Al Gordon serves as CEO of NSI. Mr. Gordon has helped companies successfully navigate the complexities of procurement, legislative and regulatory issues in the state and local government market. Under his leadership, NSI has helped generate over $7.3 billion in new revenue, and execute successful legislative and regulatory programs, for its clients. Mr. Gordon leads all business development efforts for NSI, building and maintaining NSI's private equity and venture capital relationships for the firm. Mr. Gordon is responsible for the private equity investment for the firm, which has contributed to significant growth and momentum for NSI, over 300 percent over the past two years.

Chris Dixon, senior manager, State and Local Industry Analysis, conducts targeted research aimed at shedding light on the state and local IT markets, and ways for vendors to capitalize on procurement opportunities. In addition to investigating, evaluating, and tracking existing state and local trends, Dixon provides strategic research, analysis, market forecasting, and opportunity analysis.

Shari Phillips is the founder and President of e2e Exchange, LLC (formerly known as E-Rate Exchange). She has specialized in E-rate funding since the program’s inception, and after 18 years of experience she has gained an unmatched understanding of E-rate strategy. Phillip's expertise has allowed her company, e2e Exchange, to become an industry leader. e2e Exchange has worked  with a variety of applicants, USAC staff, and service providers while managing over 600 applicants and processing in excess of 7,000 applications. This experience has given Phillips unparalleled knowledge of the Erate program, and of the requirements of schools and libraries in particular.   

Doug Robinson serves as executive director for the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO). Representing state CIOs and information technology executives, NASCIO is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and an advocate for information technology at all levels of government.

Robinson is responsible for the overall executive management of the association including strategic planning, policy execution, government affairs, partnerships, emerging issues, and board and committee oversight. He is a frequent speaker, panelist, and author representing NASCIO issues, state CIOs, emerging trends, and state government IT. In addition, he represents NASCIO on several national boards, committees, and advisory groups.

Commander Kirk Lippold reveals how to lead teams to manage challenges and ensure success in a complex world where financial, security and global threats are of critical concern across industry sectors.

CDR Lippold was in command of the USS Cole when it was targeted by a deadly al Qaeda terrorist attack in 2000, 11 months before 9/11. His team training prior to the attack and unflappable leadership afterwards, galvanized his crew to action, resulting in lives and the ship being saved.

A compelling storyteller, CDR Lippold draws upon his Five Pillars of Leadership to offer strategies he learned and applied to instill integrity into his team members and mitigate crises throughout his naval career. With takeaways for organizations on assessing their own successes and failures to prepare for what the future may hold, his lessons learned can make the difference when it matters most.

Jason Nelson leads Partner Engagement as Executive Director for the Smart Cities Council.  The Smart Cities Council seeks to accelerate the deployment of Smart Cities Technology for a more livable, workable, and sustainable world for all citizens.  Jason has helped grow the Council's to include Partners such as Deloitte, Toyota, Hitachi, Comcast, and more by advising companies on how best to approach city leaders with complex messages. 

Previously at FierceMarkets, Jason launched multi-platform media brands for 25 digital publications across six industries, including Telecom, Energy, Retail, Enterprise IT, Finance and Government. Jason received his BBS in Marketing with a Minor in International Business from Grand Valley State University.

Mr. Rhodes came to state government in January 2011 from Paladin Investments, a private investment company he established and served as managing partner since 2009.  Prior to starting his own firm, he worked for Fulton Paper Company for 27 years, serving most recently as executive vice president.  Previously, Mr. Rhodes held various positions within the company, including vice president of operations and chief information officer/vice president for information technology.  He began his career with the company in its procurement area.

Governor Nathan Deal named Mr. Rhodes to lead the state’s public/private partnership IT transformation and consolidation effort.  The initiative has strengthened security, modernized infrastructure and networks, improved reliability and increased transparency in the state’s IT enterprise.  Building on its successes, the state is now evolving its service delivery model to enable state agencies to more easily benefit from changes in the IT marketplace.  Mr. Rhodes and his team promote an enterprise approach to technology by establishing statewide policies, standards and guidelines based on industry best practices and federal requirements.

The state of Georgia’s leadership position in using technology to improve service delivery has been affirmed by the Center for Digital Government, which awarded the state an A- in its 2014 Digital States Survey.  Only three states scored higher than Georgia.

Mr. Rhodes is a Board member of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers and serves as its secretary-treasurer. He is also an active member of the Georgia Chief Information Leadership Association and serves on the Technology Association of Georgia’s Science and Technology Executive Committee. He was honored for his leadership by the Technology Association of Georgia in October 2015. In addition, Computerworld magazine named Mr. Rhodes a 2016 Premier 100 Technology Leader in recognition of his technology leadership and innovative approaches to business challenges. Mr. Rhodes was selected by Government Technology as one of the nation’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers for 2016 for his accomplishments using technology to improve government operations and help the public sector serve citizens more effectively.

Mr. Rhodes is a graduate of Darton State College and Georgia Southwestern University and holds a degree in computer information systems.  He also earned a master of business administration from the University of Phoenix.