Fargo, ND | 8-9 July 2025

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

IEEE-USA IWRC Public Cybersecurity Summit

Where: North Dakota State University | Fargo, ND
When: 8-9 July 2025

On 8-9 July, the IEEE – USA Innovation Workforce and Research Conference (IWRC) will bring together stakeholders from industry, government, and academia at a Summit in Fargo, North Dakota, to network, as well as meet, learn, and discuss federal and state programs and initiatives that can help your online presence to be secure.

With the rapid evolution of cyberthreats, it’s crucial for businesses and governments to stay ahead of the curve. Events like this foster collaboration and innovation, which are essential for creating robust security measures.

Who should attend?

Industry

Owners, C-Level, VP Level, Engineers, Legal Staff, R&D, Patent/Small Business Attorneys, Finance and VC

Industry - Why Attend?

Collaborating with federal, state, and local government representatives could open doors to impactful partnerships. Plus, staying updated on resources for online protection is crucial in today’s digital landscape.

Academia

Presidents, Chancellors, Tech Transfer and Patent Offices, VPRs, Researchers

Academia - Why Attend?

Meet potential partners in the federal, state, and local governments, gain information on grant processes, make connections to future business partners, and learn more about federal technology and small business initiatives.

The IWRC events often bring together stakeholders from academia, government, and industry to bridge the gap between research and commercially viable products. Topics like research grants, technology transfer programs, and intellectual property are commonly discussed.

Government

Policymakers, Federal, State, and Local Program Officers, Economic Development Professionals, Incentive Managers, Entrepreneurial Support Organizations

Government - Why Attend?

Connect with a diverse group of professionals — engineers, entrepreneurs, and academics — focused on integrating into and improving the North Dakota cyber-innovation economy. Such networking could boost awareness of government technology initiatives and uncover opportunities for partnerships. It’s also an effective way to promote government programs and foster collaboration between stakeholders.

Venue & Preliminary Agenda

Tuesday, 8 July

Conference Venue

North Dakota State University Memorial Union

1401 Administration Avenue
Fargo, ND 58102

Tuesday, 8 July 2025

North Dakota State University Memorial Union
1401 Administration Avenue
Fargo, ND 58102

Time (CT)	Session
1:30 - 2:00 PM	Registration
2:00 - 2:30 PM	Welcome
2:30 - 3:15 PM	State of Municipal Cybersecurity
3:15 PM	Break
3:15 - 4:15 PM	Breakout Sessions
	1) Challenge and Opportunities
	2) Futurist Look- 20 Year in the Future
4:15 - 5:00 PM	State Resources of Note
5:30 - 7:30 PM	Opening Reception Fargo Air Museum

Time (ET)	Session	Speaker
8:30 AM	Registration
9:00 AM	Welcome & Kickoff	Ashanthi Maxworth, Ph.D. Chair, IEEE Maine Section Eduardo Palacio IEEE-USA Past President Bala Prasanna IEEE Region 1 Director Jacqueline Edmondson, Ph.D. President, University of Southern Maine The Honorable Angus King (I-ME) (video address)
9:15 AM	How can Maine develop and support its technical workforce?	David Daigler President, Maine Community College System (Moderator) Jennifer Fong Director, Continuing Education Products and Business Development, IEEE Phoenix McLaughlin Director of Strategy Implementation, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Claire Sullivan, Ph.D. Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation in Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials, University of Maine System Brian Whitney President, Maine Technology Institute
10:00 AM	Case Studies: Putting AI to Work in Maine	Zachary Newell Dean of Libraries and Learning and AI Task Force, University of Southern Maine
10:30 AM	Networking Break
11:00 AM	Breakout Sessions
	1) Small Business and Defense Partnerships	Trevor Hehn Hehn Law Firm (Moderator) Adam Henckler, P.E. Superintendent of Production Engineering and Facilities, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (invited)
	2) Small Business and non-Defense Partnerships	Robert Zakon Founding Partner, Zakon Group, LLC Brian Conroy Manager, Power Systems Studies, RLC Engineering
12:00 PM	Networking Lunch and How AI is Changing the Semiconductor Workforce
1:00 PM	State and Federal AI Policy Trends	Russell Harrison Managing Director, IEEE-USA (Moderator) Jim Isaak President Emeritus, IEEE Computer Society Scott Kleiman Workforce, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, State of Maine
1:30 PM	Breakout Sessions
	1) Innovation and Intellectual Property	Elek Miller Attorney, Drummond Woodsum Bruce Perens CEO, Algoram
	2) How Do Small Businesses in Maine Find Funding	Quincy Hentzel CEO, Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce (Moderator) Brien Walton, Ed.D. Chairman, Maine Venture Fund Jonathan Poole Director of Strategic Growth, Finance Authority of Maine Diane L. Sturgeon District Director, Maine District Office, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Small Business Administration
2:30 PM	Break
3:00 PM	Canada’s AI Interest and Potential Partnership
4:00 PM	Wrap-Up and Adjourn

Wednesday, 9 July 2025