Public Sector Application Modernization Summit
August 21, 2025 | 8:00am – 2:30pm ET | Carahsoft Conference and Collaboration Center
**6 CPE Credits Available
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9:10 AM
Opening Remarks
9:15 AM
Navigating the Future of Legacy Modernization
Legacy systems are the backbone of many public sector operations, but they can hinder innovation, scalability, and security. This panel will explore strategies for modernizing legacy applications, emphasizing the importance of balancing operational continuity with technological advancements. Experts will share insights on overcoming challenges such as technical debt, migration hurdles, and change management while ensuring minimal disruption to critical services.
Join us to learn how agencies are leveraging cloud-native solutions, microservices, and automation to transform legacy systems into agile, future-ready platforms.
Beth Killoran
Chief Information Officer, U.S. Government Accountability Office
C. Melonie Cannon
Chief Information Officer and Director, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State
Rick Miner
Deputy Assistant Chief Information Officer, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
Ankur Saini
Chief Technology Officer, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
George Ohanian
Warfighter Support Directorate Chief, United States Army Corp of Engineers, Army Geospatial Center
Moderator: Jason Miller
Executive Editor, Federal News Network
10:05 AM
Emerging Technology Showcase
10:40 AM
Emerging Technology Talk
Mission Ready in Minutes: Supercharging App Modernization with AI + Low-Code on ServiceNow
In a time where federal agencies must modernize faster than ever, speed and scale aren’t optional—they’re mission critical. This fast-paced Tech Talk will explore how ServiceNow’s App Engine, infused with generative AI and governance-first low-code tooling, is empowering agencies to rapidly modernize legacy systems, slash development timelines, and unlock cross-agency data and workflow integration. Learn how you can move from idea to impact in days—not months—while ensuring FedRAMP compliance, citizen experience, and operational readiness stay front and center.
Jim O'Malley
Senior Manager, Solutions Consulting - Platform/AI & Data, ServiceNow
10:50 AM
Emerging Technology Talk
Continuous Improvement and Data as a Strategic Asset in Federal Application Modernization
Federal agencies face a critical need to modernize applications, efficiently transforming operations for the future. This session focuses on the critical role of continuous improvement in successful modernization journeys, moving beyond one-time upgrades to sustained excellence. We will discuss how agencies can strategically leverage a suite of transactional data and convert vast amounts of operational information into action. Discover how this dual focus empowers government organizations to achieve unprecedented efficiency, enhance decision-making, and continuously adapt to evolving mission demands.
Joe Ditchett
Industry Executive Advisor, SAP
11:00 AM
Agile Application Development for Government Innovation
 The need for faster, more adaptable digital solutions is reshaping how government agencies deliver services and respond to evolving mission demands. Modern application development approaches—including low-code, no-code, and other agile methods—are enabling agencies to streamline workflows, reduce development timelines, and involve a wider range of stakeholders in the technology process.
This panel will explore how flexible development platforms and practices are being adopted to improve service delivery, enhance internal operations, and foster innovation across the public sector. Speakers will share lessons learned from real-world implementations, discuss key challenges such as security and governance, and examine how these tools are changing the way teams collaborate and build solutions.
Spence Spencer
Director, System Configuration and Delivery Automation Division, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Garfield Jones
Associate Chief of Strategic Technology, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Pending Agency Approval)
Theresa Kinney
Program Deputy Director, Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Dave Raley
Customer Experience Digital Program Manager, Marine Corps Community Services, U.S. Marine Corps
Ramesh Ramakrishnan
Enterprise Architect, Bureau of Diplomatic Technology, US Department of State
William Jinkins
Lead AI Engineer, DAF Digital Transformation Office, U.S. Air Force
Elena Peterson
Senior Cyber Security Researcher, Group Leader, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Moderator: Amber Corrin
ATARC Consultant
11:50 AM
Lunch in the Emerging Technology Showcase
1:00 PM
Building Resilient Applications with Cloud-First Strategies
 The shift to cloud-first strategies is reshaping how public sector agencies build and maintain resilient applications. By embracing the scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency of cloud technologies, agencies are unlocking new capabilities to meet the growing demands of citizens and stakeholders.
This panel will delve into best practices for cloud migration, optimizing hybrid environments, and enhancing application security in a cloud-first landscape. Discover how agencies are achieving operational excellence and preparing for future challenges by harnessing the power of the cloud.
Daniel Behrns
Data Scientist, Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, U.S. Department of State
Dr. Michaela Iorga
Senior Security Technical Lead for Cloud Computing and Director, OSCAL Program, Computer Security Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Jay Alalasundaram
Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Software Application & Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
CDR Jonathan White
Cloud, Data & AI Branch Chief, U.S. Coast Guard (Pending Agency Approval)
Moderator: Heather Kuldell-Ware
Former Editor-in-Chief, GovExec
1:40 PM
Securing Modern Applications in an Era of Zero Trust
 As public sector agencies modernize their applications, security remains a top priority. Implementing Zero Trust principles is essential to safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring application integrity in today’s threat landscape.
This panel will focus on integrating Zero Trust architecture into application modernization efforts, addressing challenges such as identity management, access control, and securing APIs. Experts will share strategies for fostering a security-first culture and aligning modernization efforts with evolving federal cybersecurity mandates.
Dr. Liza Briggs
Senior Social Scientist, Insider Threat Program, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Dr. Darren Death
Chief Information Security Officer, Export-Import Bank of the United States
Louis Eichenbaum
Chief Information Security Officer (Acting), Office of the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of the Interior
Rudolf Rojas
Cybersecurity Manager, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Sybilla Robertson
Staff Solutions Engineer, Cribl
Moderator: John Curran
Executive Editor, MeriTalk