Welcome to Industry Insider — Texas

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Industry Insider — Texas, a brand new offering loaded with news, tools, insights and events specifically crafted for the gov tech community in Texas.

Industry Insider — Texas is powered by the resources of its parent, e.Republic, the nation’s only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government. The company’s award-winning publications, websites, events and highly respected research operations are acknowledged as the gold standard in their respective fields, and e.Republic’s work has been cited in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Time, The Washington Post and USA Today.

As part of your membership in Industry Insider, you’ll receive a daily newsletter with the day’s top tech stories of specific interest to the private and public sectors of the gov tech market, written and edited by and for Texans. The daily newsletter will lead you to the website, where you’ll find more gov tech news as well as a host of tools — data feeds, contact lists and insights into the state and local agencies that power the state, as well as information about exclusive events and executive briefings.

“Industry Insider — Texas builds on the over 33 years of history we have working with the state of Texas, and we are excited to leverage this new platform to share, connect and inspire the entire gov tech ecosystem in Texas,” said Dustin Haisler, the Texas-based chief innovation officer for e.Republic. “Industry Insider — Texas brings together a world-class editorial team, deep market research and analysis, and over 33 years of working in the Texas market, to bring government and industry partners together and accelerate public-sector innovation.”

The state’s growing influence in technology is among the reasons e.Republic is filling this unique niche.

“With the nation’s second-largest information technology budget, Texas is a market that is on everyone’s radar,” Haisler said, “and now there’s a dedicated platform to give it the exposure it deserves — and better connect Texas government and industry partners along the way.”

Overseeing the Industry Insider products is Mike Driessen, e.Republic’s vice president of Subscription Services.

“E.Republic is excited to leverage our unique gov tech experience and knowledge to launch Industry Insider — Texas,” said Driessen. “Our goal is to provide valuable insight and intel on the Texas public-sector market. The unique aspect of this membership is that it is more than just news; it includes live events and intel on Texas public-sector bids, spending and other jurisdiction details.”

The lead editor overseeing Industry Insider — Texas is Darren Nielsen, a veteran journalist who’s worked for newspapers including The Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram as well as in the tech sector. Nielsen is based in Austin.
Industry Insider — Texas' staff also includes Rae DeShong, a Dallas-based journalist who has worked at The Dallas Morning News as well as in college administration and related sectors.

Overseeing the editorial operations is another veteran journalist with Texas roots, Dennis Noone, executive editor of Industry Insider — Texas and of e.Republic’s Industry Insider — California, formerly known as Techwire.

Nielsen and DeShong will be covering news about the people, the transactions and the trends, and you’ll see them covering in-person industry events in Austin, North Central Texas and beyond. Please introduce yourself — and, again, welcome to Industry Insider — Texas.