Taylor Beaird is a cybersecurity professional with 10+ years of experience supporting and securing public-sector environments through end-user technology support, network engineering, and security operations. In his current role at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), Taylor focuses on cybersecurity governance, including policy development, risk management, and control oversight. He holds a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and is a CISSP-certified.

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David Bean CPA, is the chief executive officer of Governmental Accounting Research, LLC, a consulting and training firm dedicated to public sector accounting and financial reporting activities.  Prior to his retirement from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), David served as the GASB director of research and technical activities for over 30 years. Before joining the GASB, David worked in public accounting and government. He also has served as Deputy Chairman of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB). He was the lead author on the 1988 Governmental Accounting, Auditing and Financial Reporting (Blue Book) and was the founder of the GAAFR Review newsletter. He was the last director of the National Council on Governmental Accounting before the formation of the GASB in 1984. David is a licensed CPA in Illinois and member of the Government Finance Officers Association, the Illinois Government Finance Officers Associations, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society, the AGA, the National Federation of Municipal Analysts, and the Municipal Analysts Group of New York. David was inducted into the Accounting Hall of Fame in 2025 and the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT) Hall of Fame in 2021.

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Brian Blasko is a highly motivated, nationally known speaker, trainer and author.  His programs have been inspiring individual and organizational growth for over 27 years.  He is the “go to” guy when it comes to leadership, motivation, team building and personal development.  This celebrated author of 2 books Cruisin’ Through Life At 35 MPH and Sending Signals, has a Masters Degree in interpersonal communication, collegiate-level teaching experience, and is a member of the National Speakers Association. Every year clients throughout the country depend on Brian to re-charge their organization and employees.  Always the fun communicator, his contagious energy encourages others to feel comfortable about themselves and their personal development.  Brian’s message rings true with organizations and audiences of all shapes and sizes. Driven by his sincere interest in others, and a genuine passion for public speaking, Brian enthusiastically invites you to discover and maximize your own personal potential!

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Michael L. Brand is currently a member in the firm of BMSS, LLC working out of their Huntsville, AL office with an emphasis in auditing and accounting services, peer review, litigation support, and quality management. He has been in the practice of public accounting for over 34 years. Mike is a member of the AICPAs Audit Standards Board and was formerly a member of the AICPA’s PCPS Technical Issues Committee, is a past chair of the Alabama Society of CPAs Board of Directors; past co-chair of the AICPA’s ENGAGE conference; and past chair and current member of the steering committee for National Advanced Accounting and Auditing Technical Symposium at ENGAGE. He serves as a committee member of the Partners in Peer Review of the ASCPA, and the AICPAs Attestation Standards Task Force.  He also serves on the Accounting Advisory Council for the University of North Alabama. Previously, he was chair of the Accounting and Review Services Committee, on the Professional Ethics Executive Committee, Peer Review Board, Joint Trial Board, and Quality Control Standards Task Force of the AICPA.

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Stu Collins Stu Collins is an experienced technology professional with nearly 30 years of service at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, where he has built a distinguished career in network security and infrastructure. After beginning his academic journey at The Ohio State University with a degree in Music Education, he later earned a Computer Science degree from Franklin University. His early technical experience began at Ohio State’s CIS department, where he worked as a student and discovered his passion for computing. Stu began his professional career at CompuServe before joining the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation as a Unix System Administrator. Over the years, he transitioned into firewall administration and network security, roles that allowed him to deepen his expertise in safeguarding enterprise environments. His dedication and technical leadership ultimately led him to the position of Network Security Architect, where he continues to shape and strengthen the Bureau’s security posture. Outside of work, Stu enjoys playing volleyball, participating in church life, and cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes.

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Melinda DeCorte has over 27 years of accounting, auditing and government financial management experience. She directs, manages, and serves in a quality assurance capacity for financial statement audit engagements conducted in accordance with Government Auditing Standards (GAS). She also has extensive advisory experience for multiple governmental agencies, primarily focusing on internal controls and risk assessments, financial statement preparation, financial system implementation, and evaluating agencies for audit readiness and compliance with internal control standards and generally accepted accounting principles. In addition to client engagements, Melinda’s corporate leadership roles include serving on the Sikich Board of Managers, and as the leader for government audit services. Ms. DeCorte is an active member of AGA and assumed the role of AGA National President in July 2026. She previously served on the National Governing Board as a Director for Chapters (Area 3) from July 2019 through June 2022 and as Chair of the AGA’s Professional Ethics Board from July 2019 through June 2022. Melinda was named on Forbes inaugural list of America’s Top 200 CPAs. Prior to her career in public accounting, Melinda served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army, Finance Corps.

