Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how communicators engage, inform, and lead, but knowing where to start can be a big challenge. This session focuses on the practical uses and everyday applications that public communicators can implement within their teams and workflows. 

A powerhouse lineup of experts in policy, analytics and AI tech, communications strategy, and public-sector innovation will guide the audience on how to evaluate the right AI tools to meet their agency’s needs. This discussion will also explore how to lead organizational change and build a culture of innovation that empowers teams to thrive in the evolving digital landscape.  

Dean Florez brings a unique policymaker’s perspective on how regulation, technology, and innovation shape public communication. Scott Wilkinson, founder of AlphaVu, uses AI and data analytics to help organizations better understand and connect with their audiences. Chester Britt (CAPIO member) draws on three decades of public engagement experience to guide agencies in building stronger community connections through tech-driven outreach. Joel Zlotnik, Strategic Communications Manager at OCTA, combines strategic messaging with digital platforms and analytics to drive tech-enabled public engagement and innovative communication strategies. Josh Hirsch (CAPIO member), founder of The AI Dude, is a respected voice in this emerging field and is frequently invited to speak at conferences and workshops about the strategic integration of AI.

Participants will gain a forward-looking perspective on how AI is reshaping the future of public information, from data-driven storytelling and predictive analytics to more transparent community engagement. If you are ready to be part of the future of effective and ethical AI use in public communications, this session will give you the tools to apply them responsibly and ethically.  

What You’ll Learn: 

• Discover how to evaluate and select the right AI tools
• Learn how to translate AI insights into actionable communication strategies
• Develop strategies to lead organizational change and foster a culture of innovation
• Identify how AI is reshaping the future of public information
• Incorporate AI tools into daily workflows to improve effectiveness and efficiency

SPEAKERS

Chester Britt
Executive VP
Arellano Associates

Dean Florez, MBA
Founder and CEO
BalancePR

Scott Wilkinson
Founder and CEO
AlphaVu

Joel Zlotnik
Strategic Communications Manager
OCTA

Josh Hirsch
Founder
The AI Dude

Date: April 7, 2026
Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Cost: $30 CAPIO members/Free for Professional+/$45 non-members

Register

This session is good for:
APR Continuing Education Unit

SPEAKER BIOS

Chester Britt

Chester K. Britt serves as Executive Vice President of Arellano Associates, bringing more than 33 years of experience leading strategic public engagement and communications programs for large-scale transportation and infrastructure projects across Southern California and throughout the state. As a founding leader in the firm’s growth, Chester has helped shape Arellano Associates’ reputation for delivering innovative, cost-effective, and community-centered outreach solutions. His expertise spans all phases of project development, from long-range planning and feasibility studies through environmental compliance, final design, and construction, ensuring that every effort aligns with agency goals and community needs. 

 Throughout his career, Chester has led comprehensive communication campaigns and planning programs for numerous large-scale and high-profile transportation projects, helping public agencies navigate complex decision-making processes while integrating technology-driven, data-informed solutions. Drawing on a deep understanding of city planning dynamics and agency operations, Chester provides trusted strategic counsel for public agencies to help anticipate issues, identify opportunities, and develop creative outreach solutions that deliver more effective, community-centered outcomes. 

In addition to his project leadership, Chester oversees several key departments within Arellano Associates, providing strategic direction for marketing and business development, pursuit planning, industry partnerships, and project implementation. He also leads the AA Tech Team, advancing the use of innovative engagement tools and digital platforms that enhance accessibility, transparency, and communication between agencies, clients, and communities. Through this commitment to innovation, Chester continues to position Arellano Associates at the forefront of digital outreach that redefines how clients and the public connect with infrastructure projects.

Dean Florez

Dean Florez is a visionary leader at the nexus of innovation and regulation, leveraging decades of political and financial expertise to drive transformative impact in fintech, energy, and climate policy. As a Harvard MBA and former California Senate Majority Leader, he navigates complex regulatory landscapes with precision, guiding businesses and policymakers alike toward market-driven solutions that balance economic growth with societal progress.

Dean Florez is the founder and CEO of Balance, a full-service strategic consulting firm that supports private and public clients where innovation and regulation intersect.

As CEO, Dean drives transformative change at the intersection of innovation and regulation, guiding private and public clients through complex policy landscapes. With a formidable track record in business, finance, and regulatory affairs, he champions high-impact solutions that create lasting social and financial value. 

Dean is a trusted advisor to key internal and external stakeholder groups ranging from executive teams and management to C-suite, board of directors, investors, and policymakers. He has served on early-stage financial technology Boards that have reached IPO status and continues to advise various seed to late-stage fintech entities with a seasoned P&L approach built over a decade of corporate board experience, particularly within the regulatory and government affairs  arena. 

