The Public Sector Show by TechTables

Joe Toste

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). techtables.substack.com

  1. #225: CSU, UT System & Palo Alto Networks on AI Access, Cybersecurity at Scale & the CSU Promise

    1D AGO

    #225: CSU, UT System & Palo Alto Networks on AI Access, Cybersecurity at Scale & the CSU Promise

    In this EDUCAUSE episode, Ed Clark from CSU, William Huang from UT System, and Chuck Romero from Palo Alto Networks break down what it actually takes to close the AI divide across 460,000 students — and why browser security is now the front line. Featuring Ed Clark is CIO at the California State University System — overseeing technology for 22 universities and 460,000 students, teaching Information Systems at Cal State Fullerton, and co-leading California's AI Workforce Acceleration Board alongside Governor Newsom's office and top AI companies. William Huang is Deputy Chief Information Officer at the University of Texas System — leading IT strategy across 13 campuses serving 260,000 students and 160,000 clinicians, faculty, and staff, including a landmark merger of UT San Antonio's academic and health institutions. Chuck Romero is Solutions Consultant Leader at Palo Alto Networks — focused exclusively on education systems in California, with a team of former higher ed practitioners helping institutions secure AI access at scale through browser-level security. Timestamps (1:00) AI and the digital divide — why CSU gave ChatGPT to all 460,000 students (3:00) Scaling cybersecurity across 500,000+ endpoints — why browser-level security is the new front line (6:00) AI data risk and prompt injection — what happens to data once it's inside the model (8:00) UT System's footprint — 13 campuses, 260,000 students, and the UT San Antonio merger (12:00) Governance, risk & compliance during campus consolidations — cybersecurity as a foundation, not an afterthought (13:00) Inside the AI Workforce Acceleration Board — how CSU brought together OpenAI, Google, NVIDIA & faculty (18:00) Micro internships and the CSU Promise — a career path for all 460,000 students, not just the top 1% (25:00) Leadership lessons — clarity of mission, collaboration across 22 universities, and growing the next generation (33:00) Teaching while being CIO — Ed Clark on faculty resistance, Cal State Fullerton, and what students actually need Listen now: YouTube x Apple x Spotify Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables: 1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter Thanks 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. 🤝 TechTables CIO Communities for Local Government A private, vendor-free network where public sector CIOs share what’s actually working Members get: - 2x National Retreats (facilitated by Info-Tech Research Group & Gartner) - 4x CIO Virtual Roundtables  - Monthly “Behind the Mic” intelligence briefing doc Apply to Join → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government 3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual 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 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

    39 min
  2. #224: UCLA, Vanderbilt & Ericsson on 5G vs Wi-Fi on Campus

    MAR 6

    #224: UCLA, Vanderbilt & Ericsson on 5G vs Wi-Fi on Campus

    In this EDUCAUSE episode, leaders from UCLA, Vanderbilt, and Ericsson break down the 5G vs WiFi campus debate and what it means for the future of higher education networking. Featuring Joe Way is the Executive Director of Digital Spaces at UCLA and co-founder of HETMA BC Hatchett is the Director of Classroom Technology at Vanderbilt University and co-founder of HETMA Ben Moebes is a Director of Public Sector at Ericsson Timestamps (1:00) Vanderbilt classroom technology — BC Hatchett introduces HETMA and managing campus learning spaces (4:05) Vanderbilt’s satellite campus challenge — delivering the same experience 2,000 miles away (6:00) 5G vs Wi-Fi on campus — why cellular connectivity fills gaps Wi-Fi was never designed for (8:50) When classrooms start thinking — UCLA’s AI vision for higher education (11:00) A day in the life of a UCLA student — mapping every digital interaction on campus (13:40) Faculty as catalysts, not content deliverers — the future of teaching (17:05) One cable, one button — simplifying classroom technology (19:10) The blue-light safety problem — why 20–60% of campus emergency phones may fail (21:45) AI-powered campus safety — why humans can’t watch every camera (27:00) Connectivity everywhere — UCLA, Olympic Village planning, and the future of smart campuses Listen now: YouTube x Apple x Spotify Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables: 1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter Thanks 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. 🤝 TechTables CIO Communities for Local Government A private, vendor-free network where public sector CIOs share what’s actually working Members get: - 2x National Retreats (facilitated by Info-Tech Research Group & Gartner) - 4x CIO Virtual Roundtables  - Monthly “Behind the Mic” intelligence briefing doc Apply to Join → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government 3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual 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 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

    30 min
  3. #223: Maricopa Community Colleges, Dell & NVIDIA on AI Workforce Development

    MAR 2

    #223: Maricopa Community Colleges, Dell & NVIDIA on AI Workforce Development

    In this EDUCAUSE episode, leaders from Maricopa Community Colleges, Dell, and NVIDIA break down what's actually broken in higher ed workforce pipelines — and what applied AI can do to fix it. Featuring Jess Evans is the Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer at Maricopa Community Colleges — founding member of the National AI Consortium alongside Miami-Dade and Houston Community Colleges, leading AI strategy across 10 colleges and 185,000+ students with one metric driving everything: student employability. Adrienne Garber is the Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist at Dell Technologies for Higher Education — covering 17 states with a decade at Columbia University spanning roles as researcher, faculty member, student, and now strategic vendor partner. Marie Breedlove is a Segment Sales leader at NVIDIA — working across all OEM partners and industries with a front-row view of where agentic AI, physical AI, and robotics are heading and what community colleges can uniquely do with NVIDIA's full-stack platform. Timestamps (1:00) Introductions — Maricopa, Dell & NVIDIA live at EDUCAUSE (2:00) The student who almost skipped Python — and why it matters (7:00) Students in shelters calling into Zoom — the real digital equity problem (13:00) People think AI just happened — NVIDIA's 30-year history in higher ed (17:00) Agentic AI, physical AI, and robotics — what community colleges must prepare for (24:00) Reducing FUD across 10 colleges — Maricopa's AI Resource Center (33:00) Under $100 a credit hour, zero debt, job-ready — the community college case (38:00) Maricopa students running a real SOC for Homeland Security (40:00) Empathy across the aisle — researcher, vendor, teacher, and student in one person (45:00) The National AI Consortium February conference — come to Miami Listen now: YouTube x Apple x Spotify Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables: 1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter Thanks 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. 🤝 Join the TechTables CIO Communities for Local Government A private, vendor-free network where public sector CIOs share what’s actually working Members get: - 2x National Retreats (facilitated by Info-Tech Research Group & Gartner) - 4x CIO Virtual Roundtables  - Monthly “Behind the Mic” intelligence briefing doc Apply to Join → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government 3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual 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 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

    47 min
  4. #222: ASU, UCSB & Tanium on Why AI Efficiency Isn't Enough in Higher Ed

    FEB 26

    #222: ASU, UCSB & Tanium on Why AI Efficiency Isn't Enough in Higher Ed

    In this EDUCAUSE episode, Kyle Bowen from Arizona State University, Joe Sabado from UC Santa Barbara, and Doug Thompson from Tanium make the case that efficiency was never supposed to be the finish line — and break down what responsible AI adoption actually looks like when it connects to the mission. Featuring Kyle Bowen is the Deputy Chief Information Officer at Arizona State University leading AI strategy across one of America’s largest and most digitally active universities — overseeing the Create AI platform, an AI Innovation Challenge that has funded 700 projects, and ASU’s first Agentic AI and Student Experience conference drawing 600 attendees from around the world. Joe Sabado is the Deputy CIO at UC Santa Barbara leading a team of 65 across student and financial information systems, data governance, and an AI community of practice he co-founded — and outside of UCSB he runs Campus AI Exchange and has built an eight-pillar responsible AI framework that higher ed institutions are already using as a practical guide. Doug Thompson is the Chief Education Architect at Tanium bringing 15+ years of higher ed experience to help institutions get real-time visibility into the endpoint complexity that underpins both cybersecurity and AI readiness — with a front-row view of how higher ed IT is slowly but genuinely shifting toward enterprise-scale thinking. Timestamps (2:00) AI efficiency isn't the end goal — Joe Sabado on evidence-based adoption (5:00) Campus AI Framework — UCSB's eight-pillar responsible AI adoption model (7:00) ASU's Agentic AI & Student Experience Conference — 600 attendees, global reach (10:00) Endpoint explosion in higher ed — how Tanium gives CISOs real-time visibility (17:00) ASU's Create AI platform — 50+ LLMs, built for secure enterprise AI (23:00) UT Arlington transformation — Tanium case study on visibility and scale (26:00) Beyond efficiency — Joe Sabado on AI and human flourishing (30:00) AI Innovation Challenge — how ASU funded 700 projects in 18 months (38:00) What higher ed leaders are getting wrong about their first AI move (42:00) Innovation IS keeping the lights on — Kyle Bowen challenges the premise Listen now: YouTube x Apple x Spotify Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables: 1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter Thanks 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. 🤝 Join the TechTables CIO Communities for Local Government A private, vendor-free network where public sector CIOs share what’s actually working Members get: 2x National Retreats (facilitated by Info-Tech Research Group & Gartner) 4x CIO Virtual Roundtables  Monthly “Behind the Mic” intelligence briefing doc Apply to Join → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government 3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual 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 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

    45 min
  5. #221: 2026 World Cup, Fusion Teams, AI Wins, Leading Well

    12/08/2025

    #221: 2026 World Cup, Fusion Teams, AI Wins, Leading Well

    #221: Lisa Kent, Melissa Kraft, Derek Williams - 2026 World Cup, Fusion Teams, AI Wins, Leading Well Featuring Lisa 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-in 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 Listen now: YouTube x Apple x Spotify Whenever you’re ready, there are 2 ways you can connect with TechTables: 1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter Get early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more — straight to your inbox. Join now: https://www.techtables.com/ 2. 🤝 TechTables CIO Communities for Local Government Join us at our next retreat April 1st-3rd in San Antonio, TX The Exclusive Peer Group for Local Government CIOs. A peer group for 15 city and county CIOs navigating council politics, budget battles, security theater, legacy disasters. Our local government customer advisory board is led by following CIOs: Craig Hopkins, CIO, City of San Antonio & Retreat Chair Chris Chirgwin, CIO, Santa Barbara County Justin Fair, CIO, City of Garland >>> Facilitated by: Executive Partners at Info-Tech & Gartner Learn more: https://techtables.com/communities-local-government 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

    44 min

  6. 10/10/2025

    #220: From Admin to Youngest CIO — How Curiosity & Collaboration Built Two Public-Sector Leaders

    #220: From Admin to Youngest CIO — How Curiosity & Collaboration Built Two Public-Sector Leaders Featuring: Erica Early, Chief Information Officer, Washington State Office of the State Treasurer Lisa Faison, Chief Information Officer, City of Goodyear, Arizona Episode 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 advice 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 Whenever 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/collaboratory 3. 🤝 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 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! 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

    35 min

  7. 10/06/2025

    #219: How Seguin IT Built a 27+ Award Culture — And What Port Houston & Flower Mound Teach About Leadership

    #219: How Seguin IT Built a 27-Award Culture — And What Port Houston & Flower Mound Teach About Leadership Featuring: Shane McDaniel, CIO, City of Seguin & 2025 TAGITM President James O’Brien, Information Security Officer, Port Houston (& 2026 TAGITM President) Jose Mendez, IT Director, Town of Flower Mound Ted Gruenloh, CEO, Nomic Networks Episode 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 Excellence 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 Whenever 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/collaboratory 3. 🤝 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 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! 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

    48 min

  8. 09/30/2025

    #218: How 3 State CIOs Cut Through AI Hype to Save Millions with Bill Kehoe, Tim Galluzi, Alan Fuller

    #218: How 3 State CIOs Cut Through AI Hype to Save Millions with Bill Kehoe, Tim Galluzi, Alan Fuller Featuring Bill Kehoe, Chief Information Officer and WaTech Agency Director, State of Washington Tim Galluzi, Chief Information Officer, State of Nevada Alan Fuller, Chief Information Officer, State of Utah Episode Highlights What 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 Texas 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 Whenever 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/collaboratory 3. 🤝 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

    45 min
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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). techtables.substack.com

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