Overview

October 28

Every education leader knows it’s a full-time job to keep up with funding opportunities and updates in the K-12 technology space.

Join the Center for Digital Education and Cisco on October 28 at 11 a.m. Pacific/2 p.m. Eastern to hear a review and get timely information about E-rate and the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), including rules and regulations, timelines, available funding and how both can help you achieve your vision of a digital learning environment. We’ll also provide updates on other key funding opportunities, and you’ll hear from the St. Bonaventure Catholic School about how they used E-rate for a successful wireless upgrade.

Join us for this action-packed 60-minute webinar – register here!

Speakers

Esteban J. Nunez

IT Director, St. Bonaventure Catholic Church and School

Esteban J. Nunez is the IT Director at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church and School. He oversees network infrastructure for a Parish made up of 8,000 parishioners, 85 staff and 675 students. Esteban supports STEM education and teaches middle school robotics in addition to his network responsibilities. Esteban holds a BA from Villanova University and a Master of Business Administration from Temple University.

John Harrington

CEO, Funds for Learning

Mr. Harrington is the CEO of Funds for Learning, a firm that helps schools receive federal funding for student Internet access and communications. Since 1997, Mr. Harrington has supported groups in all 50 U.S. states, helping schools apply for more than $1 billion in assistance through the Universal Service Funding program.

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.

Dan Leister

Senior Manager, Public Funding Office, Cisco

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.

Hillary Hall

Senior Manager, Public Funding Advisors, Cisco

Hillary Hall has been with Cisco for over 11 years, and has worked on the Public Funding team for the majority of that time. She has a background in communications and has emphasized work in grants and bonds during her tenure. Over the last year, Hillary has stayed up-to-date to become an expert on the available stimulus funding and funding streams that have rolled out due to the pandemic.

Joe Dotson

Sales Specialist, Cisco Meraki

Joe Dotson is the Meraki Sales Specialist for the states of Louisiana and Arkansas. Overseeing Public Sector accounts, he’s helped hundreds of IT professionals understand and take advantage of E-Rate, ECF, and stimulus funding. Previously, Joe worked for Cisco’s collaboration team, and is an expert in remote and hybrid work.

Tom Ryan

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Tom Ryan has recently retired from Santa Fe Public Schools, in New Mexico, as Chief Information and Strategy Officer. He has co-founded, K12 Strategic Technology Advisory Group, to assist district leaders deliver educational success with technology, which is led by experienced school technology leaders. He has expertise in strategic planning and leadership, designing digital learning environments, technology infrastructure reviews. Dr. Ryan has a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. He has served as CIO in large and very large public-school districts and has 40+ years of experience and expertise in teaching, leadership, technology integration and blended/online learning program development. He is past chair in CoSN and works with the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) performing large school district reviews and helps coordinate annual CIO conferences. Dr. Ryan is a Senior Fellow for the Center of Digital Education and presents at several international and national conferences throughout the year.

Webinar

Get the 411 on K-12 Tech Funding