Forum News

Click on the articles below to read up on Forum Events, press releases, or major IT news within NYS!  

The NYS Forum Welcomes More Than 300 Attendees at the 37th Annual Meeting

The NYS Forum held its 37th annual meeting on October 24th with over 300 government and corporate members attending. Executive Director Fran Reiter kicked off the meeting by providing an overview of the Forum’s accomplishments and successes for the 2022-2023 program year....Read more


The Forum Welcomes Chief Information Officer for SUNY Brian Digman and Chief Information Officer of NYSERDA Glen Kaatz to the Board of Directors

The Forum is happy to announce two additions to its Board of Directors:  Brian Digman, Chief Information Officer for the State of New York University Administration (SUNY) and Glen Kaatz, Chief Information Officer, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)....Read more


Meet the Executive Team | Office of Information Technology Services

Governor Hochul Appoints Dru Rai Next Chief Information Officer

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the appointment of Dru Rai as New York State Chief Information Officer and Director of the New York State Office of Information Technology Services. Rai will lead the state’s ongoing digital transformation and will work with state agencies to create more seamless digital interactions with state government. “New York has always....Read more


The Forum Welcomes NYS ITS Acting Chief Information Officer Jennifer Lorenz and NYS OGS Deputy Commissioner Moses Kamya, PhD. to the Board of Directors 

The Forum is happy to announce two additions to its Board of Directors: Jennifer Lorenz, NYS ITS Acting Chief Information Officer and Moses Kamya, PhD, NYS OGS Deputy Commissioner of Shared Services....Read more


2023 NYS Cybersecurity Conference

 The 25th Annual New York State Cybersecurity Conference (NYSCSC ‘23) and 17th Annual Symposium on Information Assurance (ASIA ‘23) is a two-day event co-hosted by the New York State Office of Information Technology Services, the University at Albany’s School of Business, and The NYS Forum, Inc. The conference is held in Albany, New York on....Read more


The NYS Forum raises more than $5,000 at 2023 Spring Charity Golf Outing

More than one hundred golfers participated in 18 holes of scramble golf at the Fairways of Halfmoon, raising funds for the South End Children’s Cafe.

The NYS Forum hosted its second Annual Spring Charity Golf Outing in Mechanicville, NY. on Friday, May 5. A total of $5,400 was raised in....Read more


The NYS Forum Announces Fran Reiter as New Executive Director

The NYS Forum, a membership organization for public and private-sector professionals dedicated to exploring how information technology can serve New York citizens, is pleased to announce Fran Reiter as its new Executive Director. Reiter brings extensive leadership experience and industry knowledge to the position and will be responsible for overseeing all aspects...Read more


The NYS Forum Announces Appointment of Christopher Remmert as New Office Manager

The NYS Forum, a membership organization for public and private-sector professionals dedicated to exploring how information technology can serve New York citizens, is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Remmert as its new Office Manager....Read more


The NYS Forum Announces Retirement of Executive Director Mario Musolino

The New York State Forum announces the retirement of Executive Director Mario Musolino after four years of dedicated service. Mario began his retirement process at the end of 2022, and is finishing the final steps this month. Under Mario's leadership, the Forum has flourished. It successfully navigated an unprecedented worldwide pandemic without missing....Read more


New York ITS Names Chris Desain as Information Security Officer

The New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) has appointed cybersecurity veteran Chris Desain as the state’s newest chief information security officer. Desain brings more than 20 years of experience to the role. Most recently, he served as the director of the Office of Counter Terrorism Cyber Incident.....Read more


2022 NYS Cyber Security Conference

The 24th Annual New York State Cyber Security Conference (NYSCSC ‘22) and 16th Annual Symposium on Information Assurance (ASIA ‘22) is a two-day event co-hosted by the New York State Office of Information Technology Services, the University at Albany’s School of Business, and The NYS Forum, Inc. The conference is held....Read more


The NYS Forum raises more than $5,000 at Annual 2022 Spring Golf Outing

More than one hundred golfers participated in 18 holes of scramble golf at the Fairways of Halfmoon, raising funds for the Catie Hoch Foundation.

