Nishant Agarwal

Nishant is the Innovation Manager of Rose Rock Bridge. He has vast experience in Management, R&D, and Entrepreneurship. Passionate about innovating solutions for climate change and sustainability. Working with a wide range of complex technologies in robotics, aerospace, automotive, O&G, and clean energy.

David Benham

David Benham is the Co-Founder and Chief Product and Technology Officer of ROAM-AI, where he leads innovation, AI-driven product development, and enterprise technology strategy. With deep expertise in oil and gas operations, cloud architecture, and machine learning, David excels at bridging the gap between operational challenges and cutting-edge technology. His ability to translate real-world production issues into scalable, AI-driven solutions has delivered measurable value across the industry. A recognized expert in AI-based optimization and digital transformation, David holds a B.S. in Mathematics and has been a key driver in modernizing artificial lift through data and automation. His passion for solving complex problems with advanced technology plays a pivotal role in shaping ROAM-AI’s mission to empower operators with smarter, more efficient decision-making tools.

Patrick Benoit

Patrick is the EVP, Chief Information Security Officer of Vast Bank. Prior to that role, he was the Global CISO at Brinks, Inc. and the Global Head of Cyber Governance, Risk, and Compliance / Business Information Security Officer for CBRE. He was also formerly the Deputy CISO for Cheetah Digital. He has been an Executive Business Partner at Experian; a Customer Delivery Executive and Service Delivery Leader at Dell; and owned another technology consulting company. He is a highly effective Business Leader with a mastery of Technology and Security. He is also a Writer, Speaker, and a continuous Mentor/Advisor and Learner.

Tyrance Billingsley II

Tyrance Billingsley II is a Tulsa-born and raised entrepreneur, technologist and ecosystem builder. Tyrance is the founder and executive director of Black Tech Street, an organization dedicated to rebirthing historic Black Wall Street as the nation’s premiere black innovation economy rooted in the critical technology areas of cybersecurity, data analytics and responsible artificial intelligence.

Under his leadership, Black Tech Street has, in just three years, brokered a citywide alliance with Microsoft to establish 21st-century Greenwood and, as a leader in cyber and AI, served on the Tulsa Tech Hub steering committee that secured both a federal Tech Hubs designation and funding from the Economic Development Administration, with an eight-figure award being allocated to Black Tech Street’s work, and generated widespread community support for the vision of rebirthing Black Wall Street through technology. Tyrance has given a TEDx talk and been featured in publications like Forbes, Blavity, CNN Business and Black Enterprise. His thought leadership on AI and emerging technologies has led to him testifying before the United States Senate HELP committee on AI and the Future of Work, attending the historic signing of the AI Executive Order at the White House, addressing a caucus meeting on AI and civil rights, and hosting the White House National Cyber Director Harry Coker Jr. and his team in historic Greenwood.

Brandon Brown

Brandon Brown is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ROAM-AI, where he drives the company’s vision, strategy, and growth in AI-driven artificial lift optimization. With over 20 years of experience in digital transformation, AI, and enterprise IT leadership, Brandon has built and led high-performing teams that deliver cutting-edge technology solutions to complex industry challenges. He believes that data is the foundation of modern decision-making and has dedicated his career to helping organizations transition from instinct-driven to data-driven operations, enabling them to unlock new efficiencies and competitive advantages. Brandon holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and serves on multiple nonprofit boards. His passion for innovation, combined with a deep understanding of operational challenges in the oil and gas sector, drives ROAM-AI’s mission to empower operators with automated solutions and AI-driven tools that optimize production, minimize downtime, and maximize revenue.

Jaslyn Ferguson

Jaslyn Ferguson is the Director of Programs & Experience at Gradient, an award-winning nonprofit entrepreneurial support organization located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In this role, Jaslyn oversees programs designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage, from early idea development through company growth and expansion. She also leads the development of Gradient’s annual signature events, including CHROMA, its flagship innovation event, which connects regional entrepreneurial potential with national and global opportunities.

