speakers

TK Arrant

TK Arrant has worked for the Virginia Department of Health Professions since 2013 as a business analyst. Prior to her time at DHP, she was a contract technical writer for several major companies in Richmond, including Anthem Inc. and SunTrust Mortgage. In her time at DHP, her work has been geared toward information management, including re-designing DHP’s reports, developing dynamically integrated forms & templates (including digital signature implementation), and proposing the creation of the internal knowledge sharing site “DHPedia”. TK’s duties also include her work as DHP’s records coordinator, as well as supervisor of both DHP’s scanning unit & the agency’s reception team.

Anna Badgley

Anna is the Operations Officer for the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP), where she has worked since 2016. Anna previously worked for the Virginia Department of Labor and the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. She has worked for the Commonwealth for 17 years. In her current position, Anna is responsible for policy research, development, and analysis; serves as the project manager for the development, implementation, and completion of required agency reports and agency-wide training; and is the coordinator for ARMICS and records management. She is also currently co-project manager of an agency-wide business process re-engineering initiative and is working closely with all boards, programs, and divisions within the agency to enhance agency efficiency and communications.  Anna was an adjunct faculty member for 12 years in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs in the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Anna is an October 2022 graduate of the Commonwealth Management Institute.

Dennis T. Clark

Dennis serves as the 10th Librarian of Virginia, directing the state library and archives of The Library of Virginia (LVA).

Dennis previously was Chief of Researcher Engagement and General Collections at Library of Congress.  Prior to that appointment, Dennis had an extensive career in leadership of university research libraries, having been Dean of Libraries at the University of Arkansas. He has also served as an Associate University Librarian over research, learning, and spaces at both Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the University of Virginia (UVA).

Dennis has extensive experience in library facilities, being deeply involved in programing, design, and/or construction for over $175 million in library capital projects at Vanderbilt, Texas A&M University, VCU, UVA, and Arkansas. In particular, the new library addition and renovation at VCU earned Library Journal’s “New Landmark Library” designation in 2016.

He was an Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Leadership Fellow for 2016-2017 and speaks and consults on the role of services and spaces in libraries. Dennis holds an MLIS from The University of Alabama and a bachelor’s degree in music from Samford University.

Holly Cobb

Holly Cobb is a Record Specialist at Hampton City Schools. Previously Holly worked as a Testing Coordinator, Department Supervisor for a home improvement store, and an elementary school teacher. She graduated from Christopher Newport University with a degree in Early Childhood Psychology.

Kathryn Corp

Kathryn Corp is a Customer Account Manager at Scribbles Software, where she supports K-12 school systems in transitioning from manual, paper-based processes to efficient digital solutions that serve students, families, and staff. Previously, Kathryn worked as an elementary teacher and for a higher education software company. She graduated with honors from UNC Charlotte with a degree in Elementary Education.

Joshua Heslinga

Joshua Heslinga is the Director of Legal and Legislative Services at the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA). He is the agency’s FOIA Officer, and his team handles (among other things) records requests, public meetings, and matters before the General Assembly, FOIA Council, and other legislative groups. Prior to joining VITA in 2019, he worked at the Office of the Attorney General for eight years, advising and representing VITA and other agencies and officials. Before going back to law school, he spent five years working in IT, including for Henrico County and the College of William & Mary. In his private life, he resides in the Greater Richmond area, is a board member of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, and, last but not least, co-manages two teen kids and two large dogs. He is speaking individually, not for VITA or any other person or entity.

Emily Johnson

Emily holds a B.A. in History from the University of Mary Washington and an MSLIS from Simmons University. Before becoming a Records Analyst at LVA, she spent two years working at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts as an archivist and records manager. She is currently leveraging this experience to write records management blog posts on LVA's The UncommonWealth blog alongside her colleague, Teshawna

Craig Kelso, CRM

Craig Kelso, CRM is the State Records Administrator and Division Director of the State and Local Records Management program at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Craig has over 24 years of experience working in public sector records management. As an analyst and director of programs in Missouri and Texas he has worked with agencies on creating and updating retention schedules, modernized records center operations and imaging departments, moved records center warehouses, encouraged the increased use of online resources for records management training including online webinars, blog posts, and YouTube videos; and implemented annual Records Management Officer meetings for state agencies and local governments.

