Name: Kansas Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2025
Start: 2025-04-25T08:00
Location: Hyatt Regency Wichita

Overview

The Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit focuses on addressing the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by the public sector. The event brings together government leaders and IT security professionals to discuss strategies for safeguarding sensitive information, enhancing cybersecurity infrastructure, and staying ahead of evolving threats. Attendees can expect expert insights, collaborative discussions, and practical solutions tailored to the needs of public sector organizations.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

The Kansas Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit continues to be the premiere cybersecurity event that brings together public sector employees to discuss the cyber challenges facing state and local government entities in Kansas. It offers a great opportunity to network, collaborate, and learn from one another. I wish to extend my personal welcome to you all and look forward to seeing everyone in April!

– Jeff Maxon, Chief Information Technology Officer, State of Kansas

"The Kansas Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit is more than just a gathering—it’s a vital platform for collaboration and a call to action. Here, government leaders and IT security professionals unite to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and shape solutions that strengthen our defenses. Cybersecurity is a collective effort—one that goes beyond data protection to ensure the resilience of essential public services for our communities. In an ever-evolving threat landscape building resilience isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity. Together, we can anticipate, withstand, and overcome the challenges ahead!

– John Godfrey, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Kansas

Speakers

John Godfrey

Chief Information Security Officer, State of Kansas

A seasoned cybersecurity executive and entrepreneurial dynamo with 18 years of rich experience, I excel in delivering cutting-edge technology and information security strategies. I have a knack for transforming organizations through modern digital solutions, spurring business enablement, and fostering talent elevation. My unique blend of action-oriented leadership and influential communication has consistently steered executives and boards through periods of organizational metamorphosis.
Demystifying complex technology and making it comprehensible is one of his key strengths. Known for my fervor and transformative leadership, I've spoken at numerous local and national conferences, moderated sessions, featured as a podcast guest, and contributed articles to various magazines and publications.
Presently, I hold pivotal roles as a board member and advisor to boards of directors. I am actively engaged with the information security community, holding memberships in premier organizations like ISC2, ISSA, ISACA, InfraGard, and more. My academic arsenal includes several industry certifications, and I am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Cybersecurity with a focus on executive leadership.
Outside of work, I relish time with my family and friends, love touring vineyards, and enjoy traveling.

Tanya Rodriguez-Heffel

Chief Technology Officer, State of Kansas

Appointed Chief Technology Officer for the State of Kansas in July 2021, Tanya plays an integral role in the strategic direction, development, and evolution of our state’s digital strategy across all technology stacks including information security and privacy. Tanya is committed to working across state agencies to provide technology solutions that will help Kansas position as an innovation leader.
Tanya’s extensive experience in the private sector includes Director of Technical Operations & Client Services for Georgetown University Law Center where she was the Director of Technical Operations, Client Services and Access Identity. In that role, she re-engineered operational, technical and support processes and platforms to deliver enhanced technology solutions and customer service to faculty, staff, and students. Prior to her time at Georgetown, Tanya served as CISO with SecureIT, as well as the Senior Director of Monster Government Solutions. At each of these organizations, Tanya has improved processes and responded to the needs of her customers.
Tanya holds a Dual Bachelor’s degree and an M.S.S from Virginia Tech.

Jeff Maxon

Chief Information Technology Officer, State of Kansas

Jeff was appointed Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO) in October 2023. He has been with the State of Kansas since 2009, most recently serving as the State’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Jeff brings a wealth of experience to the role. In his 12 plus years with the State, he has forged relationships with agency leadership and the legislature. His work on cybersecurity from a whole-of-state approach has improved the cyber posture of Kansas and created collaborative opportunities for how state, local, and critical infrastructure work together.
While with the State, Jeff has been the recipient of several awards including recognition in 2022 as a top Global CISO by Cyber Defense Magazine. He holds licenses and professional certifications, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK). In addition, Jeff serves as a Cyber Defense Systems Operations Craftsman for the Kansas Air National Guard. He holds a Master of Science in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity from Capella University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Science from Washburn University.

