Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander.  She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator.  She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.

Governor Whitmer was elected to the House of Representatives in 2000 and elected to the Michigan State Senate in 2006 where she served as the Senate Democratic Leader. In the 2018 gubernatorial election, Governor Whitmer won all 83 counties in the primary and won the general election with 53 percent of the vote. Since taking her oath of office, she has put together the most diverse cabinet in our state’s history and has signed executive directives to clean up our drinking water, end discrimination in state government based on sexual orientation and gender identity, secure equal pay for equal work, and expand opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses.

Governor Whitmer is committed to solving the problems Michiganders face every day. That means ensuring every Michigander has a great public education and a path to a good-paying job, every community has clean, safe drinking water, and everyone can drive to work or drop their kids at school safely, without blowing a tire or cracking a windshield.

Governor Whitmer and her husband Marc Mallory live in Lansing with her two daughters, Sherry and Sydney. Her three stepsons, Alex, Mason, and Winston all live in Michigan as well. Governor Whitmer earned a bachelor’s degree and law degree from Michigan State University.  Born and raised in Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer is honored to serve as Governor of Michigan.

Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II

Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist has dedicated his career to fixing problems for hardworking families. From spearheading campaigns for equality and justice to harnessing technology to solve everyday problems for Detroiters, his focus has consistently remained on serving the public by getting things done.

Bringing Michigan’s state government fully into the 21st century is a top priority for Lt. Governor Gilchrist. He brings a lifetime of experience to the task, receiving his first computer at age five and setting up a computer lab in the community recreation center using computers that he built himself at age 16. Lt. Governor Gilchrist studied computer engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, graduating with honors, and later had a successful career as a software engineer at Microsoft, helping to build SharePoint into the fastest growing product in the company’s history.

During his time in Seattle, Gilchrist served as Social Media Manager for the 2008 Obama campaign in Washington, where he helped launch a national text message program to recruit volunteers. He later served as the first Director of New Media at the Center for Community Change in Washington, D.C., and spent three years as National Campaign Director at MoveOn.org, where he spearheaded equity and justice campaigns, including fighting to expand Medicaid in states with Republican governors, like Michigan.

This eventually led to his serving as the first ever Director of Innovation & Emerging Technology for the city of Detroit, where he used public data and technology to address every day concerns the community was facing – including an app to report issues such as broken fire hydrants, potholes and broken street lights. This mindset of harnessing technology to solve problems will play a critical role in finding solutions to improve the lives of people across the state.

A native of Detroit, Lt. Governor Gilchrist’s parents are proud lifelong Detroiters. His mother worked at General Motors for 32 years and his father worked in defense contract management for the Department of Defense. His family was active in the community, including serving in leadership roles within their various neighborhood associations, as well as the church. Lt. Governor Gilchrist began speaking at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Detroit at age four, and later honed his skills under Dr. Frederick G. Sampson at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church.

Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist and his wife, Ellen, currently reside in Detroit where they are raising their twins, Emily and Garlin III, and newborn daughter, Ruby.

Bradford J. Willke
Assistant Director (Acting)
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Bradford Willke serves as the Assistant Director (Acting) for Stakeholder Engagement, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). He leads the Agency's strategic relationship formation and management for its stakeholders, partners, and customers. His team provides a "front door" to customers looking for CISA's capacity building and risk reducing products and services; and his programs convene industry, state and local government, academic, and nonprofit partners to channel common goals and objectives into meaningful community of interest outcomes to manage national risk.

During his ten plus years with DHS, he served as the Senior Advisor for stakeholder engagement – instrumental in unifying strategic and operational efforts to deliver cyber preparedness, risk mitigation and incident response activities, and in aligning cyber security resources, governance, and policy analysis to the needs of critical infrastructure and state and local government. Mr. Willke also was the Eastern U.S. Supervisory Cyber Security Advisor (CSA) and Chief of CSA Field Operations. Before joining DHS, Mr.

Willke led field studies and research projects in cyber security for more than 10 years while in the Software Engineering Institute’s CERT® Division. Three of his proudest achievements while at CERT were in creating the OCTAVE™ suite of information security risk assessments, in leading the DHS cyber investigative efforts related to the 2003 Northeast U.S. Power Outage and in drafting all of the key cyber findings in the joint DOE-DHS final “Black Out” report, and in developing the Cyber Resilience Review – a practical evaluation method based on the CERT Resilience Management Model™.

Mr. Willke was a law enforcement specialist in the United States Air Force. His recognized skills with IT networks, database design and programming, and security management resulted in becoming his unit’s IT operations and cyber security manager – a position previously reserved for more senior personnel.

Mr. Willke completed the Senior Executive Fellows program, John F. Kennedy School of

Government at Harvard University, Executive Education. He holds a master’s degree in Legal Studies, specializing in Homeland Security, from California University of Pennsylvania, a professional certificate in Information Protection and Security from the University of New Haven, a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Technologies from Southern Illinois University, and an associate degree in Criminal Justice from the Community College of the Air Force.

