The Public Sector Show by TechTables

Hosted by Joe Toste

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150

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May 2026

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The Conversations Public Sector CIOs Can't Have Anywhere Else. The real conversations—from security theater to AI slop—that 250K+ public sector leaders have tuned into. You won't find these conversations at conferences (or LinkedIn).

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May 27, 2026Episode 23637 min

#236: How Nevada Recovered from a Statewide Cyber Attack in 28 Days (And What Every CIO & CISO Should Do Before It Happens to Them)

#236: How Nevada Recovered from a Statewide Cyber Attack in 28 Days (And What Every CIO & CISO Should Do Before It Happens to Them)SummaryNevada woke up to a ransomware attack that took 60+ state agencies offline. No ransom paid. Full recovery in 28 days.State CIO Timothy Galluzi and Info-Tech's Mark Hellbusch break down the largest ransomware attack in Nevada state history - how the network came back in 48 hours, how they kept citizen trust through radical transparency, and what every state CIO, CISO, and public sector IT leader needs to know about incident response, Zero Trust Architecture, and building the partnerships that actually show up when it matters.FeaturingTimothy Galluzi, CIO State of NevadaMark Hellbusch, Director, AI Security & Privacy, Info-Tech Research GroupTimestamps(00:00) Every 39 seconds - ransomware by the numbers(01:00) The call Tim never wanted to get(05:50) 18-20 hour days and kicking people out of the office(08:00) Managing public comms with an active adversary watching(14:30) NASCIO community: peer intel sharing in a crisis(16:00) When Info-Tech showed up vs. the cold call vendors(17:30) "28 days of success" - building the after action report(24:00) Assembly Bill One: unanimous vote, statewide SOC(30:00) Trusted partner vs. vendor - the real difference(34:00) Zero Trust: 80% risk reduction and $1.5M ROIListen now: YouTube x Apple x SpotifyWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables NewsletterThanks for reading TechTables! Get early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more — straight to your inbox.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 Are you a local government CIO who wants to become a better leader?Check out our high-trust, vendor-free peer group built for local government CIOs tackling real challenges, honest conversations, and an authentic desire to become a better leader — our next retreat is November 2026 in Austin, TXLearn more → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual SeriesThe 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 joe@techtables.com to learn more.Platinum Newsletter Sponsor:Missed out on Info-Tech LIVE in New Orleans? No worries, you can join TechTables & Info-Tech Research Group at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 - Las Vegas (June 9 - 11, 2026)!Gold 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!

May 20, 2026Episode 23520 min

#235: The Edu-pocalypse Is Here - What Higher Ed CIOs Need to Do Now

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Mark Roman and Carlos Thomas from Info-Tech break down the enrollment cliff, AI disruption, and cultural skepticism hitting Higher Ed - and why the CIO is the one best positioned to lead through it.FeaturingMark Roman is Managing Partner for the Education Business at Info-Tech Research Group - supporting universities, colleges, and K-12 institutions around the world, and a self-described electric guitar player (results may vary).Carlos Thomas is an IT Executive Consultant at Info-Tech Research Group, entering his fifth year - a former CIO and university administrator with 21 years in Higher Ed, and who checked off his bucket list item of running a 1,600-pound-capacity barbecue operation before Info-Tech pulled him back in.Timestamps(1:45) What CIOs are excited about in Higher Ed - the question that flips the conversation(3:20) AI, Agentic AI, and Bloom's Taxonomy - why the CIO is becoming a campus leader(5:00) The CIO as technology-informed COO - Carlos on the elevation of the role(6:30) The enrollment cliff and South Africa - how demographics are reshaping institutions worldwide(9:00) CIO to COO - why the person who sees everything is the one who should run the organization(11:00) The diplomat skillset - navigating faculty politics and getting things done(13:00) The "edu-pocalypse" - DOGE, the Department of Education, and cultural skepticism toward Higher Ed(15:00) AI token data - two-thirds of all AI tokens are being consumed in education(19:00) The podcast topics they'd love to do next - students and responsible AIListen now: YouTube x Apple x SpotifyWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables NewsletterThanks for reading TechTables! Get early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more — straight to your inbox.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 Are you a local government CIO who wants to become a better leader?Check out our high-trust, vendor-free peer group built for local government CIOs tackling real challenges, honest conversations, and an authentic desire to become a better leader — our next retreat is November 2026 in Austin, TXLearn more → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual SeriesThe 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 joe@techtables.com to learn more.Platinum Newsletter Sponsor:Missed out on Info-Tech LIVE in New Orleans? No worries, you can join TechTables & Info-Tech Research Group at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 - Las Vegas (June 9 - 11, 2026)!Gold 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