Mike Mayta

Chief Information Officer, City of Wichita 

As the CIO for the largest City in Kansas, Mike is accountable for all Information Technology and Innovation serving 17 City departments in over 90 locations. Mike has oversight of the full suite of technology and innovation services; security, policy, process, digital transformation, Smart City, network, development, data services and budget management across the enterprise. In his tenure, Mike has implemented What Works Cities, Open Data, Smart City, ERP implementation, and numerous P3’s executed for business value attainment without increasing staff. Increased online transactions from 2 million to over 76 million dollars annually. Focused on business process change and the citizen experience, placing technology for impact and outcomes. With over 30 years of experience in IT, 14 of those as a CIO, Mike continues to innovate and deploy technology as an opportunity for business improvement.
Mike has a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design a Bachelor of Business Administration in MIS and an MBA from Wichita State University. He teaches for the school of business at WSU in MIS and is the outside technology director for the Board of AgVantis, Inc., a technology service provider in the financial sector. Mike also is active on numerous boards; Mennonite Housing, Industry Advisory Board for the School of Computing Cybersecurity at Wichita State University, FirstNet representative for South Central Kansas, Information Technology Executive Council (ITEC) for the State of Kansas also the co-chair the Cyber-security task force 2023 for the State of Kansas.

Samuel Alva

Sector Specific CPG Advisor, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Jayson Ferron

Cybersecurity Evangelist

Danielle Alvarez

Cybersecurity Managing Director, Accenture

Danielle is a Managing Director with Accenture and is the Public Sector Security Lead for the US. Danielle is the former State Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Florida. She has served in multiple cyber capacities since joining Accenture, she was the security architect for a Medicaid integration services and integration platform, with a next generation digital identity stack. This experience was underpinned by her prior public sector and healthcare experience, as well as adherence to a defense-in-depth strategy to design and implement the architecture. She also served as the security lead for a large-scale statewide ERP, leveraging her prior expertise as an IT auditor and her degree in accounting to deploy best of breed security tools. Danielle recently led the Security workstream for a cloud migration that was critical to various back-office operations for a Florida-based utility. She has helped one state stand up a scalable Incident Response (IR) capability that serves the entire state and brings together three top tier partners. Danielle continues to support these clients and brings a continuous improvement approach to each architecture, which ties to emerging technology, automation efficiencies, and risk-based methodologies. Danielle’s latest efforts are focused on workforce pipeline development by partnering with higher education institutions and embedding cyber resiliency across clients in critical infrastructure verticals.
Danielle’s main areas of focus include, but are not limited to:
-Security strategy & risk assessment
-IT audit and compliance
-Application & cloud security
-SOC operations & automation/orchestration
-Security information and event monitoring (SIEM)
-Information security policies and standards
-Data protection/privacy
Danielle enjoys spending her free time with her husband and 4 children, primarily on a beach!

Andrew Darrow

Kansas GMIS President and Director of Information Technology, City of Junction City   

A native of Oroville, WA, Andrew Darrow's commitment to service began in 2009 when he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Riley. While there, he served a deployment in Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism. During his time at Fort Riley, he met his wife, Stefanie, a Kansas native. Transitioning from military service in 2013, Andrew furthered his education at Kansas State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems.
Following graduation, Andrew continued his dedication to public service as an IT Support Specialist for the City of Manhattan, Kansas. Demonstrating his commitment to professional growth, Andrew earned his Master of IT Management degree from Western Governors University in 2020, a pivotal year marked by the global pandemic. This achievement paved the way for his promotion to IT Manager, where he adeptly ensured a secure and efficient mobile workforce environment.
During his impactful tenure as IT Manager, Andrew proved to be a transformational leader. His key achievements included spearheading the development of an IT strategic plan that positioned the division for elevation to a standalone department and consolidated budgets across the organization to better understand the true cost of technology across the organization. Furthermore, he expertly managed the technology infrastructure for multiple new facilities and led significant digital transformation initiatives, such as the migration to Office 365 and the transition from an AS400 ERP system to Oracle Cloud ERP.
Andrew assumed his current role as IT Director for the City of Junction City, Kansas, in September 2024. Andrew's commitment to professional excellence is further demonstrated by his Certified Associate Project Manager (CAPM) and Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) certifications. He also actively contributes to the IT community, serving as President of the Kansas Chapter of GMIS International and as Vendor Relations Director on the GMIS International Board of Directors. Outside of his professional endeavors, Andrew and his wife Stefanie are the proud parents of two young children, with whom he enjoys spending his downtime.

Information Systems Manager, Department of Education, State of Kansas 

 Christopher Fletcher serves as an Information Systems Manager for the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). Prior to joining KSDE, he held the role of Technology Director in Kansas and Nebraska schools. With over 20 years of experience, Christopher has dedicated his career to enhancing learning environments by leveraging technology, infrastructure, cybersecurity, professional development, and data management. In his current role, he focuses on the Kansas Educational Data System (KEDS) while continuing to support K-12 technology staff through collaboration on data management and cybersecurity initiatives.

Greg Gann

IT Business Solutions Group Director, Division of Information Technology, Sedgwick County

Greg Gann is a seasoned IT professional with 26 years of experience at Sedgwick County, Wichita, KS. He currently serves as the IT Business Solutions Group Director, overseeing IT Development, Application Management, Project Management, and Geographical Information Services. Additionally, he is the county's Payment Card Industry Digital Security Standards (PCI-DSS) Officer. Greg is involved in several professional organizations, including the Kansas Information Technology Executive Council (ITEC) and the Kansas Supreme Court Cyber Security Steering Council. He holds a BS in Computer Science and an MS in Management Information Systems from Friends University, along with certifications in Project Management and MiniMPA. Outside of work, Greg actively volunteers with Wichita Habitat for Humanity and the Sedgwick County RACES team.

Bill Higginbotham

Associate Director, Cybersecurity Consulting – LevelBlue/ AT&T

Bill leads up to 110 consultants in the delivery of cybersecurity expertise across a large catalog of managed security services to state, local, and educational organizations. Based in Austin Texas, Bill Higginbotham is a strategic focused leader with over 33 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity leadership. He advises on operations, budgets, risk management, architectures/infrastructure, contract management, security engineering, vulnerability/threat management, and strategy. Bill currently leads a large team of consulting professionals delivering expertise in all cyber disciplines across a myriad of cybersecurity engagements in the State of Texas.
Prior to LevelBlue/AT&T, Bill served in the United States Air Force for 28 years, providing telecommunications, enterprise networks, and cyber technology capabilities at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. Skilled in operational excellence, transforming business and organizational constructs, strategic planning, and largescale workforce development programs, Bill led many missions and projects fusing can-do attitudes of diverse teams with the capabilities of the world's premier air power.
Bill is a CISSP, holds an M.S. in Cybersecurity, and a B.S. in Business Management

Kevin Mapes

Chief Information Officer, Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Kevin Mapes, a native Kansan and Kansas State University alum, is a senior IT executive with over 25 years of leadership experience across the full spectrum of information technology, including software development, support, implementation, and enterprise IT management. Throughout his career, Kevin has led high-performing teams through complex healthcare IT transformations, overseeing critical functions such as IT operations, security compliance, incident command, and organizational readiness. Known for his collaborative approach and problem-solving mindset, Kevin continues to be a trusted advisor and leader in the ever-evolving IT landscape. Kevin currently serves as Chief Information Officer for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Randi Stahl

Information Technology Director and CISO, City of Topeka 

Randi Stahl has over 25 years of experience in technology, manufacturing, project and program management, emergency management, and homeland security. As the stepdaughter of a broadcast and IT engineer, she gained extensive hands-on experience in technology from an early age. This early exposure gave her a keen understanding of telecommunications, fiber optics, and audio-visual technology, instilling a solid technical foundation that has influenced her career.
Early in her career, based upon lessons learned from the 2007 Greensburg, Kansas tornado, Randi was instrumental in leveraging technology to establish the Kansas Eisenhower Center for Homeland Security Studies, the Kansas Intelligence Fusion Center, and a Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) & Public Affairs mobile response vehicle. Her proactive approach and unwavering ability to drive change were pivotal to the success of these initiatives, inspiring others with her forward-thinking mindset.
Randi's leadership skills were further demonstrated when she held senior roles at Mars Wrigley North America-Topeka, KS, and Johnsonville Sausage-Holton, KS. In these positions, she effectively led and managed complex operations, showcasing her ability to navigate challenging environments and deliver results.
After working in manufacturing, Randi transitioned to risk management and served as a disaster recovery planner for Yellow, Inc. Randi currently serves as the Chief Information Officer for the City of Topeka. With a master's in business administration from Baker University, her experience brings a broad perspective gained from working with Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profits, and the government. This diverse experience allows her to lead and modernize her organization, especially as it relates to the ever-growing challenge of cybersecurity.
As a leader, she endorses individual and team development through focused planning and creating a highly collaborative environment to support her team in becoming the best version of themselves. She also encourages her team to take ownership of their work and generate a continuous improvement atmosphere.
Randi's commitment to volunteer work is a testament to her values and community involvement. She dedicates her time to several organizations outside of work, including the Seaman School District’s Technology Advisory Board. Her selfless actions remind others of the importance of being a good civic partner to the community.

Amber Wallace

Cyber Security & Risk Manager, Department of Technology & Innovation, Johnson County

Amber Wallace is a strategic cybersecurity leader with over 25 years of experience in the IT industry, spanning several areas of specialty, including: security, risk management, systems operations, infrastructure architecture design, project management, and leadership. She earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from UMKC and an MBA from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!). She holds the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and the Project Management Professional (PMP)® Certifications.
Amber serves as the Cyber Security and Risk Manager at Johnson County, KS Government, where she plays a pivotal role in leading comprehensive security strategies that protect data, systems, employees, and the residents of Johnson County from evolving cyber threats.

Cybersecurity Architect, City of Newton

I Graduated with my Cybersecurity bachelor’s degree along with a Human Factors in Cybersecurity and Data and Web Security certification from Wichita State University in 2022. Since then, I have been working at the City of Newton as their Cybersecurity Architect building up their Network Security stack and implementing best practices for industry standard Network Security.

Cyber Security Advisor / KS State Coordinator, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Mrs. Winifred (Winnie) West serves as the Cybersecurity Advisor and Cybersecurity Coordinator for the state of Kansas, which is part of Region 7 (including IA, MO, and NE) for the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Integrated Operations Division. Based in Topeka, Kansas, she supports the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) mission to strengthen the security and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure.
Her responsibilities include coordinating cyber preparedness, risk mitigation, and incident response efforts. Mrs. West provides cybersecurity resource briefings, assessments, and incident response planning for the nation's sixteen critical infrastructure sectors, as well as state, local, tribal, and territorial government entities.
Prior to joining CISA, Mrs. West served as the Cybersecurity Division Chief and Information System Security Manager at the Combined Arms Center in Fort Leavenworth, KS. In this capacity, she advised senior leadership on cybersecurity risks and the overall status of managed networks. She was responsible for managing technical operations, performance monitoring, analysis, and execution of all cybersecurity functions related to the Combined Arms Center networks on the installation.

