James O’Brien is an accomplished information technology executive with over 25 years of experience spanning critical infrastructure, municipal government, emergency management, and cybersecurity. currently serving as the Director – Information Security Officer at Port Houston, James spearheads innovative cybersecurity strategies, fosters an organizational culture of security awareness, and drives initiatives that secure critical operations supporting global trade.

Throughout his career, James has held pivotal leadership roles, including Director of Information Technology for the cities of Texas City and Friendswood. He has implemented transformative projects such as deploying it as a strategic partner to the organization, IT security programs, overhauling access control systems, and enhancing operational resilience through business continuity and disaster recovery planning.

James is deeply committed to advancing the IT profession, as reflected in his service as Vice President and Executive Board member of the Texas Association of Governmental Information Technology Managers (TAGITM). He has chaired the organization’s cybersecurity committee and contributed to its educational and policy-making efforts. His dedication to professional development is further demonstrated by his certifications, including CISSP, CGCIO, and TML leadership fellow, alongside his educational achievements—an MBA in Management Information Systems from Lamar University and a BS in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix.

Mr. Ballesteros (Ballesteros) serves as the Cybersecurity State Coordinator (CSC) for the State of Texas at the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in Region 6. As the CSC for the State of Texas, he serves as the principal point of contact for non-Federal entities to engage with the Federal Government on cybersecurity matters, pursuant to 6 United States Code, Section 665(c) (2021).

Previously, Ballesteros served the State of Texas, as the State Cybersecurity Coordinator and Chair of the Texas Cybersecurity Council, at the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR). As the State Cybersecurity Coordinator, his primary charge was to oversee cybersecurity matters for the State of Texas and lead the Texas Cybersecurity Council to collaborate on matters of cybersecurity concerning Texas, pursuant to Texas Government Code, Sections 2054.511 and 512. During his tenure, he contributed to the development and implementation of statewide initiatives, such as the Texas Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (TxISAO), the Statewide Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program, and more.

Prior to serving in state government, Ballesteros’ career spanned several industries, including academia, financial services, private consulting, and public utilities. Of note, his prior professional roles included the following: Information Security Officer for the Alamo Colleges District (San Antonio, Texas); Information Security Officer at Jefferson Bank (San Antonio, Texas); Information Security Consultant at Omnikron Systems (Woodland Hills, California); Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems and Security at Our Lady of the Lake University (San Antonio, Texas); Director of the Center for Information Assurance Management and Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake University (San Antonio, Texas); and Information Systems Auditor for CPS Energy (San Antonio, Texas).

Currently, Ballesteros is an Adjunct Professor of Law at St. Mary’s University School of Law (San Antonio, Texas), where he teaches cybersecurity, information systems, and law. Academically, Ballesteros holds several degrees and professional certifications pertaining to cybersecurity, law, and information systems. Ballesteros holds a Bachelor (BS) and Master of Science (MS) in Computer Information Systems and Security (CISS) from Our Lady of the Lake University; an NSA/DHS-designated Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE). Ballesteros completed his legal education at St. Mary’s University School of Law, where he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), specializing in cyber and privacy law.

Ballesteros is an (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and CompTIA Security+ certified professional.

Shawn Whiteside is a seasoned executive, cybersecurity strategist, and risk management expert with over 25 years of leadership experience across government, private sector, and nonprofit organizations. A retired U.S. Coast Guard officer, he has held high-impact roles in national security, cybersecurity, consulting, and executive leadership, guiding organizations through complex challenges in an evolving threat landscape.

Shawn currently serves as the SVP of Commercial Practice at OneZero Solutions, where he oversees Sales, Business Development, and Marketing for the company’s commercial sector. His role focuses on building strategic partnerships, developing go-to-market strategies, and positioning OneZero’s cybersecurity and IT services for long-term success.

As the Executive Director of MTS-ISAC, Shawn led global maritime threat intelligence and cybersecurity collaboration efforts, working with industry leaders to enhance resilience across critical infrastructure. His expertise spans enterprise risk management, organizational transformation, and cybersecurity strategy, with a proven track record in helping companies navigate regulatory, operational, and security challenges across multiple industries.

With deep experience in crisis management, executive strategy, and security operations, Shawn has advised leaders at the highest levels on protecting assets, mitigating threats, and driving sustainable growth in highly regulated environments. His ability to bridge cybersecurity, business strategy, and risk management makes him a recognized authority across industries.

Donovan Guin is the Public Transportation Industry Lead for IBM. In that role, he connects the company’s clients – across ports, airports, public transit, DOTs, DPWs and toll authorities – with transformative technologies to create value for the communities they serve. IBM is present across both commercial and public sectors, enabling both ports, operators and shippers, as well as clients across energy, utilities, elecommunications, industrial manufacturing and consumer products. To this role, Donovan brings more than 30 years of experience across transportation, e-commerce and logistics, helping some of the world’s leading organizations adapt to an evolving landscape of opportunities and challenges.

