
The Public Sector Show by TechTables
The Podcast and Community for Public Sector CIOs and CISOs.
Welcome to the The Public Sector Show by TechTables, featuring human-centric stories from C-level technology leaders. Hosted by Joe Toste, you'll gain valuable insights on current issues and challenges faced by top leaders.
Through interviews, speaking engagements, and live podcast tour events, we unite public sector CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and technology leaders in fostering collaboration and meaningful connections in the ever-evolving technology landscape. techtables.substack.com
Latest episodes

Nov 16, 2023 • 27min
Ep.159 Transforming Public Health: Insights with Barbie Robinson, Executive Director at Harris County Public Health
🎙️ Featuring Barbie Robinson, Executive Director at Harris County Public Health🔗 Connect with Barbie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbie-robinson-146ab615/"Collaboration without true integration really is just another form of fragmentation." 🔥🔥🔥 ~Barbie RobinsonIn this episode of The Public Sector Show by TechTables, Barbie shares her public health journey across federal and county levels. Starting with the "ACCESS" initiative, a holistic care coordination model, Barbie shows us how technology is tackling the social safety net needs within local government and beyond. Don't miss this discussion on the future of public health and the role of technology, including:🎙️ Holistic Care Coordination through ACCESS: Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self-Sufficiency🎙️ The Triple Aim Approach to breaking silos in public health🎙️ Case Study: Technology's impact on vector-borne illnesses 🎙️ Harris County's Black Maternal Health Cohort program🎙️ How to change lives by meeting people where they are at🎙️Standardizing Data Systems: Looking ahead to 2024🎙️ And more!If you liked this episode, check out Carolyn Staats, Director of Innovation, Information Systems Department Sonoma County's episod: https://techtables.com/episode/ep115-interview-with-carolyn-staats-director-of-innovation-information-systems-department-sonoma-county⭐️ *Leave a Review*If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and let us know in your review who you want to see next on the podcast. Thanks!You can also Tweet us on @thejoetoste and tell us what lessons you learned from the episode so we can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏🙏🔗 *Connect with TechTables*LinkedIn TechTables https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/LinkedIn - Connect with Joe! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/Twitter https://twitter.com/thejoetosteFollow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/techtablespodcast/Website https://www.techtables.com/ Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 14, 2023 • 39min
Ep.158 Cybersecurity Meets Business Goals: Insights into Florida State Courts' Strategy with Roosevelt Sawyer, CIO, Florida State Courts Administrator
Featuring Roosevelt Sawyer Jr., CIO, Florida Office of State Courts Administrator🔗 Connect with Roosevelt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roosevelt-sawyer-jr-7252362/"Blending those [private and public sector experiences] together... hiring what we have, employees that have that experience from the private sector also employees that have worked in the public sector- it brings a more robust conversation in the room." ~ Roosevelt Sawyer Jr on a blended workforceCourt is in session! On this episode of The Public Sector Show by TechTables, we sit down with Roosevelt Sawyer Jr., CIO for the Florida Office of State Courts Administrator. Roosevelt walks us through his agency's methodical approach to aligning cybersecurity with business goals, plans to infuse more fun into team recruitment and onboarding processes, and new projects on the horizon, including:🎙️ Recruiting and onboarding challenges and wins🎙️ Generative AI (ChatGPT) and its potential judiciary applications🎙️ Team building: Synergizing private and public sector backgrounds🎙️ Training, tools, and projects to advance the state court system's cybersecurity stance🎙️ How to engage business users with new technologies without hindering operations🎙️ The future of passwords🎙️ And more!⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoy listening to the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and let us know in your review who you want to see next on the podcast. Thanks!You can also Tweet us on @thejoetoste and tell us what lessons you learned from the episode so we can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏🔗 Connect with TechTablesLinkedIn TechTables https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/LinkedIn - Connect with Joe! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/Twitter https://twitter.com/thejoetosteFollow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/techtablespodcast/Website https://www.techtables.com/ Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

