The Public Sector Show by TechTables

#207: Bringing Soldiers Home to Building the Digital Identity with Blake Hall, Founder & CEO, ID.meBrought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Blake Hall, Founder & CEO, ID.meWhat You’ll Learn:How Blake's grandfather earned a Bronze Star with Valor at Anzio and established three leadership rules that shaped three generations of soldiersWhy Roy, an Iraqi interpreter, became a life-changing mission that demonstrated the true meaning of bringing everyone homeHow ID.me is building the identity layer for the internet with a digital wallet that puts consumers in control of their dataThe four immutable character traits Blake screens for: optimism, kindness over niceness, fight-or-flight control, and zero tolerance for jerksStrategic fundraising lessons from raising over $100 million while maintaining company control and avoiding liquidation preference trapsTimestamps(01:00) Military Heritage: Three Generations of Soldiers from WWII to Iraq (02:00) Grandfather's Bronze Star: Saving His Unit at Anzio Against Nazi Machine Guns (04:00) The Three Family Rules: Humility, Hard Assignments, and Leadership Lessons (05:00) Roy's Story: Meeting the Iraqi Interpreter Who Looked Like a "Water Boy" (07:00) Combat Reality: 19 of 22 Interpreters Executed Over 24 Months (08:00) The Promise: "I'm Going to Bring All My Guys Home" (13:00) Combat to Civilian: "Where Do I Go on Friday to Hang Out?" (14:00) ID.me's Mission: Building the Identity Layer for the Internet (15:00) Digital Wallets Beyond Payments: Privacy Filters and Never Do Same Thing Twice (21:00) Core Value #1: "Don't Be a Jerk" - Zero Tolerance Policy (22:00) Core Value #2: "Kind vs. Nice" - Truth-Telling Over People-Pleasing (23:00) Core Value #3: "No Pessimists" - The Apollo 13 Mindset (25:00) Hiring Strategy: Screening for Immutable Character Traits First (27:00) Duke Basketball Example: Coach K's "We're Gonna Win" Leadership (31:00) Fundraising Timing: Running Experiments Before Raising Capital (34:00) Paul Graham's Wisdom: "Love from Few vs. Lukewarm from Many" (36:00) Founding Team Dynamics: Complementary Skills and Vesting Agreements (39:00) Strategic Investors: USAA Partnership Without Control Strings (40:00) Crossover Funds: Viking Global's $100M+ Rounds Without Board Control (42:00) The Four Business Questions: Size, Frequency, Price, and Moats (45:00) Book Recommendations: Military Leadership to Tech InnovationConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

#206: Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown - Navy SEAL to Extreme OwnershipBrought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:JP Dinnell, former U.S. Navy SEAL, Leadership Instructor, Speaker, and Strategic Advisor, Echelon FrontWhat You’ll Learn:How JP went from being served divorce papers on his anniversary to rebuilding his marriage using extreme ownership principlesWhy Task Unit Bruiser became the most highly decorated special operations unit of the Iraq War by putting team firstThe dangerous transition trap that destroys military veterans (and how to avoid it by establishing a clear new mission)JP's daily "war against complacency" strategy that protects your marriage, business, and health from gradual decayThe 3 pillars of elite mastery that took JP from Delta Platoon sniper to Echelon Front leadership instructorTimestamps(03:12) JP's SEAL Team Background and Combat Experience(07:55) The Dark Transition: When Everything Falls Apart(11:00) Driving Ownership: Lessons from Ramadi Combat Operations(17:00) Extreme Ownership: The Path Out of Dark Places(22:00) Entrepreneurship as the Ultimate Reality Check(25:00) Declaring War on Complacency Every Single Day(31:00) Humility: The #1 Trait of Combat-Effective Leaders(38:00) Three Pillars of Elite Mastery: Discipline, Patience, Dedication(42:00) Echelon Front's FTX: Real-Time Leadership Under PressureConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

