In person - Technology Transformation and Cybersecurity with CTO at MTA, Rafail Portnoy

Rafail Portnoy became the MTA’s Chief Technology Officer in January 2020, reporting to the Chairman. He is leading the transformation of the Information Technology Department, including major initiatives that will further consolidate, modernize, and standardize the MTA’s technology environment, systems and applications while enhancing cybersecurity posture. His goal is to continue building a robust, agile, and customer-focused IT department essential for supporting efficient service delivery and transformation throughout the MTA.

Portnoy is currently a member of the teaching faculty at NYU Tandon School of Computer Sciences and Engineering. He holds a Master of Science degree in Information Systems Engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic (now NYU) and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management Information Systems from Pace University. He resides in Rockland County, New York, with his wife and two children.

Siby Vadakekkara is the founder and CEO of Marlabs, a software services firm headquartered in New Jersey. Under Siby’s leadership the firm grew from a three employee startup in 1997 to over 2000 employees globally and over 120 million in revenues. Marlabs is ranked number one in the application development category in CMP media’s Fast Growth 100 and rated as the “Ten software experts you should know”. The company was also recognized as one of the “50 Best Places to Work in New Jersey” among large businesses. For the past six years Marlabs is a winner of Deloitte & Touché Fast 50 program, a program that recognizes 50 fastest growing technology companies in New Jersey. Marlabs is ranked among top 100 privately held businesses in New Jersey. Marlabs is ranked among Global Services 100 – ranking of top 100 companies that define outsourcing. Marlabs is also chosen among Software 500 – ranking of largest software providers globally.

Mr. Siby was Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and was the sole inductee in the (INC Magazine's) INC 500 Hall of Fame, for having made the INC 500 list (fastest growing privately held companies in United States) each of 5 years in the past. Fortune Business Magazine (FSB) and winning work places conferred him with the “Best Boss” distinguished finalist award in 2006. Siby holds a masters’ degree in Engineering from Texas Tech University and a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from college of engineering Trivandrum, India. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

Siby is a member of (YPO) Young Presidents Organization, charter member of TIE (The Indus entrepreneurs). Siby had mentored several startups as part of the TIE mentoring program and also mentored MBA students at Harvard as part of the YPO/HBS mentoring program. He is a mentor and digital advisor for the Columbia executive master’s program in Technology Management.