April 21, 2026Episode 23440 min

#234: You Can't Turn Off 911 While You Modernize It - And You Can't Close an Airport Either

Episode SummaryWhat do you do when you can't stop the thing you're trying to fix?Three returning guests sit down for one of the most honest conversations about public sector modernization we've had on the show.From the latest on SF's 911 cloud migration, to what it means to modernize Harry Reid International Airport in real time while simultaneously designing the technology architecture for a second commercial airport 20 miles south, to Seguin's workforce transformation from one staff member with a degree and zero certifications in 2018 to 13 degrees and 27 certifications today - join us for this powerful conversation about leadership, community, and what it means to let others carry the message.FeaturingMichelle Geddes CIO San Francisco Department of Emergency ManagementRishma Khimji CITO Clark County Department of Aviation (Harry Reid International Airport) (now CIO Greater Orlando Aviation Authority)Shane McDaniel CIO City of Seguin, TX | TAGITM Past PresidentTimestamps(04:55) - The LinkedIn Banter Origin Story(07:20) - Michelle: SF's 911 Cloud Journey & Hybrid Architecture(09:25) - ESInet, Copper Lines Failing in LA & State Partnership(11:14) - AI for Multilingual 911 Dispatch(12:47) - Rishma: Harry Reid's Second Airport - 20 Miles South(14:31) - Using General Aviation Airports as Innovation Labs(16:40) - Computer Vision at Checkpoints & the 3-Year Rolling Stack(18:23) - Shane: Seguin's Workforce Story - 0 to 27 Certifications(23:48) - The Amazon Warehouse Hire & The Best Buy Delivery Driver(36:12) - TAGITM: The Solution Is in the Room(39:13) - Leadership, Community & Letting Others Carry the MessageListen now: YouTube x Apple x SpotifyWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables NewsletterThanks for reading TechTables! Get early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more — straight to your inbox.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 Are you a local government CIO who wants to become a better leader?Check out our high-trust, vendor-free peer group built for local government CIOs tackling real challenges, honest conversations, and an authentic desire to become a better leader — our next retreat is September 23rd-25th in Denver!Apply to Join → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual SeriesThe 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 joe@techtables.com to learn more.Platinum Newsletter Sponsor:Missed out on Info-Tech LIVE in New Orleans? No worries, you can join TechTables & Info-Tech Research Group at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 - Las Vegas (June 9 - 11, 2026)!Gold 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

April 17, 2026Episode 23348 min

#233: Is "Modernization" a Cop-Out? With City of Boston, Clark County & Dell Technologies