Brom Stibitz
State Chief Information Officer & Acting Director
Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget

Brom Stibitz currently serves as the acting director for the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) as well as the state’s chief information officer.

In 2020, Gov. Whitmer appointed Stibitz to serve as the state’s chief information officer, a role in which he manages all aspects of cybersecurity and information technology across state government.

In his previous role as the DTMB chief deputy director, a position he held since 2015, he served as the head of operations for the agency of nearly 3,000 employees, providing information technology, business, and administrative services to Michigan's residents, businesses, state agencies, state employees, and retirees.

With an emphasis on efficient business processes, customer service, and employee engagement, Stibitz has led numerous efforts to create a culture of continuous improvement at DTMB, ensuring timely delivery of services to more than 48,000 state employees and 10 million Michigan residents.

Under his leadership, DTMB improved customer satisfaction scores by 19 percentage points, received two “A” grades in the Digital States Survey, and was named the top state government procurement operation in the nation by Governing Magazine. Stibitz has spearheaded efforts to enhance IT security, streamline business processes, and drive transparency and rigor around IT governance.

Stibitz also serves as the vice president of the National Association of State Chief Administrators.

Prior to joining DTMB, Stibitz served as the director of executive operations for the Michigan Department of Treasury, where he oversaw a diverse portfolio of activities, including tax processing, call centers, audits, centralized collections for the state, state banking activities, and building and facilities operations. During his tenure at Treasury, he led major initiatives involving employee and customer engagement activities.

Stibitz holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kalamazoo College and a master’s degree in public administration from Northern Michigan University. He and his wife, Youngsook, have three children.

Tracy Barnes
CIO
State of Indiana

Tracy serves as Indiana’s Chief Information Officer, appointed by Gov. Eric J. Holcomb in March 2020. In this role, Tracy sits on the Governor’s Cabinet overseeing the Indiana Office of Technology and provides strategic oversight of the State’s technology portfolio, as well as leadership on technology and cybersecurity policy.Tracy brings significant business leadership and information technology experience to his role, having previously served as Chief of Staff for the Lieutenant Governor, and as Deputy Auditor and IT Director for the Indiana Auditor of State. Before joining the public sector, Tracy served as president and chief executive officer for ENTAP, Inc., an IT consulting services firm that designed and delivered effective enterprise focused information technology solutions to organizations in various industries across the globe. Over his career, Tracy has been recognized as Inc. Magazine's 9th Fastest Growing Black Entrepreneur and has received accolades from Top 50 Indiana Companies to Watch, the TechPoint MIRA awards and the IBE Governor's Award for Achievement in Technology. Tracy holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Butler University and a certificate from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. He is also completing a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Law from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Tracy sits on the board of directors for the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation and for NXG Youth Motorsports. Tracy and his wife live in Indianapolis.  He has three children: David, Lacy and Julian.

Johnathan Brater
Director
Michigan Bureau of Elections

Jonathan Brater is the Director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections. Brater previously served as the Department of State’s Legal Policy Director. Prior to that, Brater was counsel for the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program, a non-partisan nonprofit, where his work focused on improving election administration in partnership with secretaries of state around the country. A nationally recognized expert on voter registration law and policy, he graduated from the University of Michigan Law School.

Laura Clark
Chief Security Officer
Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget

Acting Chief Security Officer for the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, Laura Clark brings a unique blend of strengths that include leadership, vision, and strategic and tactical planning along with the ability to promote collaboration at all levels to support high-level, critical state-wide projects to successful completion.

During the 20 years Laura has served within the State of Michigan, she has steadily built her in-depth IT knowledge while serving in various leadership positions. She has led programs and grant managements supporting not only the State of Michigan, but also many vested local and federal stakeholders and users.

In 2017, Laura transitioned from the Center for Shared Solutions into the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) organization as the Division Director over Enterprise Services; this allowed her the opportunity to strategically establish an organization and service model that maximized the business value of IT. She identified opportunities and resources, and she implemented strategies that produced cost-savings, internal efficiencies, shared services, and partnership growth.

Her success as a division director opened the door to become the General Manager of the CTO Infrastructure and Operations area. In this role, she was responsible for the critical core IT backbone services supporting the State of Michigan’s central IT services, including network and telecommunications, data center operations, server and storage, and end user support. This position allowed her to continue her commitment to developing IT staff resources through driving collaboration and critical process design as well as understanding core competency needs at all levels of the operations.

As Deputy Chief Security Officer, Laura is responsible for Michigan Cyber Security and Infrastructure Protection Services and the deployment of their resources. Through Laura’s effective leadership, her team can ensure that critical processes are audited, reviewed, and designed for maximum effectiveness, and structures for all cybersecurity and infrastructure protection are effectively delivered and operationalized throughout the enterprise. Laura also supports the Chief Security Officer by providing well-developed and researched strategic recommendations on cybersecurity policy and future department direction.

