Agenda
MCNC Community Day 2025 Agenda
45 Years of Transformation: Empowering the Digital Age
Featuring engaging sessions and networking opportunities for tech professionals and industry leaders in our state.
Schedule
Day 1
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025Day 2
Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025
SESSION 1A: The Future is Here: Quantum, AI & High Performance Computing Across North Carolina
Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 9:15 a.m.
SESSION 1B: Not Your Average Women in Tech
Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 9:15 a.m.
SESSION 2A: Digital Inclusion at a Crossroads: Reflecting, Reimagining, Recommitting
Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 10:30 a.m.
SESSION 2B: Federal Funding: The Current State of E-Rate, USF & BEAD
Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 10:30 a.m.
GENERAL SESSION: Digital Infrastructure as an Economic Engine: Cloud & Data Centers in the Public Interest
Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 1:30 p.m.
Phil Emer (Moderator)
VP, Business Development, MCNC
Executive Director, Office of Science, Technology, & Innovation, NC Department of Commerce
GENERAL SESSION: Extreme Conditions, Extraordinary Response: Hurricane Helene Response & Recovery
Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 3:30 p.m.
James Nester (Moderator)
CMO & Senior Director of Client Advocacy, MCNC
Tommy Jacobson
COO & VP, MCNC
Mike Plesh
Executive Director of IT, UNC Health
Keith Werner
CIO, Appalachian State University
Jeremy Rollins
Senior Manager, Outside Plant Engineering and Operations, MCNC
GENERAL SESSION: MCNC Business with Bacon
Thursday, Nov. 6 at 8:00 a.m.
James Nester (Moderator)
CMO & Senior Director of Client Advocacy, MCNC
Jason Shirley
Managing Consultant, Cybersecurity Advisory Consulting, MCNC
Matt Valenzisi
Senior Director, Network Architecture & Management, Chief Network Architect, MCNC
Jeremy Rollins
Senior Manager, Outside Plant Engineering and Operations
Steven Walton
Senior Manager, Cybersecurity Operations, MCNC
Paul Kamen
Senior Manager, Enterprise IT Services & Data Information Systems, MCNC
Joel C. Davis
Senior Manager, Client Advocacy
GENERAL SESSION: Cybersecurity as a Competitive Advantage
Thursday, Nov. 6 at 9:00 a.m.
Chris Beal (Moderator)
VP, Enterprise IT & Cybersecurity Initiatives / CISO, MCNC
Carly Sherrod
Director of Threat Intelligence and Programs, Associate Program Director for ISI Program, OnDefend
Jon Sternstein
Founder & CEO, Stern Security
SESSION 2A: The Workforce Mandate: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Workforce Today
Thursday, Nov. 5 at 10:15 a.m.
Matthew Kinney (Moderator)
Senior Director of Human Resources, MCNC
Dr. Marc C. David
VP of Instruction, Johnston Community College
Jeremy Rollins
Senior Manager, Outside Plant Engineering and Operations
Gordon Drumwright
Founder & President, Performance Cabling Technologies, Inc
Maya Norvel
Marketing & Community Affairs Project Manager, Corning Incorporated
SESSION 2B: Tailored Solutions for Impactful Community Support
Thursday, Nov. 5 at 10:15 a.m.
Ruthy Stafford (Moderator)
Senior Director, Consulting Services, MCNC
Chris Lovett
Senior Client Network Engineer
Jason Shirley
Managing Consultant, Cybersecurity Advisory Consulting, MCNC
Bradley Stevens
Lead Client Network Engineer, MCNC
GENERAL SESSION: eNCore: North Carolina’s Next Generation of Connectivity
Thursday, Nov. 6 at 12:00 p.m.
James Nester (Moderator)
CMO & Senior Director of Client Advocacy, MCNC
Tracy Doaks
President & CEO, MCNC
Marshall Cherry
President & CEO, Roanoke Cooperative
Bo Coughlin
COO, Fybe