Oct 3, 2023 • 44min
Ep.157 Transforming Maricopa County: A CIO's Insights on AI Advancements and Entrepreneurship in GovTech
Show Notes“We can talk about all the great things we want to do. We can talk about how we leverage technology for all these outcomes. In the end, you have to deliver. That's what matters.” ~Richard McHattie🔗 Connect with Richard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-mchattie-42602a5/“Our primary responsibility is you've got to secure the enterprise. And without that, you know, not much else matters.” ~ Richard McHattieOn this episode of The Public Sector Show by TechTables, we sit down with Richard McHattie, CIO for Maricopa County. From working in his parents' RFID startup, pioneering implantable microchips for pets, to his current role as the CIO of one of the largest counties in the US, Richard shares the challenges, triumphs, and unexpected turns that shaped his path in technology, leadership, and public service, including:🎙️ Perspectives on securing the enterprise, data priorities, and the ongoing journey of digital government transformation in Maricopa County🎙️ Know your “why:” How work ethic follows passion for the mission🎙️ Hands-on leadership and the entrepreneurial mindset advantage 🎙️ Improving customer experience through entrepreneurial initiatives in AI, conversational AI, and robotic process automation🎙️ How to collaborate with early-stage startups, break down barriers in procurement, and foster a culture of innovation🎙️ Q&A questions from Montana CIO Kevin Gilbertson and fmr. Florida CIO Jamie Grant🎙️ And more!⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoy listening to the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and let us know in your review who you want to see next on the podcast. Thanks!You can also Tweet us on @thejoetoste and tell us what lessons you learned from the episode so we can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏🙏🔗 Connect with TechTablesLinkedIn TechTables https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/LinkedIn - Connect with Joe! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/Twitter https://twitter.com/thejoetosteFollow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/techtablespodcast/Website https://www.techtables.com/ Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

Sep 26, 2023 • 30min
Ep.156 At the Line: How CIOs Handle High-Pressure Situations
Missed out on Houston at Hotel Zaza? Check out our 2023 GovTech Leadership Summit from October 12th to 14th.📚 Check out the full agenda:🌟 Public Sector CXOs, please register here: https://7w4m76wajkb.typeform.com/to/QFmGpjnQ🤝 Vendor partners, please apply here: https://7w4m76wajkb.typeform.com/to/I5bQo0dZThanks for reading TechTables! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.🎥 Video Podcast🔗 Connect with Bert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bert-quarfordt/On this episode of The Public Sector Show by TechTables, we sit down with Bert Quarfordt, Deputy CIO for IT Infrastructure at the City of Houston.Bert shares his journey from a private-sector IT career to public service and discusses the challenges and pressures of managing infrastructure in the public sector. Drawing upon his love of sports, Bert dives into the importance of team dynamics, collaboration, and communication in resolving critical issues, including:🎙️ Bert's 33-year career in IT🎙️ How private and public sectors handle infrastructure outages🎙️ How to develop a presentation mindset🎙️ The value of practice, preparation, and consistency in long-term success🎙️ How to manage emotions and team dynamics during critical projects🎙️ Transforming city infrastructure: Houston’s game-changing projectsAnd more!🤝 And a big thank you to our brand partners who keep this podcast free to the listener:Nagarro is a leading provider of digital government services, partnering with state, local, and federal clients on their most strategic technology projects across Digital Services, Legacy Modernization, Case Management, Data & AI, Service Desk, Cyber Security, and more.If you want to meet with Nagarro, one of our preferred, trusted brand partners, email me at joe@techtables.com.⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoy listening to the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and let us know in your review who you want to see next on the podcast. Thanks!You can also Tweet us on @thejoetoste and tell us what lessons you learned from the episode so we can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏🙏🔗 Connect with TechTablesLinkedIn TechTables https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/LinkedIn - Connect with Joe! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/Twitter https://twitter.com/thejoetosteFollow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/techtablespodcast/Website https://www.techtables.com/Related:Thanks for reading TechTables! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.techtables.com Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

