GIST Roadshow 2025 Huntsville - Agenda
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Agenda

Times are subject to change.

8:00 AM CDT Wednesday, April 30

Registration & Breakfast

1 hour

Kickstart the day with a delicious breakfast, connect with fellow participants and prepare for the day’s discussions.

Kickstart the day with a delicious breakfast, connect with fellow participants and prepare for the day’s discussions.

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9:00 AM CDT Wednesday, April 30

Opening & Welcome Address

5 minutes
Rick Shafer
Rick Shafer
Chief Revenue Officer
Swish
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9:05 AM CDT Wednesday, April 30

Threat Awareness, Artificial Intelligence, and Deep Fake Manipulation

45 minutes

As stewards of public safety and national security, government agencies remain focused on preventing theft, harm, and systemic compromise. This session will offer insight into how international criminal and national security actors are exploiting emerging technologies to unlawfully access funds, disrupt financial systems, or target individuals for monetary or malicious purposes. This keynote will explore today’s dynamic threat environment—examining how the rise of AI, particularly Deep Fake technologies, is reshaping the landscape for law enforcement, intelligence, and national security. The presentation will cover:

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As stewards of public safety and national security, government agencies remain focused on preventing theft, harm, and systemic compromise. This session will offer insight into how international criminal and national security actors are exploiting emerging technologies to unlawfully access funds, disrupt financial systems, or target individuals for monetary or malicious purposes. This keynote will explore today’s dynamic threat environment—examining how the rise of AI, particularly Deep Fake technologies, is reshaping the landscape for law enforcement, intelligence, and national security. The presentation will cover:

  • Shifting threat perspectives
  • The broader circumstances that have accelerated AI's emergence and prominence
  • The specific risks associated with Deep Fake technologies
Chris Piehota
Chris Piehota
Former Executive Assistant Director & Supervisory Special Agent
FBI
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9:50 AM CDT Wednesday, April 30

Optimizing and Securing Technology for Mission Attainment

45 minutes

Organizations today face the dual challenge of securing their IT environments while driving innovation and operational excellence. This panel will bring together government and industry leaders to delve into strategies for leveraging cutting-edge technologies and workforce upskilling to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and achieve a competitive edge. They will examine how to balance robust cybersecurity measures with the agility and innovation needed to maximize the impact of technology investments. Discussions will spotlight the integration of emerging technologies, solutions to close workforce skill gaps, and approaches to fostering a culture that prioritizes both security and innovation. 

Organizations today face the dual challenge of securing their IT environments while driving innovation and operational excellence. This panel will bring together government and industry leaders to delve into strategies for leveraging cutting-edge technologies and workforce upskilling to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and achieve a competitive edge. They will examine how to balance robust cybersecurity measures with the agility and innovation needed to maximize the impact of technology investments. Discussions will spotlight the integration of emerging technologies, solutions to close workforce skill gaps, and approaches to fostering a culture that prioritizes both security and innovation. 

Oralondo Hicks
Oralondo Hicks
Cyber Engineering and Architecture Lead
MDA
Steven Rush
Steven Rush
Director, Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC)
The Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC), DIA
Christopher Martirano
Christopher Martirano
Federal Account Manager
Rubrik
Daniela Fayer
Daniela Fayer
SVP & Group Publisher, Defense
GovExec
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10:35 AM CDT Wednesday, April 30

Networking Break

20 minutes

An opportunity to enjoy refreshments while engaging with peers, exchanging insights, and discussing key takeaways from the main stage conversations.

An opportunity to enjoy refreshments while engaging with peers, exchanging insights, and discussing key takeaways from the main stage conversations.

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10:55 AM CDT Wednesday, April 30

Accelerating Innovation with Engineering Excellence

45 minutes

Public Sector operates in an increasingly digital landscape, yet persistent IT inefficiencies continue to undermine productivity, mission readiness, and workforce morale. A recent study of the DoD found an estimated $2.5 billion in lost productivity annually due to poor IT and application performance. Outdated infrastructure, poor observability, and fragmented system management create significant barriers to efficiency, making it clear that incremental fixes are no longer enough. This conversation will explore how engineering excellence, continuous performance monitoring, and focused improvements can transform Public Sector organization’s IT challenges into force multipliers. Public sector leaders will share insights on the critical roles of CIOs, CTOs, Service Delivery Teams, and others play in overcoming systemic IT operational and performance challenges. They will also examine strategies for continuous improvement, reducing technical debt, and nurturing a culture that enhances both user experience and operational effectiveness.

Public Sector operates in an increasingly digital landscape, yet persistent IT inefficiencies continue to undermine productivity, mission readiness, and workforce morale. A recent study of the DoD found an estimated $2.5 billion in lost productivity annually due to poor IT and application performance. Outdated infrastructure, poor observability, and fragmented system management create significant barriers to efficiency, making it clear that incremental fixes are no longer enough. This conversation will explore how engineering excellence, continuous performance monitoring, and focused improvements can transform Public Sector organization’s IT challenges into force multipliers. Public sector leaders will share insights on the critical roles of CIOs, CTOs, Service Delivery Teams, and others play in overcoming systemic IT operational and performance challenges. They will also examine strategies for continuous improvement, reducing technical debt, and nurturing a culture that enhances both user experience and operational effectiveness.

