan, State CIO, ArizonaMark Wittenburg, CIO, City of RaleighJonathan Feldman, CIO, Wake CountyJoe Durante, Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist, Dell TechnologiesWhat You’ll Learn:How North Carolina's State CIO (from Google, AT&T, Fidelity, and more!) attracted world-class talent by selling the "most insane job" with the biggest data set and playground they'd ever seeWhy shifting from "customers" to "colleagues and partners" eliminated IT roadblocks and built trust with departments like public safetyHow to slash state procurement timelines from 9+ months to 45 days using proactive vendor negotiations and continuous pipeline management that saves agencies money to spend elsewhereArizona's AI governance framework that approved 15+ use cases saving employees 2.5 hours per week while protecting data through questionnaires and sandbox environments across 130+ agenciesWhy city councils care more about AI's environmental impact than security risks, and how CIOs are building sustainability requirements into procurement policiesTimestamps(01:00) Meet the Powerhouse Pod: State CIOs from NC & AZ + City & County Leaders + Dell(06:00) The "Most Insane Job" Pitch: How to Recruit World-Class Talent(11:00) Building Your Network Before You Need It: Relationship-Based Recruiting(15:00) Screening for Heart: Finding Candidates Who Care About Mission Over Money(19:00) Language That Transforms: From "Customers" to "Colleagues and Partners"(22:00) Procurement Revolution: Slashing 9-Month Timelines to 45 Days(26:00) Arizona's GenAI Use Cases: 15+ Approved Use Cases Saving 2.5 Hours Per Week(33:00) AI in Action: Predictive Policing and Real-Time Crime Centers(36:00) Surprising City Council Reaction: Environmental Impact Over Security Fears(40:00) Legacy Modernization Strategy: Leading with Pain Points and Value(46:00) Leadership Philosophy: The Power of Leading to Give vs. Get(50:00) Building Teams That Last: Developing People Before Processes(53:00) True Collaboration: Staying Curious, Connected, and InnovativeConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: The narrative-driven series bringing together industry partners and public sector CXOs. Discover the compelling stories that unfold when we stop working in silos and start building together. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#208: Texas County Women Leading 6M+ Residents: From Flooded Data Centers to AI Innovation Lab to Building Unbreakable Teams [2024 Houston Live Podcast Tour]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Sindhu Menon, CIO & Executive Director of Universal Services, Harris CountyRobyn Doughtie, CIO, Fort Bend CountyMisty Witmer, CIO, Galveston CountyMani Nagothu, Field CISO, SentinelOneWhat You’ll Learn:How Harris County's innovation lab is testing AI and emerging technologies while building nimble, resident-centric, and resilient operationsWhy Fort Bend County successfully processed 30,000 ServiceNow tickets while reducing active projects from 200 to 86 through strategic prioritizationGalveston County's approach to coastal resilience, including data center failover systems and business continuity planning for hurricane seasonsThe strategic evolution of cybersecurity leadership from technical expertise to enterprise risk management integrationHow county CIOs are building the next generation through customer experience academies, with one leader surprising her team with new leadership training objectivesTimestamps(01:00) Meet the Texas County Women: 6M+ Residents Served(03:00) Building Nimble, Resident-Centric Organizations During Transformation(07:00) Strategic Leadership Team Development: CTO, Justice Technology Leaders(09:00) From Pennsylvania to Texas Coast: Modernization in Hurricane Territory(12:00) ServiceNow and Workday Implementation: Balancing Resources and Priorities(14:00) Data Center Flooding Lessons: "Basements in Houston Area, Not a Good Idea"(17:00) Emergency Preparedness: Raleigh vs Houston Regional Differences(20:00) Coastal Resilience: Building Continuity Systems That Never Go Offline(26:00) Digital Equity and Broadband: Beyond Infrastructure to Digital Literacy(30:00) Court System Modernization: Business Intelligence Transforming Resident Services(36:00) Lifting Teams Up: Leadership Development and Internal Promotion StrategiesConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#207: Bringing Soldiers Home to Building the Digital Identity with Blake Hall, Founder & CEO, ID.meBrought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Blake Hall, Founder & CEO, ID.meWhat You’ll Learn:How Blake's grandfather earned a Bronze Star with