Sep 21, 2023 • 46min
Ep.155 The Solar-Eclipse Leader: 5 CIO Tips to Boost Team Efforts & Morale Featuring Craig Hopkins, CIO, City of San Antonio
Show Notes🔗 Connect with Craig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-hopkins/🎙 About the episodeLeadership Eclipsers: Leaders who put themselves in the path of their teams, eclipsing their efforts and blocking credit for their input. If you have ever worked with a team leader like this, you know firsthand the void felt by everyone else standing “behind.”As the 2023 “Ring of Fire” Solar Eclipse makes its way across a good portion of the US in October, we discovered that the moon is less than 1/400th of the size of the sun, and yet for a brief few minutes, appears to cover the sun in its entirety. Likewise, a “leadership eclipser” is one person taking credit for, and blocking out, an entire team of dozens, hundreds, or even more team members. So how can you be less of a solar-eclipse leader and become more effective at building up a team culture that is known for reflecting the efforts of one another?As the solar eclipse gives us a moment to pause, we were reminded about our fantastic talk with Craig Hopkins on his reflections and experiences with both the good and the “needs-improvement” styles of leadership. And how, as an individual, your behavior shapes your character, but within a group, such as a team, the collection of individual characters forms the team's culture. This culture, in turn, becomes the foundation for the larger organization's culture. So good was our talk, in fact, that we had to come back to record a part two just to get all of Craig’s sage learnings in, including:* Begin by modeling a heart of Servant Leadership* The concept of humility and bringing others up is a fundamental aspect of leadership* How serving in the Coast Guard helped Craig learn how to transition from valuing individual accolades to being part of something greater* Leveraging the principles from "Team of Teams" to create a collaborative spiderweb structure for effective communication and collaboration* The role of accountability in building a culture of trust and collaboration* Why Craig dislikes the term “digital workforce”* and more!We can’t wait to hear from Craig again at our upcoming GovTech IT & Leadership Summit in San Antonio! Check out the links above if you haven’t already, as we have some “Ring of Fire”- worthy roundtable discussions lined up that you can only get if you’re there. ⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoy listening to the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and let us know in your review who you want to see next on the podcast. Thanks!You can also Tweet us on @thejoetoste and tell us what lessons you learned from the episode so we can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏🙏🔗 Connect with TechTablesLinkedIn TechTables https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/LinkedIn - Connect with Joe! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/Twitter https://twitter.com/thejoetosteFollow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/techtablespodcast/Website https://www.techtables.com/Episode originally recorded, April 2021 Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

Sep 19, 2023 • 29min
Ep.154 From Code to Contracts: Exploring Privacy in the Age of AI
Missed out on Houston at Hotel Zaza? Check out our 2023 GovTech Leadership Summit from October 12th to 14th.📚 Check out the full agenda:Public Sector EmployeesPlease register here for free: https://7w4m76wajkb.typeform.com/to/QFmGpjnQVendor PartnersPlease apply here: https://7w4m76wajkb.typeform.com/to/I5bQo0dZThanks for reading TechTables! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.🔗 Connect with Jane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-w-3670b325/🎙 About the EpisodeOn this episode of The Public Sector Show by TechTables with Jane Wu, Deputy Director for Data Privacy and Business Operations at the City of Houston, we learn how to walk the tightrope of balancing convenience and privacy concerns with the latest trends in technology.Jane takes us along her journey from computer science major to biomedical science to law before deep diving into the world of data privacy and the delicate yet important balance between innovation and safeguarding data. How does generative AI, such as GPT-3, present both convenience and privacy concerns? How can we best manage personal data in an era of rapid technological progress?Listen in for Jane’s thoughts on: * Privacy concerns with generative AI* Looking beyond jurisdictions for best practices* Crafting language and contracts* Top do’s and don’ts for vendor partners* How to balance privacy and innovation* Best advice for future IT professionals and more!🤝 And a big thank you to our brand partners who keep this podcast free to the listener:Nagarro is a leading provider of digital government services, partnering with state, local, and federal clients on their most strategic technology projects across Digital Services, Legacy Modernization, Case Management, Data & AI, Service Desk, Cyber Security, and more.If you want to meet with Nagarro, one of our preferred, trusted brand partners, email me at joe@techtables.com.⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoy listening to the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and let us know in your review who you want to see next on the podcast. Thanks!You can also Tweet us on @thejoetoste and tell us what lessons you learned from the episode so we can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏🙏🔗 Connect with TechTablesLinkedIn TechTables https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/LinkedIn - Connect with Joe! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/Twitter https://twitter.com/thejoetosteFollow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/techtablespodcast/Website https://www.techtables.com/Thanks for reading TechTables! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

