Gov Tech Today

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, host Jennifer Seha talks with longtime public-sector consultants Heide Cassidy and Eugene Martinez about why government IT procurement—especially in California—so often feels slow, expensive, and overly burdensome. They argue that the system is built for checks and balances, but growing complexity, centralized control, and shifting definitions of “success” drive...

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss how California government transitions affect thousands of gubernatorial appointees and the broader technology landscape, especially with an uncertain governor’s race and early “lame duck” dynamics. They use the departure of longtime state technology leader Liana Bailey Crimmins and the arrival of a new state CIO as a...

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss common private-sector sales behaviors that can offend or erode credibility with government clients. They argue titles matter (e.g., “Vice President of Capture” feels cringey), caution against pushing “land and expand” too early, and warn that ghosting after a contract—often driven by commission and renewal structures...

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss Engage California, a virtual suggestion box run by California’s Office of Data and Innovation and previously outlined by Director Jeffrey Marino. Drawing on more than 1,400 employee comments, they highlight top themes: digitizing paper-heavy workflows (including replacing PDFs and wet signatures), automating repetiti...

Gov Tech Today hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha recap this year’s RSA cybersecurity conference in San Francisco, noting the event’s commercial scale and a smaller, dedicated public-sector track. Key takeaways include how “agentic AI” is moving from buzzword to reality, with public agencies urged to treat AI agents like users—requiring identity and access controls, least-privilege permissions...

On this episode of Govtech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha examine how global disruption and an AI-driven hardware boom are colliding with government procurement realities. They discuss how rapid supplier price spikes and delivery uncertainty strain California’s fixed price schedules—often locked for six months—creating delayed quotes, uncompetitive bids, and the risk that vendors st...

What happens when cybersecurity is no longer the No. 1 priority for state CIOs? On this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha break down the National Association of State CIOs (NASCIO) annual Top 10 list for 2026—and the major shakeup that put AI, including generative and agentic AI and machine learning, at the top for the first time in more than a decade.  00:00 Welcom...

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha dive into a new trend in government contracting: transforming maintenance and operations (M&O) into modernization opportunities. They examine how traditional M&O contracts are increasingly including system improvement requirements, effectively shifting from simple maintenance to significant technological upgrades. This appro...

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha delve into the recently released governor's budget, focusing on its implications for technology initiatives. They discuss the significant role of AI, legacy system updates, and the governor's approach to AI regulation. The duo also explores state procurement changes, including the growing use of RFI2 and the introduction of climat...

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha dive into the complexities of government transitions, focusing on Governor Newsom's last year in office and the implications for gubernatorial appointees and vendors. The conversation explores the nuances between career civil servants and those appointed from private sectors. They also discuss the ongoing AI regulation at th...

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss the recent updates to terms and conditions for IT contracts released by the California Department of Technology (CDT) and the Department of General Services (DGS). The new regulations aim to simplify the contracting process by consolidating three sets of cloud provisions into one and introducing a cap on vendor liabi...

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss a significant rulemaking process initiated by the Department of General Services (DGS) to change small business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) procurement processes. They examine the new statutory mandate requiring 25% of state spending to go to small businesses and 3% to DVBEs. Jennifer highlights t...

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, host engages with Jeffrey Marino, Director of the California Office of Data and Innovation (ODI), to discuss his journey from data journalism to government service. They delve into government use of data during the COVID-19 crisis, the challenges of data analytics in state systems, and the mission of ODI to enhance service delivery through technology and human-ce...

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha delve into the evolving landscape of AI regulation. Analyzing California's legislative actions, they discuss major bills such as SB 53 (Wiener) and AB 316 (Krell) that impact AI transparency and liability. They provide insights into the federal and state regulatory approaches and predict future legislative trends, offering a...

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, host Jennifer Saha sits down with Amy Tong, Senior Counselor to the Governor of California, to discuss groundbreaking efforts in government efficiency and transformation. Tong shares insights about her role and the state's 'E3' initiative, which stands for Efficient, Effective, and Engaged government. With a focus on challenges ranging from budget constraints to...

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, host Jennifer Saha welcomes Mike Hussey, former state CIO of Utah, who shares his transition from 30 years in state government to a pivotal role in the private sector with Oracle. Mike discusses the intricacies of balancing public service exigencies with private sector dynamism, especially in the context of emerging AI technologies. Listen in as they delve into t...

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, host Jennifer Saha speaks with James Regan, a recent transitioner from the public to the private sector. Regan shares insights from his extensive career in various roles in California state government, focusing on data management, pandemic response, and talent development in the age of AI. Now at Clutch Consulting, he discusses the importance of human-centered de...

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, we welcome Adam Silver, chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). Adam explains the role of the FPPC as the state's political and ethics watchdog, overseeing campaign finance, lobbying rules, and conflicts of interest. We explore how the FPPC is pioneering the use of emerging technologies, from early adoption of Salesforce to current ini...

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss a new executive order issued by the governor aimed at enhancing government operations' efficiency and effectiveness. They explore the role of AI in streamlining processes such as hiring and procurement, and the formation of a committee of business leaders, known as the California Breakthrough Project, to advise on th...

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, we delve into the critical intersection of government and private sector efforts in cybersecurity. Jennifer Saha speaks with Bailey Bickley, Chief of Defense Industrial Base at NSA Cybersecurity Collaboration Center, and Snehal Antani, CEO of Horizon3.ai, about how they're transforming the landscape of pen testing and threat intelligence sharing. Learn about NSA'...

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha explore the fast-moving advancements in AI technology and the concurrent legislative and regulatory efforts attempting to keep pace. They discuss a mysterious federal provision to preclude state regulation of AI that was swiftly eliminated by an overwhelming 99 to 1 vote. The episode also delves into California's proactive s...

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha dive deep into the nuances of initial meetings between vendors and state agencies. They discuss the importance of thorough preparation, the significance of understanding and addressing specific pain points, and techniques for building trust through personal connections. Key insights from experienced professionals, including...

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha dive into the California Department of Technology’s (CDT) new Security Operations Center (SOC) as a service offering. They discuss how this centralized security operation aims to support state departments and local agencies with 24/7 monitoring and threat detection. The conversation explores the competitive landscape for SOC...

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha delve into the complexities of the California state budget, addressing its implications for technology and state workers. They discuss the potential paradox of a budget deficit alongside increasing technology investment, emphasizing the critical need for tech advancements in a fiscal downturn. Key topics include the ongoing...

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, we dive deep into the innovative approaches CAL FIRE is taking to manage wildfires. Jennifer Saha sits down with Ben Rogers, Chief Technology Officer at CAL FIRE, as he shares his unique journey from the UK private sector to his pivotal role in California's firefighting efforts. They discuss the department’s strategic focus on technology, data management, and pub...