As the current Acting Chief Security Officer, Laura oversees Michigan Cyber Security and Infrastructure Protection Services.  As part of the Michigan’s Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) Leadership Laura formulates, implements mission, policies, strategic plans, directives, organization structure, directing over 2,500 staff and has oversight of DTMB’s Budget.  Laura leads several Cyber Security and Infrastructure Protection Committees, the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Board and numerous programs at the local, state and national level.

Before starting her career with the State, Laura attended Michigan State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography with a specialization in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell represents the 12th District of Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Before being elected to Congress, Debbie was the Chair of the Wayne State University (WSU) Board of Governors.  An active civic and community leader, she is a recognized national advocate for women and children. For more than 30 years Debbie served one of Michigan’s largest employers, the General Motors (GM) Corporation, where she was President of the GM Foundation and a senior executive responsible for public affairs.   In her commitment to job creation, Debbie led the effort to bring the 10,000 Small Businesses initiative, a $20 million partnership designed to help create jobs and economic growth, to southeast Michigan. She is a past chair of the Manufacturing Initiative at the American Automotive Policy Council. With values instilled by her Catholic education, Debbie’s activism took root in her passion for issues important to women and children.  She successfully fought to have women included in federally-funded health research, and advocated for greater awareness of issues directly related to women’s health, including breast cancer and women's heart health. She is a founder and past chair of the National Women’s Health Resource Center and the Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  She has served on numerous boards related to women’s issues including the advisory boards for the NIH Panel for Women’s Research, the Michigan Women's Economic Club, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the board of the Michigan Women's Foundation.  She was a co-founder of both the first Race for the Cures in Michigan and in Washington, D.C. Debbie has led a number of efforts and initiatives related to young people and education stemming from her role as a WSU Governor and co-chair of the Children's Leadership Council, a business-led advocacy group that promotes investment in early childhood education.  She chaired the Michigan Infant Mortality Task Force, the Baby Your Baby public education campaign that reduced infant mortality rates in Michigan, and has served on the board of Michigan’s Children, the only statewide independent voice working to ensure that public policies are made in the best interest of children from cradle to career. She was appointed by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to serve on the Early Childhood Investment Corporation and the Cherry Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth. Much of Debbie's recent work has been focused on ethical issues and social responsibility as they relate to government and business. She co-chaired One United Michigan, which sought to preserve and support programs that ensure equal opportunity in Michigan. She chairs the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, a statewide organization that brings business, labor and government together to find commonality on issues.  She continues to serve on the Parade Company board of directors of which she is past chair, where she helped save America’s Thanksgiving Parade, an important Detroit tradition.  A known “bridge-builder,” she continues to promote and lead efforts toward greater understanding among people of differing points of views and backgrounds. Debbie is a respected voice in Michigan.  She co-hosted Detroit Public Television’s “Am I Right,” regularly served as a panelist on “Flashpoint,” a public affairs program on WDIV-TV4 Detroit, and was named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan by Crain’s Detroit Business.

Col. Joseph Gasper  
Director
Michigan State Police

Col. Joseph Gasper became the 19th Director of the Michigan State Police on January 1, 2019. As Director, Colonel Gasper also serves as State Director of Emergency Management and as Michigan’s Homeland Security Director. Colonel Gasper was raised in Newaygo, Michigan where he graduated from Newaygo High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Northern Michigan University. Colonel Gasper joined the Michigan State Police in August 1998, and upon recruit school graduation he was assigned to the Negaunee Post in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. During his first five years in the department, he spent time working as a uniform trooper at the post and on undercover details with the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET). In 2004, Colonel Gasper was promoted to sergeant with the Executive Protection Unit, where he served on Governor Jennifer Granholm’s security detail for two years before taking a transfer to the Grand Haven Post as a detective sergeant. In early 2010, Colonel Gasper was promoted to lieutenant with the Southwest Enforcement Team (SWET) in Battle Creek, before being promoted again later that year to first lieutenant in charge of the Executive Protection Section. In 2013, Colonel Gasper was promoted to captain and put in charge of the newly created State Executive Security Division. In 2015, Colonel Gasper’s division became part of the Special Operations Division (SOD). As commander of the SOD, Colonel Gasper was responsible for the department’s specialty teams including the Emergency Support Team, Canine Unit, Aviation Unit, Bomb Squad, Marine Services Unit, Traffic Reconstruction Unit, Executive Protection Unit, and the State Security Operations Section. In 2016, Colonel Gasper was elected to serve as the Vice President of the Midwest Region for the National Governors Security Association. He also represents the MSP on the Michigan Aeronautics Commission.