Valor at Anzio and established three leadership rules that shaped three generations of soldiersWhy Roy, an Iraqi interpreter, became a life-changing mission that demonstrated the true meaning of bringing everyone homeHow ID.me is building the identity layer for the internet with a digital wallet that puts consumers in control of their dataThe four immutable character traits Blake screens for: optimism, kindness over niceness, fight-or-flight control, and zero tolerance for jerksStrategic fundraising lessons from raising over $100 million while maintaining company control and avoiding liquidation preference trapsTimestamps(01:00) Military Heritage: Three Generations of Soldiers from WWII to Iraq (02:00) Grandfather's Bronze Star: Saving His Unit at Anzio Against Nazi Machine Guns (04:00) The Three Family Rules: Humility, Hard Assignments, and Leadership Lessons (05:00) Roy's Story: Meeting the Iraqi Interpreter Who Looked Like a "Water Boy" (07:00) Combat Reality: 19 of 22 Interpreters Executed Over 24 Months (08:00) The Promise: "I'm Going to Bring All My Guys Home" (13:00) Combat to Civilian: "Where Do I Go on Friday to Hang Out?" (14:00) ID.me's Mission: Building the Identity Layer for the Internet (15:00) Digital Wallets Beyond Payments: Privacy Filters and Never Do Same Thing Twice (21:00) Core Value #1: "Don't Be a Jerk" - Zero Tolerance Policy (22:00) Core Value #2: "Kind vs. Nice" - Truth-Telling Over People-Pleasing (23:00) Core Value #3: "No Pessimists" - The Apollo 13 Mindset (25:00) Hiring Strategy: Screening for Immutable Character Traits First (27:00) Duke Basketball Example: Coach K's "We're Gonna Win" Leadership (31:00) Fundraising Timing: Running Experiments Before Raising Capital (34:00) Paul Graham's Wisdom: "Love from Few vs. Lukewarm from Many" (36:00) Founding Team Dynamics: Complementary Skills and Vesting Agreements (39:00) Strategic Investors: USAA Partnership Without Control Strings (40:00) Crossover Funds: Viking Global's $100M+ Rounds Without Board Control (42:00) The Four Business Questions: Size, Frequency, Price, and Moats (45:00) Book Recommendations: Military Leadership to Tech InnovationConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#206: Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown - Navy SEAL to Extreme OwnershipBrought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:JP Dinnell, former U.S. Navy SEAL, Leadership Instructor, Speaker, and Strategic Advisor, Echelon FrontWhat You’ll Learn:How JP went from being served divorce papers on his anniversary to rebuilding his marriage using extreme ownership principlesWhy Task Unit Bruiser became the most highly decorated special operations unit of the Iraq War by putting team firstThe dangerous transition trap that destroys military veterans (and how to avoid it by establishing a clear new mission)JP's daily "war against complacency" strategy that protects your marriage, business, and health from gradual decayThe 3 pillars of elite mastery that took JP from Delta Platoon sniper to Echelon Front leadership instructorTimestamps(03:12) JP's SEAL Team Background and Combat Experience(07:55) The Dark Transition: When Everything Falls Apart(11:00) Driving Ownership: Lessons from Ramadi Combat Operations(17:00) Extreme Ownership: The Path Out of Dark Places(22:00) Entrepreneurship as the Ultimate Reality Check(25:00) Declaring War on Complacency Every Single Day(31:00) Humility: The #1 Trait of Combat-Effective Leaders(38:00) Three Pillars of Elite Mastery: Discipline, Patience, Dedication(42:00) Echelon Front's FTX: Real-Time Leadership Under PressureConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#205: From Hurricane Harvey to Beryl: Houston's "One Family" Emergency Response [2024 Houston Live Podcast Tour]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Summer Xiao, Deputy CIO - EAS/PMO, City of HoustonJane Wu, Deputy Director - Data Privacy & Business Operations Management, City of HoustonBert Quarfordt, Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO) - IT Infrastructure, City of HoustonWhat You’ll Learn:How Houston's IT team evolved emergency response protocols through nine federally declared disasters, building bench strength after losing key expertiseWhy pre-positioned contracts and vendor partnerships are critical for rapid emergency deployment without compromising standards or securityHow Hurricane Beryl knocked out power to 350+ city locations serving 2.6 million residents and the specific recovery strategies usedThe "one family approach" that transforms team culture through initiatives like Summer's snack cart and cross-departmental