Colt Whittall
Colt Whittall
CEO, Bravo-17
Former Chief Experience Officer, United States Air Force
Bill Roberts
Bill Roberts
Federal Chief Technology Officer
Riverbed
Sean Applegate
Sean Applegate
CTO
Swish
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11:40 AM CDT Wednesday, April 30

Driving Efficiency & Effectiveness with Intelligent Data Management and Insights

45 minutes

Government agencies face increasing pressure to do more with limited resources, navigating tight budgets and rising demands. Enormous value is locked up in mountains of data scattered across agency systems. Through innovative data management combined with AI/ML agencies are making more informed decisions with greater speed and precision, all while ensuring security and resilience. This panel will explore how rethinking our approaches to data management, intelligent insights, and beyond are transforming mission capabilities. 

Government agencies face increasing pressure to do more with limited resources, navigating tight budgets and rising demands. Enormous value is locked up in mountains of data scattered across agency systems. Through innovative data management combined with AI/ML agencies are making more informed decisions with greater speed and precision, all while ensuring security and resilience. This panel will explore how rethinking our approaches to data management, intelligent insights, and beyond are transforming mission capabilities. 

Lisa Hirschler
Lisa Hirschler
Chief Data Officer
Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM)
Dr. Steve Pierce
Dr. Steve Pierce
Chief Technology Officer
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command - USASMDC
Marlin McFate
Marlin McFate
Federal CTO & CISO
Coheisty
Daniela Fayer
Daniela Fayer
SVP & Group Publisher, Defense
GovExec
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12:25 PM CDT Wednesday, April 30

Lunch

1 hour

Enjoy a meal while networking and discussing key insights from the morning sessions.

Enjoy a meal while networking and discussing key insights from the morning sessions.

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1:25 PM CDT Wednesday, April 30

Security Best Practices for Generative AI Platforms

40 minutes

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way government agencies operate, unlocking unprecedented levels of efficiency, precision, and strategic advantage. From real-time insights at the edge to enterprise-wide solutions, AI technologies like Generative AI, Large Language Models, and Agentic AI are transforming mission capabilities. However, adopting these innovations requires a secure and trustworthy approach. There are challenges with data security, LLM vulnerabilities, excessive agency, ethics, and more. In this tech talk, Lasso Security CEO (Elad Schulman) and Swish CTO (Sean Applegate) will discuss practical approaches to address the OWASP Top 10 Vulnerabilities for LLMs, navigate the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, and align AI efforts with OMB M-25-21 Accelerating Federal Use of AI through Innovation, Governance, and Public Trust.

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way government agencies operate, unlocking unprecedented levels of efficiency, precision, and strategic advantage. From real-time insights at the edge to enterprise-wide solutions, AI technologies like Generative AI, Large Language Models, and Agentic AI are transforming mission capabilities. However, adopting these innovations requires a secure and trustworthy approach. There are challenges with data security, LLM vulnerabilities, excessive agency, ethics, and more. In this tech talk, Lasso Security CEO (Elad Schulman) and Swish CTO (Sean Applegate) will discuss practical approaches to address the OWASP Top 10 Vulnerabilities for LLMs, navigate the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, and align AI efforts with OMB M-25-21 Accelerating Federal Use of AI through Innovation, Governance, and Public Trust.

Elad Shulman
Elad Shulman
CEO & Co-Founder
Lasso Security
Sean Applegate
Sean Applegate
CTO
Swish
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2:05 PM CDT Wednesday, April 30

Integrating and Securing Operational Technology (OT)

45 minutes

As the digital landscape evolves, the integration and security of operational technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems have become critical for government agencies. With the increasing connectivity of devices and systems, ensuring that OT and IoT solutions are seamlessly integrated and secure is essential to safeguarding infrastructure, protecting sensitive data, and maintaining operational continuity. However, achieving robust OT and IoT security within government environments presents unique challenges, including legacy systems, evolving threats, and regulatory compliance. This session will explore the critical importance of integrating and securing operational technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) in today's digital landscape. Our panel will provide practical guidance and real-world examples of successful OT integration and security measures within government environments.

As the digital landscape evolves, the integration and security of operational technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems have become critical for government agencies. With the increasing connectivity of devices and systems, ensuring that OT and IoT solutions are seamlessly integrated and secure is essential to safeguarding infrastructure, protecting sensitive data, and maintaining operational continuity. However, achieving robust OT and IoT security within government environments presents unique challenges, including legacy systems, evolving threats, and regulatory compliance. This session will explore the critical importance of integrating and securing operational technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) in today's digital landscape. Our panel will provide practical guidance and real-world examples of successful OT integration and security measures within government environments.

Chris Jenks
Chris Jenks
Director, Technology
Tuscaloosa City Schools & President of the Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology (ALET)
Joe Parker
Joe Parker
Cybersecurity Advisor / Region 4
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Kyle Pomering
Kyle Pomering
Security Architect
Check Point Software Technologies
Daniela Fayer
Daniela Fayer
SVP & Group Publisher, Defense
GovExec
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2:50 PM CDT Wednesday, April 30

Closing Remarks

5 minutes
Rick Shafer
Rick Shafer
Chief Revenue Officer
Swish
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