Deborah Golden
US Cyber & Strategic Risk Leader
Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory

Deborah, a principal at Deloitte & Touche LLP, is the US Cyber & Strategic Risk leader for Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory. In the prior six years, Deborah served as the Government & Public Services (GPS) Cyber Risk Services leader, as well as the GPS Advisory Market Offering leader, GPS Empowered Well-Being leader and the lead principal for a major federal government health care provider. Deborah has more than 25 years of information technology experience spanning numerous industries, with an in-depth focus on government and public services, life sciences and health care, and financial services. She specializes in collaborating with clients on cybersecurity and technology transformation, and privacy and governance initiatives. Deborah received a bachelor’s degree in Finance at Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in Information Technology at George Washington University. She serves on Virginia Tech’s Business Information Technology and Masters in Information Technology Advisory Boards is a self-proclaimed fitness junky and avid traveler and trains service dogs with the Guide Dog Foundation in her spare time.

Joel Hollenbeck
Director of Engineering, Office of the CTO
Check Point

Joel Hollenbeck is a Cyber Security Visionary with the Office of the CTO at Check Point Software Technologies Inc., the worldwide leader in securing the Internet. His background includes over 20 years of experience deploying application protection and network-based security. Mr. Hollenbeck has been securing networks and systems since 1994, including developing and executing strategies to connect some of the most sensitive networks for the Federal Government and Financial Institutions to the Internet in the earliest days of commercial internet connectivity. Mr. Hollenbeck has served as a consulting Security Architect with Check Point Software Technologies advising a wide variety of clients across many verticals on Security Best Practices, Security Architecture, and deriving the maximum value from investments in security, prior to joining Check Point, Mr. Hollenbeck has held various security engineering, leadership and executive roles within organizations local to St Louis.

Cynthia Kay
President
Cynthia Kay and Company

Cynthia Kay founded Cynthia Kay and Company media production which produces high-quality communications for organizations from the Fortune Global 100 to small business. A graduate of Michigan State University, Kay holds a Masters in Communications from Western Michigan University.

She is the Past Board Chair of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and the National Small Business Association (NSBA). She serves on the Board of Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB).  Cynthia and the company have been honored with many awards including several Tellys and Woman Owned Small Business Supplier of the Year from Siemens in 2018. She has been named One of West Michigan’s 50 Most Influential Women 5 times. She is also the recipient of over 30 broadcast awards from UPI, AP and other news organizations. CK & CO Cynthia has authored several books. She has written for the Washington Post, has been featured in Time Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine’s Ask the Expert and on NPR. Cynthia also testified on behalf of NSBA before the House Committee on Small Business Hearing.

Susan Kellogg
Chief Deputy State Chief Information Officer and Chief Services Officer
North Carolina Department of Information Technology

Susan Kellogg joined the N.C. Department of Information Technology as deputy state chief information officer and chief services officer in March 2020. In this role, she leads the Service Delivery Division and focuses her efforts on providing enterprise application and infrastructure services to state agencies, local governments and universities across North Carolina. Kellogg has more than 30 years of IT experience in both the public and private sector. Most recently, she was with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she served since 2003 in various IT roles, including special consultant to the executive vice chancellor and provost as well as deputy CIO. She was also deputy associate dean of information technology and CIO at UNC-Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School. Kellogg has a diverse background in business intelligence, student information systems, learning management systems, customer relationship management, information security, cloud infrastructure and business continuity as well as strong leadership, governance and customer service skills. She earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematical sciences and computer science from the UNC-Chapel Hill and earned a Master of Science in computer science from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. In addition, she received the 2012 CIO of the Year Award from the Triangle Business Journal and 2011 Roy W. Holsten Award for Exceptional Service.

Suzette Kent
Former United States Federal Chief Information Officer

Suzette Kent was appointed the Federal CIO in January of 2018, serving the position until earlier this year.  She joined government from industry where she has been a global leader in large-scale business transformation and has worked with many of the world’s most complex organizations.  Her experiences cover a wide spectrum, which include technology development, product design, customer servicing, merger and acquisition, technology and risk policy and establishing new global industry capabilities.

Before taking the role of Federal CIO, Suzette spent over 29 years in the financial services industry where she served as a principal at EY, partner at Accenture, consulting president at Carreker Corporation, and Managing Director at JPMorgan.   Ms. Kent has served as an enterprise leader for organizational learning, diversity and inclusiveness, and career development at every organization at which she has worked. She has been a frequent speaker in global industry forums, publisher of thought leadership pieces, and holds patents in banking processes.

Bryan Kissinger, PhD.
Vice President, CISO
Trace3

A hands-on, results-oriented senior information technology and business professional with over 20 years of experience leading global teams in the successful delivery of technology solutions that enable business value. Healthcare industry expertise coupled with Big 4 consulting leadership across emerging technology, financial, retail, and government sectors. A proven record of accomplishment in quickly assessing technology and security program maturity and developing multiyear road maps to achieve desired outcomes. A reputation for building programs and teams using a business-minded approach. Accomplished IT and security program designer utilizing practical solutions that deliver rapid return on investment. Bryan joined Trace3 having recently held the role of Vice President, Chief Information Security officer, at Banner Health. Bryan was responsible for the overall IT risk and information security program and was accountable to the Board of Directors for designing ongoing IT risk management functions, security architecture and operations, policy development and implementation, and enterprise-wide security training and awareness initiatives. He has been an advocate for, and implemented many, next-generation security solutions focused on preventing and detecting current and anticipated threat.