Episode SummaryBoston's CIO thinks "modernization" is what you say when you've stopped investing. Clark County thinks AI should handle your entire move to a new city. Dell thinks you can't do any of it without clean data. Three takes. One conversation about what government services actually look like when they work.FeaturingSanti Garces is Chief Information Officer at the City of Boston - leading a team that spans user researchers, designers, economists, and policy analysts, and currently building open-source MCP infrastructure to connect AI tools with city services at scale.Bob Leek is Chief Information Officer at Clark County, Nevada - overseeing technology for the 11th largest county in the country, home to Las Vegas, with a strategy centered on helping large diverse communities thrive through people, process, and technology solutions such as AI governance, and drone-assisted emergency response.Carrie Smith is Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist at Dell Technologies - covering the East and tracking modernization trends across state and local government nationwide, with a focus on helping cities start with the right problem instead of the right product.Timestamps(2:00) Boston's AI-powered website search - 400% improvement in positive feedback, built in-house(7:00) Clark County's AI framework - AI as a "how," not a "what," built around four constituent personas(12:00) Dell's field view - why clean data has to come before any AI solution(17:00) Santi's beef with "modernization" - why small, continuous investment beats the big bang approach(20:00) Philadelphia's illegal dumping problem - how a vendor conversation became a drones-as-first-responders pitch(25:00) Clark County drones - 30 to 60 second emergency response combined with ShotSpotter(31:00) Boston's MCP server - building open source infrastructure so AI tools can talk to city services reliably(35:00) The pace problem - Bob on why the universe shifting every 17 days is the CIO's real challenge(39:00) Leadership and resilience - Carrie on stage three breast cancer, Bob on internal promotions, Santi on growing up in ColombiaListen now: YouTube x Apple x SpotifyWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables NewsletterThanks for reading TechTables! Get early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more — straight to your inbox.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 Are you a local government CIO who wants to become a better leader?Check out our high-trust, vendor-free peer group built for local government CIOs tackling real challenges, honest conversations, and an authentic desire to become a better leader — our next retreat is September 23rd-25th in Denver!Apply to Join → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual SeriesThe 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 joe@techtables.com to learn more.Platinum Newsletter Sponsor:Missed out on Info-Tech LIVE in New Orleans? No worries, you can join TechTables & Info-Tech Research Group at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 - Las Vegas (June 9 - 11, 2026)!Gold 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

April 14, 2026Episode 23224 min

#232: The CIO Who Doesn't Adapt Gets Demoted | Info-Tech LIVE NOLA | Tom Zehren and John Burris

Episode SummaryIn this Info-Tech LIVE New Orleans episode, Tom Zehren, CEO of Info-Tech Research Group, and John Burris, CIO of Southeastern Louisiana University, break down why AI efficiency is a growth mindset - not a cost-cutting exercise - and what the CIO role actually becomes when Agentic AI is the next IT super trend.FeaturingTom Zehren is CEO at Info-Tech Research Group - a global research and advisory firm now operating across North America, Europe, and APAC.John Burris is CIO at Southeastern Louisiana University - and an associate professor of computer science focused on the theory of computation and Alan Turing's work, who went from faculty to CIO in one of the sharpest career pivots in higher ed.Timestamps(1:00) AI efficiency reframed - why it's performance over cost, not a cut mindset(5:00) How Info-Tech tools create a common language between CIOs and CEOs(8:00) The era of autonomization - Tom Zehren on Agentic AI as the next IT super trend(9:30) Agentic AI defined - autonomous decision-making vs. fancy automated workflows(11:00) Student advising - the AI use case universities can't afford to miss(15:00) What does the CIO role look like in 5–10 years?(16:00) The exponential IT leader - Info-Tech's two-path prediction for where CIOs go from here(23:00) Closing round - EQ, IQ & AQ: and what both guests want to explore nextListen now: YouTube x Apple x SpotifyWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables NewsletterThanks for reading TechTables! Get early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more — straight to your inbox.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 Are you a local government CIO who wants to become a better leader?Check out our high-trust, vendor-free peer group built for local government CIOs tackling real challenges, honest conversations, and an authentic desire to become a better leader — our next retreat is September 23rd-25th in Denver!Learn more → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual SeriesThe 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 joe@techtables.com to learn more.Platinum Newsletter Sponsor:Missed out on Info-Tech LIVE in New Orleans? No worries, you can join TechTables & Info-Tech Research Group at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 - Las Vegas (June 9 - 11, 2026)!Gold 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

