Ohio GovTech Summit

12:00 PM

Registration + Networking Session

(please note, lunch is not included)

1:00 PM

Welcome + Opening Remarks

Chris Berry: President & CEO, OhioX

David Lewis: President, AT&T Heartland States

Michael Farrar: Chief Information Officer, City of Westerville (emcee)

1:20 PM

AI in Action: Moving from Hype to High-Impact Public Service

As artificial intelligence transitions from experimental to essential, this panel explores the tangible ways Ohio is deploying AI to enhance citizen services. Experts will move beyond the buzzwords to discuss real-world use cases, from optimizing administrative workflows to improving public safety outcomes. The conversation will also address the critical balance between rapid innovation and the ethical frameworks required for responsible AI governance.

Liz Crowe: Chief Innovation & Technology Officer (Interm), City of Cleveland

Katrina Flory: Chief Information Officer, State of Ohio

David Seidl: Chief Information Officer, Miami University

Jeanelle Greene: Executive Director, IT Strategy Execution and Governance,

Cleveland Metropolitan School District

2:15 PM

Break + Networking

2:30 PM

United Defense: A Whole-of-State Approach to Cyber Resilience

In an era of increasing digital threats, this session examines how Ohio’s state and local agencies are unifying their defenses to protect critical infrastructure and citizen data. Panelists will discuss the shift toward shared services and collaborative threat intelligence as a means of fortifying the entire ecosystem. Attendees will learn how a "whole-of-state" mindset is turning cybersecurity from a technical hurdle into a competitive advantage for Ohio.

Tonjia Coverdale: Principal, Lambiante

Kirk Herath: Cybersecurity Strategic Advisor, State of Ohio (former)

Juan Torres: Chief Information Officer, Franklin County Board of Commissioners

Mark Smith: Chief Information Officer, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

3:10 PM

Beyond the Build: How Broadband Will Transform Ohio Communities

Ohio is on the verge of its largest broadband investment in state history, with nearly $800 million in federal BEAD funding bringing connectivity to tens of thousands of unserved and underserved locations. But infrastructure is only the starting line — the real question for local leaders is: what happens next? This panel explores what universal broadband means for Ohio's communities. Panelists will discuss how reliable high-speed internet is reshaping healthcare delivery, economic development, and government services — and what local officials can do now to ensure their communities are ready.

Jeremiah Gracia: Director, Economic Development, City of Dublin

Peter Voderberg: Chief, BroadbandOhio, Ohio Department of Development

David Meadows: Director, Economic Development, City of Hilliard

Frank Kohstall: Managing Director, 5G and Broadband Connectivity Center, The Ohio State University

3:45 pm

Break + Networking

4:00 pm

The Government Laboratory: Turning Communities into Innovation Sandboxes

This session highlights how Ohio’s local governments are serving as "laboratories" for testing and scaling emerging technologies. We will showcase successful pilot programs where startups and municipalities have partnered to solve urban and rural challenges in real-time. Attendees will gain a blueprint for how to foster a "fail-fast, learn-fast" culture within public sector constraints.

Bharath Prabhakaran: Vice President & Chief Digital Officer, University of Cincinnati

Sophia Mohr: Chief Innovation and Technology Officer, COTA

Anthony Joy: Chief Information Officer, Cleveland Metroparks

Duane Powell: Chief Information Officer, City of Hilliard

5:00 pm

Evening Reception:

Closing the Day with Connections

Wrap up the 6th Annual Ohio GovTech Summit with an exclusive evening reception at the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda, where technology leaders, government officials, and members of the Ohio Legislature will come together to celebrate innovation and collaboration in the public sector.

Enjoy drinks, light hors d'oeuvres, and great conversations as we reflect on the day's insights and continue building meaningful connections between Ohio’s tech community and policymakers. This is your opportunity to engage with key decision-makers and help shape the future of GovTech in Ohio.

Featured organizations at the reception include:

Ohio Supercomputer Center

A statewide resource that provides high performance computing to Ohio's researchers, universities, and industries.

City of Hilliard (Hilliard City Lab)

A city-backed innovation program that supports businesses and entrepreneurs with resources, grants, and access to public infrastructure City of Hilliard like fiber optic networks and an AI sandbox for real-world testing.

Cleveland Metroparks

A 25,000-acre park system spanning six counties that is using AI, drones, and smart infrastructure to transform how it manages wildlife, visitor safety, and park operations.

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Ohio's BMV is a national leader in digital government services, having saved Ohioans more than 10 million in-person trips since 2019 through online renewals, self-service kiosks, and a digital driver's license.

Beta District

An innovative technology hub with live testing labs throughout the Columbus region where companies beta-test connected vehicles, smart mobility, and advanced manufacturing on real-world infrastructure.

Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Ohio

Part of the national Defense Innovation OnRamp network, this program accelerates technology solutions for national security challenges by connecting Ohio's small businesses and academia with the Department of Defense.

WeConnect (City of Westerville)

The first municipally owned and operated commercial data center in the United States, providing Westerville-area businesses with affordable high-speed fiber and colocation services.