NASCIO Voices

Alex and Amy are joined by NASCIO Policy Analyst Kalea Young-Gibson to talk about IT Accessibility making it into the State CIO Survey for the first time and what is driving this issue as a priority for states. We also discuss the foundational ways states are collaborating with local goverments.

Alex and Amy discuss findings from the 2025 State CIO Survey on how states use and governance of generative artificial intelligence has evolved since the 2024 survey. 

Alex and Amy are joined by NASCIO's director of experience and engagement, Emily Lane, to talk about the upcoming NASCIO Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado. Learn about keynotes, networking, sessions and events!

For our 150th episode, Alex and Amy are joined by North Dakota state CIO Corey Mock. We discuss how Corey's unique background as a young state legislator led him to the role of state CIO, how ND worked with different agencies to established the ND Gateway for businesses to have a more seamless government experience, what is on the horizon and how he survives the apparently brutal ND winters!

Alex and Amy are joined by NASCIO policy analyst Kalea Young-Gibson to chat about her new report Beyond Compliance: The Economic Case for Digital Accessibility. We also get a new government affairs update from Alex.

Amy and Alex talk about Amy's experience last week hosting guests from the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program in Lexington on behalf of NASCIO and Alex gives an update on federal affairs. Plus we talk about all the major pop culture news of the last couple of weeks. 

Amy and Alex are joined by NASICO President and Texas state CIO Amanda Crawford to discuss her president's initiative around state IT procurement and the report that was released last week. NASCIO held a number of listening sessions between state and corporate members to learn about procurement pain points and how to to avoid them. See the report here: https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/2025-presidents-initiative-demystifying-state-technology-procurement/

Chris Rein stops by the NASCIO Voices podcast to talk about his initiatives in New Jersey. We talk about updating infrastructure, balancing innovation with AI and citizen concerns, his advice for new CIOs and he tells us the most "New Jersey" thing about himself.

Amy and Alex are joined by Georgia state CIO Shawnzia Thomas. We talk about her four years at GTA and how AI has changed the work of the organization during that time. We also talk about her other priorities in the state and her favorite thing to buy for $10.

Alex and Amy are joined by NCSL's Legislative Director Barrie Tabin to talk about the proposed federal 10-year moratorium on states regulating AI. We discuss why our two organizations are working together to oppose the proposal as well as our work around preserving the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. Plus we look ahead to some fun summer plans.https://www.nascio.org/press-releases/nascio-statement-on-efforts-to-prevent-state-enforcement-of-ai-laws-for-ten-years/

Amy and Alex are joined by NASCIO policy analyst Kalea-Young Gibson to talk about her new report, Unlocking Potential: Empowering Re-entry Through Cybersecurity Training. The cybersecurity workforce gap is growing—and so is the urgency to find new solutions. In this episode, we explore an unexpected yet promising approach: training incarcerated individuals for careers in cybersecurity. With hundreds of thousands reentering society each year and many struggling to find stable employment, prison-based vocational programs could help fill critical roles, reduce recidivism, and diversify the field. In our lightening round we all talk about our favorite thing about NASCIO Midyear--and there's even a blooper at the end. Find the report here: https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/unlocking-potential-empowering-reentry-through-cybersecurity-training/

Goodbye to National Harbor, hello to Philadelphia. Alex and Amy are joined again by NASCIO's director of experience and engagement, Emily Lane to talk all about what we can expect at the NASCIO Midyear Conference coming up in Philadelphia. We talk about programming changes, a new city, themes and apps Emily just can't live without!