View Speakers

Agenda

Friday, April 25
8:00 am Central	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area Grand Eagle Ballroom Foyer
9:00 am Central	Opening Remarks Grand Eagle Ballroom Jeff Maxon, Chief Information Technology Officer, State of Kansas
9:10 am Central	Cybersecurity State of the State Grand Eagle Ballroom This presentation will provide an in-depth look at Kansas’ cybersecurity landscape, key threats, and ongoing initiatives to strengthen cyber resilience. The session will highlight recent advancements in security frameworks, interagency collaboration, and strategies to combat emerging risks, such as deepfakes and social engineering. Attendees will gain insights into policy updates, incident response improvements, and future priorities aimed at safeguarding Kansas’ digital infrastructure. John Godfrey, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Kansas
9:55 am Central	Keynote – The Cybersecurity Cheat Sheet: Essentials Every IT Professional Should Know Grand Eagle Ballroom Cyber threats are escalating rapidly, but securing your organization starts with mastering the basics. How do you effectively document your network and keep it updated? What free or low-cost tools can you leverage to manage vulnerabilities and reduce risk? Get ready to uncover practical strategies and actionable insights that you and your teams can implement right away. This dynamic session explores essential techniques like patch management, network documentation, penetration testing, and leveraging built-in tools to strengthen your organization’s cyber defenses without breaking the bank. Jayson Ferron, Cybersecurity Evangelist
10:45 am Central	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Grand Eagle Ballroom Foyer
11:15 am Central	Concurrent Sessions Building Strong IT & Cybersecurity Governance: Policies, Procedures, and Best Practices Redbud A This session will explore the importance of establishing strong IT and cybersecurity governance within organizations, focusing on the development of effective policies and procedures. Attendees will learn practical approaches to building solid governance frameworks, along with guidelines, templates, and best practices for creating and implementing policies. Attendees will gain valuable insights on addressing governance gaps and ensuring robust cybersecurity management. Moderator: John Godfrey, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Kansas Danielle Alvarez, Cybersecurity Managing Director, Accenture Tanya Rodriguez-Heffel, Chief Technology Officer, Office of Information Technology Services, State of Kansas Soledad Antelada Toledano, Security Advisor, Office of the CISO, Public Sector, Google Cloud Security Nathan Wallace, Chief Security Officer, City of Newton Enhancing Cybersecurity through Optimized Partner Relationships Redbud B This session will focus on the role of strong partner relationships in enhancing cybersecurity for state and local governments. Attendees will learn strategies for optimizing vendor relationships, ensuring security compliance, and mitigating risks through collaborative efforts. Key topics will include setting security standards, monitoring performance, and verifying adherence to cybersecurity and disaster recovery requirements in outsourcing and vendor agreements. Moderator: Greg Gann, IT Business Solutions Group Director, Division of Information Technology, Sedgwick County Alyssa Boss, Network Administrator, Dickinson County Kevin Mapes, Chief Information Officer, Kansas Bureau of Investigation Michael Mayta, Chief Information Officer, City of Wichita Randi Stahl, Chief Information Officer, City of Topeka Strengthening Cyber Resilience in Education Redbud C As schools and universities embrace advanced networking technologies, they also face heightened cybersecurity risks. The recent PowerSchool cyber-attack exposed vulnerabilities in education IT systems, prompting institutions to reevaluate their defenses. In this session, learn how affected schools are recovering, the strategies they are implementing to fortify their cybersecurity posture, and key takeaways to enhance resilience against future threats. Moderator: Christopher Fletcher, Information Systems Manager, Department of Education, State of Kansas Rob Dickson, Chief Information Officer, Wichita Public Schools Bill Higginbotham, Associate Director, Cybersecurity Consulting – LevelBlue/ AT&T Mark Rodee, Chief Information Security Officer, Wichita State University
12:15 pm Central	Lunch Grand Eagle Ballroom
1:00 pm Central	Short Break Please proceed to the concurrent session rooms.
1:05 pm Central	Concurrent Sessions Crafting Effective Cyber Exercises to Engage Stakeholders & Strengthen Resilience Redbud A Cyber tabletop exercises (TTEs) are powerful tools for preparing organizations to respond to security incidents, but crafting an effective exercise requires strategy. This session will explore the best practices for designing and conducting TTEs, engaging end-users and stakeholders in cybersecurity, and aligning IT and business priorities. Through real-world examples, attendees will gain insights into running impactful simulations, equipping smaller jurisdictions for ransomware response, and developing an incident response plan from scratch. Eric Tolbert, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Analyst, Kansas Information Security Office (KISO), State of Kansas Maximizing IT Resources & Cybersecurity Funding for Public Agencies Redbud B Public sector organizations can strengthen their cybersecurity posture by leveraging existing state-contracted IT vendors and free resources. This session will provide insights on navigating procurement processes, utilizing vetted vendors, and accessing newly available cybersecurity tools. Additionally, learn how Kansas agencies can qualify for cybersecurity grants to enhance protection and resilience. Moderator: Samuel Alva, Director, Operational Technology of Critical Infrastructure, State of Kansas Amber Wallace, Cyber Security and Risk Manager, Department of Technology and Innovation, Johnson County Winifred (Winnie) West, Cyber Security Advisor / KS State Coordinator, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners (Industry Sponsors Only) Redbud C This exclusive briefing for industry partners will provide the latest initiatives from KISO, guidance for vendors on navigating the procurement process and becoming an approved vendor for Kansas, as well as an overview of the grant funding process. John Godfrey, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Kansas Erin McGinnis, Director of Statewide Cyber Collaboration & Preparedness, State of Kansas Jeni Smith, Grants Manager, State of Kansas
2:05 pm Central	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Grand Eagle Ballroom Foyer
2:35 pm Central	General Session – KISO Updates: Advancing Statewide Cybersecurity Collaboration & Preparedness Grand Eagle Ballroom With the integration of the CyberSecurity Collaboration & Preparedness (CSCP) program, KISO is driving new statewide initiatives to strengthen cyber resilience. This session will provide updates on key projects, including a large-scale cybersecurity exercise, statewide public sector training in partnership with the National Guard, and a potential beta program in collaboration with the Office of National Cyber Defense. Learn how these efforts aim to enhance statewide cyber defense strategies Erin McGinnis, Director of Statewide Cyber Collaboration & Preparedness, State of Kansas
3:00 pm Central	General Session – The Power of GMIS: Bringing the IT Community Together Grand Eagle Ballroom This session provides an overview of GMIS and its role in the public sector IT community. Speakers will discuss the value of connections and collaboration, sharing real-world experiences on how GMIS supports IT professionals in government. Attendees will learn how the organization fosters resource sharing, problem-solving, and peer support within the public sector. Moderator: Brenda Ternes, President, GMIS International and IT Director, City of Newton Eric Albright, GMIS Member and Director of IT, Sherman County / NW KS Ambulance Service Alyssa Boss, GMIS Member and Network Administrator, Dickinson County Andrew Darrow, Kansas GMIS President and Director of Information Technology, City of Junction City
4:00 pm Central	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area Grand Eagle Ballroom Foyer Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
4:30 pm Central	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.