Speakers

Mohammed Sohail Chaudhry is a strategic leader with progressive and vibrant ideology of transformative change in the delivery of technology and information management processes with a proven record of saving millions in information technology (IT) expenses by leveraging secure innovation and business transformation. Currently serving as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) where he is responsible for standardization and modernization of IT by leading development of enterprise solutions while enabling the Office of Information Management and Technology (OIMT) to align and integrate with the strategic business objectives of the agency.

Prior to that, Mr. Chaudhry served as the Chief Technology Architect (CTA) and as the Director of the Division of Infrastructure Operations (DIO) leading the implementation, operations and maintenance of enterprise IT. Additionally, he has led the Risk and Compliance Division of OIMT at the FDA as the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (D-CISO) and as a Senior Technical Advisor, where he established the foundation for FDA’s cloud, mobile technology and multiple security initiatives for the development and execution of processes that enable the FDA to efficiently leverage emerging solutions. He systematically developed and implemented enterprise technology programs, which reduced disruptions to business systems by nearly 80% and modernized the operational functionality and stability across FDA’s IT enterprise.

As a kid growing up in Bogotá, Colombia, Santiago “Santi” Garces witnessed the near collapse of the national government and the general disillusionment of national politics, along with creative and unconventional approaches to solve issues at the local level. Those experiences developed a lifelong passion for making government more efficient and effective for citizens. Santi joined the City of Boston as Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) to help push forward Mayor Wu’s vision of building a government that earns the trust of its people.

As CIO, Santi oversees the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) and a team of nearly 150 employees. DoIT provides and maintains mission-critical technologies for the City’s more than 18,000 employees and hundreds of thousands of constituents. 

In the last few decades, DoIT has been an enabler of progress in Boston. Santi’s goal is to create a new chapter in that history so that DoIT can continue to be an engine of transformation in the service of residents and employees. Through data science, statistics, and human-centered design, Santi will empower his staff to deliver more dignified experiences for residents and optimize the role of government. He also plans to leverage the City’s relationships with academia, local industries, and civic organizations to make sure big decisions reflect the many voices of Boston.

Before becoming CIO of Boston, Santi was the Executive Director of the Department of Community Investment in South Bend, Indiana, and formerly served as CIO of South Bend and of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In South Bend, Santi oversaw planning, zoning, housing, and sustainability, leading a generational transformation in housing investments in the city. He also spearheaded the largest neighborhood planning effort in South Bend’s history, as well as $1 billion in economic development projects. As CIO of South Bend, Santi won national recognition, including the Bloomberg’s Mayor’s Challenge for the Commuter’s Trust, for creating an innovative platform that allowed companies, the government, and individuals to provide transportation and secure workers with reliable options to get to work. He also helped create CLICK centers, which were a partnership between libraries, the City, and other nonprofits to provide access to computers and training within a 15-minute walk of low-income residents.

As CIO of Pittsburgh, Santi transformed its Department of Innovation and Performance into a service-oriented organization. This work led to improvements to core infrastructure in the City and included everything from establishing a citywide network to migrating Pittsburgh’s data center to the cloud. He also spearheaded negotiations with cable franchises that helped ​​convert existing recreation centers into technology-enhanced Rec2Tech Centers for residents.

Before working in civic tech, Santi helped found enFocus, a nonprofit dedicated to providing innovative solutions for government and industry. He is a graduate of Notre Dame with degrees in Electrical Engineering, Political Science, and a master’s degree in Technology Entrepreneurship.

As a lover of languages, Santi speaks fluently in Spanish, English, some French, and dabbles in Portuguese, Italian, German, Quechua, and Irish while trying to learn Chinese. Santi enjoys learning programming languages as well, including C/C++, Python, Ruby, Julia, and R. As a new Chinatown resident, he’s open to any and all recommendations for neighborhood cuisine. He also really likes Corgis.

Jimmy L. Hall, Jr. assumed the duties of Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director, Technology, and Innovation Office (TIO) in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) on 29 January 2023. He provides strategic oversight of all of INR’ s communications and IT functions in support of INR’ s mission, with responsibility for planning, managing, and directing the security and integrity of the Department of State’s Top Secret (TS) Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Information Technology (IT) systems, and networks, working with both the Bureaus of Information Resource Management and Diplomatic Security. He manages and oversees all of INR’s communications technology needs, and coordinates closely with fellow members of the Intelligence Community (IC) on these matters in concert with the Department’s Chief Information Officer. 