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Kenneth Dieffenbach was appointed as the Executive Director of the Pandemic Response Accountability (PRAC) in June 2024. He brings over 29 years of experience in the oversight community and has served in various roles related to investigations and data analytics with the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Energy. He is particularly passionate about grant fraud and fraud prevention and the fact that today’s oversight challenges require new and innovative approaches. As Executive Director, Mr. Dieffenbach leads the PRAC’s efforts with its 20-member federal Inspectors General to support and coordinate comprehensive oversight of the over $5 trillion in pandemic relief funding and fraud prevention and detection in programs funded in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.  

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James H. Flett IV serves as Deputy General Counsel for the Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA), where he provides legal counsel in support of the agency's audit and special investigation functions. He provides legal support to investigators examining potential fraud, misuse of public funds, and financial misconduct by Indiana public officials and governmental entities. He also collaborates with the Indiana Attorney General’s Office and county prosecutors on enforcement actions following audit findings. Prior to joining the SBOA, Mr. Flett served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Hamilton County, Indiana, where he carried a high-volume felony and misdemeanor caseload as a first-chair trial attorney. His earlier career includes service as an Attorney with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, a Contract and Loan Attorney with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and an Administrative Law Judge with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University. Mr. Flett provided legal support for the SBOA's special investigation into Columbus Township Trustee Benjamin Jackson, which documented over $1.1 million in personal expenses fraudulently charged to township credit cards over an eight-year period. The SBOA's 2025 special investigation report served as the foundation for a criminal probable cause affidavit, leading to charges against Jackson and his subsequent guilty plea to 17 felonies and one misdemeanor. In January 2026, Jackson was sentenced to 28 years in prison and ordered to pay $1,123,334.27 in restitution, one of the most significant public corruption sentences in recent Indiana history.

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Dr. Jeremy Graves ignites minds and empowers organizations to unlock the hidden potential of their multi-generational teams. As Dean of the College of Business and Innovation and Director of the Center for Executive Leadership at Ohio Christian University, he leads innovative, high-impact programs that equip today’s leaders with tools to thrive in the evolving workplace. A sought-after keynote speaker and author, Jeremy has written three acclaimed books: Leading Across Generations (2018), The Leader Paradox (2023), and Change Leadership (2024), which provide practical frameworks for navigating intergenerational dynamics, advancing servant leadership, and leading through transformation. Jeremy’s passion lies in creating learning environments where diverse perspectives can fuel innovation and where leaders are equipped not only to manage change but to lead it with integrity and purpose. His training and consulting work spans industries and continents, helping organizations from startups to Fortune 500 companies build stronger cultures through intergenerational collaboration, servant leadership, and strategic adaptability. Beyond his professional pursuits, Jeremy and his wife now reside in Columbus, Ohio. Jeremy is a proud season ticket holder for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and they both enjoy all the city has to offer. Their older son, Jordan, is a fifth-grade teacher in Boise, Idaho, and their younger son, Taylor, is a motorcycle fabricator in Boise, Idaho.

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Joe Lombardi

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John Manilla is a Partner in Crowe’s Public Sector Consulting practice, where he leads artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and enablement. With over 18 years of experience across the financial services and public sector industries, John brings deep expertise in regulatory compliance and has successfully supported a wide range of complex client engagements. He is both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Project Management Professional (PMP). Additionally, from the Project Management Institute, John has earned his PMI Certified Professional in Managing AI (PMI-CPMAI). He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Grand Valley State University. John is a recognized speaker on the topic of generative AI and has delivered presentations for national organizations including NASACT, NGMA, and The IIA.

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Joe Mariani leads the emerging technologies research program for Deloitte’s Center for Government Insights. His research focuses on quantifying the factors that influence successful technology adoption. Joe has testified before Congress on the impact of emerging technology on government and teaches courses on AI in government at the University of Maryland. His work has appeared in several national media publications and academic journals. Joe serves in several other roles including as board member of the National Defense Industrial Association’s special operations division, and more. His previous experience includes work as a consultant to defense and intelligence organizations, high school science teacher, and Marine Corps intelligence officer.

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Danny Martinez, CPA, CGFM, is a Partner with Cherry Bekaert Advisory and a leader in the firm’s Government and Public Sector CFO Advisory practice. He has nearly two decades of experience helping state and local governments implement new accounting standards and translate complex GASB requirements, including GASB 103, into practical, actionable guidance. Danny is a frequent national speaker on governmental accounting, financial reporting, and finance modernization.