Today Alex fills us in on the recent hearing on the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program and the testimony from Utah CIO Alan Fuller and CT CIO Mark Raymond. We also talk about making our homes more energy efficient and the new publication coming out on privacy.Find the recording and testimony here: https://homeland.house.gov/hearing/cybersecurity-is-local-too-assessing-the-state-and-local-cybersecurity-grant-program/

Today Alex and Amy are joined by Waldo Jaquith with US Digital Response to discuss a new joint publication on improving the RFP process with a simple summary sheet.We also discuss the importance of user research and who would play us in a movie. See the report and summary sheet template here: https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/improving-rfps-with-user-research-how-summary-sheets-can-improve-solicitations/

Alex and Amy talk with Bryan Zaczek who works as a principal data scientist with the state of Indiana's Management Performance Hub. Bryan walks us through the art of prompt engineering to get better answers from generative AI tools. We also talk about how we are using GenAI in our personal lives!

Today Amy and Alex talk about how the federal funding freeze might affect the Cybersecurity Grant Program and state IT offices. Plus Amy tells Alex about what she learned about the Japanese local government system, their workforce challenges that look a lot like ours and what she was most impressed by in her recent trip to Japan representing NASCIO.

NASCIO's 2025 federal advocacy priorities are released! Alex gives us the rundown. https://www.nascio.org/government-affairs/federal-advocacy-priorities/Kalea Young-Gibson, NASICO's policy analyst also joins to give us an overview of the DOJ final rule for accessibility for state and local government websites and apps.

Alex, Amy and Meredith from the NASCIO team disucss our predictions for the trends that will affect cybersecurity, privacy, AI, enterprise architecture, workforce and DC. We also give our pets some new year's resolutions.

Amy and Alex are joined by Eric Sweden, program director for enterprise architecture and governance with NASCIO, for our annual NASCIO Top Ten episode. Come for the data, stay for Eric's Christmas medly on the guitar! Eric tells us all about what's on these lists for 2025, how the lists have changed over the years and what's staying consistent. Top 10

Find out where we've been, what we did and all we accomplished as a community in our episode wrapping up the year at NASCIO. Alex and Amy have a conversation covering our events, publications, awards, advocacy priorites and some fun things too. And yes, they tell you what was on their Spotify Wrapped lists too.

Alex and Amy are joined this week by NASCIO's deputy executive director Meredith Ward and Deloitte's Srini Subramanian to talk about the 2024 Deloitte-NASCIO Cybersecurity Study. We talk about the changing role of the state CISO, why budget woes are back and how CISO's are handling generative AI. Come for the great cyber content, stay for the seven minute lightening round where we talk about what they would  be doing if they weren't in technology and what tech they can't live without.Find the report here: https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/2024-deloitte-nascio-cybersecurity-study/

Today Amy and Alex talk about the new NASCIO report on how states are using generative AI. This was a President's Initiative Report spearheaded by the past year's President Jim Weaver, North Carolina's state CIO.Find out key findings from the report such as:The role of the state CIO when it comes to generative AIThe most common business practices for generative AI in the statesWhy some states aren't using it moreNASCIO's recommendations for statesTrends we expect to see over the next five yearsYou can find the report at nascio.org/resource-centerThe other report mentioned is: Data Quality--Vital to Optimizing GenAI: A survey of State Chief Information Officers and Chief Data Officers.

Amy and Alex sit down with Texas State CIO and Executive Director (and NASCIO's new president!) Amanda "Mandy" Crawford to talk about her involvement with NASCIO over the years, her priorities in Texas and her thoughts on a presidential initiative. And of course, in our Lightening Round we also hear about her thoughts on fall, hobbies and Halloween plans.

Fresh off the NASCIO Annual Conference, Amy and Alex use the magic of Notebook LM to give us an audio overview of the NASCIO 2024 State CIO Survey. Hear how this AI tool summarizes the main ideas in the survey and even plays up this year's "building blocks" theme.Read the survey for yourself here: https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/the-2024-state-cio-survey/

It's time for the NASCIO Annual Conferece preview episode with our own director of experience and engagement, Emily Lane.We'll be getting together very soon in The Big Easy! Find out what to wear for the Awards and Recognition Dinner, what you'll learn in the learning lounges and who our keynote speakers are. Plus, you'll learn how to hear directly from state CIOs and where to charge your phone and network. 