#205: From Hurricane Harvey to Beryl: Houston's "One Family" Emergency Response [2024 Houston Live Podcast Tour]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Summer Xiao, Deputy CIO - EAS/PMO, City of HoustonJane Wu, Deputy Director - Data Privacy & Business Operations Management, City of HoustonBert Quarfordt, Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO) - IT Infrastructure, City of HoustonWhat You’ll Learn:How Houston's IT team evolved emergency response protocols through nine federally declared disasters, building bench strength after losing key expertiseWhy pre-positioned contracts and vendor partnerships are critical for rapid emergency deployment without compromising standards or securityHow Hurricane Beryl knocked out power to 350+ city locations serving 2.6 million residents and the specific recovery strategies usedThe "one family approach" that transforms team culture through initiatives like Summer's snack cart and cross-departmental collaborationWhy cloud-first infrastructure strategies provide essential resilience when local data centers fail during natural disastersTimestamps(03:00) 9 Federal Disasters: Building Emergency Response Bench Strength(08:00) Hurricane Beryl: 350+ Locations Lost Power, 2.6M Residents Affected(12:00) Tier One Response: From Prep to Recovery Operations(17:00) 311 Crisis: Data Center Meltdown During Emergency Response(25:00) Keeping 911 Systems Operational When Infrastructure Fails(31:00) The "One Family Approach": Crisis Collaboration That Actually Works(34:00) Summer Snacks: Building Team Culture Through Food and Connection(40:00) AI and Cloud-First: Future-Proofing Against Climate Disasters(45:00) Crisis Leadership Lessons for Public Sector CXOsConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

#204: Why Texas DMV Chose $6M in Planning Over $150M (Plus TDLR's 25-Program Modernization) [Houston 2024]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Wendy Barron, CIO, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)Courtney Arbour, Executive Director, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)What You’ll Learn:How choosing $6 million in planning funds over $150 million in immediate funding can lead to better modernization outcomes at Texas DMVThe strategic approach to consolidating 25+ programs and 8 legacy licensing systems at TDLR into a unified platformHow Texas DMV interfaces with 254 counties through 500+ Tax Assessor Collector offices and plans to streamline manual processes using RPAThe innovative use of regulatory authority to combat human trafficking through emergency facility closures and cross-agency data sharingWhy building relationships with vendor communities and stakeholder feedback loops drives successful transformation in governmentTimestamps(03:00) Why Licensing is Workforce Development: Career Transition Strategy(05:00) $6M vs $150M: How DMV Chose Planning Over Quick Implementation(08:00) 25+ Programs, 8 Legacy Systems: TDLR's Consolidation Strategy(11:00) Solving the "Page 10 Error": RPA for 500+ County Tax Offices(16:00) 35 Facilities Closed: Using Tech Authority to Combat Human Trafficking(18:00) Multi-State CIO Networks: Learning from Florida, California, Arizona(21:00) Innovation Sources: Vendor Partnerships and Stakeholder Feedback Loops(25:00) 2025 Execution Plan: Balancing Quick Wins with Long-Term Vision(27:00) New York's Planning Failures: Expensive Lessons for Texas ModernizationConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

#203: UHCL's 6-Week Leadership Pivot + AI Student Concierge + NASA Innovation Culture [Houston 2024]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Dr. LeeBrian Gaskins, Senior Associate Vice President of IT/CIO at University of Houston-Clear LakeWhat You’ll Learn:- 6-week crisis leadership insights: How Dr. Gaskins built team trust and executed digital transformation during COVID with a brand-new team- AI concierge vision for higher ed: Real-world use cases for student support systems that access enterprise data and provide personalized recommendations- NASA's cultural influence on tech strategy: How space program values of exploration and resilience shape innovation approaches in higher education- Email security culture building: Lessons from achieving 96-97% spam filtering while shifting user behavior from "fix later" to "safety first"- Collaboration as "magnifier and multiplier": Why Texas higher ed leaders prioritize peer networking and mentorship for amplified problem-solvingTimestamps00:34 - Introduction and NASA Memorabilia Space Tour01:00 - Dr. Gaskins' Journey: West Virginia to NASA's Backyard03:00 - Childhood Space Dreams Driving Technology Innovation05:00 - International Business Background and Cross-Border Tech08:00 - Texas Higher Ed Collaboration Networks and Mentorship11:00 - Collaboration as a "Magnifier and Multiplier" Strategy13:00 - NASA's Cultural Influence on STEM and Resilience17:00 - 6-Week COVID Crisis Leadership with New Team23:00 - Human-Centric Tech: Internet Access and TTY Device Stories28:00 - AI in Higher Ed: Ethics, Policy, and Student Experience34:00 - AI Concierge Vision: Enterprise Data and Student Support41:00 - Email Security Culture: 96-97% Spam Filtering Success45:00 - EDUCAUSE Takeaways and Cross-Pollination BenefitsConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

