It’s a multiple cloud, hybrid world now

Laura Kurup is a technology leader who is driving digital transformation efforts at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Laura helped the agency launch its first-ever Technology Strategic Plan, develop a cloud adoption strategy, and introduce a collaborative framework for data management. Laura works with business divisions across the SEC to help front-line staff take full advantage of new digital technologies and deliver on the agency’s mission. Laura believes that focusing on agile, open source, and user-centered design principles can build the capacity for innovation in government. Laura is trained as a web developer and data scientist, and has been recognized as a Federal Computer Week “Federal 100” recipient for her leadership in data visualization and web modernization efforts. Before joining the SEC, Laura worked for the State of Missouri, where she leveraged technology to transform the government experience for voters, investors, and small businesses.

Adviser to the CIO in planning and coordination of IT vision, strategy, architecture and innovation management

23+ years of experience in Information Technology, including Enterprise Architecture, Solution Architecture, IT Transformation, Enterprise Modernization, Cloud Computing, Emerging Technologies

Certifications:
ITIL® V3, PMP, COBIT 5, CSPO, Sun Certifications, Oracle Certifications

Debbie Stephens joined the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in June of 2006, as the director of its Office of Data Management. She then joined the agency’s Office of Patent Information Management as an associate Commissioner. She was then appointed as Deputy Chief Information Officer in April of 2019.

Steve Prescott is an Executive Program Director in the Oracle Public Sector organization, working with executives in US federal, state, and local government agencies, Canadian government agencies, and higher education institutions. Since joining Oracle in 2004, Steve has worked with public sector organizations on the use of cloud computing and onpremise technologies to help each agency accomplish its core mission. Recent engagements have included organizations such as the US State Department, International Monetary Fund, and the New York State Office of the Attorney General.

Steve’s focus lies in three areas:
- Enterprise Architecture: The big picture solution to a mission requirement
- Transition Planning: How to migrate to better solutions (cloud + on-premise)
- Business Value: The financial and operational benefits of a solution

Examples have included:
- Financial Review Modernization: As an outgrowth of the 2008/2009 housing financials crisis, examined systems the US government used to review mortgages and identified ways to streamline and strengthen the financial review process.
- Transportation Modernization: As part of the FAA’s NextGen modernization program, gathered and published industry input on best practices to share information among applications via a service-oriented-architecture IT ecosystem.
- Cloud Roadmap Planning: Helped agencies including FDA, DHS, and the National Academy of Sciences evaluate the best migration strategy for a portfolio of on-premise technologies to a new hybrid cloud ecosystem.
- Enterprise Licensing: Reduced agency IT costs via a comprehensive analysis of software needs and identified the most cost-effective package to meet those needs

Prior to joining Oracle, Steve held positions at Google, Lockheed Martin, and Gartner Group – in all cases helping customers plan and execute IT transformation initiatives. Steve has led technology teams for 30 years, leading the software development teams for such projects as the E-ZPass toll collection system and GPS-based navigation software. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University in Computer Science and lives in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Tom Temin has been the host of the Federal Drive since 2006. Tom has been reporting on and providing insight to technology markets for more than 30 years. Prior to joining Federal News Radio, Tom was a long-serving editor-in-chief of Government Computer News and Washington Technology magazines. Tom also contributes a regular column on government information technology.