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

Richard Fiore

Richard Fiore

Senior Project Manager

Robert May

Robert May

Program Director

Emmanuel Oladipupo

Emmanuel Oladipupo

Project Manager

Pamela Thomas

Pamela Thomas

Senior Staff Accountant

Carrie Morrison

Carrie Morrison

Finance and Contracts Administrator

Alex McAdoo

Alex McAdoo

Project Coordinator and Communications Specialist

Diana Wright

Diana Wright

Special Events Program Manager

Riya Patel

Riya Patel

Project Specialist

Board of Directors

Joe Wheeler

Joe Wheeler

Chair of the Board of Directors; VP, Justice Management & Technology, Mission Critical Partners

Rick Zak

Rick Zak

Vice-Chair; Director of Data Governance & Policy, Microsoft

Ryan Burchnell

Ryan Burchnell

Secretary; Director, AT&T FirstNet Program

Roger Mann

Roger Mann

Treasurer; CEO, Smart Response Technologies, Inc.

Juan Colon

Juan Colon

At-Large Member; Advisory Industry Consultant, SAS Institute

Mike Lesko

Mike Lesko

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

Steve Morris

Steve Morris

Board Member; Account Executive , IBM

David Jackson

David Jackson

Board Member; Senior Director, Business Development, Thomson Reuters

Ed Parkinson

Ed Parkinson

Board Member; President of Public Sector, RapidSOS