A podcast from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO). Amy Glasscock and Alex Whitaker interview guests (state CIOs, NASCIO members, strategic partners and colleagues) to get their unique stories and perspectives on state information technology, leadership and lessons learned.
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August 5, 2026Episode 16910 min
Summer Updates at NASCIO (We're Back!)
NASCIO Voices is back! After a short summer hiatus, Amy and Alex return with an update on all things state IT. They kick off with some personal catch-up (including of the four-legged variety), then dive into NASCIO business: registration is officially open for the NASCIO Annual Conference in San Diego (September 27–30). Alex breaks down the latest from Washington, including advocacy efforts around the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program and the ongoing fight against a proposed federal moratorium on state AI laws. Amy shares the growing trend of states appointing dedicated AI leadership. They wrap things up with book recommendations to round out your summer reading list.
June 17, 2026Episode 16811 min
How States Can Prepare for the Digital Accessibility Litigation Surge
In this episode of NASCIO Voices, hosts Amy Glasscock and Alex Whitaker sit down with NASCIO policy analyst Kalea Young-Gibson to discuss her article Digital Accessibility Compliance Thoughts From a Public Sector Attorney, which is based on a conversation with Max Heinz, supervising attorney with New York State Information Technology Services. The conversation covers the recently extended DOJ Title II final rule compliance deadline, explaining that while states now have more time, the urgency has not diminished — digital accessibility lawsuits have surpassed 5,000 per year and are now considered mainstream civil rights enforcement. Kalea breaks down what "reasonable effort" really means for state agencies (hint: it's context-driven, not a checklist), how states should structure vendor contracts using WCAG-tied language as a model, and why documentation is the single hardest — and most critical — thing states must get right to defend themselves in litigation. The episode closes with a lightning round featuring emoji habits, lessons from new cat ownership, and a passionate endorsement of Cook Out, North Carolina's beloved fast food chain.
June 3, 2026Episode 16724 min
Government, Connected: A Conversation with Washington State CIO Bill Kehoe
In this episode of NASCIO Voices, hosts Amy and Alex sit down with Bill Kehoe, State CIO of Washington, for a wide-ranging conversation about his 25-year career in public sector technology leadership. Bill traces his journey from serving as the first CIO of Washington's Department of Licensing to roles at King County and Los Angeles County before returning to lead the state. He shares his passion for "connected government" — the vision of breaking down agency silos to create seamless, frictionless digital experiences for residents — and highlights Washington's new wa.gov resident portal as a concrete step toward that goal. The conversation covers how AI is accelerating modernization efforts, the cybersecurity challenges that come with it, and how Bill navigated a gubernatorial transition while keeping key initiatives on track. Bill also discusses his work on the NASCIO Executive Committee and his own "Coffee with Kehoe" podcast series, which has become an unexpected recruiting tool for his agency. The episode wraps up with a lightning round featuring Bill's pet peeves, who he would pick to play himself in a biopic and his plans for the summer both inside and outside the office.
May 20, 2026Episode 16618 min
Inside the 2026 NASCIO-Deloitte Cybersecurity Study with Meredith Ward
In this episode of NASCIO Voices, hosts Amy Glasscock and Alex Whitaker sit down with NASCIO Deputy Executive Director Meredith Ward to unpack the newly released 2026 NASCIO-Deloitte Cybersecurity Study. Meredith walks through key findings. The conversation explores the growing pressure on CISOs to do more with less amid flat or shrinking budgets, the urgent need for whole-of-state cybersecurity collaboration that extends beyond state government to local governments, K–12, higher ed and public health entities, and why measuring cybersecurity effectiveness has become a top priority. Meredith also makes a plug for reauthorizing the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program before the episode wraps up with a lightning round covering dream jobs, language-learning aspirations, and an enthusiastic endorsement of countertop composters.
May 6, 2026Episode 16416 min
The Growing Role of Technology for State Attorneys General with NAAG Executive Director Brian Kane
In this episode of NASCIO Voices, Amy and Alex sit down with Brian Kane, Executive Director of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). Brian shares his journey from entry-level deputy to chief deputy of the Idaho AG's office — and how that experience led him to his current role serving all 56 state and territorial attorneys general. We talk about how NAAG keeps a bipartisan coalition working together, the growing role of technology and AI in AG offices, and what state CIOs should know about their AG counterparts. Plus, Brian gives us his take on pickleball, the '90s, and his childhood dream of playing pro baseball.
