About Us

We believe in problem-solving.

IJIS is a collaboration network that engages people across industries with similar ideas, issues, and challenges with the mission to drive public sector innovation and empower information sharing to promote safer and healthier communities.

Why this matters so much to us.

As a society, we can always accomplish more when we join forces collaboratively. Established in 2001, an early version of Integrated Justice Information Systems (IJIS) Institute (originally operated as the Industry Working Group) was established as a response to challenging public and private sector experiences with open communications, operational challenges seeking technical solutions, and procurement barriers. IJIS was established with the support of a grant from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to initially address the needs of justice agencies’ information sharing.

Over two decades, IJIS has evolved to support the public sector needs of not only the justice domain, but homeland security, justice to health communities, health and human services, school safety, transportation and several others. We support policy, operational, technical, training and technical assistance, program management needs, and much more. We have formed a nationwide community of practitioners and technology experts that collectively address the operational challenges of public sector domains enabling information sharing related technology services, products, and solutions to local, tribal, state and federal agencies in the public safety, law enforcement, justice, health, critical infrastructure, and homeland security arenas. 

Decades of service.

For over 20+ years, the IJIS Institute has provided assistance to government agencies by bringing industry to the table in a collaborative role. This ongoing relationship has not only achieved successes at the agency operational level but has resulted in high regard for the companies that are dedicated to helping the public sector find high value solutions.

As a nonprofit organization, the Institute is funded through a combination of federal grants, direct services acquired by state and local agencies, industry contributions, and partnership agreements. Our community is made up of dedicated professionals who are passionate volunteers, key practitioner organizations, national practitioner associations, other nonprofit organizations, and universities that share a united and equal seat at the table to solve problems, collaborate, and innovate to maximize safety, efficiency and productivity within the public sector.

Our Team

Maria Cardiellos

Maria Cardiellos

Executive Director

Dr. Melissa Winesburg

Dr. Melissa Winesburg

Director of Programs

Steve Ambrosini

Steve Ambrosini

Program Director

Robert May

Robert May

Program Director

Emmanuel Oladipupo

Emmanuel Oladipupo

Project Manager

Pamela Thomas

Pamela Thomas

Senior Staff Accountant

Kathy Gattin

Kathy Gattin

Membership Manager

Carrie Morrison

Carrie Morrison

Finance and Contracts Administrator

Diana Wright

Diana Wright

Special Events Program Manager

Alex McAdoo

Alex McAdoo

Assistant Project Manager

Phil Dunphy

Phil Dunphy

Project Specialist

Board of Directors

Ed Parkinson

Ed Parkinson

Chair; President of Public Sector, RapidSOS

Ryan Burchnell

Ryan Burchnell

Vice Chain; Director, AT&T FirstNet Program

Rick Zak

Rick Zak

Board Member; Director of Data Governance & Policy, Microsoft

David Jackson

David Jackson

Treasurer; Business Associate, Issured

Jeff Bruns

Jeff Bruns

Secretary; CEO, Convey911

Jim Pingel

Jim Pingel

At Large; Vice President, Digital Justice Transformations, Mission Critical Partners

Mike Lesko

Mike Lesko

Board Member; Senior Director, Government Technology and Services, NEC Corporation of America

Ross Venhuizen

Ross Venhuizen

Board Member; Director & GM, CommandCentral CRS, Motorola Solutions

Shawn Simpson

Shawn Simpson

Board Member; Business Development Executive, DOJ/FBI, IBM