John Mancini

As the former President of AIIM, the Association for Intelligent Information Management, John has been at the forefront of the digital transformation revolution for over two decades.

A renowned thought leader and author, John has guided organizations worldwide in navigating the challenges of managing information in the digital age. His expertise spans content services, intelligent automation, and information governance.

John's insights have been featured in major publications, and he's a sought-after keynote speaker at industry conferences globally. He's authored multiple books on digital transformation and has been instrumental in developing standards and best practices that shape how organizations manage their information assets.

With his finger on the pulse of emerging technologies and their impact on business, John Mancini continues to inspire and educate professionals across industries.

Chad Owen

Chad Owen has headed the Records Management Section at the Library of Virginia since 2016. Previously he spent four years at the Iowa State Archives and fourteen years as records manager for the University of Louisville. He's originally from southside Virginia, holds degrees in history from UVA and VCU, and spends his spare time leathercrafting, playing bass, and trying to convince himself that he's retired from rugby.

Megan Rhyne

Megan Rhyne has worked for the Virginia Coalition for Open Government since 1998 and became its executive director in 2008. She also serves as the administrator for the National Freedom of Information Coalition and the Knight Litigation Fund. Before coming to VCOG, she served as an opinions editor for Texas Lawyer newspaper in Dallas, as a freelance writer for Androvett Legal Media in Dallas and the National Law Journal in New York, and as an adjunct professor of media law at Hampton University's journalism school. She first became interested in open government as an FOI intern at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.  Her law degree is from the University of Colorado-Boulder, and she was a radio, television and motion pictures major at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She lives in Williamsburg with her husband and teenage son.

Glenn Smith

Glenn Smith has worked for the Library of Virginia since 1984. Yes, that’s 40 years! The first 26 were spent assisting the 120 elected circuit court clerks with preserving their locally housed permanent records. In June 2010, he transitioned into the role of a records management analyst, helping to set policy for and to educate the commonwealth’s record keepers on what managing public records and information should look like according to the Virginia Public Records Act. He currently provides records analysis and consultation services to the judicial branch of government, including all courts of record and Commonwealth’s Attorneys, as well as all state and local public safety agencies.

Kurt Thies

Kurt Thies is a well-recognized Digital Transformation Executive, Innovator, and Thought Leader with proven ability to design solutions, develop loyal customers and business partners, build and inspire teams, and lead growth and transformation. Areas of expertise include strategic vision, sales and marketing, planning and execution, business development, account success, and corporate development. A visionary, transformational leader who creates high performing teams and instills a customer-centric culture. Kurt founded and built a leading information management software company, developing a loyal customer base, including global projects with several Fortune 50 customers. When the company was acquired by the $3 billion leader in the industry, he led their innovation strategy, integrating with their technology platforms, building strategic partners, and developing solutions for their largest customers. Kurt is currently Vice President, Gimmal Lifecycle Governance solutions.

Teshawna Threat

Teshawna is a new addition to the Library of Virginia's Records Management Section. She received her MLIS from Louisiana State University and is a Certified Records Analyst for the ICRM. She currently serves as co-chair for the ICRM's Academic Partnership Committee. Teshawna currently provides records management guidance for education and transportation agencies and localities within the Commonwealth.

Robin Wallace

Ms. Wallace has more than 16 years of experience with the City of Staunton. Before becoming the Legal Manager in the City Attorney's office, she worked in the City Assessor’s Office and the City’s Planning and Inspections Department. In addition to her role as Legal Manager, she is also the FOIA Officer for the City. Ms. Wallace earned her Advanced Certified Paralegal certification from the National Association of Legal Assistants. Ms. Wallace also serves as a director on the Board of the Local Government Paralegal Association of Virginia, Inc. Ms. Wallace is a graduate of the University of Virginia and a member of The Raven Society, UVA’s oldest honorary society.