Name: Central Florida Digital Government Summit 2025
Start: 2025-05-01T08:00
Location: Marriott Orlando Downtown

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Overview

The Digital Government Summit is an event that brings together public sector leaders and technology professionals to explore innovative solutions to solve government problems. Key themes include cybersecurity, digital transformation, AI implementation, data governance, and fostering collaboration across multiple stakeholders. Attendees will benefit from expert discussions, peer networking, and insights into the future of government technology. Join us and let’s improve the future of government together!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

It is with distinct pleasure that the City of Orlando welcomes you to the 2025 Central Florida Digital Government Summit. We are honored to have you join us as we discuss the future of government technology and its critical role in serving our communities. Through innovation and collaboration, we can strengthen the foundation for a more engaged, secure, and transparent government.
We look forward to the conversations we will have and the ideas that will emerge to drive us forward.

- Roberto Lopez, Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando

Speakers

Roberto Lopez

Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando  

Roberto Lopez is the City of Orlando's Chief Information Officer (CIO). With nearly 24 years of dedicated service to the city, he has held several leadership roles within the Information Technology Department. Before he was appointed CIO, Roberto served as Deputy CIO for two years, where he played a crucial role in managing the city's IT operations. 
Before joining the City of Orlando, Roberto managed several large-scale project implementations in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry. He held a leadership role as an IT manager at a manufacturing plant dedicated to manufacturing medical devices.  Roberto began his tenure with the City of Orlando in September 2001 as a Technology Business Analyst, focusing on software and hardware selection and business process re-engineering to implement a citywide recreation management package. He then advanced to Computer Operations Manager, overseeing daily computer operations for more than 3,000 end users across various locations—a role he held for 16 years from 2006 to 2022.
In June 2024, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer appointed Roberto as the city's CIO.  In this role, Roberto oversees a 100-member IT team and manages an approximately $31 million budget. 
Roberto Lopez has been committed to enhancing the city's technological infrastructure and services throughout his career. His extensive experience and leadership within the city's IT department have positioned him to drive innovation and efficiency in Orlando's information technology initiatives.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Hawaii Pacific University, is a PMP-certified Project Manager, and is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

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Rafael Mena

Chief Information Officer, Orange County, FL

Rafael Mena was appointed as CIO by the Orange County Mayor in 2002. For almost two decades since, he has led a talented team of IT professionals who maintain the technology needs for more than 8,000 Orange County employees, operating within the $6 billion Orange County budget. His primary goal is to support the Mayor’s vision to make Orange County the “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow” by creating a community culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusiveness.
The role of CIO is a multifaceted one, requiring strong leadership skills and the ability to direct, plan and organize information technology solutions for all Orange County Government entities. This includes all constitutional offices such as the Clerk of Courts, Court Administration, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Supervisor of Elections and the Board of County Commissioners. The CIO also manages the Information Systems & Services Division, 911 Administration, 311 Citizen Call Center, Convention Center and Radio Services.
Rafael’s notable accomplishments during his tenure include:
Invited to present to President Barack Obama in 2013 regarding Orange County's innovations in emergency response. Rafael presented overviews of the OCFL Alert and OCFL 311 mobile apps that assist residents before, during, and after extreme weather events.
Honored by the Dominican Republic Ministry of the Presidency for his assistance in implementing the country's new emergency 911 system, video surveillance system and radio system.
Named among the Top 25 Influential Hispanics in Central Florida in January 2014 by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando (HCCMO).
Awarded "Top 100" Most Influential Hispanics in Information Technology in 2013, 2016 and 2017 by the Hispanic IT Executive Council.
Identified as lead local CIO – February 2013, Government Technology Editorial Roundtable
Selected as one of the "Top 25 Dreamers, Doers and Drivers" in Digital Government and government technology professionals in the nation – February 2007 Government Technology magazine.
Oversaw multiple departments that were invaluable in ensuring Orange County residents were able to access vital information about the COVID-19 pandemic, the County’s response, and how best to keep their families safe during an unprecedented global event.
Recognized as a 2006 Computerworld Honors Program Laureate in the category of Government & Non-Profit Organizations – “Bringing IT Together: One Network and Three Storms.”
Rafael is active in the community, particularly in the area of developing future IT leaders. He enjoys partnering with local educational institutions, and volunteering his time to speak to high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in technology.