#202: UTSA's Bold Careers 85+ Student Program + UCLA's 2028 Olympics Campus Transformation [EDUCAUSE 2024]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Dr. Vanessa Kenon, Associate VP for Technology Compliance and Community Engagement, University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)Dr. Joe Way, Executive Director of Digital Spaces, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)What You’ll Learn:How UTSA's Bold Careers program expanded to serve over 85 students through partnerships with Rackspace, Dell Technologies, and DoD contractorsWhy eSports is a multi-billion dollar industry creating new career pathways for students beyond traditional gaming rolesUCLA's strategic preparation to serve as Olympic Village for the 2028 Olympics while increasing enrollment by 20-25%The importance of creating frictionless campus experiences that integrate technology across dorms, classrooms, and eventsHow digital twins of campus spaces can optimize resources, improve sustainability, and transform the educational experienceTimestamps(02:24) UTSA's Bold Careers: Expanding to 85+ Students with Industry Partners (05:00) UCLA's Digital Transformation and Olympic Village Preparation (07:58) Student Success Stories: Building Experience and Careers (11:11) "Students Are Their Own Brand": The Modern Education Model (14:22) eSports as a Multi-Billion Dollar Career Pathway (17:47) UCLA's Vision: Creating a Frictionless Campus Experience (20:59) Digital Twin Campus: Optimizing Resources and Sustainability (28:59) Meeting Students Where They Are: The Future of LearningConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates. Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

#201: UHCL's NASA Partnership + UT System's Enterprise AI Strategy [EDUCAUSE 2024]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:- Dr. LeeBrian Gaskins, Senior Associate Vice President of IT/CIO at University of Houston-Clear Lake- William Huang, Deputy CIO, University of Texas SystemWhat You’ll Learn:Student-Centered Innovation in Higher EdUT System declared 2024 as "the year of the student," implementing the 25-year-old Archer Center Fellows program that brings 30-40 undergraduate, graduate, and medical students to Washington D.C. for leadership developmentThe UT System's 12-week summer internship program provides students with 9 hours weekly of professional development alongside functional work in IT, business, accounting, and legal areasUHCL prioritizes graduate education growth through collaborative approaches with other Houston institutions, rejecting the "zero-sum game" mentality in student recruitment to create shared student successEnterprise AI Implementation StrategyUT Health Houston formalized a major partnership with OpenAI to provide advanced AI tools for medical students and clinical faculty, representing one of several mission-specific AI implementationsUT System has deployed a multi-node private AI cluster at their shared data center for all 14 institutions to develop business use cases, creating a secure on-premises AI environmentUHCL is developing 24/7 AI tutoring systems that help students identify knowledge gaps before exams and using AI analytics to mine historical student data for previously unrecognized improvement opportunitiesCross-Campus Collaboration FrameworkThe UT System achieves economies of scale by site-licensing Microsoft tools for all 256,000 students, faculty, staff and clinicians across its 14 institutionsUHCL collaborates with neighboring Houston campuses to create consistent experiences for faculty who teach across multiple institutions and share licensing resourcesRegional partnerships between campuses with similar demographics (like Hispanic-serving institutions) enable targeted technology solutions for specific student populationsSpace & AI Educational InnovationUHCL was established through direct partnership with NASA, whose director requested graduate education facilities near the space center 50 years agoThe university houses NASA archives through the Space Act and maintains strong aerospace engineering and space exploration business programsUT San Antonio and UT Health San Antonio jointly created one of the first programs combining a medical degree with a master's in AI, featuring three years of medical education, one year of AI focus, and a capstone integration yearTimestamps01:37 - William Huang's background and DJ experience02:00 - 2024: "The Year of the Student" and Archer Center Fellows04:42 - Enterprise AI Strategy across UT System07:58 - UHCL's AI Policy and Student Success Applications10:53 - Balancing System-Wide Initiatives Across 14 UT Institutions12:00 - Regional Collaboration Between Houston Area Campuses16:24 - UHCL's NASA Connection and Aerospace Focus19:25 - How AI Will Transform Digital TransformationConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

#200: UCSB's Data-Driven AI Pilots + ASU's Multi-LLM Innovation Platform + Google's Higher Ed Partnerships [EDUCAUSE 2024]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Josh Bright, CIO and Associate Vice Chancellor for IT at UC Santa Barbara (UCSB)Kyle Bowen, Deputy CIO at Arizona State University (ASU)Charles Elliott, Field CTO for Public Sector at GoogleWhat You’ll Learn:High-Impact AI StrategiesASU's language learning: German professor developed a custom AI tool that breaks free from "arcane phrases like 'where is the library'" to enable personalized conversational practice that adapts to student interests and provides immediate feedbackUCSB's data-driven approach: Five strategic AI pilots generating concrete metrics to inform new leadership's investment decisions during chancellor transition, ensuring continuity of innovationGoogle Cloud's Rapid Innovation Team delivers accelerated proof-of-concepts through enhanced user story collaboration, allowing universities to quickly transform ideas into working prototypesTechnology Infrastructure InnovationsASU's "Create AI Platform" unifies multiple LLMs into a single environment where faculty, researchers and students can rapidly prototype solutions to real-world problems, creating an agile development ecosystemGoogle's migration of Collaboratory to cloud infrastructure gives educational institutions both seamless collaboration features and enterprise-scale computing power for complex research workloadsUCSB's partnership with Goldstein yielded comprehensive consensus from 200+ stakeholders including 70+ faculty members, creating what Josh calls "a fantastic engagement" leading to unified campus IT directionTransformative Leadership & Organizational DevelopmentUCSB's immersive five-day on-site "conference" reconnected hybrid workers with campus mission after 5-year absence for some staff, yielding emotional breakthrough: "We didn't know we needed this"UCSB's year-long MOR Associates Leadership Program builds shared language among senior IT leaders while requiring all central IT staff to achieve Yellow Belt certification in Lean Six SigmaASU's competitive AI Innovation Challenge framework creates structured experimentation that simultaneously explores possibilities and identifies governance issues: "It helps us put in place the kind of guidelines or processes to help mitigate them in the future"Cross-Institutional Partnership ModelsGoogle Cloud's advanced multimodal capabilities enable universities to process diverse inputs—"video, audio, geometry assignments, you name it"—creating richer educational experiences for studentsASU's operational success applying AI to incident communications demonstrates how technical teams can "translate and help communicate about what's happening in technology environments to provide better messaging, faster"UCSB's campus-wide mentorship program connects IT professionals across organizational boundaries, currently in its second cohort and delivering "really fantastic outcomes, just helping people to see, partner with those who are a little further along the road"Timestamps(01:15) ASU's three-pillar AI strategy: Education/Community, Technology, Experimentation(02:00) Real-world AI applications at ASU: German language learning and incident response(03:00) UCSB's campus IT strategy development with 200+ stakeholders(06:00) UCSB's Enterprise AI pilots for gathering implementation data(08:00) Leadership development initiatives at UCSB(12:30) ASU's AI Innovation Challenge framework(15:00) UCSB's transformative five-day on-site experience for remote staff(18:00) Leadership advice for technology leaders in Higher EdConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