April 13, 2026Episode 23125 min

#231: Texas A&M & Axonius - The Security Risk Living Between Your Tools

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Adam Mikeal, CISO at Texas A&M University, and Tim Paikoff from Axonius break down how consolidating fragmented security data into a single view changed the way A&M tracks assets, validates policy, and tells cybersecurity's ROI story to leadership — and why AI's data access model is now keeping CISOs up at night.FeaturingAdam Mikeal is Chief Information Security Officer at Texas A&M University - responsible for securing the university's full asset environment, with an unconventional path through history, classics, and computer-human interaction before landing in cybersecurity leadership.Tim Paikoff runs the SLED team at Axonius - building the State, Local, and Education practice from a two-person team to a full sales, SC, BDR, and marketing operation over four years.Timestamps(1:38) Adam's unconventional path - from history and classics to Chief Information Security Officer(4:00) The data problem - why the right question can't be answered from inside a single security tool(5:00) The spaces between - why Axonius can see what individual tools never could(7:00) Higher ed's unique exposure - student device sprawl and the identity lifecycle nightmare(10:00) Texas A&M's four core security metrics - patching, vulnerability remediation, inventory accuracy, agent health(14:00) Intel chip vulnerability response - how having data at your fingertips changes incident speed(15:00) Active directory migrations in real time - watching two lines cross on a chart(17:00) The Log4j gap - 194 instances still in production seven months after "cleanup"(22:00) AI and the new front line - why prompt injection is the threat no contract can fixListen now: YouTube x Apple x SpotifyWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables NewsletterThanks for reading TechTables! Get early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more - straight to your inbox.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 Are you a local government CIO who wants to become a better leader?Check out our high-trust, vendor-free peer group built for local government CIOs tackling real challenges, honest conversations, and an authentic desire to become a better leader - our next retreat is September 23rd-25th in Denver!Learn more → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual SeriesThe 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 joe@techtables.com to learn more.Platinum Newsletter Sponsor:Info-Tech Research Group - Missed out on Info-Tech LIVE in New Orleans? No worries, you can join TechTables & Info-Tech Research Group at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 - Las Vegas (June 9 - 11, 2026)!Gold 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

April 9, 2026Episode 23039 min

#230: LSU, NC A&T & SentinelOne on Student-Powered SOCs, Shadow AI Governance & Blocking Threats Before IT Calls

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Craig Woolley from LSU, Lizbeth Johnson from NC A&T, and Ron Ringgold from SentinelOne break down how a student-powered SOC model is scaling across 32+ institutions - and why the hardest part of cybersecurity leadership isn't the technology, it's the people.FeaturingCraig Woolley is CIO at LSU - 35 years in higher ed IT, architect of the student-powered SOC model now operating across 32+ institutions in partnership with TechStream, and chair of LSU’s AI strategy committee that produced an 80-page institutional report.Lizbeth Johnson is Interim Chief Information Officer and Vice Chancellor for Information Technology at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University - three months into the CISO role after more than a year at NC A&T, bringing a change-agent approach to shadow AI governance and team-building on a growing campus.Ron Ringgold is Public Sector CISO at SentinelOne - former Army with 17 years in the Department of Defense and intelligence community, former architect of the Department of Commerce’s zero trust strategy, and adjunct professor of cyber policy and governance at University of Maryland Global Campus.Timestamps(0:00) LSU's student-powered SOC - Craig Woolley on 35 years in higher ed IT and why the model works(2:00) Tiger SOC launches - scaling the LSU model to 32+ institutions and nine private industry customers(3:00) The grief of going from technician to leader - Lizbeth Johnson on the identity shift no one warns you about(9:00) Teaching cyber policy vs. living it - Ron Ringgold on why experienced practitioners sometimes make the hardest students(11:00) Shadow AI at NC A&T - how a vendor tipped off the CIO and turned a compliance risk into a partnership(14:00) Cutting Commerce's cyber budget 60% - Ron Ringgold on zero trust, bakeoffs, and building a unified security stack(20:00) The Neighborhood Watch - how 32+ schools share threat intelligence and auto-block attacks within 10 minutes(24:00) AI ROI at LSU - why Craig chaired an 80-page AI committee and what "low-hanging fruit" actually means(27:00) Building great teams - trust, empathy, and treating internal departments like customers(32:00) Open door, open calendar - Lizbeth on how she empowers her team to own their own 1-on-1 agendasListen now: YouTube x Apple x SpotifyWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables NewsletterThanks for reading TechTables! Get early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more - straight to your inbox.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 Are you a local government CIO who wants to become a better leader?Check out our high-trust, vendor-free peer group built for local government CIOs tackling real challenges, honest conversations, and an authentic desire to become a better leader - our next retreat is September 23rd-25th in Denver!Learn more → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual SeriesThe 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 joe@techtables.com to learn more.Platinum Newsletter Sponsor:Info-Tech Research Group - Missed out on Info-Tech LIVE in New Orleans? No worries, you can join TechTables & Info-Tech Research Group at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 - Las Vegas (June 9 - 11, 2026)!Gold 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