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John Matelski

Executive Director, Center for Digital Government

Prior to joining the Center, Matelski served for 25 years as an Information Technology & Security executive for municipal (City of Orlando, FL) and county government (Gwinnett County, GA), most recently retiring from DeKalb County, GA after 12 years of service.  John’s duties included executive management of all information technology and security resources and systems that support operations and drive innovation throughout the County enterprise. As DeKalb County CIO, he oversaw more than 100 employees serving ~800 million residents.
Matelski graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.B.A. with an emphasis in Computer Information Systems and has been a Certified Government CIO since 2011.  Matelski has a proven track record of leadership in the public and private sectors, utilizing innovation and resourcefulness with a proven ability to build a compelling vision and move an organization toward it. Matelski rebuilt DeKalb County, GA’s technology capabilities from the ground up, helping lead to 8 straight years of recognition as a top 10 winner of the Center for Digital Government annual Digital Counties Survey.  
John has won numerous awards including Government Technology’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers, State of Georgia CIO ORBIE Award Finalist, and the Computerworld/Smithsonian Laureate Award for Information Technology.  During his tenure with DeKalb County, Matelski was also very active in technology leadership roles with the National Association of Counties (NACo), having served as Chair of the IT Standing Committee, Vice Chair of the Telecommunication & Technology Committee, and Vice Chair of the County Technology Advisory Council.

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Joneshia Bethea

Deputy Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando  

With nearly 14 years of dedicated service to the City of Orlando, Joneshia Bethea was appointed as Deputy Chief Information Officer in 2024.
In this role, she manages the city's technical operations, including database analytics, Geographic Information Systems, integrations, applications support, infrastructure and project management. She began her career in 2011 as the city’s first IT Trainee, and has also held the roles of Portfolio Manager, Project Manager and Department Interface.
Joneshia has overseen several large-scale initiatives including the implementation of Orlando Police Department body-worn cameras, the deployment of public safety mobile devices and the creation of the OPD Crime Center.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Technology from the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Ethical Leadership from Marist College.
A native of Orlando, Joneshia is passionate about leveraging technology to drive positive change in her hometown.

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Janel Jacobs

Digital Innovation & Services Manager, City of Orlando  

As Digital Innovation & Services Manager at the City of Orlando, Janel Jacobs inspires city leaders to use empathy, social science and human-centered design to solve complex business challenges. She leads a team of product and research specialists who drive digital transformation in a way that improves public services, user experience and operational efficiency.
A native of rural West Virginia, Janel understands the social and economic barriers faced by vulnerable populations. She has a keen interest in equity and accessibility; and in the past 32 years has served those causes as a journalist, designer, content strategist and mobile development manager.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Ohio University and has done postgraduate work in mobile app development, innovation and technical project management. Janel volunteers as a mentor for the federal government UX community, and her team has received multiple honors for its work, including Project Experience GovX, Service to the Citizen, Innovation in Citizen Engagement and Cities of Service awards.

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Gerardo Laborda

Director, IT Infrastructure and Security, Orlando Utilities Commission 

Gerardo Laborda is a Director of Digital and Technology for the Orlando Utilities Commission.
He holds a Degree in Software Engineering and has over 30 years of experience across multiple industries and countries.
At OUC he is responsible for the IT Infrastructure, Operations, and Cybersecurity; overseeing several teams supporting OUC’s business units in their technical needs covering network, servers, clients, databases, cloud infrastructure, automation, cybersecurity and enterprise architecture. His current focus areas are, harden OUCs cybersecurity posture, expand the data infrastructure, re-establish the enterprise architecture practice, and transform day to day operations by increasing automation and leveraging OUC’s hybrid cloud.