The NYS Forum hosted its first Annual Spring Golf Outing in Mechanicville, NY. on Friday, May 6. Over $5,000 was raised in support of the Catie Hoch Foundation, a great local charity...Read more


New York CTO Rajiv Rao

Rajiv Rao Named One of Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers for 2022

The NYS Forum is happy to congratulate Board Member and longtime Forum advocate, Rajiv Rao for being named one of the Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers for 2022 by Government Technology Magazine. Rajiv joins an impressive list of technology leaders from around the country who “…embody what ...Read more


Mayor Adams Creates More Efficient Government by Consolidating City Tech Agencies Under New Office of Technology and Innovation

CTO Matt Fraser Will Lead Office: Office Will Lead Key City Tech Initiatives Including Closing the Digital Divide and Setting Up MyCity Portal. On January 19, 2022, New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order to consolidate all city technology agencies under...Read more


How Eric Adams could make his mark on the city’s tech industry

New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams has continued with his rollout of top administration appointments with the new year. With the most recent announcement, Adams has called on Matthew Fraser as the city’s next chief technology officer. While the existing role of chief technology officer doesn’t carry a whole lot of authority, it appears that Fraser will...Read more


NYS Forum Toastmasters - Club Contest 2022

Thanks to all who attended the 2022 NYS Forum Toastmasters speech contest. This year featured two contest categories: International and Table Topics. Table Topics contestants have 2 minutes to formulate and present a speech on a surprise topic. The International participants prepare a speech in advance on a topic of their choice...Read more


Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address

On January 5, 2022 Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her 2022 State of the State Address outlining her plan for A New Era for New York. In the address, Governor Hochul outlined nine key components of her agenda: rebuilding our healthcare economy, protecting public safety and taking strong action against gun violence, investing in New York’s...Read more


NYS Forum COVID-19 Policy Update

Great news!  Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on June 15 that 70% of New York State residents have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot and as a result, he has announced that effective immediately COVID-19 restrictions statewide have been lifted. What does this mean for the NYS Forum? As of June 17, 2021 The NYS Forum...Read more


New York State ITS Announces Registration for NYS Virtual Cyber Security Conference

June 2021 marks the 23rd Annual New York State Cyber Security Conference and 15th Annual Symposium on Information Assurance (ASIA) and The New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) has announced that registration has now opened. The nationally recognized event,...Read more


 

Congratulations - City&StateNY Telecom Power 50 List

Congratulations to a number of our Forum members and supporters for their recognition by City And State NY for making the New York Telecom Power 50 list of telecommunications influencers!  City & State's must-read list of the most powerful people in New York City and Albany have been long standing...Read more


Forum Members Take Second in Area Wide Speech Contest

Congratulations to Frank Palmeri and Jim Hall for representing The NYS Forum’s Toastmasters Club at the 2021 Toastmasters Area 76 Speech Contest. Area 76 includes five clubs in the Albany area. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the contest was conducted on a virtual platform this year. The categories were for Humorous Speech and...Read more


NYS Senate & Assembly Hear From New Chief Information Officer at ITS

During the February 10th Joint Legislative Public Hearing on Governor Cuomo’s 2021 Budget Proposal, members of the NYS Senate & Assembly welcomed Angelo Riddick as new Chief Information Officer of the Office of Information Technology Services. Mr. Riddick is taking on the role of CIO following Robert Samson’s...Read more


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s 2021 State of the State Address 

Governor Cuomo’s 2021 agenda - Reimagine | Rebuild | Renew - features proposals to defeat COVID-19, jumpstart New York's economic recovery; create a fairer, more just state; become a leader in the growing green energy economy; and rebuilding and strengthening New York's infrastructure...Read more

 


The NYS Forum 2020 Annual Meeting

On Tuesday, November 24th, more than 175 government and corporate members attended The NYS Forum’s 34th Annual Membership Meeting. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the event was conducted virtually for the first time in the organization’s history. Kicking off the session, Forum Executive Director Mario Musolino welcomed the virtual...Read more


October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) 

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM).  Now in its 17th year, NCSAM continues to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity across our Nation, ensuring that all Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online...

