Advisory Board

The Tech Tactics in Education Advisory board is a group of education technology and IT leaders who inform our event programming and help ensure we create the best possible content and professional development opportunities for attendees. Interested in getting involved? Email [email protected] for details.

Gerard Au

CIO, California State University, San Bernardino

Gerard Au has more than 19 years of progressively responsible IT experience, including leadership roles in two of California's public higher education systems (California State University and University of California). Prior his 7-year tenure at CSUSB, Au spent nearly 14 years in various roles at UCLA, as well as two years in the private industry. He is an active participant of EDUCAUSE, serving on the EDUCAUSE Top 10 IT Issues panel from 2015-2017 and as institute faculty for the association’s inaugural Senior Directors Program. He is also a graduate from the EDUCAUSE Leadership Institute. Au has demonstrated results in direction setting, managing complex projects, and improving operational efficiency, as well as implementing and managing administrative systems and instructional and distance learning technologies. His areas of expertise include higher education governance, healthcare IT, strategic IT planning, leadership, project management, cloud strategy and implementation, system design and implementation, instructional technologies, distance learning, and server migration.

Pierre Bourgeix

Chief Technology Officer and Founder, ESI Covergent, LLC

Pierre Bourgeix has spent 30+ years as a global security consultant and innovator, with a wide range of experience serving The Rand Corporation, The US State Department, ADT/Tyco Security, HySecurity, Wallace International, SecureState and BoonEdam. From a strong foundation in the physical security, barrier, gate control industry, Bourgeix’s path has grown to include electronic security, managed services security and finally, the IT and cybersecurity arena as well. He is a highly regarded thought leader in the convergence of IT, OT, and physical security and is a renowned expert in the integration of converged technology platforms, from large manufacturers to utility companies such as First Energy. He is also a subject-matter expert in the development and implementation of governance and privacy programs in IT, OT, and PS. Bourgeix holds master’s degrees in both Behavioral Education and International Business Management, with a bachelor’s in History and Political Science. He is a member of the US Naval Institute and is fluent in English, French, and Arabic.

Anthony Briscoe

Executive Director of IT, School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago

Anthony Briscoe is an education technology leader with over 25 years of IT experience and seven years in operational leadership, managing, and leading IT operations through service delivery, policy engagement, and leadership development. He is a data-informed decision-maker, focusing on diversity mentoring, QoS, IT compliance, budget administration, and overseeing projects, infrastructure, procurement, vendor, and team management. He has worked in primary education for 13 years, with prior experience as a Field Technician, Help Desk Administrator, and CRM Consultant. He is a veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve and earned a degree in Applied Management Instructional Technology, Training, and Evaluation from Northern Illinois University. He mentors aspiring IT professionals and is a performing artist in his spare time.

Kimberly Conner

IT Strategic Communications, Division of Information Technology, Texas State University

A seasoned advocate for educational equity and former practicing attorney, Kimberly Conner empowers Texas State University students, faculty, and staff to thrive in a rapidly evolving educational landscape. With expertise in IT communications strategy, Dr. Conner facilitates innovative learning opportunities and discourse forums, exploring the transformative impact of technology in higher education. Driven by a lifelong passion for educational equity, Dr. Conner is dedicated to preparing the university community for a future driven by technological advancements, where all individuals can succeed and reach their full potential.

Brian Fodrey

Senior Director, Business Innovation Office, Carnegie Mellon University

Brian Fodrey is a higher education administrator with over 15 years of experience managing and leading organizations through policy development, strategic change, and innovative solutions. He is a proven collaborator and proactive and student-focused professional with a record of campus leadership, data-driven decision making, and adapting and pursuing forward-thinking initiatives in dynamic and complex environments. Prior to his current position he served as CIO and Vice Provost for Educational Technology at Stevenson University. He earned a M.S. in Adult Learning & Organizational Performance from Drake University and M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from Kent State University.

Shelley Hinson

Director of Technology, University School of Nashville

Shelley Hinson is currently the Director of Technology for Whitby School. She has over 25 years of experience in IT instruction at both the K-12 and the university level. Shelley also has over 15 years of IT management in industry. Most recently, Shelley was one of the lead IT project managers at STC Bahrain, the largest telecommunications company in the Gulf. Shelley holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Technology from the University of Houston and has completed all Ph.D. coursework in Management Information Systems from the University of Houston.

Thomas Hoover, Ed.D.

Chief Information Officer, Louisiana Tech University, and VP of IT, University of Louisiana System

Dr. Thomas Hoover is Louisiana Tech University’s highest ranking technology executive, responsible for creating and implementing the technology vision at Louisiana Tech, and reports directly to the President. Thomas has worked in Information Technology in higher education since 1999. Prior to his current position, he served as Chief Information Officer and Dean of the Library at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and Director of Instructional Technology Support at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. Dr. Hoover was born in Southern California and has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from the University of California at Davis, a Master's in Public Policy from Pepperdine University's School of Public Policy, and a Doctor of Education in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration from Louisiana Tech University.

