Overview

September 21

The pandemic has permanently altered the way government conducts business, including where it conducts business. Recent Center for Digital Government research found nearly three-quarters of state and local agencies anticipate hybrid work — where employees work from home at least on a part-time basis — will be their long-term model. But it will take innovation and creativity to make this workplace of the future successful.

In a new webinar series, Government Technology is partnering up with Lumen and Cisco to offer strategies and tactics around how governments can create a hybrid workplace that meets their unique needs. This first webcast in the series will focus on federal funding opportunities and how to build a budget to support a hybrid work model. Register now to learn:

What stimulus funding is available and how to prioritize your projects
What technology investments will help ensure your network, security capabilities and organization as a whole are ready for the hybrid workplace
What steps you can take to make the business case for and properly budget for the technology needed for a hybrid work model

Speakers

Brenda Decker — Moderator

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government and former CIO, State of Nebraska

Brenda Decker most recently spent five years with IBM as a Director for Global Government Industry services. Prior to IBM, Brenda served in Nebraska state government for 37 years, 10+ years as the state's chief information officer with responsibility for state government computing, telecommunications, public safety radio, and video conferencing. Her expertise leading, transforming and managing large IT organizations has created high-performing teams and partnered cross functional public and private organizations. Her work has garnered both local and national recognition for her contributions to government technology.

Gary DePreta

Area Vice President, Cisco Public Sector

Gary DePreta is an Area Vice President with Cisco’s U.S. Public Sector Organization. He and his team help public sector agencies improve how we serve our citizens through innovative approaches leveraging Cisco’s world class technology portfolio. Whether helping schools improve student outcomes, improve the effectiveness of first responders, or assisting state, local, or county agencies improve the efficiency of government, Gary is a passionate steward serving our nation’s Public Sector missions. Gary is a 13-year Cisco veteran with many years of industry experience in leadership positions with Splunk, International Network Services, and IBM with a diverse background leading both professional services and product organizations. Gary has a passion for community involvement and giving back. He was recognized for his fundraising efforts and was named the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 2014 Man of the Year for the National Capital Area. He served on the Board of Trustees for the Washington, DC Chapter. Gary served in the U.S. Navy from 1983 to 1987 onboard the USS Elliot DD-967 in San Diego, California, where he was deployed on two overseas Western Pacific tours of duty. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Electronic Science, Cum Laude, from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York.

Sonia Ramsey

Regional Vice President, State & Local Government and Education, Lumen

As Regional Vice President of State and Local Government and Education sales (SLED), Sonia Ramsey is responsible for the SLED route to market and accountable for overall market strategy and profitability within the $1 billion-dollar segment. She leads a team of over 250 professionals in capture management, business development, sales, support, compliance and service assurance. Sonia is a transformational leader and turn-around specialist with 20 years of experience and a proven track record of building world-class sales teams and profitable revenue growth in Fortune 500 enterprises across the Americas, EMEA and Asia. Early success came for Sonia as a client executive at Level 3 Communications responsible for developing a go-to-market strategy to pursue large systems integrators (SI). Within two years, she closed the largest SI deal in the company and within three and a half years, she was promoted to VP of Sales. Her expertise in delivering differentiated digital experiences and customer-focused solutions transfers well to the public sector as she and her team help state and local government agencies embrace, transform and thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Sonia has received multiple awards, most recently being named as a StateScoop 50 award winner for 2020. Other awards include the coveted CEO award, numerous President Club awards and being named to the Modern Sales Top 100 Global Sales Leaders in 2017.

Dan Leister

Senior Manager, Cisco Public Funding Office

Dan Leister is the Senior Manager for the Cisco Public Funding Office. He and his team can help customers navigate the maze of public sector funding programs and provide guidance on how to bring their vision to life. They are available to help better understand the funding opportunities for technology that are available through stimulus funds grants, bonds, and E-rate. Dan is a 16-year Cisco veteran with all those years of experience in Public Sector. He has been in sales and public sector funding, along with leadership roles in helping K-12 schools reach their desired outcomes through technology Dan believes in giving back to the community and has a passion for helping others. He volunteers with the Marine’s in their Toys for Tots program; he also can be found helping 6th grade students in their classroom and has enjoyed the opportunities to get wounded service members back into the outdoors.

Tulli Manross

National Director Public Sector, SLED Business Development, Lumen

Over 20 years of experience building world class teams in Public Sector with a solid track record of success. Known for being an strategy and business development expert for SLED (State, Local and Education). As the head of Lumen’s Public Sector, SLED Business Development Team, I am privileged to work collaboratively to support the needs of state and local government agencies, K-12 and our higher education institutions across the US. Lumen is furthering human progress for Public Sector organizations and leading transformation through technology and collaboration.

Webinar

Bringing Innovation and Creativity to the Hybrid Workplace PART 1: Focusing on Funding Government IT