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Zulay Millan

Deputy Procurement Director, Orange County

Zulay Millan is currently Deputy Chief Procurement Official for the Procurement Division at Orange County Government in Florida.  Zulay began her public sector career in 2001. For the past two decades, her career focus has been in procurement and process engineering/ improvement. Zulay holds a Graduate Certificate in Public Procurement, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and has her NIGP-CPP, CPPO and CPPB certifications. Zulay is currently serving on the Governing Board of the National Institute of Government Procurement (NIGP) as the Chair of the Member Council. Locally Zulay serves as Strategic Planning Chair for the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials and is a Past President of the Central Florida Chapter of NIGP. In 2023 Zulay was honored with the George H. Wolf Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials.  Zulay has previously been awarded the Inspiration Award for Procurement Professionals in Central Florida, NIGP’s Young Professional of the Year Award, Procurement Manager of the Year in Central Florida, FAPPOs Above and Beyond Award and FAPPOs Outstanding Educator Award. 

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Peter Miller

Chief Information Security Officer, Orange County

Peter Miller serves as the Chief Security Officer for Orange County Government in Orlando, Florida, a region that welcomes over 75 million visitors annually. In this role, he oversees cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and innovation across more than 1,000 square miles and over 450 government buildings.
With over 28 years in the public sector, Peter has dedicated his career to securing government agencies, including circuit courts, correctional institutions, fire rescue services, and 911 systems. His expertise extends to safeguarding critical infrastructure at water and wastewater facilities, multiple healthcare systems, and the nation’s second-largest convention center.
Peter holds a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from Seminole State College and a Master of Science in Modeling and Simulation of Behavioral Cybersecurity from the University of Central Florida. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Cybersecurity.
In addition to his public safety work, Peter has been a leading figure in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) across various business domains over the last decade. His AI initiatives have significantly advanced the fields of cybersecurity, public safety, and critical infrastructure protection. These efforts include developing predictive analytics tools for threat detection, optimizing emergency response systems, and enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure through AI-driven simulations. He is currently the acting Chair of the AI-ISAC Council.
Peter’s international experience includes consulting for the United Nations, The World Bank, and various governments and law enforcement agencies. Notably, he contributed as a co-author to the Dominican Republic's first National Cyber Security Strategy.
Peter continues to be a driving force in integrating advanced technologies like AI into the security and operational frameworks of public and private sectors alike.

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Parsram Rajaram

IT Director, Winter Park 

Parsram Rajaram is a seasoned Technology Professional. He is currently the IT and Procurement Director for the City of Winter Park, bringing over 21 years of dedicated service to the organization. With a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA in IT Management, Parsram has built a strong foundation in technology leadership, strategic procurement, and operational excellence.
Holding multiple industry certifications, including CISSP, PMP, and CGCIO, Parsram is responsible for overseeing all technology initiatives across the city. This includes cloud services, cybersecurity, smart city technologies, public safety technologies, OT and IoT services, and city-wide procurement. With a diverse career spanning engineering, accounting, consulting, and government sectors, Parsram combines technical expertise with strategic vision to drive innovation and efficiency in municipal IT operations.

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Jonathon Valentin

IT Security Architect, City of Orlando 

Jonathon has over 10 years of experience in network security engineering, architecture and design. He is a CISSP and ITIL certified leader who has successfully built, designed and led technical services solutions teams for clients across sectors such as healthcare, public sector and biopharma. He has first-hand experience in designing and implementing network security solutions, aligning to best practices, as well as meeting and exceeding compliance requirements. His unique blend of field experience and strategic planning allows for a holistic approach to solution building, where the customer is centered and the solution is purpose built to meet the client's needs. His mission is to design and implement innovative and scalable solutions that enhance security strategy, align with business goals, and drive customer satisfaction and growth.

