Setting a new pace

Transcription

Setting a new pace
SP E C IA L
R E P O RT:
2 0 0 9
The Policy and Management Authority for Government
R I SI N G
S TA R
AWA R D S
August 17, 2009 • Volume 23 Number 21 • FCW.COM
Setting a
new pace
28 men and women
who are making
their marks in
government IT
Starting on Page 4
Name: John Araujo
Organization: Centers
for Disease Control and
Prevention
Title: Public health
informatician
Nominated for: Providing
IT analysis and support
for CDC’s public health
initiatives.
Latest accomplishment:
Training public health
responders to set up datasharing networks in an
emergency.
Favorite bookmark:
WindowsSecrets.com
Dream non-IT job: To serve
as the president’s national
security adviser.
2009 Rising Stars
The ties that bind
What is the tie that links a would-be
restaurant owner, rock-and-roll singer,
SWAT team member, movie producer,
baseball commissioner, automobile
tester, HGTV home-renovation host,
deep-sea fisherman, home chef, NFL
linebacker, travel writer and shortstop
for the New York Yankees?
Those might have been the jobs of
this year’s winners of the fourth annual
Rising Star awards — if they had not
pursued much less fanciful careers in the
world of information technology.
Thank goodness for our government
and our nation that the 28 men and
women singled out for recognition in the
early stages of their technology careers
have found a truer calling — at least for
the time being. Nominated by colleagues
and chosen by an independent panel of
judges, this year’s winners work in all
corners of government and in private-sector
businesses that serve the government.
In the course of putting together
TAKING A CLOSER LOOK
6 - John Araujo
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
8 - Mary Beth Murphy
Internal Revenue Service
10 - Harold Schliesske Jr.
Office of the Project Manager
Defense Department Biometrics
3
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
their profiles for this special issue, we
asked each Rising Star to tell us his or
her dream nontechnology job — hence
the answers listed above. More to
the point, we asked about their latest
accomplishments, career highlights and
whom they considered to be their early
IT mentors.
What emerged are the ties that
bind them to one another and the
government IT community at large:
initiative, creativity, entrepreneurial
drive and, of course, unlimited
imagination.
The 1105 Government Information
Group, publisher of Federal Computer
Week, is pleased to present the 2009 Rising
Star award winners. As always, we tip our
hats to our distinguished judges — and
to Phil Kiviat and the Young AFCEANs,
who first suggested this program and offer
much-welcomed support.
— David Rapp
drapp@1105govinfo.com
SPOTLIGHTS
12 - The 2009 class
A LOOK BACK
32 - Of Trail Bosses and
Rising Stars
By Emory Miller
2009
2
Rising Stars
Award winners
Maj. Samuel Abbott-McCune
Jeremy Ryan Hiers
Vanessa Leigh Manchester
U.S. Military Academy
Army Department
Iris Partners
John Araujo
Anthony M. Hoang
Ryan P. McCullough
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Homeland Security Department
Govplace
Christina M. Bapst
Marwan M. Jamal
Mary Beth Murphy
Homeland Security Department
National Defense University
Internal Revenue Service
Kristine S. Beck
Goldy Kamali
Steven Posnack
Vangent
FedScoop
Health and Human Services Department
Maj. Heather W. Blackwell
1st Lt. Joseph John Kattar
Richard J. Renomeron
Air Force
Air Force
Turner Consulting Group
Louis David Carrion
Jason Khan
Joseph Arthur Rhodes
General Dynamics Information Technology
Touchstone Consulting Group
Army Department
Alma Ritter Cole
Zhenia Klevitsky
Harold R. Schliesske
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
SE Solutions
Defense Department
John Collier
Robert Lech
Emily Scott
Ball Aerospace and Technologies
Citizant
IBM
Don Gunnell
Ephraim S. Lo
Genen Soo-Hoo
Serco
New York Police Department
Naval Surface Warfare Center
Beth Sherry Maloney
Palladian Partners
Judging panel
Brian Baker
Robert J. Guerra
Tamie Lyles-Santiago
Senior consultant
Ambit Group
Principal
Guerra Kiviat
Senior special assistant to the deputy CIO
Defense Department
Michael Carleton
Steve Krauss
Wanda M. Smith
Chief information officer
Health and Human Services Department
President
AFCEA Bethesda Chapter
Director of Air Force programs
Federal Systems Integration and
Management Center
General Services Administration
Steve Ressler
Founder
GovLoop.com
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August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
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2009 Rising Stars
PHOTO
XX
XX.XX.09 • fcw.com
NAME: John Araujo (pronounced
a-rah-ho)
John Araujo
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
ANDREW KORNYLAK/AURORA SELECT
PHOTO
BY ALICE LIPOWICZ
Public health research and practice
have changed dramatically in the
past 15 years, mostly because new
information technology tools are
available to help identify emerging diseases and epidemics more
quickly. Rising Star John Araujo is
in a unique and cross-disciplinary
niche: He is advancing the role of IT
at the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
His dual role of working for
both the chief science officer and
chief information officer as a public
health informatician at CDC puts
Araujo at a crucial intersection in
conceptualizing and applying IT
solutions to pressing public health
concerns and disease research.
The 55-year-old former physiology researcher and IT whiz
joined CDC in July 2008 to help
shape policy and operations. He
reports jointly to Assistant Science Officer Lisa Lee and CIO
James Seligman.
In one project, Araujo developed a baseline workforce study to
analyze CDC’s public health informatics needs. The resulting data
will enable the agency to hire the
right people to meet those needs.
In another project, he is helping
to plan and implement development strategies for the agency’s IT
infrastructure. In a third project, he
demonstrated at a national public
health event how to quickly set up
a wireless network to facilitate communications in a disaster.
“John crosses disciplines — research, IT, project management,
evaluation and public health informatics,” said Maurine Goodman,
CDC’s scientific review officer, who
nominated Araujo for the Rising
Star award. “He has the meticulousness of the scientist but can apply
his ideas effectively in an administrative and policy environment. He
is unique.”
Araujo has had a circuitous career that parallels the emergence of
public health informatics. In that
discipline, informaticians use IT
tools to address social problems
in new ways. He earned a master’s degree in human development,
followed by a doctorate in special
studies related to physiology research. He then left academia to
work for more than a decade in IT
operations at various companies,
including Sprint. He earned another
master’s degree in health services
administration in 2004.
Although he’s only been at CDC
for a year, Araujo has already completed major projects. “This is his
first public health informatics position, and very quickly, he has established credibility inside and outside
the CDC,” Lee said.
“John has insight and a scientific
approach to problems, as well as
analytic tools, that make him a very
valuable and unique employee,”
Seligman said.
Araujo said he enjoys tackling
a broad range of policy and operational challenges. He refers to
his dual reporting responsibility as
a “beautiful arrangement.”
“I was modeling informatics before there was such a field formally,”
Araujo said. “I have a passion to
bring together science, research and
information technology. They have
to tell me to go home. I am having
the time of my life.” ■
AGE: 55
ORGANIZATION: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
TITLE: Public health informatician
NOMINATED FOR: Providing IT
analysis and support for CDC’s
public health initiatives. Supports
both the Office of the Chief Science Officer and the Office of the
Chief Information Officer.
FIRST IT MENTOR: Hal S. Beech,
network design engineer, Sprint,
a scholar, computer scientist, network design engineer and exceptional professional. He provided
the opportunities, training and
support to develop enterprise
awareness, skills and knowledge.
The opportunity he provided
and his mentorship have been
revealed directly or indirectly in
many of the accomplishments
cited for my nomination for the
Rising Star award.
LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: 2008
Public Health Information Network
Conference Workshop titled “Networking-in-a-Minute,” developed
to train public health responders to
rapidly set up a local-area network
where there was none for just-intime data sharing. The network
was not the end game, however,
but merely a tool. Our goal was to
demonstrate how a just-in-time network, created ad hoc, could make
on-the-spot data sharing possible
for public health decision-making
during emergent situations.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: I am most
honored that I was trusted to
serve the CDC and public health
by both Dr. Tanja Popovic, the
agency’s chief science officer, and
Jim Seligman, the agency’s chief
information officer.
FAVORITE JOB-RELATED BOOKMARK: WindowsSecrets.com
DREAM NON-IT-RELATED JOB: To
serve as the president’s national
security adviser.
XX
fcw.com • xx.xx.09
2009 Rising Stars
Mary Beth Murphy
Internal Revenue Service
BY BEN BAIN
8
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
LARRY RUGGERI
In May 2007, Mary Beth Murphy took over
leadership of the Treasury Department’s
fledgling efforts to issue secure, interoperable identification cards to employees and
contractors, as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12. Success did
not come immediately, but retrospectively,
you could say it has come quickly.
By March 2008, Treasury had issued
only six cards to employees and contractors out of the nearly 130,000 who needed
the cards, according to department data.
However, a little more than a year later, an
Office of Management and Budget report
showed that as of June, Treasury had issued
98,100 cards.
Nominators said Murphy’s leadership
was critical to the successful move away
from Treasury’s HSPD-12 solution to the
General Services Administration’s sharedservices program for issuing the cards. The
department and Murphy have received acclaim because of her efforts in shepherding
one of the government’s largest departments
toward meeting HSPD-12 requirements.
Under Murphy, the HSPD-12 program
reduced reliance on contracted staff by 65
percent from fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2010,
thereby avoiding $13 million in costs. In
addition, nominators said she established effective program controls for the effort, such
as using earned value management and an
integrated master schedule.
Murphy, a self-described exercise junkie,
said she draws on her personal discipline
to help her organization succeed. She said
that discipline has been central to Trea-
sury’s success with issuing HSPD-12 cards
under her guidance. She also emphasized
the importance of setting goals and fostering
teamwork.
“A key for us was a great network of teams
of people throughout Treasury,” she said.
Robin Locy, who worked with Murphy
before she took the lead on the HSPD-12
card program, said she is driven by quality
and acts with the utmost professionalism.
“She’s well-respected because she knows
her stuff,” said Locy, executive director of
Internal Revenue Service contractor Kadix
Systems.
Locy worked with Murphy on the IRS’
Accounts Management Services project to
provide Web-based services for taxpayers.
“She’s always right on the mark, brings
the right level of history, can take you where
you need to go and navigate through facilitating a solution to whatever the problem is,
and that was demonstrated by her success on
HSPD-12,” Locy said.
Nominators also cited Murphy’s selection
for the IRS Executive Readiness Program
in March 2007. They said her promotion
stemmed from the outstanding work she did
for the IRS and the HSPD-12 initiative.
Murphy said she is set to graduate from
the IRS’ Candidate Development Program
in late September. In October, she plans to
start a job as director of employee support
services at the agency, where she will oversee payroll, help-desk and travel programs
for employees.