This week we are joined by NASCIO's program director for enterprise architecture and governance, Eric Sweden and EY's Chris Estes on a new joint publication between NASCIO and EY called Data Quality--Vital to optimizing GenAI: A Survey of State Chief Information Officers and Chief Data Officers. We discuss what's in the report, data management and the first historical event we can remember!https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/data-quality-vital-to-optimizing-genai-a-survey-of-state-chief-information-officers-and-chief-data-officers/

Amy and Alex talk about the Summer Series guest list and discuss upcoming NASCIO events and publications. Plus they discuss what they did this summer and their work goals for the fall.

Amy talks with Nate Denny, Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Equity for the North Carolina Department of Information Technology. We talk about the direct impact he and his team have on the ability of North Carolina citizens to get the resources they need in 2024.

Alex and Amy talk with Julia Fischer, Maryland DoIT's director of data services and geographic information officer. We talk all about her passion for maps, data and cartography. 

Alex and Amy are joined by Paula Calhoun who serves as the director of communications for the Georgia Technology Authority. We found out that though Paula started out in broadcast journalism, she found her true calling in government.Find the transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/704052/15328390

Bonus episode! Amy and Alex interrupt our regular summer series programming to announce a new NASCIO publication: Revolutionizing Assistance: How States Can Improve Generative AI's Role in Disability Empowerment. Author and NASCIO policy analyst Kalea-Young Gibson joins us to talk about the publication and the recommendation she thinks is most critical.

This summer we are diving into some of the lesser-known roles in state government technology. This week Amy and Alex talk with Special Projects Coordinator, Addy Newsom with Tennessee Strategic Technology Solutions. Addy also provides executive support to the Tennessee state CIO. Addy tells us how an early career pivot away from nursing led her down the path to a job she loves today and why she thought she was being punked when she was asked to interview for the job.

This summer we are diving into some of the lesser-known roles in state government technology. This week Amy and Alex talk with Chief People and Culture Officer, Lisa Jammer with the Texas Department of Information Resources. Lisa tells us how she's reinvisioning human resources in her role for the organization, the craziest work trip she's ever taken and what her plans are for the summer.

Alex and Amy talk with NASCIO Executive Director Doug Robinson about 20 years in his role, what has changed with the state CIO role, state technology and NASCIO as an organization. We talk about challenges, successes and the advice he would go back and give himself 20 years ago.  Also stay for an informative lightening round when we discuss bourbon at length!

Amy and Alex talk about all the big issues happening now on Capitol Hill along with an overview of our recent federal fly-ins. We also discuss why AI isn't much of a partisan issue and the fact that TikTok is still here even though Congress banned it.

Amy and Alex talk with our newest team member Kalea-Young Gibson, policy analyst, about her background and why she is excited to work with NASCIO. Then we are joined by NASCIO's director of experience and engagement, Emily Lane to talk all things Midyear Conference. Find out what's new, what's changing, what to get excited about and what to wear.

Alex talks with Amy about the newest NASCIO survey and report about the state chief privacy officer role, new AI responsibilities and continuing challenges around governance, funding and authority. https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/the-shifting-privacy-paradigm-state-chief-privacy-officers-evolving-roles-and-persistent-realities/Find the transcript at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/704052/14859172

Alex and Amy talk with Bryce Carter, chief information security officer for the city of Arlington, TX. We talk about the similarities in priorities between local government and state government, his relationship with the state CIO, working with the private sector and the city's partnership that will bring air taxis to Arlington!