Michael Melfi
Partner
Bodman PLC

Michael S. Melfi helps emerging and established businesses overcome the legal and financial obstacles that often stand in the way of growth. His work with these companies focuses on financing and fundraising, intellectual property protection, technology licensing, tax planning, acquisitions and dispositions, and general corporate matters. He has particular experience in a broad range of technology industries including software, big data, healthcare, manufacturing, publishing, automotive, and aerospace, as well as transportation, retail, food and beverage, and construction. He has extensive experience mentoring, counseling, and securing funding for entrepreneurs, inventors, startups, and small businesses and their disruptive technology. Michael works with inventors to secure, protect and commercialize their intellectual property. He collaborates in an entrepreneurial manner on the assessment, strategic planning, business development, execution, and fundraising for the ideas and inventions' journey to commercialization. Before joining Bodman, Michael founded and served as chief operating officer and general counsel of a multimedia company where he pioneered experiential digital campaigns for Fortune 500 clients and worked with numerous national industry-leading products and brands to monetize and grow their web-based businesses. He is active in many organizations that serve the entrepreneurial and general business communities. Michael is a member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. He mentors entrepreneurs at 1871, a technology accelerator and incubator based in Chicago that is the home of more than 400 early-stage digital startups. Michael also serves on the Board of Governors for the University of Michigan's School of Kinesiology's Alumni Society and the President's Advisory Council (PAC) for The Community House in Birmingham, Michigan, a non-profit community center for professional, philanthropic, and recreational pursuits.

Congressman John Moolenaar

Congressman John Moolenaar represents the residents of Michigan’s Fourth Congressional District. He is currently a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Moolenaar brings years of leadership experience in the private and public sectors to Congress. He has worked as a chemist and business development director, and as a school administrator. As a public servant, Moolenaar has been elected to the Midland City Council, the Michigan House of Representatives, and the Michigan Senate. Moolenaar was born and raised in Midland, where he now lives with his wife, Amy, and together they have raised six children. He has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Hope College and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.

Beth Niblock
CIO
City of Detroit

Spend enough time with Beth Niblock, and you will understand two things clearly. One, she is earnest in her belief that transparency is the lifeblood of a healthy government. The other, she loves big challenges.

Before coming to Detroit, Niblock was the first CIO appointed to a merged Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government in 2003. She was challenged with unifying IT systems and infrastructure, while implementing systems. During her 11 years at the helm, her teams won numerous awards. Niblock was tapped by the Obama Administration to serve as part of a team of technology officials to support the City of Detroit. It was her first introduction to Detroit; and the opportunity to come back,was too enticing to walk away from. In March of 2014 Mayor Mike Duggan appointed her to be the CIO for the City of Detroit. She managed significant upgrades to infrastructure, all major systems (Financial, HR, 911 + Dispatch, Police, Fire and EMS systems) making city business transparent, and making Detroit online an easy place to do business with. In July of 2019 Mayor Duggan expanded her responsibilities by adding Homeland Security and Emergency Management to her portfolio.

Chad R. Paalman
CEO
NuWave Technology Partners

Chad Paalman is the Co-Founder & CEO of NuWave Technology Partners.  Chad is presently serving on Cisco System’s Small & Midmarket Advisory Board, Cisco System’s Managed Service Provider (MSP) Advisory Board, Lansing Community College & Career Quest Learning Centers IT Curriculum Advisory Boards, Sparrow Hospital Foundation Board and the Leadership Council of the Board of Directors for the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM).  Previous positions include the CompTIA Partner Advisory Council, The Channel Company's Xchange Advisory Board and NexGen Cloud Advisory Board, the Michigan FFA Foundation Board and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM).  Chad holds a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and resides in Ada, MI with his wife and children.