Sep 16, 2023 • 41min
Ep.153 The Motion Offense: Cybersecurity Strategies That Build Relationships First
Show NotesFeaturing Lt Col. Chris Winnek, Commander, 102nd Information Ops Battalion & Cyber Operations Chief at the Texas Military Dept., and Chris Humphreys, Texas State Cybersecurity Council"This is NOT the new normal to have people stealing your data and using it. We have to fight against that." - Chris Winnek🔗 Connect with Chris W: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-winnek-a1388167/🔗 Connect with Chris H: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-humphreys-5a563019/🎙 About the episodeCybersecurity is no game. Running drills for attacks can mean the difference between failure and success when the time clock buzzes and it’s game on. Chris and Chris coach us through some complicated cybersecurity plays, and the resources available to build a strong defense against potential threats, including:Their experiences in the military and how it has influenced their work in cybersecurityHow prioritizing cybersecurity helps maintain public trust in a world where data is the most valuable commodityThe need for relationship-building in the sector, especially in the face of natural disasters or other crisesHow to go beyond regulatory compliance to implement robust cybersecurity practices that workWhat is next for protecting the ever-evolving digital landscapeAnd more!🎙 Q&A Highlights32:10 Steve Bell, SentinelOne⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoy listening to the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and let us know in your review who you want to see next on the podcast. Thanks!You can also Tweet us on @thejoetoste and tell us what lessons you learned from the episode so we can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏🙏🔗 Connect with TechTablesLinkedIn TechTables https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/LinkedIn - Connect with Joe! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/Twitter https://twitter.com/thejoetosteFollow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/techtablespodcast/Website https://www.techtables.com/ Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

Sep 9, 2023 • 44min
Ep.152 Transforming Legacy Systems: A CDO & CISO Blueprint for Digitization and Cybersecurity
Show NotesFeaturing Shauna Rogers, CDO, Texas Attorney General, and Celerino Torres, CISO, Texas Attorney General🔗 Connect with Shauna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunarogers2/🔗 Connect with Celerino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celerino/🎙 About the episodeA favorite part of this Live Podcast Tour in Houston was bringing on someone unplanned who turned out to be a major contributor to the conversations of the day. It’s the beauty of these more intimate events, having the ability to pivot the conversation to what is relevant not two years ago, but that day, in that moment. Listening back to Shauna and Celerino was not unlike catching up with the latest Ahsoka series- between the ebb and flow of one moment as mentor, the next as student- and the importance of being able to stand in either position.So for all the Star Wars fans out there- Celerino we are looking at you- this episode hyperjumps from our sports themes of late into galaxies not-so-far away, of CISO/CDO topics including:World Between Worlds: Prioritizing the spirit of the law over the word of the law, with security integrated into every aspect of solution architecture“These are not the droids you’re looking for:” The importance of educating employees about safe technology useAddressing data governance in the era of AI and chat platforms through legislative mandates and data classification“Hey, Snips:” The significance of leadership in pushing individuals to achieve their potentialUsing gamification as a tool to engage and build culture“Help Me…You’re My Only Hope:” The challenge of updating security control policies and staying ahead in the evolving technology and governance landscapeAnd more!🎙 Q&A Highlights33:28 Meg Hare, Accenture35:06 Darrell Tompkins, CIO, Texas Water Development Board37:55 Mark Kochanski, Snowflake40:10 Chris Humphreys, Anfield Group⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoy listening to the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and let us know in your review who you want to see next on the podcast. Thanks!You can also Tweet us on @thejoetoste and tell us what lessons you learned from the episode so we can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏🙏🔗 Connect with TechTablesLinkedIn TechTables https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/LinkedIn - Connect with Joe! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/Twitter https://twitter.com/thejoetosteFollow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/techtablespodcast/Website https://www.techtables.com/ Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

