SIA reveals keynote speakers for 2022 GovSummit

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced a lineup of three expert keynote speakers for the 2022 SIA GovSummit, SIA’s annual public policy and government security technology conference.

Attendees will hear keynote presentations from Diane J. Sabatino, deputy executive assistant commissioner, Office of Field Operations at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); Figen Murray, OBE, speaker and counterterrorism advocate; and Charlie Guddemi, statewide interoperability coordinator at the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA).

SIA GovSummit 2022 will be held May 24-25 as an in-person conference at the National Housing Center in downtown Washington, D.C. Each year, SIA GovSummit brings together government security leaders with private industry technologists for top-quality information sharing and education on security topics affecting federal, state and local agencies. The 2022 GovSummit program includes specialized sessions on essential topics in contracting, procurement, infrastructure and facility protection; highlights how security product standards help meet government needs; and explores the latest policies, practices and trends impacting security.

Sabatino became the deputy assistant commissioner of CBP’s Office of Field Operations in July 2020. In this role, she oversees nearly 31,250 employees, including approximately 25,400 CBP officers and CBP agriculture specialists that protect U.S. borders. An annual operating budget of $6.5 billion provides for operations at over 330 ports of entry and many programs that support the national security, immigration, customs and commercial trade-related missions of CBP.

Prior to her current assignment, Sabatino has held roles as the director of field operations of CBP’s Miami and Tampa field offices, the port director for CBP at the Port of Miami and the assistant port director of passenger operations at Miami International Airport. A native of New Jersey, Sabatino graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and a minor in philosophy. She began her federal law enforcement career in 1998 as an immigration inspector at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Sabatino has also attended the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in National and International Security program and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Partnership for Public Service Fellows program.

Murray – mother of Martyn Hett, who was one of 22 people who died in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack – is the leading advocate for the “Protect Duty” legislation in the United Kingdom that would require the use of antiterrorism security measures at all venues with a capacity of more than 100 persons. Now known as Martyn’s law, this legislation is currently under consideration by the U.K government.

For over 23 years, Murray worked as a counselor and life coach and offered clinical supervision to other counselors too. She has always had a passion for listening to other people’s troubles –helping them get back on track to lead happier, healthier lives is a role she finds both challenging and rewarding. Following the decision to no longer continue her work as a counselor, Murray is now committed to promoting peace, kindness and tolerance in Hett’s memory, while also working towards tangible changes that can help ensure no other family has to go through what hers did.

Guddemi, as the DC HSEMA statewide interoperability coordinator, is responsible for coordinating interoperability and communications projects involving voice, data and video. He also chairs D.C.’s Interoperable Communications Committee and the Cellular Industry/WiFi Provider Working Group, serves as the secretary for the Statewide Interoperability Executives Council and is a member of the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Region III Regional Emergency Communications Coordinators Working Group and the Federal Communications Commission’s Regional Planning Committee 20 (700-800 MHz).

Additionally, he serves as the co-chair on the D.C. Presidential Inauguration Committee Interoperable Communications Committee. Guddemi joined HSEMA after a 25-year career with the U.S. Park Police. He has worked seven presidential inaugurations and overseen the safe dedications of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial and the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Guddemi holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the State University of New York at Albany and is a graduate of the 237th session of the FBI National Academy.

In addition to featuring these insightful keynote presentations and a cadre of security industry speakers, the 2022 SIA GovSummit will include insights from experts at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, the DHS Science and Technology Directorate, the Architect of the Capitol, the General Services Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the American Public Transportation Association, the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, the Perimeter Security Supplier Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and more.

Along with the two-day conference program, SIA attendees will enjoy evening receptions on both days of GovSummit. On May 24, SIA will host a leadership awards ceremony, including the presentation of the SIA Women in Biometrics Awards, a globally recognized program presented by SIA with support from sponsors IDEMIA  and Paravision and organizational and media supporters AVISIAN,  Biometric Update, FindBiometrics and SIA’s Identity & Biometric Technology Advisory Board and Women in Security Forum. On May 25, attendees will be invited to join the SIA National Capital Region Security Forum (NCRSF) for a lively SIA NCRSF networking reception for security industry professionals.

View the full agenda here, and view the full list of speakers here.

This event is free for all government employees, including U.S. and international federal, state, county and municipal-level staff, plus all military, law enforcement and public safety personnel. Industry access starts at $395. Learn more and register to attend here.