collaborationWhy cloud-first infrastructure strategies provide essential resilience when local data centers fail during natural disastersTimestamps(03:00) 9 Federal Disasters: Building Emergency Response Bench Strength(08:00) Hurricane Beryl: 350+ Locations Lost Power, 2.6M Residents Affected(12:00) Tier One Response: From Prep to Recovery Operations(17:00) 311 Crisis: Data Center Meltdown During Emergency Response(25:00) Keeping 911 Systems Operational When Infrastructure Fails(31:00) The "One Family Approach": Crisis Collaboration That Actually Works(34:00) Summer Snacks: Building Team Culture Through Food and Connection(40:00) AI and Cloud-First: Future-Proofing Against Climate Disasters(45:00) Crisis Leadership Lessons for Public Sector CXOsConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#204: Why Texas DMV Chose $6M in Planning Over $150M (Plus TDLR's 25-Program Modernization) [Houston 2024]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Wendy Barron, CIO, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)Courtney Arbour, Executive Director, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)What You’ll Learn:How choosing $6 million in planning funds over $150 million in immediate funding can lead to better modernization outcomes at Texas DMVThe strategic approach to consolidating 25+ programs and 8 legacy licensing systems at TDLR into a unified platformHow Texas DMV interfaces with 254 counties through 500+ Tax Assessor Collector offices and plans to streamline manual processes using RPAThe innovative use of regulatory authority to combat human trafficking through emergency facility closures and cross-agency data sharingWhy building relationships with vendor communities and stakeholder feedback loops drives successful transformation in governmentTimestamps(03:00) Why Licensing is Workforce Development: Career Transition Strategy(05:00) $6M vs $150M: How DMV Chose Planning Over Quick Implementation(08:00) 25+ Programs, 8 Legacy Systems: TDLR's Consolidation Strategy(11:00) Solving the "Page 10 Error": RPA for 500+ County Tax Offices(16:00) 35 Facilities Closed: Using Tech Authority to Combat Human Trafficking(18:00) Multi-State CIO Networks: Learning from Florida, California, Arizona(21:00) Innovation Sources: Vendor Partnerships and Stakeholder Feedback Loops(25:00) 2025 Execution Plan: Balancing Quick Wins with Long-Term Vision(27:00) New York's Planning Failures: Expensive Lessons for Texas ModernizationConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#203: UHCL's 6-Week Leadership Pivot + AI Student Concierge + NASA Innovation Culture [Houston 2024]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Dr. LeeBrian Gaskins, Senior Associate Vice President of IT/CIO at University of Houston-Clear LakeWhat You’ll Learn:- 6-week crisis leadership insights: How Dr. Gaskins built team trust and executed digital transformation during COVID with a brand-new team- AI concierge vision for higher ed: Real-world use cases for student support systems that access enterprise data and provide personalized recommendations- NASA's cultural influence on tech strategy: How space program values of exploration and resilience shape innovation approaches in higher education- Email security culture building: Lessons from achieving 96-97% spam filtering while shifting user behavior from "fix later" to "safety first"- Collaboration as "magnifier and multiplier": Why Texas higher ed leaders prioritize peer networking and mentorship for amplified problem-solvingTimestamps00:34 - Introduction and NASA Memorabilia Space Tour01:00 - Dr. Gaskins' Journey: West Virginia to NASA's Backyard03:00 - Childhood Space Dreams Driving Technology Innovation05:00 - International Business Background and Cross-Border Tech08:00 - Texas Higher Ed Collaboration Networks and Mentorship11:00 - Collaboration as a "Magnifier and Multiplier" Strategy13:00 - NASA's Cultural Influence on STEM and Resilience17:00 - 6-Week COVID Crisis Leadership with New Team23:00 - Human-Centric Tech: Internet Access and TTY Device Stories28:00 - AI in Higher Ed: Ethics, Policy, and Student Experience34:00 - AI Concierge Vision: Enterprise Data and Student Support41:00 - Email Security Culture: 96-97% Spam Filtering Success45:00 - EDUCAUSE Takeaways and Cross-Pollination BenefitsConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#202: UTSA's Bold Careers 85+ Student Program + UCLA's 2028 Olympics Campus Transformation [EDUCAUSE 2024]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Dr. Vanessa Kenon, Associate VP for Technology Compliance and Community