April 22, 2026Episode 16415 min
Midyear Philly's Back Again: A Conference Preview with Emily Lane
It's time for the 2026 NASCIO Midyear Conference! Our own director of experience and engagement, Emily Lane is back on the podcast with a rundown of programming, networking opportunities and what to expect for first timers.
April 8, 2026Episode 16317 min
Privacy Persevering: State CPOs Gain Responsibility, Lack Funding
In this episode of NASCIO Voices, Amy is joined by NASCIO guest host Kalea Young-Gibson to break down NASCIO's latest report on the state Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) role. The report — based on responses from all 28 currently active state CPOs — reveals a role that's growing fast but still fighting for the resources it needs.Amy and Kalea dig into the rapid expansion of CPOs across state government (from just 5 states in 2015 to 31 in 2026), the push toward formal privacy programs and frameworks, and how AI is reshaping — and sometimes overshadowing — the privacy function. Despite CPOs stepping into enterprise leadership roles, most still lack dedicated budgets, enforcement authority, and sufficient staffing.The conversation also covers what CPOs say they need most: funding, CIO support, and a stronger seat at the table. Amy's key takeaway? CPOs know exactly what to do — they just need the authority and investment to do it.Key topics covered:Growth of the state CPO rolePrivacy program maturity and the NIST frameworkCPO involvement in AI policy and riskTop challenges: funding, authority, and awarenessWhat CPOs need to succeed in 2026 and beyondAnd what we're reading!
March 26, 2026Episode 16226 min
The CIO Who Came Back: Craig Orgeron's Second Tour Leading Mississippi IT
Join Amy Glasscock and Alex Whitaker as they sit down with Craig Orgeron, Mississippi's CIO, for an in-depth conversation about digital transformation in state government. Craig shares his unique journey from state CIO to the private sector and back again, offering valuable insights on AI innovation, procurement modernization, and building resilient digital infrastructure. Discover how Mississippi is tackling the digital divide, establishing AI frameworks, and preparing for the future of government technology.Show Notes0:00 - IntroductionAmy and Alex welcome Craig Orgeron back to NASCIO Voices0:21 - Return to State CIO RoleCraig discusses his unexpected return to Mississippi's CIO position after three and a half years in the private sector, reflecting on the challenges of his first year back3:00 - Lessons from Private SectorCraig shares key insights from his time outside government, including deeper appreciation for private sector competition and the value of the NASCIO network9:18 - Mississippi's Digital Government AgendaOverview of major initiatives including procurement modernization, cloud migration, innovation fund, AI executive order, and new cybersecurity legislation15:06 - Digital Equity InitiativesCraig highlights grassroots efforts like the Mississippi AI Network (MAIN), AI Collaborative, and Mississippi Cyber Initiative working to close the digital divide18:42 - AI Strategy and PolicyDiscussion of AI governance, the democratization of technology, data quality, change fitness, and the importance of transparency and accountability in AI deployment24:11 - Lightning RoundQuick questions about vacation plans (European river cruise!), Mississippi travel recommendations (blues trail, museums, Elvi's restaurant), and excitement for the NASCIO midyear meeting
March 11, 2026Episode 16115 min
Agentic AI Is Coming: What State Governments Need to Know Now
Amy and Alex discuss how AI is moving beyond generating text to executing real tasks and workflows. In this episode, we unpack the rise of agentic AI, what it means for state governments and how technology leaders can prepare for this next phase of AI innovation. Find the report here: https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/beyond-generation-the-rise-of-agentic-ai-in-state-government/
February 26, 2026Episode 16013 min
How States Can Best Prepare for the Approaching DOJ Accessibility Deadline
Alex and Amy are joined this week by NASCIO policy analyst Kalea Young-Gibson. We discuss vendor accountability, litigation trends and how states can reduce legal and operational risk as the DOJ final rule for accessibility of web content and mobil apps approaches.
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