NASCIO has a brand new report on data literacy and NASCIO's Eric Sweden joins Alex and Amy to talk about the topic which has been highlighted with the emergence of generative AI. Learn more here: https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/data-literacy-within-state-government-building-a-knowledgeable-workforce-that-knows-how-to-use-data-for-better-decisions/

Alex and Amy talk with Nevada CIO Timothy Galluzi about his newly elevated state CIO role in the governor's cabinet, generative AI, projects in 2024 and how his time in the Marine Corps prepared him for the role of state CIO. We also learn a surprising fact about him, his ideal vacation and where you should visit if you are coming to Nevada (that's not Las Vegas).Find the transcript on our podcast hosting site here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/704052/14586439

Alex and Amy talk with Heather Morton, director of financial services, technology and communications at the National Conference of State Legislatures. We talk with Heather about trends in AI legislation, how states are legislating deepfakes and the surge in privacy bills. We also learn about Heather's first job. Hint: it involved Blizzards.Find the transcript here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/704052/14496873

Alex and Amy talk with Arizona state CIO J.R. Sloan about AZ's journey into the cloud, priorities for 2024, his recent visit to D.C. and what what sport he's most likely to be watching.

Amy and Alex talk about NASCIO's 2024 federal advocacy priorities the day before they are released, why we have them and what's brand new this year. We also talk about why Alex is not technically a lobbyist and listen to a few minutes of a radio interview Amy did on artificial intelligence.

Alex and Amy talk with North Carolina state CIO and NASCIO's new president Jim Weaver on serving in three different state IT offices, his plans for 2024 and the most important traits of a state CIO.

It's that time of year again! Alex and Amy talk with NASCIO's Program Director for Enterprise Architecture and Governance, Eric Sweden about the NASCIO Top Ten lists for 2024. These lists are what state CIOs are most focused on for the year ahead. Find out the big surprises for the year (like a tie for first place!) and what's on the list for the first time ever. Find the list here once it's released: nascio.org/resource-centerFind transcript to episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/704052/14136522

Alex and Amy talk with NASCIO's most recent past president about her president's initiative report on the digital citizen experience. She also reflects on her term as president this past year.Find the report here: https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/creating-a-citizen-centric-digital-experience-how-far-have-we-come/You can find the transcript to this episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/704052/14051184

During the NASCIO Annual Conference in Minneapolis Amy and Alex interviewed nine attendees about what they think is the most exciting thing happening in technology right now. And of course we asked a fun question as well. Special thanks to Dan Wolf, Karen Sorady, Denis Goulet, Katrina Flory, Katy Ruckle, Ken Weeks, Matt Pincus, Steve Pier and Torry Crass. You can find the transcript here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/704052/13928412

Alex and Amy talk with Teri Takai of the Center for Digital Government and Dan Chenok of the IBM Center for the Business of Government about a report that they, along with NASCIO, recently authored entitled Preparing for Future Shocks in State Government: State CIOs Play an Important and Expanding Role in Resilience. The report is intended to help frame what future disruptions may look like for state CIOs and how they can effectively tackle them. In this episode, Dan and Teri give us a brief overview of the report findings.You can find the transcript on our podcast webpage here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/704052/13836791

Amy and Alex are joined by NASCIO executive director Doug Robinson who is giving us an overview of what's on the just-released NASCIO 2023 State CIO Survey. Hear how state CIOs are thinking about everything from cybersecurity and workforce to financial models and the future of the role.Find the transcript of this episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/704052/13729009You can find the survey here: https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/Episode on drones in North Carolina: https://www.buzzsprout.com/704052/5985103

Alex and Amy are joined by NASCIO's director of experience and engagement, Emily Lane. Emily gives us an over view of conference programming and all we have to look forward to in Minneapolis!Find a transcript of the episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/704052/13667370

See transcript of this episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/704052/13577144Alex and Amy talk with Cara Woodson Welch, CEO for the Public Sector HR Association about the latest 2023 survey on State and Local Workforce. We learn about trends in attracting and retaining workers, recruitment, DEI and more!See the report here: https://slge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023workforce.pdfFind PSHRA's podcast here: https://pshra.org/news-resources/public-eye-podcast/