March 31, 2026Episode 22941 min

#229: You Can Write an AI Policy Today. The Feds Will Rewrite It Tomorrow.

Episode SummaryIn this EDUCAUSE episode, Dr. Vanessa Kenon from UTSA, Tonya Bennett from the University of Pennsylvania, and Tim Boltz from Carahsoft get into the tension every higher ed IT leader is sitting with right now - when to move on AI, when to wait for policy, and how to keep curiosity alive before the feds rewrite the rulebook.FeaturingDr. Vanessa Kenon is Associate Vice President for Information Technology at the University of Texas at San Antonio - leading IT through a major university merger while keeping innovation and compliance from pulling the institution in opposite directions.Tonya Bennett is Director of Educational Technology at the University of Pennsylvania - managing the LMS-centered EdTech ecosystem across 12 schools and bringing a master's in law to every AI governance conversation she's in.Tim Boltz leads the Education Vertical at Carahsoft - 17 years in, representing 1,500 manufacturers, and building the cooperative purchasing infrastructure that lets institutions stop waiting on 12-18 month RFQ cycles.Timestamps(1:00) Bold Careers & ServiceNow University - 400+ students served and 150 chasing 25 spots(8:00) TASSCC - how Texas built its own version of EDUCAUSE and why vendor partnerships made it work(11:00) Financial pressures in higher ed - why leaning into IT investment beats pulling back(15:00) Frictionless EdTech at UPenn - one credential, every platform, zero manual steps(20:00) UTSA’s experiential learning engine - DoD contractors, RackSpace, Dell & eSports(26:00) Carahsoft’s easy button - cooperative purchasing vehicles already live across all 50 states(29:00) AI’s legal wild west - agentic AI, IP liability & who’s responsible when the agent acts(35:00) Curiosity vs. compliance at UTSA -keeping innovation alive without losing governance(39:00) Closing trends - community over commodity, workforce readiness & what’s next for Higher EdListen now: YouTube x Apple x SpotifyWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables NewsletterThanks for reading TechTables! Get early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more - straight to your inbox.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 Are you a local government CIO who wants to become a better leader?Check out our high-trust, vendor-free peer group built for local government CIOs tackling real challenges, honest conversations, and an authentic desire to become a better leader - our next retreat is September 23rd-25th in Denver!Learn more → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual SeriesThe 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 joe@techtables.com to learn more.Platinum Newsletter Sponsor:Info-Tech Research Group - Missed out on Info-Tech LIVE in New Orleans? No worries, you can join TechTables & Info-Tech Research Group at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 - Las Vegas (June 9 - 11, 2026)!Gold 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

March 30, 2026Episode 22834 min

#228: Ithaca College & Omnissa on Nebula, ICare Team & 150 Students Who Almost Slipped Through