Cyberspace and its underlying infrastructure...Read more 


 OGS Announces 24 month Extension of Umbrella Contract

NYS Office of General Services (OGS) recently announced that due to the unprecedented demands on procurement staff related to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the timeline for release of the new Periodic Recruitment #2 (PR#2) for the Information Technology Umbrella Contract – Manufacturer Based (Statewide) award has been adjusted.  As a result, OGS will...Read more 


 New York State Issues Guidance for Phase Four of COVID-19 Reopening

Almost all regions of New York state have moved into Phase 4 of the state's reopening plan. Phase 4 is currently designated as the final phase of the state's reopening plan, though some industries remain unclear as to when they will be permitted to reopen. With the rapidly changing dynamics, additional industry-specific guidance may be added to the state's Guideline Plan....Read more


 COVID-19 Technology SWAT Team

New York State seeking tech talent for its COVID-19 technology SWAT team

In a push to combat the growing coronavirus pandemic, New York State has called upon leaders from all industries for help. It has specifically asked for volunteers from the tech community through an open call for contributions from individuals and organizations to help form...Read more


 Covid 19 update

NYS Forum Operations during the Corona Virus

As New York State, New York City and the global community cope with COVID-19 (coronavirus) and its far-reaching implications, The NYS Forum will continue to provide quality programming, trainings, and workshops in any way that we can. Our goal is to maintain some degree...Read More


 City & State NY Gov Tech Power List

Congratulations - City & State NY Gov Tech Power List

Congratulations to a number of our Forum members and supporters for their recognition by City And State NY for making the New York Gov Tech list of technology influencers!...Read More

 


 Strategizing, Planning, Procuring and Managing Cloud Services

Session One: Level Setting - Key Considerations for Cloud Adoption and Implementation in Government

Technology and business needs are evolving into a new era for government - the cloud. Implementation of cloud technology has brought both challenges and opportunities to state and local government and has affected many areas critical to technology services...Read More


 Toastmasters Area 72 Contest Results

Congratulations to Cathy Kittle and Frank Palmeri for representing The NYS Forum''s Toastmasters Club at the Area 72 International Speech and Evaluation Speech Contests. Cathy won the Evaluation Contest, and Frank finished in an impressivesecond in the International Speech Contest

Cathy will be moving on to compete in The Division speech contest that is being held....Read More


 Leveraging Data

On December 16th. 2019, the NYS Forum hosted an event entitled "Leveraging Data" at the Department of Transportation in downtown Manhattan. The session showcased projects where statistical and log analysis, security and information management, machine learning algorithms, and artificial intelligence were used to identify, predict, and visualize patterns, anomalies and alerts in large datasets...Read More

 


 April 2019 ITCR Meeting - Rajiv Rao - CTO, NYS ITS

For the April 2019 Albany ITCR meeting, we were honored to have Rajiv Rao - Chief Technology Officer, New York State Office of Information Technology Services. Mr. Rao presented to a packed room of corporate members touching on ITS Updates, ITS priorities, and artificial intelligence were used to identify, predict, and visualize patterns, anomalies and alerts in large datasets...Read More

 


 Intelligent Automation / Robotic Process Automation

On February 7th, 2019, the NYS Forum''s Albany Business Innovation & Emerging Technologies Workgroup hosted a session on Intelligent Automation / Robotic Process Automation at the NYS Forum office in Albany. This session aimed to answer the following questions: What are these new technology models? What can they mean for addressing the business challenges in government? How ...Read More