Dean’s regulatory problem-solving skills are informed by years of political practice, data analysis, and a business acumen that crosses both public and private finance. He has acted as a valuable Board member able to communicate on the complexity of government regulation with over three decades of experience and prior service in the California Legislature and methodically leverages his past Chairmanship of the Senate Banking Committee and Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Dean is adept at guiding established and startup tech companies through regulatory processes and spaces with a demonstrated industry-specific expertise in risk management and policy strategy. 

Dean Florez stands at the forefront of energy and climate policy, wielding unparalleled political connections that bridge partisan divides at both state and federal levels. With eight years of leadership on the California Air Resources Board (CARB), he is one of its most senior and influential members, shaping policies that drive market-based clean energy solutions. His deep legislative experience and ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes have made him a trusted force in forging bipartisan strategies that accelerate the transition to a sustainable, economically viable energy future. 

Over the past decade, Dean has served on the fintech boards of Listo and Oportun. These financial services companies focus on providing services to underserved populations, leveraging technology and mobile experiences. He has served on various boards with assignments ranging from Audit, Compensation, and Governance Committees. 

Dean Florez is a seasoned leader with a formidable track record in both public service and private sector strategy. As the former California Senate Majority Leader and a longtime State Assembly member, he has shaped critical policies that bridge innovation and regulation. A Harvard Business School graduate, Dean has built a reputation as a bold, effective, and collaborative strategist, seamlessly navigating the complexities of government affairs, finance, and business. His expertise lies in driving impactful change where public and private interests intersect, ensuring that policy advancements align with economic and community growth. 

From advising Governors, U.S. Senators, and Mayors to guiding corporations through regulatory challenges, Dean’s influence extends across the highest levels of leadership. His journey began at UCLA, where he served as Student Body President and Chairman of ASUCLA, overseeing a $60 million enterprise and honing his governance acumen early on. This foundation set the stage for a career of strategic innovation, where he continues to shape industries, policies, and economies with a vision that is both pragmatic and forward-thinking.

Scott Wilkinson

Scott Wilkinson founded AlphaVu in 2009 with a desire to understand and predict human behavior using more advanced techniques than were currently available when messaging strategies were based on market fragmentation and division. He wanted agencies and organizations to have real-time visibility into public opinion and market intelligence, without waiting for the next poll or survey. Today, using a network-based approach, AlphaVu helps clients see how ideas spread, measure shifts in sentiment as they happen, and craft messages that unify rather than divide. 

Under Scott’s leadership, AlphaVu has supported public engagement and ballot initiative projects for public agencies across the country. In California, this includes work with LA Metro and RCTC, and nationally with partners in Phoenix, AZ; Austin, TX; Nashville, TN; Charlotte, NC; and Oklahoma City, OK. His work focuses on helping agencies understand how public sentiment evolves and how communications can build lasting public trust. 

Scott has also worked for elected officials, both in campaigns and policy positions, where he learned the nuts and bolts of competitive retail politics.

Joel Zlotnik

Joel Zlotnik is the Strategic Communications Manager for the Orange County Transportation Authority, where he leads agencywide communications for one of Southern California’s largest transportation agencies. OCTA delivers transit, highway, rail, and active transportation projects and services serving more than 3 million residents.

He oversees the Public Information Office, guiding issues management, executive and board communications, media relations, and crisis response. As OCTA’s primary spokesperson, Zlotnik works closely with agency leadership to translate complex transportation and policy challenges into clear, accessible public messaging. 

His team has integrated AI tools into its regular workflow to provide analysis and insight that inform communications strategy, media monitoring, message development, and crisis response, while maintaining trust, accuracy, and transparency.

Before joining OCTA in 2007, Zlotnik spent more than a decade as a journalist in Southern California, including nearly 10 years as a reporter and editor at the Orange County Register. He holds a journalism degree from the University of Arizona and lives in Orange, California.

Josh Hirsch

Josh Hirsch, MS is the Director of Business Intelligence & Innovation at NIVA Health, where he leads data strategy, analytics, and applied AI initiatives across a multi-location healthcare organization. In this role, Josh is responsible for building executive dashboards, automating performance reporting, and designing internal AI tools that improve operational efficiency, clinical insight, and decision-making without adding administrative burden to frontline teams.

At NIVA Health, Josh focuses on translating complex clinical and operational data into clear, actionable intelligence for executive leadership, physicians, and operations teams. His work spans KPI architecture, workflow automation, predictive analysis, and the responsible integration of generative AI into healthcare operations, with an emphasis on scalability, governance, and measurable impact.

Josh is also the founder of The AI Dude, where he advises nonprofits, higher education institutions, and mission-driven organizations on how to apply artificial intelligence for efficiency, strategy, and growth. He brings a practitioner’s lens to AI, emphasizing real-world use cases over experimentation for its own sake.

With nearly two decades of experience across healthcare, nonprofit, and education sectors, Josh previously served on faculty at The Fund Raising School at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, where he helped develop curriculum on digital communications and emerging technologies. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and workshops, known for making complex technology accessible to non-technical leaders.

Josh holds a Master of Science in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Florida. He also holds a Certificate in Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy and is a Certified Social Media Strategist.