“I take a real team approach to all of my
work,” Murphy said. “It’s really about getting
the people to do the job because you can’t do
it yourself.” ■
NAME: Mary Beth Murphy
AGE: 40ish
ORGANIZATION: AgencyWide Shared Services, Internal
Revenue Service
TITLE: Director of employee
support services
NOMINATED FOR: Managing
the transition of the Treasury
Department’s HSPD-12 initiative
to the General Services
Administration’s USAccess
shared-services program and in
the process, reduced Treasury’s
reliance on contract staff by 65
percent over three years, saving
up to $13 million in costs.
FIRST IT MENTOR: Gina Garza,
associate chief information
officer for application
development. I spent most
of my career on the business
side of the IRS. It wasn’t until
I accepted a job in the new
Business Systems Planning
organization that I was given
my first real exposure to the
technology side of the IRS. Gina
was then the Director of the
BSP. She gave me insight on
the challenges of the IT side of
running the IRS.
LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:
Managing the Treasury-wide
HSPD-12 Program Office.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Every
time I run into or hear from
someone that I have had the
pleasure of working with and
then was given the opportunity
to help them advance their
career.
FAVORITE BOOKMARK:
Nextgov.com
DREAM NON-IT-RELATED JOB:
Health and phys ed teacher/
personal trainer
fcw.com • xx.xx.09
XX
2009 Rising Stars
Harold Schliesske Jr.
Office of the Project Manager Defense Department Biometrics
BY AMBER CORRIN
10
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
LARRY RUGGERI
Harold Schliesske studied information systems at
a small Philadelphia-area college and worked in
the information technology field after graduating.
But when he saw what his twin brother and father
were doing in the Army — the “cool stuff ” — he
left the private sector for government leadership.
As he ascends the ranks inside the Beltway, he
hasn’t looked back.
And why would he? As assistant product
manager at the Office of the Project Manager
Defense Department Biometrics’ Tactical Biometric Systems organization, Schliesske is at the
helm of two of the leading biometrics systems
in the Central Command’s dedicated area of
responsibility. He helps develop technology that
protects combat personnel on the ground in
Iraq and Afghanistan.
The biometric devices the organization supplies for enrolling local residents who work at U.S.
bases can mean the difference between a secure
base environment and a potential disaster.
“These devices are a means of providing security to our troops,” Schliesske said. “With biometrics, we can enroll individuals at the base and
check against known repositories, like an Iraqi database. And we can do things like lift prints from
remnants of improvised explosive devices and add
[them] to the database [for reference] as well.”
After deciding to make the jump from privatesector IT to government work, Schliesske enrolled in the Army Knowledge Leaders program
and served a two-year internship that took him
around the United States and the world.
Colleagues say that diverse exposure helped
groom Schliesske into a Rising Star.
“Knowing the technology is a must, but Harold
grasps the political and interpersonal nuances,”
said Gary Winkler, program executive officer
for enterprise information systems, the umbrella
organization under which Schliesske’s office falls.
“He’s got a great handle on the technology but
goes far beyond that. He’s been a high performer
since I’ve known him as an intern. He’s head and
shoulders above the rest.”
Winkler also noted that Schliesske’s work has
been integral to the thriving partnership between
Project Manager DOD Biometrics and other federal agencies. “That partnership is one of our biggest successes,” he said. “It’s the best example of
interagency cooperation.”
Schliesske said interagency communication is
one of his biggest challenges. “The government is
so big, and there are so many players, stakeholders
and interests involved,” he said. “I spend a lot of
time getting viewpoints and then finding the best
solutions.”
For Schliesske, motivation lies within the bigger picture. “I want to make a difference on as big
a scale as possible and deliver a product the warfighter needs. Whatever side you’re on politically,
you’re helping a soldier in the field who already
has a tough job.”
As it turns out, that motivation is right on
target. “Harold is truly deserving of this award,”
said Lee Harvey, deputy program executive officer
for enterprise information systems. “His tireless
dedication to the DOD biometrics program has
been instrumental in keeping the program on
track — ensuring warfighters continue to be as
safe as possible while in harm’s way.”
Schliesske said he plans to stay in government
as he moves forward in his career, and whatever
lies ahead, he hopes to continue to find ways to
support DOD and the troops.
“I just get a sense of satisfaction in getting people with malicious intent off the street,” he said. ■
NAME: Harold Schliesske Jr.
AGE: 29
ORGANIZATION: Office of the
Project Manager DOD Biometrics
TITLE: Assistant product manager/
acting deputy product manager
NOMINATED FOR: Stepping into
a variety of roles to support the
deployment and management of
biometric systems in Iraq and other
tactical environments. Updated
systems at 10 installations in Iraq,
and the reduced demand for staff
and equipment is expected to save
$700,000 a year.
FIRST IT MENTOR: Dr. Ed Fujimoto
served as my mentor throughout
the Army Knowledge Leaders
internship program that brought
me into the government. He is an
exceptional example of being able
to bring about change in the often
slow and bureaucratic world of
government.
LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:
Establishing the first biometric
continuity-of-operations site for
PM DOD Biometrics. This was
a long and multifaceted project
that I led from its infancy into
implementation.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Traveling
with senior leadership to Korea,
Japan and Okinawa. It was a great
opportunity to see just how vast
our Army is and provided a great
opportunity to see how we operate
in different parts of the globe.
FAVORITE BOOKMARK: www.
kottke.org. OK, so it might not be
exactly job related, but I find it
extremely creative and informative,
which certainly has positive
implications for my work.
DREAM NON-IT-RELATED JOB:
Consumer Reports product tester.
Even better: Consumer Reports
automobile tester!
fcw.com • xx.xx.09
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This publication is published by FCW Media Group, a private firm not associated with the Air Force or 754 ELSG.
The inclusion of the information on 754 ELSG and any of its current contractors is not intended as an endorsement of any
of the contractors whose advertisement may be included in this publication.
A Guide to the 754th Electronic Systems Group (754 ELSG)
Enterprise Services
A Note from the 754 ELSG Director
he 754th Electronic Systems Group (754 ELSG) provides and
network security. This emphasized the dependence our military has on
supports secure combat information systems and networks that
our information networks. Because cyberspace is so critical to joint
increase the capabilities of our commanders and leaders of the
military operations, it’s critical that the DoD ensure they are protected
T
United States Air Force (USAF), the Department of Defense and other
Federal Government Agencies. Our mission is to deliver information
and combat challenges to that protection.
Realizing Air Force IT is the Warfighter’s Edge in Battlespace, the
driving war-winning decisions by shaping, acquiring, and sustaining
754 ELSG takes on the cyber challenge by responding to growing
warfighting IT capabilities through responsive, adaptive and
critical information technology and network needs offering secure and
cost-effective logistics, enterprise services, and infrastructure
integrative IT systems, tools, products and services, through a wide
solutions-to fly and fight in Air, Space and Cyberspace.
variety of contracts and agreements. We will improve responsiveness
The 754 ELSG is a part of the 554th Electronic Systems Wing, which
and maintain customer focus, employ innovative and comprehensive
is headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. The Group directly
strategic sourcing practices that deliver synergistic capabilities. We are
supports the Wing’s mission of providing the USAF with a wide array of
ever vigilant of internal/external dynamics that influence the integrity of
horizontally integrated IT products and services and ensures timely,
existing support systems as we track technology trends, budgetary
decision-ready information that delivers high quality solutions to support
cycles and political reforms that may affect opportunities to develop
mission requirements.
more efficient processes.
On June 23, 2009 Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered the
The 754 ELSG continues to lead the Air Force in optimizing the IT
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754th Electronic Systems Group
754th Electronic Systems Group Mission
Deliver integrated information driving war winning decisions by shaping,
acquiring, and sustaining warfighting IT capabilities through responsive,
adaptive and cost-effective logistics, enterprise services and infrastructure
solutions—to fly and fight in air, space and cyberspace.
The 754th Electronic Systems Group (754 ELSG) is the largest
organization within the 554th Electronic Systems Wing headquartered
at Hanscom AFB, MA.
The organization provides technical and customer service support as well
as acquisition and program management oversight of over 160 Combat
Support Information Technology (IT) systems. 754 ELSG also manages
the Air Force standard desktop environment, and serves as the USAF lead
for software program management under the auspices of the DoD
Enterprise Software Initiative. 754 ELSG is the source of a large infusion
of commerce in the Montgomery area with government employees and
contractors from local and national IT and support companies.
Additional activities include managing
the Air Force single enterprise-wide
license contract with Microsoft
Corporation, executing the Chief
Information Officer’s Information
Technology Commodity Council
Strategic Sourcing program and
administering the Network Centric
Solutions (NETCENTS) contract valued
at over $9 billion. 754 ELSG manages
over 50 Air Force Contracts and Basic
Purchasing Agreements with a total
value of $15 billion. According to the
Montgomery Area Chamber of
Commerce, 754 ELSG is the largest
single employer of information
technology personnel in Montgomery.
How to do Business with 754 ELSG
To begin, a federal program
manager must do the following:
Contact 754 ELSG/ES for
acquisition support, define the
project by writing a statement of
work, and send a funding
document with a bona fide need
to transfer funds.
754 ELSG will accept funding
documents, including Military
Interdepartmental Purchase
Requests (MIPRs), Interagency
Agreements (IAs), Work Orders,
or Purchase Requisitions. Once
funds are accepted, the 754 ELSG
will begin working on the project.
TASK ORDER INCEPTION
Contact 754 ELSG
Define Task with Bona Fide Need
Transfer Funds
Project Assigned to Acquisition Team
Market Research and Acquisition Planning
Assess Mandatory Use Policies
Negotiation
Solicitation
Contract Administration
Award
Project Closeout
Contact Us:
https://www.AFWay.af.mil
Commercial: (334) 416-5070
DSN 596
Invoice
Pay Final Invoice
Past Performance Review
Unused Funds returned to Ordering Agency
Contract Closeout
The appearance of advertising or sponsorship, in this package, does not constitute endorsement of specific vendors by the Department of the Air Force or the
Department of Defense. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise,
does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Air Force.
s3
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Enterprise Services Division (754 ELSG/ES)
Shape, acquire, and support warfighting IT capabilities through responsive,
adaptive, and cost-effective enterprise services and business solutions.
We are an innovative, multi-skilled, integrated team, leading the Air Force by shaping enterprise IT investments. We provide strategic business
solutions that deliver integrated joint warfighting capabilities through agile and comprehensive lifecycle management.
Accomplish Your Mission with our Acquisition Solutions! Added Value!
Hardware
Servers
Rugged Devices
Desktops
Software
IT Services
Network-Centric Solutions
Laptops
Federal Employee Purchase Programs
Customized Solutions
Expert Vendors
Extended Warranties
Customer-Managed Acquisitions
Free Shipping!
Customer Care is an operational tool for incorporating and implementing
Enterprise Service’s strategic goals and vision – We are an innovative,
multi-skilled, integrated team, leading the Air Force by shaping enterprise IT
investments. We provide strategic business solutions that deliver integrated
joint warfighting capabilities through agile and comprehensive lifecycle
management. The heart of Customer Care is a total service model built
around extraordinary business relationships with our customers. Please
visit the 754th Electronic Systems Group Customer Care Community of
Practice (Common Access Card (CAC) required) located at:
https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/ASPs/CoP/OpenCoP.asp?Filter=MC-AQ-00-33 or
visit the AFWay website at: https://www.AFWay.af.mil.
The idea of Strategic Communication is to get the message out. It involves
informing and appropriately influencing key audiences by synchronizing
and integrating communication efforts to deliver truthful, timely, accurate,
and credible information. It is critical for the 754 ELSG/ES to inform customers and vendors of its presence. Ways to increase presence include
writing articles, press releases, attending and planning conferences and
conducting interviews with key leadership personnel as well as marketing
our products and services to current and potential DoD customers.
Customer Care is responsible for managing an effort that is open and
responsive. Information about the 754 ELSG should be redily available to
internal and external customers, including news organizations. Customer
Care gathers, coordinates and releases information requested about 754
ELSG programs, activities and personnel. All information must be
released withing the bounds of national security and in accordance with
Air Force policy and Privacy Act restrictions.
Added Value!
Save Time & Money!
IT Supplies & Accessories
Contracting Support
Leveraged Buying
Online Tools
Engineering Support
Customer Outreach
Andrew Allen, Andrew.Allen.1@us.af.mil 334.416.7033
SSgt Bryant Lewis, Bryant.Lewis@us.af.mil 334.416.1147
SrA David Clark, David.Clark@us.af.mil 334-416-3441
Bernadette Hollinger, Bernadette.Hollinger.CTR@gunter,af.mil
334-416-1601
Nanette Torre, Nanette.Torre.CTR@gunter.af.mil 334.416.6912
Warren Sidney, Warren.Sidney.ctr@gunter.af.mil 334-416-6728
Strategic Communicators
Jason Bishop, Jason.Bishop.CTR@gunter.af.mil 334-416-4989
Janice Foley, JaniFoley@verizon.net 617-823-5555
Danna Plewe, Danna.Plewe.CTR@gunter.af.mil 937-257-2182
Ben Gamble, BGamble@P3SCorp.com 210-496-6934
James Eccleston, JEccleston@cox.net 703-989-5571
Air Force Information Technology Conference (AFITC) 2009
1st Lt Nicolas Aquino, Nicolas.Aquino@gunter.af.mil 334-416-5559
1st Lt Marshalria Vaughans, Marshalria.Vaughans@gunter.af.mil
Small Business
Mr. John Caporal, SAF/Small Business,
John.Caporal@pentagon.af.mil
Ms. Sonia Carlton, Air Force Materiel Command
Sonia.Carlton@wpafb.af.mil
Mr. Bill Donaldson, Electronic Systems Center
Bill.Donaldson@hanscom.af.mil
Leadership
Ms. Denise Baylor, 754th Electronic Systems Group
Denise.Baylor@Gunter.af.mil
Mr. Eddie Upshaw, Director, Enterprise Services Division
Eddie.Upshaw@us.af.mil
Ms. Debra Foster, Deputy Director, Enterprise Services Division
Debra.Foster@gunter.af.mil
Ms. Cyndi Crews, Director, Business Operations
Cynthia.Crews@us.af.mil
Mr. Andrew Allen, Director, Customer Care
Andrew.Allen.1@us.af.mil
1. Visit us on the web at https://www.AFWay.af.mil
2. Call us using DSN 596-5070 or Commercial (334) 416-5070
3. Send an email to one of these sites:
QEB: qeb@gunter.af.mil • NETCENTS: netcents@gunter.af.mil • Microsoft
and/or ESI Agreements: 754.kabs.esi@gunter.af.mil
3 Easy Ways to Contact Us
s4
The appearance of advertising or sponsorship, in this package, does not constitute endorsement of specific vendors by the Department of the Air Force or the
Department of Defense. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise,
does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Air Force.
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Enterprise Software Acquisition
The Air Force has established the Air Force Software Enterprise Acquisition Management Lifecycle Support (SEAMLS) office at the 754 ELSG. The
SEAMLS office will act as the primary interface with all Air Force customers for software licensing and services. This office manages the Microsoft
Enterprise Licensing and Service Agreements, the AF-wide Oracle Contract and the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI). With respect to the
Enterprise License Agreement, SEAMLS responsibilities include oversight of purchasing, usage compliance, field assistance and distribution. The
objectives are to save money, streamline the acquisition process, facilitate enterprise licensing, and improve information sharing.
The Office of Management and Budget, DoD and General Services Administration awarded multiple contracts for blanket purchase agreements (BPA)
to protect sensitive, unclassified data residing on government laptops, other mobile computing devices and removable storage media devices. The
encryption of data-at-rest (DAR) information Is now possible through these BPAs which were successfully completed using DoD’s ESI and GSA’s
government-wide SmartBUY (Software Managed and Acquired on the Right Terms) programs.
In 2006, the Air Force established the consolidation of Air Force Oracle Enterprise Management Functions of the AFMC, AF/IL and AF-Wide Enterprise
Agreements (EAs). This consolidation provides the Air Force the single automated system to track EA assets; provides a one-stop shop for Air Force
Oracle customers worldwide; and allows agencies to benefit from economies of scale.
AF Enterprise Microsoft License
AF Licensing Manager: Mr. Alphonso Bryant, (334) 416-6176
Contracting Officer: Mr. Maurice Griffin, (334) 416-6099
Dell Contract #: FA8771-04-F-8320
AF-Wide Oracle Contract
Program Manager: Mr. Duane Haughton, (334) 416-1754
Contracting Officer: Mr. Richard Ashley, (334) 416-4198
Oracle Contract #: F01620-00-F-8609
AF-Information Assurance Contract Holders
MTM Technologies, Inc. [Other than small]:
Contract #: FA8771-07-A-0301
Carahsoft Technology Corp. [Small Business]:
Contract #: FA8771-07-A-0303
Spectrum Systems, Inc. [Small Business]:
Contract #: FA8771-07-A-0304
SafeNet, Inc. [Large Business]: Contract #: FA8771-07-A-0305
Hi Tech Services, Inc. [Service-Disabled, Veteran Owned Small
Business]: Contract #: FA8771-07-A-0306
Rocky Mountain Ram, LLC [Small Disadvantaged Woman Owned]:
Contract #: FA8771-07-A-0302
ImmixGroup, Inc. [Small Business]: Contract #: FA8771-07-A-0307
Autonomic Resources, LLC [Small Disadvantaged Business Program]:
Contract #: FA8771-07-A-0308
GovBuys, Inc. [Small Business]: Contract #: FA8771-07-A-0310
Intelligent Decisions, Inc. [Large Business]:
Contract #: FA8771-07-A-0311
Merlin International [Veteran Owned Small Business]:
Contract #: FA8771-07-A-0312
Department of Defense Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI)
Program Manager (AF): Mr. Duane Haughton, (334) 416-1754
Contracting Officer: Mr. Richard Ashley, (334) 416-4198
Telos Corporation (ESI) [Large Business]:
Contract #: F01620-03-A-8003
Symantec ImmixTech [Small Business]: Contract#: FA8771-05-A-0301
Securify/Patriot Technologies [Small Business]:
Contract #: FA8771-06-A-0303
Tower Software Corp. [Small Business]: Contract #: FA8771-06-A-0302
Data at Rest (DAR) Encryption
The Office of Management and Budget, DoD and General Services Administration awarded multiple contracts for blanket purchase agreements (BPA) to protect
sensitive, unclassified data residing on government laptops, other mobile computing devices and removable storage media devices. The encryption of
data-at-rest (DAR) information is now possible through these BPAs which were successfully competed using DoD’s Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) and
GSAs government-wide SmartBUY (Software Managed and Acquired on the Right Terms) programs. Three categories of software and hardware encryption
products are available under the BPAs - full disk encryption (FDE), file encryption (FES), and integrated FDE/FES products. All products use cryptographic
modules validated under FIPS 140-2 security requirements, and have met stringent technical and interoperability requirements. Licenses are transferable within
a federal agency and include secondary use rights. All awarded BPA prices are as low as or lower than prices each vendor has available on GSA schedules,
with significant savings to the Federal Government estimated. Component CIO’s are currently developing component/service specific enterprise strategies.
Accordingly, customers should check with their Chief Information Officer for Component specific policies and strategies on procurement of Data at Rest solutions.
Contract Holders
SafeNet, Inc.
Carahsoft Technology Corp.
Hi Tech Service, Inc.
Checkpoint
GuardianEdgeTechnologies, Inc.
Safeboot Mobile Data Security
Autonomic Resources
Information Security Corporation
Encryption Solutions, Inc.
Intelligent Decisions, Inc.
MTM Technologies Inc.
Spectrum Systems, Inc.
SPYRUS, Inc.
GovBuys, Inc.
immix Technologies
CREDANT Technologies, Inc.
Mobile Armor, LLC
WinMagic Inc
WinMagic Inc.
Pointsec
Merlin International, Inc.
Rocky Mountain Ram, LLC
s5
The appearance of advertising or sponsorship, in this package, does not constitute endorsement of specific vendors by the Department of the Air Force or the
Department of Defense. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise,
does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Air Force.
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Enterprise IT Hardware Acquisition
Mission Statement
Shape, acquire and support warfighting commercial information technology (CIT) hardware products through responsive, adaptive business solutions.
IT hardware products are available through Enterprise Hardware Agreements (EHAs), based off of General Services Administration (GSA) Class 70
Federal Supply Schedules (FSSs). The Desktop/Laptop/Server (DLS) EHAs are accessible through AFWay (https://www.AFWay.af.mil), the Air Force’s
e-commerce web-site for purchasing COTS IT products.
Standards
Our vendors offer quality tested and validated products that are compliant with the Defense Information Infrastructure-Common Operating Environment
(DII COE), Buy American Act/Trade Agreement Act (BAA/TAA), and Infostructure Technology Reference Model (i-TRM).
Desktops, Laptops, and Servers
iGov Contract #: FA8771-05-A-0602
Program Manager: Martin Toland (334) 416-6216
NCS Contract #: FA8771-05-A-0603
Contracting Officer: Ms. Barbara Dobbins (334) 416-1185
Emtec Federal (Formerly Westwood Computer Corporation Inc.)
Contract #: FA8771-05-A-0601
Dell Computer Corporation Contract #: FA8771-05-A-0608
HP Contract #: FA8771-05-A-0611
Federal Employee Purchase Programs
Both military and civilian employees of the United States Air Force are eligible to participate in the commercial customer Employee Purchase Programs
(EPPs) and Home Use Programs (HUPs) of various vendors associated with the Air Force’s Center of Excellence for Information Technology (IT), the
754th Electronic Systems Group (ELSG). These programs are part of these vendors’ commercial offerings and were not negotiated or otherwise paid
for as part of a government contract and allow you to get licensed copies of software applications to install and use on your home computer and allow
you to purchase computer systems and other peripheral devices from major manufacturers at discounted savings! This offering includes software
operating systems, software office productivity suites, desktops, laptops, memory, printers, scanners, cellular devices and services, and much more.
For more information on the programs from the companies below, please use the contact information provided below.
AT&T
Microsoft Home Use Program
www.att.com/armedforces
https://www.gunter.af.mil/contracting/microsoftea/homeuse.aspx
Sprint
Microsoft Employee Purchase Program
www.airforcewireless.com
https://www.gunter.af.mil/contrcting/microsoftea/EPP.aspx
T-Mobile
Dell AF Employee Home Purchase Program
www.t-mobile.com/corpdiscount (existing customers)
(866) 464-8602 (new customers)
www.dell.com/ghc and call (800) 695-8133 ext. 7266402
Verizon
http://us.mcafee.com/root/landingpages/afflandpage.asp?affid=10601&lpname=default&cid=7236
www.verizonwireless.com/gov
McAfee
Hewlett Packard
www.shopping.hp.com and call (866) 433-2018
s6
The appearance of advertising or sponsorship, in this package, does not constitute endorsement of specific vendors by the Department of the Air Force or the
Department of Defense. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise,
does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Air Force.
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IT Services & Solutions
Mission Statement
Provide dedicated contracting support to Air Force, Department of Defense (DoD), and Civilian and Federal agency systems and program managers in
acquiring a wide range of commercially-available information technology services, specialized communication-computer support systems, software
programs, software engineering, and related products and technical non-personal services. Among our offerings are Software Development ID/IQ
Contracts, Information Technology Services Blanket Purchase Agreements and Advisory and Assistance Services Blanket Purchase Agreement
providers. These contracts are used for acquiring the development, test, production, deployment and support of military automated information systems, computers, software, software engineering and related products and technical services. In addition, we have the Air Force Network-Centric
Solutions (NETCENTS) contract. The purpose of NETCENTS is to provide Air Force, DoD and other Federal Agencies with a primary source of networking equipment/product supply and a means of system engineering, installation, integration, operations, and maintenance for a family of DoD adopted
commercially standardized networking solutions interoperable with Air Force, Joint and DoD Standardized Networking Technical Architectures.
AF Enterprise Microsoft Services
Wireless Handheld Services/Devices
Program Manager: Mr. Ray Perry, (334) 416-2678
Program Manager: Ms. Barbara Sanford, (334) 416-6825
Contracting Officer: Ms. Annette Hudson, (334) 416-1370
Contracting Officers: Mr. Alex Iglesias, (520) 538-8832 (Army)
Microsoft Contract #: FA8771-04-C-0003
Cingular Contract #: W91RUS-06-A-0003
Network-Centric Solutions (NETCENTS)
Sprint Contract #: W91RUS-06-A-0002
Program Manager: Mr. John Taylor, (334) 416-3979
Verizon Contract #: W91RUS-06-A-0001
Contracting Officer: Ms. Maria Jones, (334) 416-4076
T-Mobile Contract #: W91RUS-06-A-0004
Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. Contract #: FA8771-04-D-0006
Centech Group Contract#: FA8771-04-D-0002
General Dynamics Network Systems Inc. Contract #: FA8771-04-D-0007
Lockheed Martin Systems Integration Contract #: FA8771-04-D-0008
Multimax Inc. Contract #: FA8771-04-D-0003
NCI Information Systems Inc. Contract #: FA8771-04-D-0005
Northrop Grumman Information Technology Inc.
Contract #: FA8771-04-D-0004
Telos Corporation Contract #: FA8771-04-D-0009
• Create a highly competitive environment among wireless communication providers in which to leverage the Air Force’s purchasing
volume and reduce TCO for wireless services and devices.
• Consolidate Air Force purchases under enterprise-wide purchase
agreements to obtain lower prices for the same services, develop
new flat rate pricing options, and increase user flexibility under
more favor-able terms and conditions.
• Capture usage and pricing data across the enterprise to enable periodic analyses and value-based plan changes.
• Improve enterprise capability (e.g., enhance security, improve coverage) and streamline the procurement process for both the government and its suppliers.
Global Combat Support System —Air Force (GCSS-AF) GCSS-AF provides a component-based Reference Architecture Framework that serves as the
Integration and Application Framework Layers for GCSS-AF functional capabilities consistent with the Defense Information Infrastructure Common
Operating Environment (DII COE), the Joint Technical Architecture — Air Force (JTA-AF), and based on commercial open standards. The GCSS-AF
Reference Architecture Framework also provides common interfaces for those functions that either directly or indirectly support Command and Control
(C2) or share information with C2 Systems. The Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) Ordering Process provides a timely and assured method
to acquire software products and maintenance services from the GCSS-AF contract. The ordering period for Services ends December 10, 2008 and
ordering period for Products ends December 10, 2011. Program Manager: Mr. Toy Robinson, (334) 416-5943 Contracting Officer: Ms. Marie Walton,
(334) 416-4015 Lockheed Martin Corporation Contract #: F01620-96-D-0004
3 Easy Ways to Contact Us
1. Visit us on the web at https://www.AFWay.af.mil
2. Call us using DSN 596-5070 or Commercial (334) 416-5070
3. Send an email to one of these sites:
QEB: qeb@gunter.af.mil • NETCENTS: netcents@gunter.af.mil • Microsoft and/or ESI Agreements: 754.kabs.esi@gunter.af.mil
The appearance of advertising or sponsorship, in this package, does not constitute endorsement of specific vendors by the Department of the Air Force or the
Department of Defense. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise,
does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Air Force.
s7
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AFWay
AFWay (https://www.AFWay.af.mil) is a Web-based Air Force system for purchasing IT. The system combines eBusiness and eCommerce processes that guide
users through requirement identification, approval and purchase by combining these into one simplified process. AFWay is part of the overall IT Management
program that is also supported by other organizations and applications. AFWay computer based training is available at https://www.AFWay.af.mil/AFWaycbt/.
What does it provide the customer?
Advantages of Ordering From AFWay
Pre-negotiated contracts with leading IT manufacturers and resellers
• Pricing below manufacturers’ retail prices and GSA pricing
• Access to thousands of hardware/software products, as well as IT services
• Ability to accomplish requirements research at one site
• Ability to obtain vendor quotes for single or bulk buys through the system
• Ability to send request for quotes to non-contract vendors to fulfill
small business requirements
• 24 hours/7 days a week Field Assistance Branch support
• Government Purchase Card (GPC) ordering online
• Automated updates to the IT asset management system
Leveraged Buying Power
Major Benefits
Our staff offers the entire range of customer support services any time
you need help.
AFWay is designed to minimize required actions and reduce manpower
requirements. Among the benefits are:
• Better coordination of IT purchasing power, yielding greater volume
discounts
• Provides MAJCOM Communications and Information (C&I) Officers or
A6s with maximum visibility into and control over IT purchases
• Meets congressional mandates (Clinger-Cohen) for gaining insight into
IT purchases
• Provides tracking of IT assets from order placement to receipt interface
to the IT asset management system
• Oversight of commercial products purchased for use on the AF
enterprise network
• Technical choices that support network security and information
assurance requirements
• Assurance that appropriate products are approved and purchased at
competitive prices
• Standardization and control, which drives down the total cost of
ownership, and helps leverage the AF’s buying power
We leverage USAF, DoD, and federal government buying power to
establish great deals for the customer. Our prices should be the best
available; few IT providers match the size of our customer base.
Strategic Vendor Relationship
Through our volume, we create strategic relationships with quality IT
providers. This enables us to obtain favorable terms not often available
in the commercial market. For example, we obtain better on-site support
warranties and more flexibility in our negotiated software licenses.
Buying Support
Implement Standards
Finally, by requiring products that support the Infostructure Technology
Reference Model (i-TRM), Defense Information Infrastructure Common
Operating Environment (DII COE) Initiatives, and Buy American Act/Trade
Agreement Act (BAA/TAA) we are unobtrusively helping the USAF to
implement these concepts.
Future Changes
Enhanced capabilities and an improved user interface are two primary
areas of focus in the COTS-based replacement application currently
under development. When implemented, you will find this link on the
USAF portal.
Finally, we are committed to continually improving our service to you. You
can help us by letting us know where we’re falling short and where we’re
doing well. The entire 754 ELSG/ES staff stands ready to assist in making
our BPAs and contracts your first choice when making IT purchases.
AFWay POCs
AFWay MAJCOM POCs
Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC)
AFWay Program Manager
Air Combat Command (ACC)
Ms. Patricia Beasley
patricia.beasley@gunter.af.mil
Ms. Eula SimpsonHQ ACC/SCSI
eula.simpson@langley.af.mil
Mr. John Gillespie, AFRC/SCXR
john.gillespie@afrc.af.mil
AFWay Project Manager
Air Education & Training Command (AETC)
Ms. Jeanette Tackett
nancy.tackett@gunter.af.mil
Mr. Dominic Grazioli, AETC/SCTI
dominic.grazioli@randolph.af.mil
AFWay Organization Mail Box
Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC)
afway.pmo@gunter.af.mil Field Assistance Branch
334-416-5771 Please select Option 1, then Option 1,
then Option 5 and Option 9 DSN 596-5771, Option
1, Option 1, Option 5, Option 9 team5@gunter.af.mil
team5@gunter.af.mil
Mr. Herb Clonch, AFMC/MSCPP
herb.clonch@wpafb.af.mil
Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)
Mr. Jorge Guendulay, AFSPC CSS/SCT
jorge.guendulay@peterson.af.mil
Air Force Special Ops Command (AFSOC)
s8
Mr. Richard Hager, AFSOC/A6NZ
richard.hager@hurlburt.af.mil
Air Mobility Command (AMC)
Ms. Cyndi A. Marler, AMC/A6-CIO
cyndi.marler@scott.af.mil
Air National Guard (ANG)
Mr. Thomas Rogers, NGB/A6C
tom.rogers@ang.af.mil
Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)
Ms. Ana Lokelani, HQ PACAF/A6IS
ana.lokelani@hickam.af.mil
US Air Forces Europe (USAFE)
Mr. Jason Howe, USAFE/A6IC
jason.howe@ramstein.af.mil
The appearance of advertising or sponsorship, in this package, does not constitute endorsement of specific vendors by the Department of the Air Force or the
Department of Defense. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise,
does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Air Force.
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Page 9
Information Technology Commodity Council
Mission
Develop Information Technology (IT) commodity strategies to shape commodity management behavior, leverage Air Force buying power, reduce the total
cost of ownership for commercial IT products and services, improve IT infrastructure for Cyberspace operations, and improve warfighting capabilities.
Objectives
• Fulfill AF needs
• Develop strategies to leverage USAF IT spend
• Socio-economic strategy
• Commodity support strategy
• Business rules to execute strategy
• Demonstrate measurable reduced "Total" IT cost
• Achieve technical compliance
• Adopt technical standards
• Minimize number of hardware & software con-figurations
• Ensure alignment between Air Force policy and commodity strategy
• Incentivize and enable ITCC strategy compliance
• Achieve stakeholder buy-in and utilization of ITCC strategy
• Achieve adequate competition among strategic industry partners
• Rationalize the vendor base to obtain top performing vendors, highest
quality products, at the best value for each commodity category
• Reduce the number of redundant contracts per vendor
• Continue to foster small business
Accomplishments (As of Jul 15, 2008)
• 745k PCs purchased in QEBs; $216M in cost avoidance; 12.7% of
sales to small business
• Federal Desktop Core Configuration (FDCC) delivered on 504k QEB PCs
beginning FY06 and operating on a total of 533k PCs across the Air Force
• Over 400K EPEAT compliant PCs delivered to AF users
• Over 60k users (95%) of the four major AF suppliers for Cellular
Services & Devices (CSD) migrated to enterprise agreements with
those carriers; projected annual savings: $5M
• Three MAJCOM pilots completed to optimize cellular plan selection for
additional $2M savings AF-wide
• Air Force Digital Printing & Imaging (DPI) devices now available for
ordering on AFWay at savings up to 23%
• BPAs competitively awarded 3 OEMs–Xerox, Lexmark & HP; 4th BPA
awarded to Technology Integration Group (TIG) (Dell and Samsung
printers)
• AFCA has certified DPI network printers & multi-function printers for
inclusion in the Air Force Evaluated/Approved Product List
• DPI estimated cost avoidance for FY08–$1.4M on 8,438 devices sold
Current Initiatives
• Implementation of Air Force Quantity Enterprise Buys (QEBs) for mainstream desktops, laptops, and monitors
• Semi-annual Enterprise Buy for DPI products
• Improving standardization by maintaining Air Force Buying Standards
for mainstream desktop, laptop, monitor, and network data-enabled
cellular devices
• Analyzing monthly cellular usage to drive rate plan changes and optimize
the AF spend for all CONUS cellular lines of service
• Instituting Green Procurement in each of the ITCC strategies
IT Commodity Council Membership
Director: Ms. Dorothy Priest DSN: 596-3105
Deputy Directo: Vacant DSN: 596-3105
Core Team: Mr. Martin Toland DSN: 596-4846
Core Team: Ms. Barbara Sanford DSN: 596-6825
Core Team: Ms. Anne Smith DSN: 596-4350
Core Team: Mr. Ben Burns DSN: 596-2544
Core Team: Ms. Martha Scoggin DSN: 596-2083
Core Team: Ms. Nancy Oiler DSN: 596-4541
Core Team: Mr. Mark Milton (contractor) DSN: 596-4101
Core Team: Ms Tamara Greene (contractor) DSN: 596-4101
Core Team: Mr. Philip Germain (contractor) DSN: 596-2734
Core Team: Mr. Travis Harwell (contractor) DSN: 596-2942
Core Team: Mr. Kip Harding (contractor) DSN: 596-3089
Core Team: Mr. Jeff Titrud DSN: 596-3385
ACC: Mr. Bill O’Neill DSN: 574-6394
AFMC: Mr. Herb Clonch DSN: 986-3966
AFRC: Ms. Teresa Bryant DSN: 497-0497
AMC: Mr. Michael Anson DSN: 779-5391
AFSOC: Mr. Richard Hager DSN: 579-7766
AFOTEC: Mr. Michael Busch DSN: 246-2705
AFSPC: Mr. Richard Kalford DSN: 692-9655
ANG: Mr. Tom Rogers DSN: 327-5304
AETC: Mr. Al Cephas DSN: 487-5939
AF/SG: TSgt Jody Callender DSN: 761-6622
PACAF: Ms. Ana Lokelani DSN: 315-449-4669
USAFE: Capt Cody Comer DSN: 314-478-0585
AFISR: Ms. Shawna Wimpy DSN: 969-6787
AFRL: Mr. Robert Helt DSN: 785-3576
AFCA: Mr. John Schmitt DSN: 779-5528
AFCEE: Mr. Elbert Williams DSN 240-3030
SAF/SB: Mr. John Caporal DSN: 426-1103
SAF/AQC: Lt Col Glen Savory DSN: 426-1095
HAF CIO: Lt Col William Hill DSN: 425-0223
SAF/XCDIG: Lt Col David Schilling DSN: 224-2928
s9
The appearance of advertising or sponsorship, in this package, does not constitute endorsement of specific vendors by the Department of the Air Force or the
Department of Defense. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise,
does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Air Force.
2009 Rising Stars
Name: Maj. Samuel Abbott-McCune
Name: Christina M. Bapst
Age: 38
Age: 28
Organization: U.S. Military Academy
Organization: Homeland Security Department’s Office of
the Chief Information Officer
Title: Course director, IT-382
Nominated for: Revamping a network laboratory used for
information technology training, which involved running
more than two miles of cable, rackmounting 50 pieces of
equipment and creating several cable patch bays so that
equipment could be interconnected without moving. Also
supervises quality control of 500 classrooms at 15 different
locations.
First IT mentor: Dennis Seward at Virginia State University
was the IT tech while I was attending school for my
bachelor of science. It always fascinated me the way he
could integrate anything. We would talk often about the
latest gizmo that has come out and what it could be used
for. I was in awe of his compartment bins of mismatched
components and the working prototypes that would be built
out of both commercial off-the-shelf and repurposed items.
Latest accomplishment: The reconfigurable network
lab at West Point. It consists of the integration of both
physical and virtual network routers and switches as well
as a mix of virtual and physical computers. This lab is
reconfigurable and now supports multiple classes, which has
increased the ability of the student to practice the theory by
supplementing the theory with hands-on active learning.
Career highlight: The best thing that has ever happened
to me is the ability to support the warfighter. Working
in the field of IT in conjunction with the military has
allowed me to mentor, teach and coach other servicemen
and servicewomen to use technology to enhance their
capabilities, regardless of what path their military career
takes them.
Favorite bookmark: Google.com. The use of data-mining
techniques with Google hacking allows you to find new and
exciting technology to use and integrate.
Dream non-IT-related job: I do not think I have a non-ITrelated job that I would do. When I retire, I will probably
work on the restoration of cars.
12
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
Title: Program manager, Enterprise Data Management
Office
Nominated for: Managing the Enterprise Data
Management Office, which coordinates the data collected,
managed and shared across DHS’ 22 components. Also
oversees the budget for the Office of Applied Technology.
Tightened up OAT’s acquisition process, with 98 percent of
projects now completed on schedule.
First IT mentor: My father, who taught me at an early age
that proper planning prevents poor performance. No matter
what I am working on, those words hold true everyday.
Latest accomplishment: Every day I go to work doing
something that I like to do. Yes, some days are longer and
more frustrating than others, and a weekend gets thrown
in every now and then, but I work hard and do whatever it
takes to get the job done right. I was also recently accepted
into the George Washington University MBA program, and
classes start this fall.
Career highlight: Having worked at ExxonMobil, General
Motors and now DHS — the challenges of all the diverse
projects.
Favorite bookmark: NIEM.gov
Dream non-IT-related job: Commissioner of baseball
Name: Kristine S. Beck
Name: Maj. Heather W. Blackwell
Age: 38
Age: 34
Organization: Vangent, contractor for Military Health
System (MHS), Defense Department
Organization: Office of Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.)
Title: Webmaster
Nominated for: Harnessing Web 2.0 technology to open
new lines of communication with — and among — MHS
patients and their families. Senior MHS leaders now blog
regularly and respond to comments and e-mail messages on
the agency’s Web site, www.health.mil.
First IT mentor: I modeled myself after one of my coworkers, Barbara Eilenfield, when I worked in Tricare. She
now works in the Office of Strategic Planning for the MHS.
Latest accomplishment: Building a dynamic, fully
integrated, easily accessible and transparent Web site.
Career highlight: This award
Favorite bookmark: www.Govloop.com and
www.nextgov.com.
Dream non-IT-related job: Dolphin trainer at Discovery
Cove, SeaWorld
Title: Air Force Legislative Fellow
Nominated for: Leading the modernization of the Air
Force’s $600 million inventory of theater command and
control and air control communications systems. Used
a portfolio management approach to successfully make
the case for a $30 million budget increase to improve
communications in counterinsurgency and humanitarian
relief operations.
First IT mentor: I was a brand-new second lieutenant
reporting to my first duty location at Hickam Air Force
Base, Hawaii. I was lucky enough to share an office with
Senior Master Sergeant (ret.) Steve Larson who was a
master sergeant at the time. Steve was not only my first
information technology mentor but being a brand-new
second lieutenant, I learned the fundamentals of being a
good Air Force officer. Steve taught me the importance of
exploring the technical aspects of our career field while also
maintaining focus on the managerial details required for a
successful team.
Latest accomplishment: The accomplishment I’m most
proud of would be the support we’ve been able to provide
to wounded warriors and their families. Military personnel
and their families are extremely stressed now due to
continued efforts in both Iraq and Afghanistan. While in
this job, we’ve been able to make some great strides toward
improving quality of health care and quality of life for those
service members and their families who have sacrificed so
much for our country.
Career highlight: Two highlights: pinning senior airman
stripes on an airman in my flight while stationed at Balad
Air Base, Iraq, and officiating at the ceremony of my good
friend and mentor in honor of his promotion to chief
master sergeant.
Favorite bookmark: Early Bird
Dream non-IT-related job: College professor
fcw.com • August 17, 2009
13
2009 Rising Stars
Name: Louis David Carrion
Name: Alma Ritter Cole
Age: 45
Age: 31
Organization: General Dynamics Information Technology
Organization: U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
Homeland Security Department
Title: Medical Communication for Combat Casualty Care
(MC4) Iraq region lead
Nominated for: Fielding the Army’s MC4 program to
all 13 Air Force facilities throughout the war zone in
Iraq. Coordinated the network installation command
infrastructure, trained providers on MC4 best practices and
cleared all hurdles to deployment.
First IT mentor: My brother, Pete Carrion, was my first IT
mentor. His successful career in IT management and his
thoughtful encouragement inspired my choice to become an
IT professional.
Latest accomplishment: I am extremely proud of the
great team that we have in Iraq. Through their hard work
and dedication, they accomplish the mission to support
the creation of electronic health records, providing expert
training and technical support to deployed caregivers every
day. The team is the integral component to the success of
the MC4 program, and it is a great honor to care for their
safety and witness their achievements.
Career highlight: Leading the mission to initially set up
MC4 systems at the combat support hospital in Abu Ghraib,
Iraq, in 2005. We faced enormous challenges to provide
training, configure hardware, rewire buildings and connect
networks to the outer locations. Along with MC4’s Kent
Wells and Richard Sauceda, we worked nonstop with the
unit’s communications personnel and the hospital staff
members to ensure the success of the mission to allow for
the creation and transmission of electronic medical records
for detainee care.
Favorite bookmark: MC4 SharePoint portal
Dream non-IT-related job: College professor
Title: Lead, Cyber Security and Focused Operations, DHS
Security Operations Center (SOC)
Nominated for: Leading the response to the Adobe Reader
JBIG2 vulnerability. Led a team that identified and tracked
multiple spear-phishing e-mail messages that attempted to
exploit this vulnerability, and tackled other so-called zeroday security threats — those flaws for which no fixes are
available.
First IT mentor: Patricia Butera, who entrusted me with
significant responsibilities and provided me with unique
opportunities that allowed me to rise to the occasion. She
has also taught me the importance of having a clear vision
and communicating that vision to internal and external
stakeholders.
Latest accomplishment: By focusing on interagency
information sharing about cyber threats that affect DHS
and other federal agencies, the mean time to detect
and remediate incidents has been significantly reduced,
decreasing exposure to DHS information. These efforts
have greatly enhanced the situational awareness for DHS
executive management and have significantly improved its
cybersecurity posture.
Career highlight: Collaborated with component SOCs and
the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team to ensure
DHS systems were protected from the Conficker worm,
which was scheduled to alter its command and control
technique on April 1. Because of this proactive action, DHS
only observed one Conficker infection for every 100,000
DHS systems. Similar proactive efforts were undertaken to
effectively protect DHS against Agent.BTZ threats.
Favorite bookmark: theregister.co.uk/security
Dream non-IT-related job: SWAT team
14
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
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2009 Rising Stars
Name: John Collier
Name: Don Gunnell
Age: 40
Age: 35
Organization: Ball Aerospace and Technologies, supporting
the Air Force
Organization: Naval Surface Warfare Center,
Corona Division
Title: Principal engineer
Title: Systems engineer
Nominated for: Designing and developing an advanced
multi-intelligence analyst system. Came up with a design
that could fit on a couple of laptops or be scaled to a system
involving hundreds of systems.
Nominated for: Spearheading the procurement and
deployment of a wireless network to handle voice, video
and data at Twentynine Palms’ massive testing ground. The
wireless reach-back system is likely to be replicated at all
Navy and Marine Corps ranges, including locations in Iraq.
First IT mentor: Rhonda Diaz, a systems engineer from
Silicon Graphics who helped me learn the political aspects
of large government computer systems.
Latest accomplishment: In our latest project, we got to
inject a lot of new technology into our facility. Some of the
technologies include Linux, virtualization, deduplication,
10-gig network to the desktop and clustered file systems.
Career highlight: Getting the IOTS program (a fiveyear effort to transform sensor data into intelligence
information) operational on time and under budget.
Favorite job-related bookmark: Slashdot.org
Dream non-IT-related job: Magician. I have performed for
my kids’ classes and several charity events.
First IT mentor: Steven Douglas, lead engineer in my
telecommunications engineering branch. Steve has provided
me with many great opportunities within our group and has
shown me the inner workings of government engineering
and support.
Latest accomplishment: I am currently leading an effort to
expand network capability for Marine Forces Pacific bases,
posts and stations. This effort will provide flexibility and
lower-cost alternatives for the corps’ network expansion
requirements.
Career highlight: Providing engineering and technical
support on the Mobile At-Sea Sensor Platform (Navy) for
the Pacific Missile Range Facility.
Favorite bookmark: safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe
Dream non-IT-related job: Be a member of a search and
rescue unit.
16
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
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2009 Rising Stars
Name: Jeremy Ryan Hiers
Name: Anthony M. Hoang
Age: 28
Age: 32
Organization: Army’s Program Executive Office for
Enterprise Information Systems
Organization: Homeland Security Department, Office of
the CIO, Office of the CTO, Enterprise Data Management
Office
Title: Assistant product manager
Nominated for: Working with government and contractor
employees to develop a five-year road map for improving
the performance of enterprise information technology
systems in the Transportation Information Systems (TIS)
program. Voluntarily traveled to a combat zone to further
his experience with the use of TIS products.
First IT mentor: Col. (ret.) Mark Barnette. I was assigned to
Col. Barnette when I first began working for the Army as an
intern in 2003. He took me under his wing and mentored
me through several large, high-visibility and complex
projects that would normally have been reserved for his
more senior staff members. I was able to get a head start
on developing the leadership, project management, critical
thinking and communication skills that I continue to rely
on daily.
Latest accomplishment: I am most excited about the role I
have played in supporting the fielding of a major automated
information system to Army units supporting the global
war on terror in the Middle East. When our team was first
given this project early last year, the objectives and path
forward were very unclear. We had to overcome significant
organizational, cultural and technical challenges to get us
to where we are today. Fourteen months later, we have the
system turned on, and we are already seeing the benefits.
Favorite bookmark: www.cio.com
Dream non-IT-related job: Medical doctor
Title: Principal information architect
Nominated for: Smoothing the way for the adoption of
the National Information Exchange Model as a way to
improve information sharing across DHS and between
the department and its partners in federal, state and local
governments. Also persuaded senior executives at DHS
and the Defense Department to transition the Maritime
Information Exchange Model, a competitor to NIEM, into
NIEM.
First IT mentor: My father, John Hoang, instilled
entrepreneurialism, a discipline of hard work and an
ethic of innovation. He allowed me to be his “apprentice”
(assembling 286 12 MHz PCs) when I was in the fourth
grade, and my passion has only grown ever since.
Latest accomplishment: The component organizations at
DHS have each contributed significantly to strengthening
the DHS Information Sharing Environment. I recently had
the opportunity to elevate some of the most innovative
and effective practices in service-oriented architecture
to the department’s information officers for increasing
interoperability and IT efficiency.
Career highlight: Being a part of the National Information
Exchange Model Project Management Office has been
an opportunity of a lifetime — to be a part of one the
most effective and driven interagency teams confronting
the challenges of information sharing toward the end of
strengthening the nation.
Favorite bookmark: ted.com. Being that we, IT leaders,
are essentially in the business of leading change, I find the
Technology, Entertainment and Design talks to be useful
fuel for the work we do.
18
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
Dream non-IT-related job: I have dreams of working
for Gary Haugen’s International Justice Mission (fighting
human trafficking and violent injustice) or Bono’s ONE
Campaign (combating global poverty).
ArcGIS supports interior space planning complete with metrics on optimal
space use, energy consumption, and inventory assessment.
ArcGIS Helps You Manage Your Facilities and Real Property
®
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The ArcGIS platform supports
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To learn more about GIS for facilities
management, visitwww.esri.com/fm
The Geographic Advantage™
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2009 Rising Stars
Name: Marwan M. Jamal
Name: Goldy Kamali
Age: 44
Age: 32
Organization: National Defense University, Information
Resources Management College
Organization: FedScoop
Title: Professor and acting chief technology officer
Nominated for: Leading the creation of the Crisis
Management Center, a high-tech facility that can simulate
crisis scenarios used to teach leadership and management
competencies. Also manages the private-sector initiative
for the IRM College, through which more than 30 IT
companies loan equipment to the college for use in training.
Latest accomplishment: Led the creation of the Crisis
Management Center at the IRM College. It consists of highend audio and video infrastructure capable of displaying
multiple real-time or simulated mix of data feeds designed
to simulate crisis scenarios while teaching leadership and
management competencies.
Career highlight: Leads the initiative of setting private
industry partnerships for the IRM College by establishing
collaboration agreements with leading IT companies
worldwide. This initiative has already established working
partnerships with more than 30 companies, including
Google, Motorola, Northrop Grumman, Tibco, Microsoft,
IBM, Sprint, General Dynamics, KPMG, Sun Microsystems,
Skyterra, Oracle, CSC and others.
Favorite bookmark: Gartner.com
Dream non-IT-related job: Yacht builder
20
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
Title: Founder and president
Nominated for: Developing executive-level networking
programs and events in the Washington, D.C., area. She
also developed FedScoop.com, which aggregates news from
publications across the federal IT community.
First IT mentor: I can’t say that I’ve only had one key
mentor. I’ve been lucky to have had several “best advisers”
throughout my career, including Pam Gray, Gloria Cole,
Greg Poersch, Nigel Ballard and Teresa Carlson. I owe each
one of them a lot of gratitude for all of their guidance and
support throughout the years.
Latest accomplishment: Launching FedScoop and
FedScoop Event.
Career highlights: Back in 2000, when I was 23 and
worked in enterprise sales for XO Communications, I closed
the largest multimillion-dollar contract in the history of the
company for $10.8 million dollars. That was a ton of fun!
Favorite bookmark: FedScoop.com (of course!)
Dream non-IT-related job: Right now, I am having a blast
expanding FedScoop, but anything I do in the future will
hopefully always involve bringing people together — it’s
definitely what makes me happiest.
© 2009 Northrop Grumman Corporation
He can bring down an entire banking
system for breakfast and then eat your grid
www.northropgrumman.com/cybersecurity
for lunch.
Fortunately though, the men and women
of Northrop Grumman are following his
every keystroke. This is the world of
cybersecurity. A world we call home and
know better than any other company in
the industry. So when you’re ready to
talk to the experts about cybersecurity,
come talk to us at Northrop Grumman.
THE FACE OF CYBERSECURITY.
2009 Rising Stars
Name: 1st Lt. Joseph J. Kattar
Name: Jason Khan
Age: 26
Age: 31
Organization: Joint Strike Fighter Program Office
Organization: Touchstone Consulting Group, SRA
International
Title: Business manager
Nominated for: Working with General Services
Administration officials to develop and manage
requirements for IT contracts that support the Joint Strike
Fighter program. Made a good impression from the start,
implementing processes that resolved contract problems
that had lingered for more than two years.
First IT mentor: Maj. Mike Dukes. His vision, knowledge
and experience have been invaluable to my success and the
success of the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office.
Latest accomplishment: Recently, I designed and
implemented an innovative contractor evaluation system
to gather and evaluate the level of support our program
is receiving from our Contract Service Support. The
evaluation system has significantly decreased evaluation
time and increased accuracy.
Career highlight: Selected as the Joint Strike Fighter’s 2008
Junior Officer of the Year.
Favorite bookmark: JSF.mil (Joint Strike Fighter)
Dream non-IT-related job: Mechanical design engineer
22
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
Title: Chief technology officer and director of emerging
markets and technology consulting
Nominated for: Assisting federal agencies with the
adoption of open-source software, Web 2.0 tools, cloud
computing and other leading-edge technology. Has also
worked on a number of cross-agency lines of business
programs, including grants and financial management, IT
infrastructure and information security.
First IT mentor: Jo Strowder. She taught me everything I
know about computers and got me my first job. Also, Kirk
Canaday, now retired from Unisys, got me introduced to the
company and showed me the ropes in the early years.
Latest accomplishment: Successfully built teams of
consultants who are now helping the federal government
develop governmentwide strategy for critical technology
initiatives on Web 2.0, cloud computing and cybersecurity.
Career highlight: Building a team of people I can work
with for the rest of my career.
Favorite bookmark: Wired.com
Dream non-IT-related job: Movie producer
GovConn-1pg_ad.qxd
8/11/09
5:25 PM
Page 1
PRIORITY REPORT
Key highlights from an 1105 Government Information Group Custom Report
Economic Stimulus Program Guide
Spotlight on the ARRA
As the administration doles out funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
of 2009, much remains unclear about how federal agencies will invest that money, while
maintaining transparency and compliance.
State & Local Government Gains
With an estimated $50 billion in funding that will flow to state and local governments,
there are many technology-related spending initiatives related to modernization, analytics
and the need to eliminate paper.
The Future of the Economic Stimulus Program
A looming workforce shortage, a lack of training, the difficulty of balancing current workloads and a lack of extensive program management expertise are among the biggest
obstacles agencies face ahead.
Stimulus Funding Tips and Advice
Find out what the government must do to efficiently allocate ARRA funding. Also, there’s
advice on steps industry suppliers can take to provide solutions for government partners
via the economic stimulus program.
Regulatory and Compliance Issues
The White House and government oversight organizations have created numerous standards for accountability, oversight and transparency in the ARRA law, and government
organizations must find ways to comply.
Partners
GovConnection offers complete IT solutions to help
you implement ARRA-supported initiatives. For more
information contact us at 800-800-0019.
Go to: FCW.com/EconStimGuide
2009 Rising Stars
Name: Zhenia Klevitsky
Name: Robert Lech (pronounced “leach”)
Age: 33
Age: 39
Organization: SE Solutions
Organization: Citizant
Title: Senior director of corporate development
Title: Division director
Nominated for: Contributing her time and expertise to
numerous organizations in the federal IT community,
including ACT-IAC, AFCEA and the Association of
Proposal Management Professionals. Also organized the
first annual Senior Government Executive Dinner, in which
10 top-level executives led an open exchange with industry
representatives to identify ways to strengthen public/private
partnerships.
Nominated for: Developing a grant-reporting system to
help the Housing and Urban Development Department
meet the requirements of the recovery act.
First IT mentor: Paul Taltavull, president, SE Solutions.
He has spent the past four and a half years coaching and
mentoring me in business development, marketing and
communications. I have learned a tremendous amount from
him — more than I could learn from a lifetime of on-thejob training or education.
Latest accomplishment: I’m most proud of a proposal
development process that I authored for SE Solutions. I
train people in our company on this process both in a
classroom and just-in-time online training format. This
proposal process was instrumental in one of the company’s
largest deal wins.
Career highlight: When I worked at BearingPoint and
built its entire enterprise architecture civilian practice by
developing a unique methodology, bringing in six EA
contracts (running two of them) in less than one year.
Favorite bookmark: Facebook. I love to stay connected
with things going on in industry — as well as on the
personal front — and Facebook is a great way to stay
connected with people, even if virtually.
Dream non-IT-related job: Having my own travel TV
show.
24
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
First IT mentor: Raymond Roberts, chief executive officer
of Citizant. We met when we worked together at Texas
Instruments more than 15 years ago. Raymond has an
amazing ability to glean the secrets of successful companies
and gather wisdom from business leaders. When he called
me a few years ago looking for a program manager for his
government customers, I already knew he would make a
great boss and that I could continue to learn from him.
Latest accomplishment: Our most recent assignment at
HUD is to help agency managers develop an information
management and reporting system that complies with the
requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act. It’s a thrill to be able to lead a team that is working
night and day to create the right solution.
Career highlight: Not to sound trite, but my current
position at Citizant is the highlight of my career. I love
every aspect of it. I get to interface with IT leaders at federal
agencies and help them solve problems and manage systems
that have a significant impact on the lives of taxpayers.
Favorite bookmark: Because of the National Housing
Locator System we built for HUD, we have to monitor the
national weather picture to anticipate whether we’ll need
to kick into surge mode to help find housing for people
displaced by natural disasters such as fires, hurricanes and
floods. So my new favorite Web site is Weather.com.
Dream non-IT-related job: I’d make as much — or as little —
money as I could by catching really big fish hundreds of miles
offshore. I don’t want the big trawler nets, though. I’d want to
catch them the fun way, one at a time with a big fishing rod.
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2009 Rising Stars
Name: Beth Sherry Maloney
Name: Ephraim Lo
Age: 35
Age: 26
Organization: Palladian Partners
Organization: Serco
Title: Managing director
Title: Senior systems engineer
Nominated for: Serving as social-media evangelist and
educator, both at Palladian and in the federal IT community
at large. Initiated a Lunch and Learn series to keep Palladian
staff informed of tools and trends, such as wikis, mind
maps and Twitter. Worked through the Bethesda Young
AFCEANs to launch the Federal Web 2.0 Virtual Podium
Series, featuring social-networking experts from across
government.
Nominated for: Researching methods for automating the
initial identification and basic analysis of signals of interest
collected via a variety of Air Force systems. The resulting
technology is expected to be fielded to the intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance community.
First IT mentor: Michele Friedman, my first manager at
Andersen Consulting, provided clients excellent service.
Her approach to solution development combined technical
know-how with enough creativity to satisfy the marketing
and communications folks.
Latest accomplishment: Getting many self-proclaimed
“non-techies” to start asking for social-media support and
technology assistance when they wouldn’t have imagined
asking for it even six months ago.
Career highlight: Sticking with technology after my first
three weeks on the job was spent learning to program in
C. With a degree in international business and marketing
I thought, “What am I doing here???” Lucky for me, I
gained an appreciation for the technical details but moved
into a more fitting place, which started as requirements
development and morphed into sky’s-the-limit Internet
solutions by the late ’90s.
Favorite bookmark: The under-construction (for over a
year) redesign of PalladianPartners.com — the cobbler’s
kids have no shoes!
Dream non-IT-related job: Running a bakery/coffee shop
featuring all kinds of creative confections and pairings.
26
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
Latest accomplishment: Leading a three-year project.
Career highlight: Having a paper published by SPIE, an
international society dedicated to advancing light-based
technologies.
Favorite job-related bookmark: ieeexplore.ieee.org
Dream non-IT-related job: Musician
Name: Vanessa Leigh Manchester
Age: 37
Organization: Iris Partners, contractor for the Connect
Program at the Office of the National Coordinator for
Health Information Technology, Health and Human
Services Department
Title: Program manager
Nominated for: Coordinating the efforts of more than
20 federal agencies as they link their existing health IT
systems to the emerging Nationwide Health Information
Network via the Connect gateway. Hailed as a magician of
sorts for guiding Connect from planning through product
development and limited production in less than a year.
held the 1st Annual Connect Training Seminar; more than
1,400 registrants signed up.
First IT mentor: There have been many co-workers in my life
who have helped me grow as a professional. They taught me
a critical lesson — that technology is never the hardest part
of a project. In fact, it’s usually the easiest. The real challenge
is working with a team and figuring out ways to make them
work toward one common goal.
Latest accomplishment: Managing the Connect program
from planning through product development into limited
production in less than one year. The Connect team recently
Career highlight: I’m fortunate to be right in the midst of my
most rewarding project yet: being part of the development of
Connect. The Connect solution supports the nation’s ability
to achieve electronic health records for all citizens by 2014, as
called for by President Obama.
Favorite bookmark: ConnectOpenSource.org
Dream non-IT-related job: To host my own HGTV home
renovation show. The theme would be renovating on a budget
using real wood and salvaged materials, complemented by
high-end materials.
COOP Strategic Report
www Go to: FCW.com/COOPBestPractices for articles &
full report. Online Report Sponsored by
Federal Continuity Planning Update
Recent security breaches of government web sites
underscore a growing need for federal officials to better
prioritize risks, ‘think outside the checklist box’ and
perhaps align more closely both COOP and IT security
planning efforts. Read more at:
FCW.com/COOPBestPracticesSecurity.
A Few Helpful
COOP Resources
The U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services
(DHHS), along with the
Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) and other
government agencies have
published guidelines to aid in
improving the government’s
pandemic response. Read
more at:
FCW.com/COOPBestPractic
esResources.
Continuity Planning Tips and Best Practices Advice NIST Updates REcommendations for Telework Security
Prioritization of risks, periodic analysis of recovery requirements,
the use of Telework and a heavier reliance on industry partners
are all clear ways to boost COOP preparedness. View the tips at:
FCW.com/COOPBestPracticesTips.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology updated federal
recommendations for securing Telework. For instance, NIST recommends
each government organization make its own decisions about the level of
remote access permitted. Read more at:
FCW.com/COOPBestPracticesRecommends.
fcw.com • August 17, 2009
27
2009 Rising Stars
Name: Ryan P. McCullough
Name: Steven Posnack
Age: 34
Age: 28
Organization: Govplace
Organization: Office of the National Coordinator for
Health Information Technology, Health and Human
Services Department
Title: Vice president, Federal Division
Nominated for: Creating a procurement methodology,
known as the Performance-Based Approach, that
closely aligns a contractor’s measures of success with an
agency’s objectives. Worked with the Homeland Security
Department to transform a traditional contract to a
performance-based one, saving the agency $1 million.
First IT mentor: Rob Guerra, who helped me to
understand the value of industry organizations that truly
make themselves accountable to the goals, objectives and
outcomes of the agencies they serve. And Tom Ragland,
who helped me to apply the proper perspective and priority
to all of the important things in my life, including family,
health and career.
Latest accomplishment: I joined Govplace to build
and model a federal integrator that was focused on
accountability to the mission goals and objectives of federal
government agencies. In two years, Govplace has formed a
strong federal business unit based upon the best principles
of performance-based partnership with the government.
Career highlight: Entertaining industry and government
attendees by singing “Howl at the Moon” during the DHS
Security Conference in Baltimore. (Not everything needs to
be work. We should have fun, too.)
Favorite bookmark: www.fcw.com
Dream non-IT-related job: Shortstop for the New York
Yankees
Title: Policy analyst
Nominated for: Playing a wide range of roles behind the
scenes — drafting policies and guidelines, advising top
officials on privacy and security matters, and coordinating
work with health IT stakeholders across the country. Also
serves as the project officer for the Health Information
Security and Privacy Collaboration, which works with 42
states and territories.
First IT mentor: Dr. Gerald Masson of the Johns Hopkins
University Information Security Institute. Dr. Masson saw
something in me before I did, paving the way for me to,
become the first JHUISI student to obtain a dual masters in
information security and health policy.
Latest accomplishment: The successful completion of the
Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration
Phase 3 — a complex, $15 million project that included
more than 40 subcontracts with governor-endorsed state
and territory teams. I created the statement of work, served
as project officer from beginning to end and had primary
responsibility for day-to-day management.
Career highlight: When my office published the
Nationwide Privacy and Security Framework for Electronic
Exchange of Individually Identifiable Health Information. It
took more than two years to complete, and I served as one
of the principal drafters.
Favorite bookmark: ihealthbeat.org
Dream non-IT-related job: To start and manage my own
restaurant.
28
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
Name: Richard J. Renomeron (pronounced Rehn-ohMARE-on)
Age: 37
Organization: Turner Consulting Group
Title: Senior engineer and project lead
Nominated for: Leading a team of engineers that provides
the Office of Management and Budget with an array of
systems for developing budgets, including the muchlauded Max Federal Community wiki. Developed a
governmentwide authentication and authorization system
so that Max users can securely access any OMB services.
First IT mentor: Dave Tomczak — he was the first technical
lead I worked with when I was fresh out of grad school,
and he taught me a lot about how to handle different
personalities on a team. This came in handy when I found
myself in leadership positions some years later.
Latest accomplishment: Refactoring the customizations
to our single-sign-on application so that we can be more
responsive to new requirements from external customers,
which seem to be coming faster and faster these days.
Career highlight: This award
Favorite bookmark: The Max Federal Community (max.
omb.gov/community). I’m not just a developer, I’m a user!
Dream non-IT-related job: In no particular order: singer in
a rock-and-roll band, artistic photographer or stay-at-home
dad.
Name: Joseph Arthur Rhodes
Age: 38
Organization: Army’s Fort Lee Engineering Directorate,
in support of the Product Manager, Movement Tracking
System (MTS)
Title: Logistics automation chief
Nominated for: Planning and coordinating the
construction of a facility at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, to
support the deployment of MTS, which tracks the location
of logistics vehicles and their contents. Also works with
multinational forces and task force commands to develop
requirements for expanding MTS.
First IT mentor: Chief Bernie Multon. He taught me that
there were no IT challenges that couldn’t be overcome with
creative thinking and teamwork.
Latest accomplishment: Recently, I coordinated and
helped to establish U.S. Army Forces, Central Command’s
policy on implementing the MTS on all logistics platforms
deployed throughout Operation Enduring Freedom. This
policy has changed the shape of the battlefield and will
result in a level of log asset visibility that has never before
been a part of the Afghanistan area of responsibility.
Career highlight: The completion of a $1 million MTS
training and installation facility on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
This facility enabled deployed assets to be trained and
fielded more rapidly than ever before in the Southwest Asia
area of responsibility.
Favorite bookmark: us.army.mil (Army Knowledge
Centers)
Dream non-IT-related job: Dallas Cowboys linebacker
fcw.com • August 17, 2009
29
2009 Rising Stars
Name: Emily Scott
Name: Genen Soo-Hoo (pronounced Jeh–nen Sue-who)
Age: 27
Age: 29
Organization: IBM Global Business Services, Public Sector
Supply Chain Management Task Force to Improve Business
and Stability Operations-Iraq
Organization: New York Police Department
Title: Managing consultant
Nominated for: Quarterbacking an initiative to provide
Iraq with a nationwide retail payment infrastructure,
supporting the use of debit cards, credit cards, point-of-sale
devices and other modern financial conveniences. Traveled
into the“red zone” to meet with Iraqi officials and bankers
to better understand their needs and the demands of the
working environment.
First IT mentor: Ed Laine, associate professor of geology
at Bowdoin College. I learned for the first time the value
of data and the ability to measure and track the success
or failures of a system. Laine and the other professors
taught me that with an understanding of data and some
imagination, you can first identify and then solve some
amazingly complex problems.
Latest accomplishment: Receiving one of the first
MasterCard debit cards issued by an Iraqi bank (Bank of
Baghdad) and being able to use it on ATMs and points
of sale around the world, from Baghdad to Thailand
and Washington, D.C. Since then, the retail banking
infrastructure network has expanded to four Iraqi cities and
includes some of the largest and most prominent vendors
there.
Career highlight: Visiting Iraq for the first time and being
able to see the effect of our project and meet in person the
staff I’d been working with for so long.
Favorite bookmark: Kayak.com
Dream non-IT-related job: Travel writer
30
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
Title: Certified Web developer
Nominated for: Giving a new face to NYPD’s Crime
Stopper program by developing a multimedia-enabled
“Submit a Tip” Web site.
First IT mentor: Almost 20 years ago, I remember turning
on the computer for the first time but nothing came up
on the screen. I checked all wires and even opened up the
computer to check if anything was loose. After several long
moments of bewilderment, my 96-year-old grandmother
suggested that I “turn on the TV.” Voila! I quickly realized
that she was talking about the monitor, which had not been
turned on. I learned that sometimes the best solution to a
problem may just be the simplest one. Although she didn’t
mentor me much in computers, she did teach me a very
valuable lesson about computers.
Latest accomplishment: The Training Bureau Enterprise
Learning Management and Crime Stoppers applications.
Both projects had immediate impacts on the problems
they were built to solve. The Training Bureau Enterprise
Learning Management now manages all training courses
and certifications for over 54,000 NYPD employees. Crime
Stoppers is a full-fledged crime-fighting Web system that
allows the public users and detectives to work together.
Career highlight: I am very proud of the successful
completion of the Crime Stoppers and Enterprise Learning
Management projects and the great success that they have
had.
Dream non-IT-related job: Cooking is my second love to
Web developing.
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
CDWG
www.CDWG.com/federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
www.FCW.com/COOPOBestPractices . . . . . . . . 27
Dell
www.DELL.com/XFRFast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
ESRI
www.esri.com/fm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Getac
www.getac.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
GovConnection, Inc.
www.FCW.com/EconStimGuide . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Northrop Grumman
www.northropgrumman.com/cybersecurity . . . 21
Sharp
www.sharpusa.com/documents . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Sprint
www.sprint.com/nextel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Technical Communities
www.technicalcommunities.com . . . . . . . . . . 34
Verizon Wireless
www.verizonwireless.com/gov . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
AF ELSG GUIDE INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
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Enterprise IT Integration
This index is provided as an additional service. The publisher does
not assume any liability for errors or omissions.
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31
FCW Forum
A look back
Of Trail Bosses and Rising Stars
BY EMORY MILLER
In the mid-1980s, the General Services
Administration launched a very successful training program called Trail Boss.
It was founded on the principle that
acquisition officials would benefit from
the experiences of their more seasoned
peers and thereby avoid the pitfalls of the
procurement process.
As students graduated from their
classes, they joined a community called
the Trail Boss Cadre and attended an
annual conference called the Trail Boss
Round-up. Sounds a little hokey, doesn’t
it? Well, hold onto that thought.
Fast-forward to 2009. Now we have a
new generation of government employees recognized as Rising Stars who interact, learn, create and excel…differently.
INK TANK
32
By John Klossner
August 17, 2009 • fcw.com
They write blogs, comment on wikis,
post to Facebook, send IMs and receive
tweets while seeking RSS feeds. Sounds a
little hokey, doesn’t it?
We live in an interesting time. We are
likely to find traditionalists, baby boomers, Generation Xers and millennials in
the same boardroom, council chambers,
lunchroom, or blog or Twitter space. We
grew up in different eras, but we share
the same rich promise of challenge and
potential. I suggest that we have more in
common than we immediately realize.
Let’s note the ways.
1. We entered the government or industry workforce committed to making a difference. We might have been
inspired by John F. Kennedy, Ronald
Reagan or Barack Obama. Our seminal
moments might have included the civil
rights movement of the 1960s, the explosion of the space shuttle in 1986 or the
terrorist attacks of 2001. Whatever our
formative experiences were, Trail Bosses
and Rising Stars share the same commitment to making this government and
country better for its citizens.
2. We seek ideas, knowledge and wisdom. Trail Bosses communicated via email, were informed by Listserv exchanges
(remember them?) and attended annual
Round-Up Conferences. Rising Stars do
all those social-media things. At the recent Open Government and Innovations
Conference, attendees listened to speakers
while also reading their colleagues’ reactions as Twitter posts on a screen.
3. We understand that work is accomplished through collaboration. A major
tenet of the Trail Boss program was to
engage private-sector companies early and
hear their ideas, innovations and solutions.
In government, Trail Bosses enthusiastically embraced their new contacts at other
agencies for help and advice. Today, Rising
Stars collaborate at the speed of texting —
or faster! — in social-media spaces and virtual communities that have few restrictions
and unlimited potential. Wow.
4. We excelled and succeeded. Our archives are filled with stories of success
from Trail Bosses and Trail Bosses of
the Year. Likewise, Rising Stars are innovating, writing success stories, and
being recognized annually, monthly and
daily for innovation and outcomes only
recently conceived. Wow again.
The bottom line is that we share a long
legacy of innovation and success that
benefits us all. Thank you, Trail Bosses,
and thank you, Rising Stars. ■
Emory Miller is senior vice president for
government affairs at Robbins-Gioia. Previously, he spent 36 years in the federal
government in a variety of roles at several
agencies. He helped develop GSA’s Trail
Boss program and was named Trail Boss
of the Year in 1995.
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