The Next Generation of Unemployment Insurance: Navigating the Strategic Shift

Jamie Suber, Former Chief of Staff, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, and Assistant Executive Director of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Division, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce

Jamie was employed with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce for over fifteen (15) years. He served the agency in multiple executive roles, which included Chief of Staff, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, and Assistant Executive Director of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Division.

Due to the agency’s heavy reliance on Jamie’s extensive knowledge and demonstrated skills in maintaining and improving business, Governor Henry McMaster also solicited his expertise as Acting Executive Director during a transition in leadership in 2019.

Jamie’s tenure at the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce spanned vulnerable and uncertain times including the Great Recession through the most recent challenge of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Despite unpredictable circumstances, he was still able to successfully implement nationally recognized interventions to move the agency forward. These advancements included the full technology replacement of two customer-facing platforms for UI Benefits and UI Tax Systems, Career Pathways for staff in alignment with modernization efforts to ensure promotional opportunities, and the establishment of a state-focused UI Integrity Symposium with state and federal stakeholders that allowed for programmatic integrity efforts, training of staff, and increased awareness of UI community best practices for three consecutive years.

Additionally, Jamie served as the Region 4 Seat on the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) Board of Directors and as Chair and Vice-Chair of its UI Committee from December 2020 - March 2022.

Stephanie Puryear, Principal Consultant – National Labor Practice, Infosys Public Services

Stephanie has 20 years of experience helping Labor and Workforce Departments administer Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs effectively. She has delivered UI solutions in 5 states and is the Manager for Business Analysis and the UI PMO for LaborForce. Stephanie has designed highly user-friend systems and is expert on helping agencies fight UI fraud.

John Hill, Principal Solutions Engineer, Salesforce

A leader in digital strategy, innovation, and government modernization, John has worked with all levels of government to promote technological change. Currently, John serves as the Principal Solutions Engineer for State & Local Government in the Salesforce Global Public Sector business unit.

John spent 11 years of his career working for management consulting firms, creating deep, client-side relationships while developing a keen understanding of the change management required to modernize government systems at US Federal Civilian Agencies and the US Department of Defense.

After overseas projects in Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, and Singapore, John returned stateside and joined an Analytics software company. During this time, he developed a passion for using data as an impetus for change and modernization in technology and business processes.

John has been with Salesforce Public Sector for the past 6 years and he lives in Sarasota, Florida with his wife and 3 children.

Brenda Decker — Moderator, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Brenda Decker most recently spent five years with IBM as a Director for Global Government Industry services. Prior to IBM, Brenda served in Nebraska state government for 37 years, 10+ years as the state's chief information officer with responsibility for state government computing, telecommunications, public safety radio, and video conferencing. Her expertise leading, transforming and managing large IT organizations has created high-performing teams and partnered cross functional public and private organizations. Her work has garnered both local and national recognition for her contributions to government technology.