Senator Gary Peters

Sworn into office in 2015, Senator Gary Peters is honored to represent the State of Michigan in the U.S. Senate. Throughout his career in public service, Gary has been a strong, independent voice for Michigan’s families, workers and small businesses. He has focused on uniting our communities by fighting for the things that we all agree on — a stronger economy, good-paying jobs, quality and affordable health care, a secure retirement and a fair chance for everyone to succeed. In the 116th Congress, Gary serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the Joint Economic Committee. In the U.S. Senate, Gary’s top priority is to continue supporting job creation and economic growth to strengthen Michigan small businesses and our middle class. Gary has led and passed legislation that was signed into law under both Democratic and Republican Administrations. He has worked with members of both parties to find commonsense, practical and bipartisan solutions to challenges facing Michigan and our nation. These successful efforts include: increasing protections for the Great Lakes and securing historic funding for restoration efforts; supporting veterans suffering from PTSD or TBI; expanding career and technical education and apprenticeships for workers; and increasing our nation’s security at our borders. That’s why he’s been named one of the most effective and bipartisan Senators, according to non-partisan organizations. Gary is a product of Michigan schools. He graduated from Rochester High School and went on to Alma College where he earned a B.A. in Political Science. After graduation, while working a full-time job and raising a family, he went on to earn an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Detroit Mercy, a law degree from Wayne State University Law School and an M.A. in Philosophy from Michigan State University with a focus on the ethics of development. Gary was born in Pontiac, Michigan. His father, a World War II veteran, worked as a public school teacher for more than 30 years. His mother – who survived Nazi occupation of France and met Gary’s father while he served in Europe during the war – worked as a nurse’s aide at a local nursing home. She helped organize her workplace and became an SEIU union steward. Growing up, Gary learned the importance of hard work and fairness from his parents. He started his own small business delivering newspapers at age 11. In junior high, he bused tables at a Big Boy restaurant, and in high school and college, he worked at a local retailer. Gary is an Eagle Scout, and a member of the National Eagle Scout Association. In 2019, he received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America. For more than 20 years, Gary worked as an investment advisor, helping families save for their retirement and provide for their children’s college education. However, he always felt the need to serve and give back to his community. Gary volunteered for the U.S. Navy Reserve at age 34, where he earned a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist designation and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After the September 11th terrorist attacks on our country, he volunteered again for drilling status. He also earned a diploma from the College of Naval Command and Staff, U.S. Naval War College. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008. Gary began his public service as a Rochester Hills City Councilman in 1991. In 1994, he was elected to the Michigan State Senate, where he had more bills signed into law than any other member of his party. Gary later served as the Michigan State Lottery Commissioner. Gary and his wife, Colleen, live in Oakland County and have three children: Gary Jr., Madeleine and Alana.

David C. Rhoa
President
Marana Group

David Rhoa (pronounced “roy”) is and serial entrepreneur owning five business serving customers around the world.  David has extensive experience in advocating for small business. David has written and spoken on the subjects of small business tax policy, and small business labor policy at both the state and federal level.  David has testified repeatedly before committees of the Michigan House and Senate regarding tax policy, Michigan’s minimum wage, health care reform, the expansion of Medicaid in Michigan, and the impact the COVID-19 pandemic on small business.  He has also briefed state and federal lawmakers on the use of alternative fuels by small business fleets and the impact of such fuels on transportation infrastructure funding.  David has also served as a consultant on alternative fuels for General Motors and Fiat Chrysler.  Both national and international media outlets regarding political and economic issues facing small business have frequently interviewed David.  David is a three-time delegate to the National Small Business Association’s Small Business Congress and has actively participated in White House briefings on small business issues. David is a Past Chair for the Small Business Association of Michigan and its Political Action Committee in addition to several other positions.  David is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Small Business Council of America. David has served as a member of the part-time faculty in the Department of Economics and Business at Kalamazoo College since 2014.

Ted Richmond
Director
RGS Limited

Ted Richmond is a Director at RGS Limited; a cyber insurance broker and program manager that specializes in unique insurance products for data breach and cyber risks. Ted is responsible for the development and distribution of the programs. A graduate of DePaul University Ted has been in the insurance business since 2011 and holds various licenses in all 50 states.

Ervan D. Rodgers
State Chief Information Officer/Assistant Director
State of Ohio

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine appointed Ervan Rodgers State of Ohio Chief Information Officer in January 2019. Rodgers is responsible for the strategic direction and efficient use of information technology across State government, which entails 50,000 employees at State agencies, boards and commissions with an annual IT budget of $1 billion. Rodgers serves a dual role as Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, which houses the State’s Office of Information Technology and works behind the scenes to deliver innovative services and solutions that support the operations of State government. Rodgers is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience and expertise in IT disciplines, as well as business process, project and operations management. Prior to his appointment, he was CIO of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office where he managed a budget of $50 million and a staff of 100 who support 30 legal sections, collections enforcement, operational groups and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations. Rodgers was previously an IT consultant to global Fortune 100 companies including Huntington National Bank, Accenture and Hewlett-Packard, where he developed a successful track record of leading teams and leveraging technology to position for growth. This private sector work included hands-on experience that honed his expertise in digitizing core business processes, e-business, developing value-added solutions, change management, and mentoring management teams. Rodgers serves on the board of directors for Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program, an organization that encourages the creation of digital geographic data of value, the State of Ohio CyberOhio Advisory Board and the Franklin University Cybersecurity and Public Safety Advisory Board. Rodgers earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in management and organizational development from Spring Arbor University in Michigan and currently working toward a master’s degree in computer science from Muskingum University.