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Agenda

Thursday, May 1
8:00 am Eastern	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area Ascension Ballroom Foyer
9:00 am Eastern	Opening Remarks Ascension Ballroom Rafael Mena, Chief Information Officer, Orange County Roberto Lopez,  Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando
9:15 am Eastern	Keynote - Charting Your Course: A Global Perspective on Team Development and Leadership Ascension Ballroom In today’s dynamic landscape, leaders must remain attuned to emerging trends and stay ahead of new developments to effectively guide their teams through times of transformation. What valuable insights can we glean from how governments and organizations worldwide approach challenges? And how does this impact our work in the public sector? This session explores pressing topics such as change management, the role of Artificial Intelligence in our daily lives, and strategies for upskilling your teams. In her timely keynote address, Dr. Mary Kelly offers actionable takeaways, helping you assess your current position on the ever-evolving tech roadmap and how to empower your team with necessary tools for progress. Mary Kelly, PhD, Former Commander, US Navy
10:15 am Eastern	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Ascension Ballroom Foyer
10:45 am Eastern	Concurrent Sessions Practical Steps for AI Implementation and Adoption Windward A As AI technologies rapidly evolve, how can organizations ensure they’re implementing and optimizing AI in ways that truly align with their business goals? To set the foundation for success, what critical factors should be considered from the outset, such as planning, data preparation, and tool selection? This session will dive into adoption best practices, explore potential pitfalls, and rethink how to effectively manage organizational change in the face of AI adoption. Moderator: John Matelski, Executive Director, Center for Digital Government Gerardo Laborda, Director, IT Infrastructure and Security, Orlando Utilities Commission Zulay Millan, Deputy Procurement Director, Orange County Real-World Modernization One Step at a Time Orange Room Modernization in the public sector encompasses various strategies, from adopting cloud services, AI, automation, and containers to making subtle process improvements for long-term gains. The goal is to transform operations and enhance public services while keeping everything accessible! This session will delve into practical approaches to modernization, showcasing how continuous improvement can drive both efficiency and innovation within government operations. Moderator: Peter Miller, Chief Information Security Officer, Orange County Janel Jacobs, Digital Innovation & Services Manager, City of Orlando Parsram Rajaram, IT Director, Winter Park Workforce for a New Era Amelia Room As emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) transform the workplace, governments must cultivate a workforce adept at leveraging these tools and committed to innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. Public sectors struggle against the rest of the world to attract new talent and retain existing staff. Where can the public sector find new talent to fill critical roles? How can we effectively train and upskill our current teams to thrive in a rapidly evolving tech environment? How do we assess where to start and what to expect? This session will share creative tactics and strategies for building, retaining, and fostering a future-ready workforce. Moderator: Hansa Bernal, Senior National Conference Director, Government Technology Joneshia Bethea, Deputy Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando
11:45 am Eastern	Lunch Ascension Ballroom
12:45 pm Eastern	Bits and Bytes Ascension Ballroom
1:05 pm Eastern	Short Break Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
1:15 pm Eastern	Concurrent Sessions Strengthening Digital Defenses Windward A As digital threats grow more sophisticated, the need for resilient cybersecurity has never been more urgent. This session explores the delicate balance between rapid technological innovation and maintaining strong cybersecurity defenses. How can public sector agencies enhance their security posture without slowing down innovation? What are the key components in building and sustaining a cybersecurity focused culture? Join experts in a deep dive into the strategic initiatives, best practices, and crisis management techniques that are critical for cultivating a culture of cybersecurity and ensuring preparedness in the face of ever- evolving digital threats. Peter Miller, Chief Information Security Officer, Orange County Jonathon Valentin, IT Security Architect, City of Orlando Forecast to Recovery - Analytics for Disaster Response Orange Room When a powerful storm strikes, every second counts. Advances in predictive analytics, real-time data modeling, and AI-driven forecasting are transforming how emergency responders and government agencies prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. This session will explore the technology behind storm prediction, resource allocation, and post-disaster recovery efforts. Learn how data-driven decision-making can save lives, minimize damage, and improve resilience in the face of extreme weather events. Moderator: John Matelski, Executive Director, Center for Digital Government Justin Kramer, Director, Emerging Technologies and Data Analytics, Orlando Utilities Commission Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners Amelia Room Hosted by: Roberto Lopez, Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando
2:15 pm Eastern	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Ascension Ballroom Foyer
2:35 pm Eastern	General Session - AI 2025 – From Administrative Assistance to Agentic AI Ascension Ballroom As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves, organizations are moving beyond AI as a simple administrative assistant to leveraging more autonomous, decision-making "agentic AI." This session will explore the transition from task-based automation to AI systems capable of reasoning, adapting, and executing complex workflows with minimal human intervention. Attendees will gain insights into how governments can harness these advancements while ensuring transparency, control, and alignment with human goals. Whether you're an executive, technologist, or policymaker, this session will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the AI landscape of 2025 and beyond. John Matelski, Executive Director, Center for Digital Government
3:45 pm Eastern	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area Ascension Ballroom Foyer
4:15 pm Eastern	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