Engagement, University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)Dr. Joe Way, Executive Director of Digital Spaces, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)What You’ll Learn:How UTSA's Bold Careers program expanded to serve over 85 students through partnerships with Rackspace, Dell Technologies, and DoD contractorsWhy eSports is a multi-billion dollar industry creating new career pathways for students beyond traditional gaming rolesUCLA's strategic preparation to serve as Olympic Village for the 2028 Olympics while increasing enrollment by 20-25%The importance of creating frictionless campus experiences that integrate technology across dorms, classrooms, and eventsHow digital twins of campus spaces can optimize resources, improve sustainability, and transform the educational experienceTimestamps(02:24) UTSA's Bold Careers: Expanding to 85+ Students with Industry Partners (05:00) UCLA's Digital Transformation and Olympic Village Preparation (07:58) Student Success Stories: Building Experience and Careers (11:11) "Students Are Their Own Brand": The Modern Education Model (14:22) eSports as a Multi-Billion Dollar Career Pathway (17:47) UCLA's Vision: Creating a Frictionless Campus Experience (20:59) Digital Twin Campus: Optimizing Resources and Sustainability (28:59) Meeting Students Where They Are: The Future of LearningConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates. Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com

#201: UHCL's NASA Partnership + UT System's Enterprise AI Strategy [EDUCAUSE 2024]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:- Dr. LeeBrian Gaskins, Senior Associate Vice President of IT/CIO at University of Houston-Clear Lake- William Huang, Deputy CIO, University of Texas SystemWhat You’ll Learn:Student-Centered Innovation in Higher EdUT System declared 2024 as "the year of the student," implementing the 25-year-old Archer Center Fellows program that brings 30-40 undergraduate, graduate, and medical students to Washington D.C. for leadership developmentThe UT System's 12-week summer internship program provides students with 9 hours weekly of professional development alongside functional work in IT, business, accounting, and legal areasUHCL prioritizes graduate education growth through collaborative approaches with other Houston institutions, rejecting the "zero-sum game" mentality in student recruitment to create shared student successEnterprise AI Implementation StrategyUT Health Houston formalized a major partnership with OpenAI to provide advanced AI tools for medical students and clinical faculty, representing one of several mission-specific AI implementationsUT System has deployed a multi-node private AI cluster at their shared data center for all 14 institutions to develop business use cases, creating a secure on-premises AI environmentUHCL is developing 24/7 AI tutoring systems that help students identify knowledge gaps before exams and using AI analytics to mine historical student data for previously unrecognized improvement opportunitiesCross-Campus Collaboration FrameworkThe UT System achieves economies of scale by site-licensing Microsoft tools for all 256,000 students, faculty, staff and clinicians across its 14 institutionsUHCL collaborates with neighboring Houston campuses to create consistent experiences for faculty who teach across multiple institutions and share licensing resourcesRegional partnerships between campuses with similar demographics (like Hispanic-serving institutions) enable targeted technology solutions for specific student populationsSpace & AI Educational InnovationUHCL was established through direct partnership with NASA, whose director requested graduate education facilities near the space center 50 years agoThe university houses NASA archives through the Space Act and maintains strong aerospace engineering and space exploration business programsUT San Antonio and UT Health San Antonio jointly created one of the first programs combining a medical degree with a master's in AI, featuring three years of medical education, one year of AI focus, and a capstone integration yearTimestamps01:37 - William Huang's background and DJ experience02:00 - 2024: "The Year of the Student" and Archer Center Fellows04:42 - Enterprise AI Strategy across UT System07:58 - UHCL's AI Policy and Student Success Applications10:53 - Balancing System-Wide Initiatives Across 14 UT Institutions12:00 - Regional Collaboration Between Houston Area Campuses16:24 - UHCL's NASA Connection and Aerospace Focus19:25 - How AI Will Transform Digital TransformationConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com