Nick Rossmann
Global Lead, X-Force Threat Intelligence
IBM Security

Nick Rossmann is the Global Lead for X-Force Threat Intelligence. His teams hunt for evil and reverse engineer malware. Nick works closely with offering management across IBM Security to integrate threat intelligence into the portfolio. Prior to IBM, Nick was a senior manager for intelligence production at FireEye where he coordinated research, including assessments about China, Russia, cybercriminals and ICS vulnerabilities. In addition, he oversaw the production and dissemination of threat intelligence to clients and supported the sales organization with product marketing material. Prior to moving to the private sector, Nick was an intelligence analyst on Middle East issues at the CIA, and also worked at the FBI and Department of Defense. He’s a graduate of the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. Nick attended the National Intelligence University. He’s currently earning his Executive Master of Science in Information Management from the iSchool at Syracuse University.

Representative Elissa Slotkin

Representative Elissa Slotkin is honored to serve the residents of Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, a district that includes Ingham, Livingston, and North Oakland Counties. Rep. Slotkin has spent her career in national service. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which took place during her first week of graduate school in New York City, Rep. Slotkin knew that national service would define her career. She was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to be a Middle East analyst and went on to devote her career to protecting the United States from national security threats. In her role at the CIA, Rep. Slotkin worked alongside the U.S. military during three tours in Iraq as a militia expert. In between her tours in Iraq, Rep. Slotkin held various defense and intelligence positions under President Bush and President Obama, including roles at the White House and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. In 2011, Rep. Slotkin took a senior position at the Pentagon and, until January 2017, she served as Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. In this role, Rep. Slotkin oversaw policy on Russia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at the Pentagon and participated in negotiations on some of the country’s most pressing national security issues. It is this same mission-focus that Rep. Slotkin brings to issues affecting citizens of Michigan’s 8th congressional district. For Rep. Slotkin, this means ensuring that everyone has access to healthcare they can afford, lowering the price of prescription drugs, protecting access to clean water and Michigan’s Great Lakes, and returning decency and integrity to politics. Rep. Slotkin’s background in national security contributes to the urgency and passion she brings to increasing government integrity and accountability and passing campaign finance reform. To learn more about Rep. Slotkin’s legislative priorities, click here. A third-generation Michigander, Rep. Slotkin spent her early life on her family farm in Holly, Michigan. The generations of Slotkins before her worked in the family business, Hygrade Foods, which was headquartered in Detroit and produced iconic foods loved by Michiganders, like the Ballpark Frank first sold at Detroit’s Tiger Stadium. The values that made the family business successful instilled in Rep. Slotkin an enduring commitment to integrity, decency, and hard work that guided her to a career of service. The Slotkin family business is well represented in Rep. Slotkin’s office, with hot dog figurines and artwork proudly displayed. Rep. Slotkin attended Cornell University (BA) and Columbia University in the City of New York (MA). Rep. Slotkin’s home is her family farm in Holly. Rep. Slotkin’s husband, Dave, is a retired Army colonel who served for 30 years as an Apache helicopter pilot. Her two stepdaughters have pursued their own lives of service, one as a physician and the other as a new Army officer.

Congresswoman Haley Stevens

Congresswoman Haley Stevens grew up in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and graduated from Seaholm High School in Birmingham. She earned a master’s degree in social policy and philosophy and a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from American University. Before being elected to Congress, Congresswoman Stevens served as the Chief of Staff to the U.S. Auto Rescue Task Force, the federal initiative responsible for saving General Motors, Chrysler, and 200,000 Michigan Jobs. She also played a key role in setting up the Office of Recovery for Automotive Communities and Workers, and the White House Office of Manufacturing Policy. After serving in the Obama Administration, Congresswoman Stevens worked in a manufacturing research lab focused on the future of work in the digital age.

Congresswoman Haley Stevens sits on the House Committee on Education & Labor, and the House Committee on Science, Space & Technology, where she also serves as Chairwoman of the Research & Technology Subcommittee. On these Committees, Congresswoman Stevens works to protect access to healthcare, promote manufacturing, expand educational opportunity, stand up for workers’ rights, and increase investment in critical research and development. Congresswoman Stevens resides in Rochester Hills and attends Kensington Church in Troy.

Sarah Tennant
Senior Development Director & Cyber Initiatives
Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Sarah Tennant is the Sector Development Director & Cyber Initiatives at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Serving as the State's program expert and advisor to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Sarah collaborates with other government agencies, academia and industry on raising awareness and promoting the growth of the cyber ecosystem within the State of Michigan. Sarah’s focus is on cultivating cybersecurity talent through statewide education, with an emphasis on the emerging embedded systems security space while promoting a collaborative statewide approach to cybersecurity. Previous to joining the MEDC Sarah was the DOD OEA Grant coordinator for the Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development Board where she oversaw a $6.7 million dollar Southeast Michigan Defense Industry Adjustment grant, supporting 15 projects intended to identify and diversify Michigan’s defense portfolio, expand educational and workforce training for emerging markets including the cyber range hub expansion in Michigan, and provide opportunities for Michigan companies engaged in the defense economy. Additionally Sarah also serves on several non-profit boards and advisory committees and currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Women in Defense Michigan Chapter. A Michigan transplant, Sarah is a proud graduate of the University of Windsor holding a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Jennifer Tisdale
Principal of the Cyber-Physical Systems Team
GRIMM

Jennifer Tisdale is the Principal of the Cyber-Physical Systems team GRIMM, a cybersecurity research and engineering firm. GRIMM is a Service, Disabled Veteran-owned Small Business which provides cybersecurity testing, consulting and training to the U.S. military & intelligence agencies, commercial automotive, aerospace, medical and manufacturing industries. Previously, Jennifer served as R&D Program Manager of Vehicle Product Cybersecurity at Mazda North America where she bridged the gap between R&D for product development and Government Affairs, focused on cybersecurity for connected and automated vehicles. Before her time at Mazda North America, Jennifer developed the Cyber-Mobility program for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).  Jennifer’s work with MEDC created the foundation for an economic strategy to band together Michigan’s existing automotive, defense and aerospace industries with non-traditional suppliers in cybersecurity. Through her work, Michigan has carved a unique economic strategy positioning the state of Michigan as a leader in Cyber-Physical Systems security. Jennifer is a volunteer for the National Defense Industrial Association (MI) and serves on the Board of Directors. Jennifer leads all cybersecurity programming for the organization including the annual Cyber-Physical Systems Security Summit and created and lead the Cyber Military Vehicle Industry Collaborative (MVIC), dedicated to supporting the U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center in conducting a study to increase the cyber resilience of military ground vehicle systems. Jennifer was recently voted one of SC Magazine’s “Women to Watch” in Cybersecurity, and she prides herself in challenging the negative narrative often associated with hackers, being an advocate for increased diversity and inclusion in the cybersecurity industry and volunteers with several non-profit, STEM programs to encourage students to embrace cybersecurity education for embedded systems.

Anthony Tuttle
Program Manager, Cyber + Tech Initiatives
West Michigan Center for Arts & Technology

Anthony is a Michigan transplant and former educator turned marketer turned cybersecurity community builder. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Technology, Engineering, and Design Education from North Carolina State University before earning his Master of Arts in Management from the Wake Forest University School of Business. Before joining WMCAT, Anthony worked at Steelcase where he focused on the intersection of furniture and technology, and managed multiple products that solved for the needs of both end users and IT decision makers. It was in this role where he solidified his belief that success in business lies at the intersection of education, technology, design, and human behavior. In essence: life is interdisciplinary, and diversity matters. Currently, Anthony is working to increase awareness, build excitement around, and provide equitable access to cybersecurity trainings and other technology resources in our community. As program manager of the Cyber Hub at WMCAT, he is leading WMCAT’s efforts to build a diverse and inclusive cybersecurity and technology talent pipeline in West Michigan.

At heart, Anthony is a learner and an educator who is passionate about equipping individuals – especially those with multicultural backgrounds and from underrepresented communities – with the knowledge and skills that will develop them holistically, allow them to make economic progress in their lives, and make positive impacts in their communities.

Tabice Ward
Director of Information Protection and Security
DTE Energy

Tabice Ward is director of Information Protection and Security at DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE), a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. DTE Energy’s operating units include an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio also includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy marketing and trading. As one of Michigan’s leading corporate citizens, DTE Energy is a force for growth and prosperity in the 450 Michigan communities it serves in a variety of ways, including philanthropy, volunteerism, and economic progress. She joined DTE Energy in 1989 and has held positions of increasing responsibility across various departments. Her last 25 years have been spent in the Information Technology Services organization with experience that span across the areas of software delivery, operations and support, project management, cybersecurity strategy, cybersecurity operations, security compliance, technology risk management, business continuity, and crisis response planning. As director, Information Protection and Security, she is responsible for overseeing the execution of DTE Energy’s enterprise cybersecurity program for both information technology and operational technology, which includes security policies and standards, cyber risk management, regulatory compliance, security awareness, security operations, network security, identity and access management. Additionally, her responsibilities include representing DTE Energy across multiple externally facing industry groups, committees and forums that support the protection of critical infrastructure. She serves as an executive board member for Belle Isle Conservancy non-profit organization, Wayne State University Computer Science Advisory Board and Henry Ford High School Early College Advisory Board, and Center for Cyber Security and Intelligence Studies Advisor Board. She is also very active in the cybersecurity community providing mentoring support. Her accomplishments include being a recipient of the Who’s Who in Black Detroit Award (2015), Women of Color in STEM Special Recognition Award (2016) and recognized as a Global C1SO 100 (2020).

Alex Wyllie
Program Manager
IBM Security

Alex Wyllie is the Program Director of Field Marketing at IBM Security. He leads a team focused on delivering the story of IBM’s portfolio of cybersecurity products and services to organizations both big and small across the United States. He is an effective listener and communicator that looks to understand the challenges of security professionals and partner with them on finding solutions.