Marriott Orlando Downtown

400 West Livingston Street
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 868-8686

Get Directions To
Marriott Orlando Downtown

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Joneshia Bethea
Deputy Chief Information Officer
City of Orlando

Kevin Burns
Chief Information Officer/Director of Information Technology
City of Melbourne

Jaison Busby
Vice President - Digital & Technology
Orlando Utilities Commission

Yenni Hernandez
Chief Information Officer
Reedy Creek Improvement District

Ramin Kouzehkanani
Chief Information & Innovation Officer
Hillsborough County

Roberto Lopez
Chief Information Officer
City of Orlando

Rafael Mena
Chief Information Officer
Orange County

Mike Murtagh
Chief Transformation & Technology Officer
Orlando Utilities Commission

John Pearl
IT Director
Town of Lady Lake

Parsram Rajaram
City Director
City of Winter Park

Hossam Reziqa
Chief Information Officer
City of Daytona Beach

Brian Ross
Chief Information Officer
Technology Management Department
City of Haines City

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: May 1, 2025

Open to Public Sector only.

Registration - Free

If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.

Contact Information

For registration and general assistance contact:

Abigail Suiter
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1405
E-mail: asuiter@erepublic.com

For assistance or questions concerning Sponsor Logos or Logistics please contact:

Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

Heather Earney
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

Central Florida Digital Government Summit 2025

Overview

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Roberto Lopez

Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando

Rafael Mena

Chief Information Officer, Orange County, FL

John Matelski

Executive Director, Center for Digital Government

Joneshia Bethea

Deputy Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando

Janel Jacobs

Digital Innovation & Services Manager, City of Orlando

Gerardo Laborda

Director, IT Infrastructure and Security, Orlando Utilities Commission

Zulay Millan

Deputy Procurement Director, Orange County

Peter Miller

Chief Information Security Officer, Orange County

Parsram Rajaram

IT Director, Winter Park

Jonathon Valentin

IT Security Architect, City of Orlando

Agenda

Thursday, May 1

8:00 am Eastern

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Ascension Ballroom Foyer

9:00 am Eastern

Opening Remarks

Ascension Ballroom

9:15 am Eastern

Keynote - Charting Your Course: A Global Perspective on Team Development and Leadership

Ascension Ballroom

10:15 am Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Ascension Ballroom Foyer

10:45 am Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

Practical Steps for AI Implementation and Adoption

Windward A

Real-World Modernization One Step at a Time

Orange Room

Workforce for a New Era

Amelia Room

11:45 am Eastern

Lunch

Ascension Ballroom

12:45 pm Eastern

Bits and Bytes

Ascension Ballroom

1:05 pm Eastern

Short Break

1:15 pm Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

Strengthening Digital Defenses

Windward A

Forecast to Recovery - Analytics for Disaster Response

Orange Room

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Amelia Room

2:15 pm Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Ascension Ballroom Foyer

2:35 pm Eastern

General Session - AI 2025 – From Administrative Assistance to Agentic AI

Ascension Ballroom

3:45 pm Eastern

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Ascension Ballroom Foyer

4:15 pm Eastern

End of Conference

Marriott Orlando Downtown

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: May 1, 2025

Contact Information

Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando  

Deputy Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando  

Digital Innovation & Services Manager, City of Orlando  

Director, IT Infrastructure and Security, Orlando Utilities Commission 

IT Director, Winter Park 

IT Security Architect, City of Orlando 