Based in IBM’s office with MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Donovan holds a Master of Science degree in Technology Leadership from Brown University.

Darrell Keach, is the Business Systems Manager for Port Corpus Christi. He joined the organization in 2019. He currently leads a team that provides support to the Port’s enterprise applications including the financial suite of software, the Harbormaster office, and data analytics functions. He also leads the Port’s digital twin initiative where he relies on cross functional experience ranging from information technology, operations, and law enforcement.

Prior to joining Port Corpus Christi, Darrell was the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Nueces County. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Sean Griffin is the CEO and co-founder of Disaster Technologies, Inc. (D/B/A Disaster Tech) headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. Disaster Tech is a software company that provides technology solutions and support for National Security missions including active support to the Department of Defense, including Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and US Air Force.

Prior to founding Disaster Tech, Sean served multiple leadership and staff roles within the United States Government. To include roles at the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of State, Defense Logistics Agency, and National Institute of Health. During his tenure at DOE, Sean was detailed to the White House as the Director for Incident Management Integration Policy on the U.S. National Security Council, leading policy efforts for national security, resilience, and disaster programs.

Key achievements and milestones include leading the Presidential transition exercise between the Obama and Trump administrations, updating the National Exercise Program policy, the Cyber Incident Response policy, and multiple national-level plans for response to catastrophic disasters both domestic and abroad. In addition to key milestones, Sean led the coordination of multiple Presidential and Cabinet-level engagements to facilitate decision making during acute crises and events.

Sean is a U.S. Navy veteran of the Navy’s nuclear power program. During his time, he was stationed at Naval Weapons Station, Charleston, SC, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, Submarine Base New London, Groton, CT, and Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington.

David is a Co-Founder of Artemis Technologies and Managing Director of the company’s North America division based in New York.

Prior to moving to the US, David was instrumental in the creation of the Belfast Maritime Consortium, including securing of a £33m grant from UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund to develop the company’s transformative eFoiler® technology and launch the world’s first 100% electric foiling commercial vessel. He was Chair of Maritime UK’s Regional Council, a member of the UK Department for Transport’s Maritime Council which was established in 2023 to provide the top level of governance across all themes and drive delivery of the UK Government’s Maritime 2050 recommendations, as well as a member of Operation Zero working groups, a UK government initiative launched during COP26 with the mission to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vessels for offshore wind operations and maintenance in the North Sea’s wind farms.

David holds a law from the University of Birmingham, and prior to co-founding Artemis Technologies, was commercial director for the Artemis Racing America’s Cup challenge.

John Piletich has been with Deloitte since 2022 working in the Emerging Infrastructure Platforms space. Previously, he worked at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. He has worked on supporting connected and smart ports, and related smart warehouse projects.

He is a decorated U.S. Diplomat with more than 25 years of diplomatic, technical, and project management experience in Deloitte, the U.S. Federal Government, and the United Nations, including leading diverse teams and managing large projects. John is focused on helping organizations redesign how connectivity, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies can better support their organizations, improve mission outcomes by adoption at scale, and build robust digital cultures.

Amine Lamdaouar is a Senior Manager at Deloitte with a specialization in energy markets and finance. Amine has been leading strategy and advisory services, working with and for international donors, manufacturers and suppliers of energy systems, utility companies and policy makers in several regions including sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, North and Latin America. Amine has an extensive technical knowledge of the clean energy industry, including solar PV and CSP, onshore and offshore wind and other innovative clean technologies such as solar pumping and energy storage.

Charlotte has 8 years of experience specializing in climate and environmental policy. Currently, she is a sustainability consultant at Guidehouse where she works on sustainability initiatives for government and commercial clients.

Before Guidehouse, Charlotte lead government affairs at a climate-focused technology start-up that tracked and analyzed greenhouse gas and air quality data from oceangoing vessels and port authorities. There, she supported port and government clients with monitoring, reporting, and optimizing their greenhouse gases to lower their carbon footprint while saving money. For ports, Charlotte helped advise green purchasing, long-term sustainability plans, and grant applications by analyzing and reporting client greenhouse gas data and helped secure Inflation Reduction Act Clean Ports Program grant for ports. She also led government affairs efforts to ensure incentives for efficiencies in the maritime industry. Charlotte also worked for Senator Blumenthal on his Commerce, Science, and Transportation committee and energy and environment portfolio focusing on a plethora of climate, energy, ocean, maritime, and transportation issues.

Charlotte holds a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University, specializing in environmental policy and data-driven policy analysis and a BA in Earth Sciences from UC Berkeley specializing in atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions.

She has published various thought-pieces, both internal (white papers, reports, PowerPoints, proposals) and external (op-eds, magazine articles, research and law journals). These include in the Tulane Law Review, AAPA’s Seaports Magazine, the North American Clean Energy Magazine, the Biological Bulletin, and many others.