Patricia Kahn, Ph.D.

CIO and Assistant Vice President for Information Technology Services, College of Staten Island

Dr. Patricia Kahn has more than 25 years’ experience in technology services in both higher education and the private sector. She has provided the leadership and vision for technology in both academic and administrative areas across two- and four-year institutions. Prior to coming to the College of Staten Island, she held the position of Executive Director of Information Technology Services at Brookdale Community College and held key administrative leadership positions at Montclair State University. Her career resulted in the implementation of major technological advancements, directed activities relevant to budget planning and policy development, and led the successful implementation of distance learning initiatives. Dr. Kahn received her BS and MBA from Manhattan College, and her Ph.D. in Education from Capella University, with a concentration in Instructional Design and Online Learning.

James Mix

Assistant Director, IT Security, Stafford County Public Schools

James Mix has over a decade of experience in the IT Security field, specifically the creation of IT Security teams and processes from the ground up. He has started programs of security and risk management, incident response, and security operations at a local MSP, the SANS Institute, and now Stafford County Public Schools. Prior to his current position he has worked as a Cybersecurity Analyst and then a Security Operations Engineer at the SANS Institute. He has taken seven classes from SANS, as well as obtaining a Security+ and CISSP certification.

Neal Richardson

Director of Technology and CISO, Hillsboro-Deering School District

Neal Richardson is the Director of Technology and CISO for the Hillsboro-Deering School District in Southwest New Hampshire and a SANS Cybersecurity Difference Maker recipient. He has over 20 years of experience in Information Technology supporting high-technology industries, manufacturing, and K-12 public education. Richardson is currently a co-chair of the MS-ISAC K12 working group, a member of the K12-Six essential protections working group, the CoSN cybersecurity advisory committee, the State of New Hampshire cybersecurity planning committee, and the New Hampshire chapter of InfraGard. He has a BA from Southern New Hampshire University and holds the following cybersecurity certifications: CISSP, CISM, CDPSE, GCCC, GMOB, GCIH, GCIA, and GSEC.

Rob Snyder

Director of Analytics and Special IT Projects, Information Technology & Analytics, Ithaca College

Rob Snyder is Director of Analytics and Special IT Projects within Information Technology & Analytics at Ithaca College, where he has worked since 2018, and from where he graduated in 1992 with a degree in Music Education. In his current role, he supports the teams that deliver analytics, reporting, college-wide ERP support, internal development, and systems integrations. Rob has appeared on EDUCAUSE panel discussions, contributed to the 2022 Horizon Report on Data and Analytics, and authored the companion EDUCAUSE implications paper for Enterprise Systems Analytics. Prior to the college, Rob led the design and development of software in the retirement industry, worked on large systems computing with IBM, and taught computer science, systems administration, and networking in the SUNY system.

Louis Tullo

Chief Information Officer, Ravenscroft School

Louis Tullo is the Chief Information Officer at the Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, NC. He oversees all facets of technology on campus and the library services team. As a member of the school Leadership Team, he contributed to the school’s newly adopted strategic plan that was board-approved in May 2022. Throughout his career, he led IT operations in a variety of settings. Since entering independent schools, he’s bridged his technical background, creating a robust and organized technology infrastructure with innovative curricular and instructional design strategies. Some examples include spearheading blended learning, devising a personalized technology coaching program for faculty, and developing a distance-learning strategy in response to the COVID pandemic that emphasized student engagement and consistency. From 2020 to 2021, he was a member of the E.E. Ford Design Team for FolioCollaborative, where he helped steer improvements to the organization’s career development solution, myFolio. He also contributed to professional development offered to member schools. Louis is a Boston College graduate and an active Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools member. He’s served on their conferencing planning committee and presented at past conferences. His column, "Bringing Technology and Faculty Together for a Better Education Experience," was published in the Spring 2021 issue of their journal Access Points. He is enrolled in the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction at UNC Charlotte, concentrating on School Leadership for a cohort of independent school educators. He and his wife, Melissa, enjoy putting down roots in the Triangle with their four young boys!

David Weil

Vice President and CIO for Information Technology & Analytics, Ithaca College

David Weil is Vice President and CIO for Information Technology & Analytics at Ithaca College and regular contributor to strategic discussions around leadership and the role of IT in higher education. He has made numerous conference and webinar presentations, written a number of EDUCAUSE Review articles, and has served on taskforces and advisory groups related to enterprise IT and the use of data and analytics, including the EDUCAUSE Expert Panel on IT/IR Collaboration, EDUCAUSE Enterprise IT Working Group and the EDUCAUSE Task Force on Digital Transformation.