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Dave Weil from Ithaca College and Mark Richards from Omnissa explore how a small liberal arts IT team built an AI tool that freed up 150 at-risk student meetings - and why human-to-human connection has to stay at the center of any real AI strategy.FeaturingDave Weil is Senior Vice President of Strategic Services and Initiatives at Ithaca College - overseeing HR, IT, Analytics, and AI, and a longtime contributor to EDUCAUSE leadership development including the Senior Director Institute and the EDUCAUSE Leaders Academy.Mark Richards is Senior Manager at Omnissa - formerly the end user computing division of VMware, now an independent company with over 30 years of experience designing and implementing endpoint and virtual desktop solutions across higher education and public sector. Episode Highlights- AI cut ICare research from an hour to a minute - and freed 150 student meetings- “We don’t lead technology, we lead people that lead the technology” - Dave Weil- Virtual labs turning physical computer rooms into classrooms at community colleges- The Four Rights: right person, right seat, right things, right time- Patch management is still your biggest security gap in higher edListen now: YouTube x Apple x SpotifyWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables NewsletterThanks for reading TechTables! Get early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more - straight to your inbox.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 Are you a local government CIO who wants to become a better leader?Check out our high-trust, vendor-free peer group built for local government CIOs tackling real challenges, honest conversations, and an authentic desire to become a better leader - our next retreat is September 23rd-25th in Denver!Learn more → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual SeriesThe 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 joe@techtables.com to learn more.Platinum Newsletter Sponsor:Info-Tech Research Group - Missed out on Info-Tech LIVE in New Orleans? No worries, you can join TechTables & Info-Tech Research Group at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 - Las Vegas (June 9 - 11, 2026)!Gold 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

March 18, 2026Episode 22728 min

#227: UCSB, Virginia Tech & Cisco ThousandEyes on Leading IT Before the Problems Find You

In this EDUCAUSE episode, Josh Bright from UC Santa Barbara, Dwane Sterling from Virginia Tech, and JJ Mahon from Cisco ThousandEyes break down what it means to lead IT before the problems find you - from building a collaborative leadership team to monitoring the student experience before the first ticket ever lands.FeaturingJosh Bright is Associate Vice Chancellor for IT and CIO at UC Santa Barbara - a returning guest from Episode 200, now 18 months into a campus-wide IT strategy that his provost cited as a model for cross-silo collaboration.Dwane Sterling is VP for Enterprise Solutions and Enabling Technologies at Virginia Tech - five months in from six years as CIO at Skidmore College, where he helped replace 90% of the institution’s infrastructure and applications.JJ Mahon leads the higher education team for Cisco ThousandEyes across the U.S. - a former Army helicopter pilot, high school math teacher, and French horn player who now focuses on proactive digital experience monitoring at scale.Timestamps(0:00) Josh Bright, UCSB - from service function to IT strategy success 12 months later(3:30) Dwane Sterling, Virginia Tech - the listening tour and what shocked him in the first 90 days(6:00) Communication as a scalpel, not a rock - Dwane on why IT leaders need to wield it differently(7:30) JJ Mahon, Cisco ThousandEyes - shifting IT from cost center to campus catalyst(9:00) Seeing the smoke before the fire - JJ on the case for proactive monitoring over reactive ticketing(11:00) Josh Bright - UCSB's AI community of practice and building on AWS Bedrock(14:00) Dwane Sterling - Virginia Tech's vision for safe application development and AI security(18:00) Josh Bright - putting his leadership team through the Moore Leadership Program and what changed a year later(24:00) JJ Mahon - common operating language as the breakthrough for breaking down IT silos(26:30) Closing advice - "Leaders rise to the level of their collaboration"Listen now: YouTube x Apple x SpotifyWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables NewsletterThanks for reading TechTables! Get early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more - straight to your inbox.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 Are you a local government CIO who wants to become a better leader?Check out our high-trust, vendor-free peer group built for local government CIOs tackling real challenges, honest conversations, and an authentic desire to become a better leader - our next retreat is September 23rd-25th in Denver!Learn more → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual SeriesThe 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 joe@techtables.com to learn more.Platinum Newsletter Sponsor:Info-Tech Research Group - Missed out on Info-Tech LIVE in New Orleans? No worries, you can join TechTables & Info-Tech Research Group at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 - Las Vegas (June 9 - 11, 2026)!Gold 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