Prior to joining Gradient, Jaslyn built a multidisciplinary career spanning technology, experiential marketing, brand strategy, community engagement, and inclusive storytelling. She has developed campaigns and experiences for global brands and organizations including Twitter, NBCUniversal, Pearson Education, and Flatiron School. Jaslyn also previously led experiential marketing at Atento Capital.

In addition to her professional work, Jaslyn is an entrepreneur and startup founder. She is the co-founder and CEO of Reality Trail Technologies, a technology company focused on developing immersive and interactive experiences, and a co-founder of Historifi, an Oklahoma nonprofit that uses technology and storytelling to drive tourism, strengthen local economies, and connect communities with their history.

Originally from Orlando, Florida, Jaslyn earned a Bachelor of Science in Event Management from the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

Lawrence Ganti

Lawrence Ganti is a global executive, entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader with more than 30 years of experience building, transforming, and scaling organizations. As a CEO and President, he has led enterprises spanning 16 countries, more than 3,000 employees, and businesses exceeding $1.5 billion in scale—while also co-founding, operating, and exiting multiple early-stage ventures.

Lawrence has raised and secured more than $1 billion from venture capital, private equity, family offices, corporate venture capital, and the U.S. Department of Defense. During Operation Warp Speed, he led the rapid expansion of a digitally enabled, 300,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing operation supported by more than $250 million in federal investment—scaling its workforce, production capacity, and automated manufacturing infrastructure at extraordinary speed.

His experience spans the full innovation lifecycle, from early scientific and technical development at Technology Readiness Level 1 through product development, market validation, regulatory advancement, manufacturing scale-up, and commercialization. He currently serves as an advisor, board member, mentor, and investor to innovation-driven companies across biotechnology, medical devices, data analytics, advanced manufacturing, and other emerging technology sectors.

Lawrence is an Entrepreneurial Leader in Residence at Babson College’s Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship and has served as a Lead Mentor for Techstars. Drawing on experience as both an institutional executive and startup operator, he brings a practical perspective on converting promising ideas into scalable, commercially sustainable enterprises.

Eric Hilaire

Eric Hilaire is the CEO and co‑founder of VaultRight, a fintech company revolutionizing branch operations for banks through a mobile‑ and web‑capable branch operations platform that includes secure, digital‑first workflows, employee safety and communication tools, and audit automation.

Prior to founding VaultRight, he served as Chief Operating Officer at WeStreet Federal Credit Union ($1B in assets) providing omnichannel delivery across physical, digital, automated, and telecommunications networks. Eric has also spent more than 14 years at Bank of Oklahoma ($52B in assets), where he held multiple leadership roles across retail banking and technology.

Eric holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from the University of Oklahoma, and an Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from MIT. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and is a Leadership Tulsa graduate. Eric serves on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee for The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges in Tulsa.

David Keely

David Keely is the executive director of the University of Tulsa’s Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute (OCII). He brings passion, expertise, and a deep understanding of the cybersecurity landscape that are critical to the success of the organization’s diverse initiatives. Keely maintains a strategic vision for progressing OCII’s core mission while overseeing the institute’s budget, helping ensure the longevity needed to continue supporting Oklahoma’s small businesses, educators and communities.

Keely retired from the U.S. Air Force and Oklahoma Air National Guard in 2019 as a colonel with nearly 40 years of experience in cyber operations, communications, logistics and security/law enforcement. Among his key positions were adviser to the commander of Air Force Space Command, adviser to the commander of Air Forces, Central Command, adviser to the commander of Air Forces Cyber, and deputy director of cyber and communications for Air Combat Command. Keely also commanded an engineering and installation squadron and served as deputy commander of a mission support group that enabled global F-16 operations.

Following retirement, Keely served as the civilian director of communications and cyber, and later as executive director of staff in the Oklahoma Air National Guard’s 137th Special Operations Wing. Keely is a member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and serves with a local charitable organization that raises funds for abuse survivors.

Keely earned his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University and his master’s from the U.S. Army War College.

Devon Laney

Thomas Devon Laney is President & CEO of Gradient. Since joining in 2019, he has led the fundraising, development, and launch of America’s sixth-largest innovation and entrepreneurship hub, home to Oklahoma’s largest certified technology incubator program. Under his leadership, Gradient has helped generate over $1.7 billion in direct economic impact, supporting hundreds of companies and thousands of jobs.

Prior to Gradient, Devon co-founded and served for more than 14 years as CEO and COO of Innovation Depot in Birmingham, Alabama, where he led one of the Southeast’s largest nonprofit innovation and business incubation organizations. Devon previously worked with Accenture in Atlanta, Georgia, advising Fortune 500 companies on business strategy and customer experience initiatives. He is also an experienced entrepreneur, with ventures in the technology and B2B sectors, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by founders and small businesses.

Devon has been recognized as one of The Birmingham Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” and as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. A frequent speaker in the U.S. and internationally, he has presented on entrepreneurial ecosystem development, business incubation, innovation, and the future of work. He has served as Chair of the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) and currently serves on the boards of the Global Venture Hubs Network and Amplify Louisville. In Oklahoma, he serves on the advisory boards for i2E, Cortado Ventures, and Soldier’s Wish.

An Alabama native, Devon holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from The University of Alabama, completed international business studies in the Netherlands, and is a graduate of the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School.

Dr. Andrew Lang

Dr. Andrew Lang is Senior Professor of Mathematics and Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at Oral Roberts University. Originally from the UK, he earned a B.Sc. in Mathematical Physics from the University of Kent – Canterbury, an M.S. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Tulsa, and a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Missouri.

Over the past several years, Dr. Lang has emerged as a leading voice on the impact of artificial intelligence on education. He serves as Co-Chair of ORU’s AI Task Force and as a member of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s AI Impact on Higher Education Committee.

A prolific scholar, Dr. Lang has published extensively on artificial intelligence, with work spanning AI in higher education, AI ethics, AI-supported student motivation, and AI-enabled scientific discovery. He has been named ORU Scholar of the Year three times and received the international Blue Obelisk Award from Cambridge University and a commendation from the White House for his contributions to open science.

Lori Morgan

Lori Morgan is a Senior Electrical & Controls Engineer for Kimberly-Clark, a first-generation college graduate, and a passionate advocate for women in STEAM. With over a decade of experience in manufacturing and innovation, she has broken barriers as the first female in multiple technical and leadership roles throughout her career and is a named inventor on a U.S. patent. Lori currently serves as Event Committee Chair and Board Member for Women+ in Technology of Tulsa, where she works to empower women through community, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.

Kenny Mullican

Kenny Mullican is CIO of Paragon Films, a Tulsa-based stretch film manufacturer, where he has spent 13 years building the company’s technology from the ground up — including a full ERP transition and, more recently, a hands-on AI infrastructure build across the Microsoft stack (Dynamics 365, Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, and Azure). Unlike many IT leaders who stop at strategy, Kenny works directly in the code and architecture of the AI systems he deploys.

He’s also an active voice in the broader conversation about enterprise AI, writing for CIOs and IT leaders trying to separate real AI capability from hype.

Art Seabolt

Art is a technology specialist and senior executive, acknowledged for delivering growth through change and innovation. His experience includes a distinguished military background working within the USAF in Missile defense systems computer systems at Travis AFB, CA and the AWACS program at Tinker AFB, OK. Art remains engaged in projects with the government concerning cyber security, blockchain technologies and helping bridge the commercial industry with government entities. He was formerly the VP Technology and CIO for Omni Air International, joining them in 2008 and retiring in 2025.

Art is an advisor for the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate for Artificial Intelligence PhD’s, which is a consortium of over 135 universities and colleges. He is a CIO advisor to Constellation Networks Inc, serves on the Technology Advisory Board for Panasonic North America, the Customer Advisory Board for Jeppsen and Weather Systems Inc for electronic flight bags, the Advisory Board for Oklahoma State University Computer Science curriculums, and is the Chairman of Committee working Command and Control of Aircraft for the Department of War.