Jimmy was previously the Acting Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) where he was the principal advisor on how best to assure information technology (IT) fully supports DCSA’s business operations. He routinely coordinated with Defense Information Systems Agency, National Security Agency, Committee on National Security Systems, and others relative to information technology and cybersecurity policies affecting DCSA’s automation initiatives. Prior to this position, Mr. Hall was the Deputy CIO of the Defense Security Service (DSS) where he focused on delivery of high-quality IT services, modernization, and governance to enable essential business functions and missions. 

Mr. Hall is a retired U.S. Army Colonel with 30 years of service. He earned his  commission from Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, GA., and served within the continental United States and abroad in a variety of command and staff positions from Lieutenant to Colonel in units such as the Joint Staff, the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), the Armed Forces Inauguration Committee, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), served as a Presidential Communications Officer in the White House Communications Agency (WHCA), and commanded 5th Signal Command (Theater) in Europe and served in a dual hatted role as the United States Army Europe CIO/G-6 prior to retiring from the Army Staff, Pentagon, as Executive Officer to the Army’s CIO/G6. 

Mr. Hall holds a Master of Science degree in Information Resource Management from Central Michigan University and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the United States Army Senior Service College.

Dr. McCarville is a results-driven executive with a diverse background spanning higher education, government, data analytics, and global consulting. As an accomplished leader, educator, and technology strategist; he is committed to driving positive change and harnessing the power of data and technology for the benefit of organizations, education, and society. He is also dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation, ethical data use, and strategic decision-making in any organization he engages with.

With extensive experience as a Chief Information Officer, Chief Data Officer & Vice Chancellor; Dr. McCarville has managed complex operations, led large teams, and navigated budget challenges/constraints with an innovative mindset. His work in higher education and government has allowed him to play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of information resources and technology to support state, academic, research, and service operations. He is also a 1st generation college student and Creighton Alumni, a 50% Hispanic, an 18 year Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer Survivor, a PCA stroke survivor, prior public assistance program beneficiary, ward of the state, group home, and adoption process 'alumni.'

Additionally, Dr. McCarville’s experience in global consulting as Vice President at MTX Consulting Group/Maverick AI (MavQ) as well as at PwC Global Consulting involved heading thought leadership and sales management for international business and public sector verticals. He has extensive expertise in implementing data consolidation, systems modernization, AI/ML, as well as a strong track record in business process re-engineering and robotic process automation (RPA).

As the former CDO for the State of Florida, Dr. McCarville’s work in the public sector involved collaborating with various political, agency and county stakeholders and to implement RPA and BPR as well as creating innovative data management strategies that contributed to efficiency, transparency, and data-driven decision-making.

With a solid academic foundation from Creighton University, Dr. McCarville has also adjunct taught at multiple R1 institutions and authored courses in data analytics, marketing analytics, international finance, micro/macro economics and project management. Dr. McCarville’s passion for impacting education and innovating research extends beyond the classroom, as he is also actively involved in several global advisory boards and professional speaking events.

Brad Wright is the Defense Information Systems Agency chief of Hybrid Cloud Broker for the J-9 Hosting and Compute Directorate, where he directs initiatives that engage with Department of Defense agencies. He ensures a commitment to customer-centric care while delivering mission-driven IT solutions that empower the warfighter. Wright oversees DISA’s efforts to deliver tailored hybrid cloud solutions, providing exceptional support to mission partners.

Before assuming his current role, Wright led the Compliance and Implementation Branch and served as chief of the UNIX and Converged Systems Section at DISA. He implemented and maintained UNIX servers that supported critical applications for federal government agencies and the warfighter. Wright began his tenure at DISA as a UNIX systems administrator, where he strengthened his experience in managing IT infrastructure.

In 2011, Wright joined the DOD after building his technical expertise at UNISYS Corp. There, he held multiple roles as a computer systems technician, information system security manager, and UNIX systems administrator.

Wright earned a degree in computer science from Webster Statue University, which provided him with a strong technical foundation. His education equipped him with essential skills and fueled his passion for technology and innovation in the fields of information systems and national defense.