Sep 6, 2023 • 35min
Ep.151 From the Red Zone to the End Zone: CISO Cyber Strategies that Won't Bust Your Bracket with Featuring Ryan Murray, State CISO, State of Arizona; Krishna Edathil, CTO/Assistant Commissioner, Texas Higher Ed. Board, and Tim Roemer, ThriveDX President
Show NotesFeaturing Ryan Murray, State CISO, State of Arizona; Krishna Edathil, CTO/Assistant Commissioner, Texas Higher Ed. Board, and Tim Roemer, ThriveDX President & Fmr. State CISO, State ArizonaWe're all talking to the same people... How do we replicate that out to those other entities and then help give them the resources to do it? ~ Ryan MurrayI'm not the CTO; I'm the Chief Trust Officer... You can achieve [that] through the people and the relationship and then the trust that you build with them. ~ Krishna EdathilI think cybersecurity really starts with the basics... It's about blocking and tackling like the core basics and fundamentals of football. ~ Tim Roemer🔗 Connect with Tim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-roemer-590279192/🔗 Connect with Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-murray-az/🔗 Connect with Krishna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishnaedathil-779333142/As fall gets into swing, we shift this episode’s sports focus to football and its many relevant analogies to the world of cybersecurity. Tim, Ryan, and Krishna share about the commonalities and differences across Arizona and Texas in their cybersecurity stances and plays. Similar to football, the best defensive plays are where every team player knows their gap assignment before the ball is ever snapped. Listen in as we learn about the importance of community and agency collaboration and insights on the best ways to stop the run, including:The Big Game: Arizona vs. Texas: Plays and Cyber StrategiesPre-season Training: How to strengthen cybersecurity posture through training and educating team employees to recognize and respond to threatsOn the Field: Why the best defensive schemes often include the ability to shift from one front to anotherBoosters Club: The importance of building trust among stakeholders, including public and private sector entitiesNext Season’s Draft Picks: How new team members bring fresh perspectives and the ability to innovate quickly, potentially accelerating technology adoption and modernization effortsAnd more!🎙 Q&A Highlights29:05 Meg Hare, Accenture30:58 Chris Humphreys, The Anfield Group⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoy listening to the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and let us know in your review who you want to see next on the podcast. Thanks!You can also Tweet us on @thejoetoste and tell us what lessons you learned from the episode so we can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏🔗 Connect with TechTablesLinkedIn TechTables https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/LinkedIn - Connect with Joe! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/Twitter https://twitter.com/thejoetosteFollow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/techtablespodcast/Website https://www.techtables.com/ Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe

Aug 31, 2023 • 27min
Ep.150 The CIO Team Captain's Unwavering Passion for Victory Featuring Sindhu Menon, CIO, Harris County
It was the end of an incredible but long day of interviews at our Houston Live Podcast Tour, and we were thrilled to end on a quiet but powerful note with this episode. The room was packed to standing room only as Sindhu’s team drove across town to support their team captain, and it was obvious the admiration went both ways. Join us as we tap into Sindhu’s wisdom and experience on topics including:There's no one-size-fits-all solution to the broadband access challenge; the complexity requires innovative and collaborative public and private partnershipsHow to create team unity by aligning individual career goals with your organization's initiativesAnticipating challenges, such as natural disasters or incidents, that require coordinated regional response effortsEmpowering your team to balance work responsibilities with personal/family commitments for higher productivity and commitment to their rolesHarris County's Transformation InitiativesAnd more! Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe