Speakers

Mr. John Hale is an IT professional with over 30 years of experience in the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. He currently serves as the Chief of the Product Management and Development Office at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) out of Ft. Meade, Maryland. He is responsible for developing the strategic and functional approach to cloud and hosting development and managing the agency's cloud-based solutions for the Department of Defense. Key programs in his portfolio include the Joint Warfighter Cloud Contract (JWCC), the DoD’s private cloud solution “Stratus”, cloud hosting solutions such as “Containers as a Service” (CaaS) and the virtual data center in a cloud solution known as “Olympus”, and more.

A graduate of The University of Maryland, University College. Mr. Hale served in the United States Air Force prior to beginning his civil service career in the office of the Director of National Intelligence. In 2009 Mr. Hale moved to the Defense Information Systems Agency within the Department of Defense and has served roles such as Chief Engineer, Chief of Enterprise Applications, and Chief of Strategic Communications prior to serving in his current role as the agency's unofficial “Cloud Evangelist”.

Forrest is a Senior Solutions Architect working as the Federal Partner Solutions Architect where he provides pre-sales engineering support for NVIDIA's partners in the federal ecosystem. He has a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering and a master’s degree in electrical engineering. Prior to NVIDIA, Forrest was the Embedded Hardware & Processing Branch Chief within the US Army's C5ISR Center where he developed and deployed AI algorithms within tactical systems. Following that position, Forrest was a Senior Data Architect within Accenture Federal Services where he supported a variety of DoD & Intelligence clients with AI/ML deployments within enterprise environments. Outside of work, he enjoys board games, unique hot sauces, and spending time with his wife and two kids.

D.R. is the Senior Director of Global Advisory for the Americas at Equinix, focusing on strategy and messaging in support of some of Equinix’s largest customers and partners. ​

D.R. has honed his expertise in communications by frequently speaking at events and organizations across the country.  His topics and approach draw from his 20+ years of experience selling technology services and developing brand, messaging, and content strategies.  He continues to deliver keynotes on Digital Transformations as well as evangelizing the missions of the non-profit organizations in which he is involved.​

As the Vice President of Public Sector Growth at Equinix, Jim Gwiazda plays a pivotal role within the company, supporting agencies that leverage Equinix as the place where they come together, enabling the innovations that improve the quality of life for the citizens they serve and keep our nation safe. With over two decades of experience in the technology industry, Jim is committed to fostering a culture of change, innovation, and excellence in service to the missions that his organization supports.

He is a decorated veteran of the United States Army and served as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Corps of Engineers. Jim holds a Master of Business Administration from The George Washington University School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Northeastern University.

Chris “CT” Thomas, a dynamic Technical Director renowned for his expertise in cutting-edge technologies such as AI/ML, 5G Communications, Cyber Security (Zero-Trust), IoT, Cloud, and Digital Transformation initiatives. With an impressive 23-year tenure in the IT industry, including 15 years dedicated to shaping large enterprise architectures, “CT” consistently garners acclaim for his visionary leadership and innovative approaches in driving transformative IT programs that yield substantial business breakthroughs.

“CT” specializes in empowering organizations to leverage modular-based open systems engineering methodologies, propelling them towards tangible business and mission successes. His passion lies in bridging the gap between technology and business objectives, fueling enterprises to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Beyond his professional achievements, Chris is an esteemed Active-Duty Navy Veteran, embodying the values of service and dedication. He is an active member of IEEE, with affiliations in prestigious societies such as the Communications Society, Technology & Engineering Management Society, and Systems Council, further enriching his contributions to the tech community.

Engage with “CT” in person or via LinkedIn, where his insights and expertise promise to inspire and enlighten audiences on the forefront of technological innovation.