Christian Hoff is an Arlington, VA-based executive with over 25 years of experience in Sales, Operations, Business Development, Program Management, and Strategy. He holds an active TS/SCI clearance.

Christian currently leads the AWS WWPS U.S. Federal Civilian and Health business. Previously at AWS, he led the Federal System Integrator and Solutions Team, which he helped establish, focused on building deep customer relationships and market strategies across the system integrators (SIs) and independent software vendors (ISVs) spanned Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and Civil Agencies.

Prior to joining AWS in 2018, roles included over ten years at Booz Allen Hamilton as a Principal leading the business units focused on Office Secretary of Defense (OSD) and Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). He also helped architect the firm’s Defense and Cyber strategies, and led a strategic initiative to create new lines of business, spanning the Defense and Intelligence Groups. Christian also spent five years as a Vice President of Business Development and ran a P&L business unit focused on Joint and Army logistics, financials, and training at General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) via the merger with Anteon Corporation.

He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, and served on Active Duty as an Army Medical Service Corps Officer; followed by time as a Reservist in the Quartermaster Corps. Assignments included: White House Military Social Aide to the President of the United States, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (OUSD/P), Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) J4, and Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA) G4.

Christian holds a graduate degree in Public Administration (M.P.A.) from George Mason University, and has an undergraduate degree in International Studies and History from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, VA. He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, KS and holds a Certificate as a Change Management Advanced Practitioner (CMAP) from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. He is also an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.

He currently serves as a member of the Washington Executive Cloud Council and was named as a “Top Cloud Executive to Watch” in 2020. He previously served on the boards of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), and Member of the Advisory Board for the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center

Tommy Gardner is HP’s Chief Technology Officer for HP Federal, spanning the US Federal Agencies, Higher Education, K-12 Education, State and Local government customer segments, as well as Federal Systems Integrators. His current responsibilities include technology leadership, strategic technology plans, product and technology strategies, sales force technical support, and customer and partner relationships.

Previously, Tommy has served as the Chief Technology Officer for Jacobs Engineering, Scitor, and ManTech. Earlier in his career he was a senior technical executive at Raytheon. In the U.S. Navy he served as the Deputy for Science and Technology for the Chief of Naval Research. He oversaw the Navy’s Deep Submergence Program as well as its Advanced Technology Program. He also commanded the nuclear submarine, USS San Juan (SSN 751).

Tommy’s educational background covers multiple disciplines and fields of interest including: cybersecurity, data science, blockchain technologies, artificial intelligence, high performance computing and systems integration in government markets.

Tommy holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University, an M.S. in Management of Technology from MIT and a Ph. D. in Energy Economics from George Washington University. He is a Professional Engineer and serves as Chair of the ASME Industry Advisory Board. He is an ASME Fellow and serves as faculty on the Blockchain Research Institute.
 

Mitch Herckis has spent two decades working with and for the public sector on technology and security policy. Currently, he serves as the Global Head of Government Affairs for Wiz, a cloud cybersecurity company.

Prior to joining Wiz, Mitch served as Director of the Federal Cybersecurity Branch within the White House's Office of Management and Budget, where he led implementation on the President's Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity and initiatives within the Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer.

Before joining federal service, Mitch served as a Senior Advisor for New York City Cyber Command, facilitating security implementations across 100+ city agencies on behalf of the City’s central cybersecurity authority. He also lead public initiatives to increase the digital security of City residents.

He has advocated for sound technology policies at all levels of government, serving as the Director of Government Affairs for the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), and Senior Legislative Counsel for Federal Relations at the National League of Cities.

Tony James is a Chief Architect in the CTO organization at Red Hat, where he leads strategic initiatives focused on the scientific and space communities. In this role, Tony shapes the technical direction and architecture for solutions that empower innovation in research, exploration, and technology advancement.

As Chief Architect, he collaborates with key stakeholders, including industry leaders, government agencies, and research institutions, to drive the adoption of open-source technologies that support mission-critical projects. With deep expertise in systems architecture and emerging technologies, Tony plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical, scalable solutions, positioning Red Hat at the forefront of the scientific and aerospace sectors. His leadership and vision contribute to advancing open-source solutions in areas such as high-performance computing, data management, and cloud-native infrastructure, enabling organizations to meet the demands of complex, data-intensive environments.