#199: Securing Decentralized IT at UT-McCombs & Tanium's 'Whole of Education' Framework [EDUCAUSE 2024]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:- Cory Wilburn, Chief Information Officer, Texas McCombs School of Business- Doug Thompson, Chief Education Architect, TaniumWhat You’ll Learn:Leadership Insight: The Chief Alignment OfficerCory Wilburn redefines the CIO role as "Chief Alignment Officer," focusing on ensuring everyone understands how they contribute to the organization's mission (I love this Cory!)Creating a "culture of safety" forms the foundation for innovation - "if you're trying to move the ball forward and fall short, you're among friends, not in a 'gotcha' environment"Building trust begins with personal connections - meet team members where they are (and not where you think they should be!)The storytelling imperative - effective security leaders must communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences through compelling narrativesHigher Ed's Unique Security Challenge: Decentralized ITHigher education operates as a "coalition of the unwilling" requiring consensus-building rather than top-down directivesThe academic paradox: institutional openness creates security vulnerability - "everyone walks in with multiple devices and you add to it with classroom technology"Balancing innovation with protection - "you always have to find that right balance of risk and innovation" based on data sensitivity and organizational contextThe constant risk-reward calculation of patch management - "we're going to break this system with this patch, what's the trade-off?"Tanium's Whole of Education FrameworkProvides "AWACS-like visibility" across fragmented IT environments while respecting academic autonomyReal-time endpoint management creates a "staff multiplier" effect, freeing IT professionals from routine maintenanceSuccess story: Winston Salem State University transformed staff culture through enhanced visibility, with employees now generating innovative solutionsVisibility without control - "we're not taking over their environment, we're simply looking so you know what your risk is"The Evolving Threat LandscapeSobering statistic: 80% of breaches stem from unpatched software vulnerabilities, with 80% of those preventableCOVID accelerated digital transformation - "in three months they had done exactly what I'd been trying to get them to do for years"IoT explosion has increased endpoints by "magnitudes of hundreds over what it was just five years ago"Education remains the primary defense - "at the end of the day, your biggest risk points are your users"Timestamps(03:03) New UT-McCombs building project(03:49) The "Whole of Education" approach(05:47) Winston Salem State success story(07:02) Managing IT complexity today(09:22) Open centers of innovation vs. cyber threats(12:15) Real-time visibility for campus security(15:20) The endpoint explosion across campus(16:52) 80% of breaches from unpatched software(23:35) Building trust as a new leader(26:56) The "Chief Alignment Officer" leadership approach(28:40) Reducing IT risk in decentralized environmentsConnect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

#198: Saint Mary's Student-Run Help Desk + SolarWinds' 3X ROI Higher Ed Solutions [EDUCAUSE 2024]Brought to you by:SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!Featuring:Kathy Hausmann, Director of Digital Infrastructure and Support Services at Saint Mary's CollegeTyler Horning, Senior Account Manager, Central Region, Public Sector, SolarWindsWhat You’ll Learn:Saint Mary's Student-Run IT Support EvolutionDiscover how Saint Mary's College transformed from post-it note tracking to a sophisticated Web Help Desk system that resolves nearly 50% of tickets within one dayExplore their innovative two-tier support model: ResNet (student tech support) and Help Desk (faculty/staff support), both primarily staffed by studentsLearn how this IT experience creates a powerful talent pipeline, with former student workers landing positions at Google, JPMorgan Chase, and other major companiesComprehensive Student Training and Support OperationsInside Saint Mary's multi-phase training program: 3½ days of focused instruction followed by immersive orientation weekend experience that covers "everything they'll see in an academic year"How the FAQ feature creates invisible success stories by helping students solve problems independently without completing ticket submissionsThe critical philosophy of teaching student staff it's "okay to say 'I don't know'" and escalate issues to supervisorsSolarWinds Partnership and Customized SolutionsHow Web Help Desk's customization enables Saint Mary's to tailor experiences for different campus populations (including the "three strikes" system for students vs. automated reminders for faculty/staff)Impressive ROI metrics across higher education: 51% of institutions report 1-2x investment return with 17% seeing 3x return, and some seeing value within just 5 days of implementationThe power of automated workflows, escalations, and knowledge base development in creating efficient support operationsLooking Beyond TechnologyWhy Kathy recommends IT support jobs for students across ALL disciplines: "Nursing majors learn troubleshooting, education majors gain classroom-relevant skills, philosophy majors can thrive"Tyler's advice to students: "Absorb as much as you can, understand the broader organizational flow, and learn how to solve others' problems"How Saint Mary's exemplifies higher education's common challenges (understaffing, budget constraints) while creating innovative solutions through student empowermentTimestamps(00:00:00) Intro (00:00:58) Meet the innovators: SolarWinds and Saint Mary's College (00:03:58) From Post-it notes to digital transformation (00:05:05) Web Help Desk: The Spring 2014 revolution (00:07:42) Student-powered IT support model (00:09:22) Impressive metrics: 50% of tickets resolved within one day (00:13:19) Student IT bootcamp: The intensive training approach (00:19:43) Customizing support for campus culture (00:22:02) Career advice: "Any student should look at working in IT"Connect🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ https://www.youtube.com/@techtablesWhenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates. Join now: https://www.techtables.com/2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe