ATARC Federal IT Newscast

In this episode of Orbital Convergence , co-hosts Brian Fox and Gordon Deng shift the conversation from innovation to leadership—specifically, leadership through influence. Drawing from Joseph Grenny’s Influencer: The New Science to Leading Change , they explore the principles that make leadership impactful across any era. Brian and Gordon discuss what it truly means to lead, how influence drives...

In this episode of Orbital Convergence, co-hosts Brian Fox and Gordon Deng dive into the world of innovation and prototyping in government and defense. Drawing insights from Col. George M. Dougherty's article, Promoting Disruptive Military Innovation: Best Practices for DoD Experimentation and Prototyping Programs , they explore case studies and strategies driving change in the Department of Defen...

Join us as we talk with Dave Raley, Digital Program Manager for U.S. Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS), about the organization’s critical role in supporting the warfighter. From providing food, retail, and recreation services to spearheading modernization and cloud transformation initiatives, Dave is at the forefront of helping MCCS transition to more advanced processes while enhancing custom...

Orbital Convergence is where big ideas meet bold conversations. Co-hosts Brian Fox and Gordon Deng dig into the fascinating stories behind invention and innovation, breaking down the frameworks that got us here and asking the tough questions: Are we analyzing innovation correctly? What lessons from the past can shape a smarter future? Hosted with curiosity and a dash of wit, this podcast unpacks s...

In the latest Doing Tech Better in Government podcast, Brian Fox from OmniFederal interviews Major Jacob Singleton of the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command about the DARK program for space domain awareness. Major Singleton highlights the importance of international partnerships in advancing U.S. security and prosperity in space amid great power competition. He emphasizes leveraging global t...

This "Doing Tech Better in Government" podcast, hosted by Brian Fox from Omni Federal and supported by ATARC, explores the innovative strides being made in government technology. This episode features Dr. Bill DeMarco, Director of Innovation at the Air University Innovation Accelerator (AUIX), part of the U.S. Air Force’s Air University. Bill shares insights on fostering innovation in military edu...

In this episode of Doing Tech Better in Government, host Brian Fox speaks with Col. Frank Biancardi, Battle Space Awareness portfolio lead for the U.S. Air Force, about modernizing command and control (C2) capabilities. They explore efforts to enhance interoperability across the Department of Defense (DoD) and with international allies, including the development of the DAF Battle Network. Col. Bia...

In this episode of Orbital Convergence, co-hosts Brian Fox and Gordon Deng, explore how the Space Force is revolutionizing collaboration through the power of Terms of Reference. Discover how this game-changing approach aligns diverse teams, fuels modernization in government, and brings clarity to complex military operations. From cutting-edge strategies to avoid confusion to fostering seamless com...

Join host Brian Fox as he interviews Frank McNally, an acquisition strategist with the United States Digital Service (USDS), about the pivotal role of procurement in government tech modernization. Frank shares insights from his career, spanning from the TSA to private consulting and now USDS, where he helps agencies tackle modernization challenges alongside top designers and engineers. He highligh...

In this episode, podcast host, Brian Fox sits down with Jed Sundwall, the Executive Director of Radiant Earth and Lecturer at Yale School of Global Affairs, to explore the challenges and opportunities in managing and sharing planetary-scale data. We dive into the evolution of cloud computing, discussing how thoughtful, intentional use of this technology can lead to incredible performance, while av...

In this episode, co-hosts Brian Fox and Gordon Deng explore the unique challenges of measuring return on investment (ROI) within the Department of Defense. Drawing on research from the AIRC and Georgetown University, we discuss how ROI is calculated in a DOD context, how it differs from industry practices, and the barriers posed by fiscal constraints, budget programs, and acquisition processes. Tu...

In this episode, host Brian Fox sits down with Clair Koroma, a Senior Advisor to the Federal CIO, to discuss the journey of IT modernization in government. Clair shares her incredible journey, starting with hands-on front and back-end development, and how her passion for technology began. Throughout her career, Clair has remained deeply involved in the evolution of technology within the government...

Join us on this episode "Doing Tech Better in Government" as we sit down with Michael Chappell, Chief Information Officer at the US Army PEO Enterprise. With a distinguished and long career supporting the federal government, especially within the DoD, Michael shares insights into navigating agile technology adoption – a current primary goal of the government. Discover why getting it right the firs...

In this episode of "Orbital Convergence," join Brian Fox and Gordon Deng as they explore the evolution of software factories within the Department of Defense. They will dive into the origins of these initiatives, starting with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter’s 2015 announcement that established the Defense Innovation Unit in Silicon Valley. Discover how active-duty service members are le...

In this episode, we delve into the future of space technology with Laura Rodriguez, Gravity Lead at the U.S. Space Forces Chief Technology and Innovation Office. Laura leads the development of Gravity, a cutting-edge DevSecOps platform designed to revolutionize mission support for our guardians. With a keen eye for innovation, Laura harnesses the latest technologies to ensure our forces have unpar...

In this episode we are joined by Brad Punch and Katie Wildman dive into the role of PEO Digital and its integration within IT services. They break down how PEO Digital ensures user needs are consistently met across the Navy's various PEOs and emphasize the importance of collaboration. The discussion touches on their involvement with the SAFE program, reflecting on how their approach evolved si...

In the inaugural episode of "Orbital Convergence," join hosts Gordon Deng and Brian Fox as they delve into their journeys into government service. This Space Force and Space Mission-oriented podcast introduces listeners to Gordon and Brian's backgrounds, tracing their paths to their current roles. They share firsthand encounters with advancing military technology and reflect on the p...

In this episode, host Brian Fox sits down with Sage Goyda, a seasoned veteran with a distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps. Sage shares insights from their extensive journey, focusing on the past year spent working on the Marine Corps Talent and Acquisitions Pilot (MCTAP). Tune in as Sage delves into the logistics of the program, shedding light on the entry process, recruitment st...

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Danielle Moyer, Executive Director at US Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground. With a remarkable journey beginning the Army Corps of Engineers at just 15 years old, Danielle shares her insights as a Senior Contracting Official and her mission to drive digital capabilities forward. She discusses her goal of eventually working herself out of...

Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of defense modernization with George Lamb, Director of Cloud and Software Modernization at the DoD CIO Office. George shares insights into how his team tackles the most pressing technology needs in modernization efforts within the Department of Defense. Discover what sets his approach apart as his team navigates the complexities of modernization, p...

Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of data and innovation in government with Alicia Scott, Technical Director for the Chief Data Office at the U.S. Navy, and LTC Melissa Sayers, Data Scientist at G5 Support and Plans and Policy, First Army. Together, in this Data Science Panel, they explore cutting-edge approaches to enhancing visibility and efficiency, promoting innovation, and aut...

In this episode, we dive in with May Cheng, Acting Chief Information Officer at the International Trade Administration. With over 25 years of experience across various federal agencies, May shares insights into promoting U.S. exports, defending against unfair trade practices, and enhancing international competitiveness. Discover how she leads a team of 160+ IT professionals, collaborates on emergi...

In this episode, we sit down with Sean McIntyre, the Deputy CIO of Supervision and Platform Services at the OCC. Sean delves into the mission of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and shares his wisdom on transforming organizational mindsets. Learn how fostering a collective approach can enhance teamwork and drive success in any institution. Tune in for a compelling conversation t...

In this episode, we sit down with Jess Berrellez, Executive Officer in the FDA’s Office of Digital Transformation (ODT). Jess, instrumental in the establishment of ODT in 2021, oversees the agency’s enterprise technology, data, and cybersecurity operations. She shares insights into the development of the FDA's IT strategy and discusses the transformative impact of the TMAP initiative on organi...

In this episode we are joined by Jennifer Swanson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Data - Engineering - Software), ASA(ALT), who provides a comprehensive overview of how the U.S. Army is evolving its software development practices through new policies that embrace Agile development, continuous improvement, and user-centric design. The establishment of a Digital Contracting Capabilities Cen...