Education Committee Spotlight

Chad Williamson is the Sr. Systems Engineer at Texas Health Benefits Pool, bringing over 27 years of experience in the IT field. He began his career at IBM, where he designed and configured token ring networks for various labs at the Austin, TX campus.

With a strong foundation in the financial industry and more than 16 years in the healthcare sector, Chad specializes in implementing security-based solutions in compliance with federal regulations and in designing networks and systems that adhere to industry standards.

Chad was introduced to TAGITM in 2019, attended his first conference in 2021, and joined the Education Committee in 2022.

 

Steve Leblond is the Enterprise Technology Officer for the City of Frisco. Before assuming this role, he was the MIS Manager. Steve's career with the city began as a Technical Support Specialist. Prior to joining the city, he worked for a school district in the metroplex, where he held the position of Network Manager.

Steve's professional journey started in desktop support, progressing through various technical roles and eventually incorporating business aspects as his career advanced. In addition to his current role with the city, he completed his bachelor’s degree from UNT a year ago and is now pursuing an MBA in Information Technology at the same institution. His educational objective is to complete his PhD within the next 3-4 years.

He is also dedicated to educating others about technology, both within the city and externally. As part of this commitment, he serves as a Regional Leader for Microsoft’s Global Community Initiative program.

Steve's involvement with TAGITM began approximately 3-4 years ago, initiated by the city's participation in the program. In his first year, he presented at the annual conference. Since then, he has been a member of the Education Committee, which aligns with his passion for helping people with technology and promoting the city's technological advancements. Being on the Education Committee allows him to contribute to shaping and developing content for the annual conferences and regional summits. It gives him the opportunity to cross many paths and impact some many areas that help him be able to give back in a way that does not seem or feel like work. "Put simply," says Steve, "I love what I do."

Keshnel Penny is the Chief Information Officer for the City of Grand Prairie, Texas. His career began with service in the U.S. Army, where he built a strong foundation in discipline, technology, and leadership. He later joined the City as a Software Developer, advanced to Manager of Public Safety Technology, and now serves as CIO.

Keshnel became involved with TAGITM shortly after stepping into the CIO role, seeking opportunities to grow his knowledge and professional network. What started with conference attendance quickly turned into active engagement. He has since served on the Cybersecurity Committee, the Education Committee, and participates in data sharing initiatives and the Listserv community.

Passionate about leveraging technology to enhance municipal services, Keshnel is proud to support TAGITM’s mission of collaboration and professional growth.