Build your trusted circle of C-Level peers

Leadership can be isolating at the C-Level. No one else within your organization truly understands the complexities you face. Gartner C-Level Communities are designed to bridge that gap, bringing together executives who know firsthand the demands of your role.

In the Houston CISO Community, you will connect with peers who are willing to share their experiences, discuss practical solutions and collaborate on emerging challenges. By joining your local community, you will gain fresh ideas and perspectives, a trusted network of peers and the support you need to lead confidently in a rapidly changing environment.

Join your local community for exclusive access to:

Peer Connections
  • Catch up with familiar faces and build new relationships with colleagues in your community
  • Strengthen your trusted professional network with peers who understand your challenges
  • Establish a circle of peers you can call on for real-time guidance and ongoing support​
Peer Perspectives
  • Engage in candid, in‑depth discussions to address your most pressing priorities
  • Learn firsthand, practical approaches from peers navigating similar challenges
  • Validate your strategies through real-world peer experiences
Gartner Insights
  • Gain data-driven insights and field-tested best practices from Gartner analysts
  • Explore forward-looking strategies on critical issues affecting your role
  • Leverage Gartner insights and Executive Partner expertise to enrich peer conversations

Houston CISO Governing Body

A regional Governing Body leads the Houston CISO community, shaping the topics and agendas for your local programs and ensuring that all content is driven By CISOs, For CISOs®.

Governing Body Co-Chairs

Erica Connor

Sempra Infrastructure
CISO

Mike Coogan

Brinks Home
VP, IT Services & CISO

Doug Rinehart

Marigold
CISO

Anthony Souza

Corteva Inc
VP & CISO

Genady Vishnevetsky

Stewart Title Company
CISO

Joy Wangdi

LyondellBasell
Cybersecurity Trust Officer

Governing Body Members

Jason Adams

Cornerstone Building Brands
Director, Cyber Security

Mohammed Alkhalaf

SABIC
CISO AMR

Bemi Anjous

Noble Corporation
CISO

Barry Beckett

Navitus Health Solutions
CISO

Julie Boehl

CB&I
Director, Cyber Security

Tony Caruso

Apache Corporation
Cybersecurity Advisor

Mario Chiock

SLB
Schlumberger Fellow

James Costello

Katy Independent School District
Cybersecurity Manager

Marc Crudgington

Crane Worldwide Logistics
VP, IT Infrastructure & Cybersecurity

Alan Daines

Baker Hughes
CISO

Paul Dial

AECOM
CISO

Mary Dickerson

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
AVP & CISO

Joshua Dray

San Jacinto College
CISO

John Flores

UTMB Health
CISO & AVP, Information Security

Stephanie Franklin-Thomas

Medtronic
VP & Global CISO

Andy Freeman

DistributionNOW
Director, Information Security

Cherryl Freeman

Enterprise Products Partners
Director, IT Security & Compliance

Juliano Giannerini

Baker Construction
Director IT Operations & Security (CISO)

Aldo Gonzalez

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Manager, IT Security Operations and Cloud Network

Gordon Groschl

City of Hope
CISO

Brad Hollingsworth

Mattress Firm
Senior Director, Cyber Security

Christopher Kar

Fort Bend Independent School District
Information Security Advisor

Salman Khan

Harris Health
CISO

Chuck Layton

San Jacinto College
Chief Data AI & Information Resource Officer

Mark Littlejohn

CVR Energy
Global Director, Cyber Security

Linda Marcone

Crate & Barrel
CISO & VP, Information Security

Annessa McKenzie

ConocoPhillips
Chief Information Security Officer & VP, EA & Infrastructure

Michael Morgan

Phillips 66
CISO

Thinh Nguyen

Invesco
Head of Security Architecture & GRC

Bryan Pate

ExxonMobil
CISO

Nibin Philip

STP Nuclear Operating Company
Head of Information and Cyber Security

Loc Phu

Shell
Deputy CISO, US

Mike Ratliff

Invesco
Technical Information Security Officer

Mike Reynolds

MolyCop
Director, Global Information Security

Nick Rose

Genesis Energy
CIO & CISO

Marc Scarborough

Rice University
CISO

Scott Smith

City of Bryan
CISO

Tim Smith

Westlake Corporation
CISO

Cynthia Soares

Baylor College of Medicine
Information Security Officer

Diego Souza

PROG Holdings
EVP & CISO

Kevin Weaver

CommonSpirit Health
Cybersecurity Officer, South Region

Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CISOs today.

  1. Accelerate Exposure Management To Defend At Machine Speed
  2. Unify AI Risk Into Existing Cyber Governance Practices
  3. Optimize Cybersecurity Portfolios Through Outcome-Driven Investment Strategies

Upcoming Programs

Virtual

October 15, 2026 | 1 hour

Houston CISO Community Town Hall

Beyond Patching — AI-Era Enterprise Security

Participate in a virtual session with peers to engage in candid discussions on a timely topic.

In-Person

December 1, 2026 | 1 day

Houston CISO Community Executive Summit

Hyatt Regency Houston West

Connect with CISO peers at this one-day event focused on practical solutions to top challenges.

In-Person

February 2, 2027 | an evening

Houston CISO Community Inner Circle

Haywire Restaurant

Join fellow CISOs for dinner, discussion, and networking in a relaxed, collaborative environment.

In-Person

May 6, 2027 | 1 day

Houston CISO Community Executive Summit

Hyatt Regency Houston/Galleria

Connect with CISO peers at this one-day event focused on practical solutions to top challenges.

In-Person

September 2027 | an evening

Houston CISO Community Inner Circle

Join fellow CISOs for dinner, discussion, and networking in a relaxed, collaborative environment.

In-Person

December 1, 2027 | 1 day

Houston CISO Community Executive Summit

Hyatt Regency Houston West

Connect with CISO peers at this one-day event focused on practical solutions to top challenges.



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