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Stacie Massey is Deputy Director of Grants and Financial Reporting at the Ohio Office of Budget and Management. Stacie has over twenty-five years of public sector experience in previous roles at the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, Ohio Auditor of State, Ohio Department of Public Safety, and Ohio Emergency Management Agency. In her current role within the state’s budget office, Stacie oversees the Financial Reporting team which is responsible for the State’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the Ohio Grants Partnership which serves as a resource to the Ohio grants community. She was the recipient of the National Grants Management Association’s 2021 Public Sector Impact Award and is currently an officer on their Board of Directors. Stacie has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from The Ohio State University and a Master of Business Administration from Ashland University.  She is a Certified Government Financial Manager and a Certified Grants Management Specialist.

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Lexie Meade serves as the CyberOhio Administrator, where she leads the State of Ohio’s comprehensive cybersecurity initiative. In this role, she oversees day-to-day operations and drives the program’s strategic vision, advancing a whole-of-state approach to strengthen cybersecurity resilience across government, critical infrastructure, academia, and the private sector. She leads statewide efforts to enhance cyber readiness by building cross-sector partnerships, coordinating with state agencies and local governments, and engaging federal and industry stakeholders. Her work focuses on expanding cybersecurity capabilities, promoting collective defense, and aligning resources to support Ohio’s broader cybersecurity ecosystem. Previously, Meade served as Deputy Director of CyberOhio, where she led communications, outreach, and stakeholder engagement efforts, elevating cybersecurity awareness and strengthening partnerships across the state. Before joining CyberOhio, Meade held several roles in the Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, including Policy Associate for Public Safety. In that role, she oversaw policy coordination across multiple state agencies, including the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Ohio Adjutant General’s Office, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, and the Ohio Department of Youth Services. She managed a broad public safety and criminal justice portfolio, advising on issues ranging from emergency management and homeland security to policing, corrections, reentry, and youth justice, while serving as a key liaison between the Governor’s Office, Cabinet leadership, and external stakeholders. Meade earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice & Public Affairs from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor at Capital University Law School.

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Robert Muse-Myers is a Senior AI Consultant at Crowe in the firm's Forward Deployed Engineering team, where he helps organizations move from AI curiosity to AI capability. Based in Indianapolis, Robert works with clients ranging from mid-market companies to Fortune 500 enterprises across industries, guiding them through AI strategy, enablement, and custom solution development. Whether the right first step is education, a proof of concept, or a full production build, Robert meets organizations where they are and helps them get to where AI can actually change how they work. Before joining Crowe Studio full-time, Robert spent nearly four years in Crowe's public sector consulting practice as a business analyst and project manager, supporting large-scale systems implementations across the Power Platform and Salesforce ecosystems. He brings that delivery discipline into every AI engagement today. Robert is a self-described AI enthusiast who stays at the edge of what's possible and spends most of his time helping others get there too.

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Chris Sargent is a Financial Manager in the Financial Support Services Section of the Office of Budget and Management, where he plays a key role in supporting sound fiscal operations and strategic financial oversight. With a strong background in state government, Chris has built a diverse portfolio of experience, having worked across five different agencies within the state of Ohio. His cross-agency perspective provides valuable insight into public sector financial management and operational efficiency. Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Ohio Dominican University. He is committed to public service and brings a practical, solutions-oriented approach to his work. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Chris enjoys spending time with his family, supporting his children in their athletic pursuits, and staying active through cycling.

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Travis Strong is a Principal in the Rea Information Services practice at Rea & Associates. With nearly 20 years of experience, he helps organizations understand and manage cybersecurity risk and brings a practical, solutions-oriented approach to strengthen their security posture. His work spans key areas of cybersecurity including risk management, security program design, incident preparedness, and translating technical challenges into clear business‑level insights. Travis is known for making cybersecurity practical, approachable, and aligned with organizational goals.

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Tony Tertuliani

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Cole Wesley

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Susan Willeke is an accomplished government-relations professional with more than 34 years’ experience in public affairs, communication, and public speaking.  Susan joined the Ohio Ethics Commission in 2005 as the Training and Communications Manager where she oversees and conducts educational and communication outreach.  In that position, Susan presents approximately 200 speeches annually, develops information strategies regarding agency programs, and represents the Ethics Commission to Ohio citizens, the media, and the Ohio legislature.

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Josh Winfrey is the Executive Director for the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers (NASACT). Josh is responsible for NASACT business operations, events, and advocating for the interests of the membership at the national level. NASACT is a professional organization whose mission is to assist state financial leaders to enhance and promote effective and efficient management of governmental resources.

Josh has a BS degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky, an MBA from Kentucky State University, and is a CPA. He enjoys spending time with his wife and 11-year-old son disc golfing, playing board games, or whatever his son is into in any given week.