Speaker Bios
Ryan Gillis, Vice President, Cybersecurity Strategy and Global Policy
Palo Alto Networks
Ryan works with governments, companies and organizations around the world to develop and implement strategies, policies and operational partnerships that prevent successful cyberattacks. He oversees the company’s involvement in public-private cybersecurity exercises, and is responsible for expanding cyberthreat information sharing relationships with various government organizations. Additionally, Ryan leads the company’s global public policy efforts and oversees government affairs around the world. Prior to joining Palo Alto Networks, Ryan spent nearly 15 years in government, and with technology and defense companies. Most recently, Ryan served as a cybersecurity official on the U.S. National Security Council staff at the White House, and more than a decade in various positions across the Department of homeland Security during both Republican and Democratic administrations. Ryan is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the World Economic Forum’s expert network supporting the growth of a secure and reliable Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). In 2016, he also served on the CSIS Cyber Policy Task Force to develop recommendations for the incoming U.S. administration, and on the U.S.- Australia Diplomatic Track 1.5 Cyber Dialogue. Ryan is an elected member of the executive committee of the U.S. Information Technology Sector Coordinating Council. He is also a recipient of the National Security Council’s Outstanding Service Award,” and the 2017 Federal Computer Week “Fed 100” award. Ryan is a graduate of Georgetown University.
Maria Roat*, Deputy Federal Chief Information Officer
U.S. Office of Management and Budget
Maria is the Deputy Federal Chief Information Officer in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of the Chief Information Officer. She was previously the Small Business Administration Chief Information Officer, and served at the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Transportation in a number of technology leadership positions. Maria began her career in the United States Navy as a Data Processing Technician and later worked for the Department of the Navy in various technology and engineering positions. She was in the private sector for 5 years deploying and managing global enterprise technology programs. Maria retired from the U.S. Navy in 2007, with 26 years of active duty and reserve service, in which she obtained the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer, Information Systems Technician.
Maria is a graduate of the University of Maryland earning a Bachelor of Arts in Information Systems Management, Harvard Business School Executive Education Program for Leadership Development, and the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy.
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Richard Spires, Former Chief Information Officer
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Past Chairman of the Board
ACT-IAC
Richard A. Spires is currently an independent consultant providing advice to companies and government agencies in strategy, digital transformation, operations, and business development.
Mr. Spires currently serves on the Board of Directors of MAXIMUS Federal, a leading federal system integrator, and RateReset Corporation, a leading provider of loan reset products serving the banking and credit union industries. He also serves on the Palo Alto Networks Public Sector Advisory Council, MetroStar Systems Advisory Board, and he recently served as the Chairman of the board of ACT-IAC, a leading non-profit organization serving government IT.
Mr. Spires recently published the book Success in the Technology Field, a practical “how-to” guide for a career in technology. It presents a holistic model, incorporating skills and behaviors that help you define and attain your career goals, whether you aspire to be an executive, a leading technologist, or a successful product salesperson.
Mr. Spires served, from 2015 to early 2020, as the CEO and a Director of Learning Tree, International, a leading provider of workforce development and hands-on IT and management training services.
Mr. Spires was appointed and served as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Chief Information Officer (CIO) from 2009 till 2013. Mr. Spires also served as the Vice-Chairman of the Federal Government CIO Council and the Co-Chairman of the Committee for National Security Systems (CNSS), the committee that sets standards for the US Government’s classified systems.
Mr. Spires held a number of positions at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from 2004 through 2008. He served as the Deputy Commissioner for Operations Support, having overall responsibility for the key support and administrative functions for the IRS. Mr. Spires served as the IRS’ CIO, with overall strategic and operational responsibility for a $2 billion budget and a 7,000-person organization. Mr. Spires led the IRS’s Business Systems Modernization program for two and half years, one of the largest and most complex information technology modernization efforts ever undertaken.
Mr. Spires has won a number of awards for his leadership in IT, to include the 2020 ACT-IAC Industry Executive Leadership Award, 2012 Fed 100 Government Executive Eagle Award, and TechAmerica’s 2012 Government Executive of the Year. He was inducted into the George Washington University Engineering Hall of Fame in 2019 and named a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Engineering in 2006.
Mr. Spires received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a B.A. in Mathematical Sciences from the University of Cincinnati. He also holds a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the George Washington University.
Beth Killoran*, Deputy CIO
GSA
Ms. Beth Killoran currently serves as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Prior to joining GSA, Beth served as the CIO for the Department of Health and Human Services since November 2015. At HHS, she also served as the acting Deputy Chief Information Officer (2015) and as Executive Director for the Office of IT Strategy, Policy and Governance (2014). Prior to joining HHS, she served 11 years at the Department of Homeland Security in a number of IT leadership roles in different parts of the organization including Under Secretary for Management, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Citizenship and Immigration Service and Customs and Border Protection. She started her federal career at the Department of the Treasury, U.S. Customs Service provided IT infrastructure management. During her tenure, she provided IT operational support in response to the 9/11 and Oklahoma City bombing events. Beth holds a Master of Science in Technology Management from University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a certificate in Personnel Management from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
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