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DOE Names Cyber Office Head, Chief of Staff
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New DOE leadership appointments

The Department of Energy has appointed Alex Fitzsimmons to lead the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response.

Alex Fitzsimmons Career Highlights

Fitzsimmons returned to the DOE in January as chief of staff after serving as the agency’s deputy assistant secretary for energy efficiency under the first term of President Donald Trump. Before he rejoined the department, he became the senior director for renewable energy, energy storage and advanced manufacturing at ClearPath and the head of government affairs at Sila Technologies.

New DOE Chief of Staff

The DOE selected Carl Coe, the head of the agency’s Department of Government Efficiency, to replace Fitzsimmons as chief of staff. Coe previously was the CEO of Mango Practice Management and MercuryGate International. He also spent over 17 years holding leadership roles at PTC, including senior vice president for America sales.

Global AI Race

According to the agency, the new appointments will focus on strengthening and securing the U.S. energy system and ensuring the United States is ahead of the global race for artificial intelligence leadership.

“The race for global leadership in AI is the new Manhattan Project, and winning this race depends on our ability to increase access to abundant supplies of reliable, affordable energy and build secure infrastructure,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.

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Jeff King to Step Down as Treasury Department Acting CIO
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Jeff King, Acting Chief Information Officer of the U.S. Department of Treasury

Jeffrey King has revealed on LinkedIn Saturday that he is stepping down as acting chief information officer of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Jeff King’s Career Achievements

King also currently serves as principal deputy CIO of the Treasury Department. The senior technology executive oversees the department’s engineering, infrastructure and operations. He also manages a $6 billion technology portfolio.

Before joining the government, King was with Deloitte for over three years as the senior manager of the cyber risk practice. In this capacity, the executive supervised teams tasked with developing and implementing enterprise cybersecurity capabilities for global financial institutions.

King also served as principal of the global cybersecurity practice at IBM Promontory, where he worked closely with senior executives of global financial institutions on developing intelligence-driven cybersecurity programs.

The executive previously worked at the Treasury Department from 2011 to 2017. He was a senior adviser for cybersecurity responsible for developing and implementing shared security services across the department. He also served as adviser to senior technology leaders.

King started his career as an associate in the national security practice at Booz Allen Hamilton. He led the engineering and operational efforts for enterprise-wide cybersecurity platforms for the military and intelligence sectors.

“I’m deeply appreciative of the confidence that leadership had in me to lead both the department and IRS technology teams through significant transitions,” said King. “I will be cheering the team on as they continue to perform critical work in support of the Treasury mission,” he added.

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OMB Unveils Trump’s Proposed FY 2026 Budget
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White House releasing the president's proposed FY 2026 discretionary budget with increased funding for defense and DHS

President Donald Trump’s budget request for fiscal year 2026 seeks to reduce the topline discretionary budget by $163 billion, reflecting a 23 percent cut from the enacted FY 2025 level.

Increasing Defense Spending by 13%

The White House said Friday the Office of Management and Budget sent to Congress the president’s budget proposal, which would increase defense spending by 13 percent to $1.01 trillion in FY 2026.

The proposed budget seeks to prioritize investments in initiatives that intend to reestablish deterrence; strengthen the security, safety and sovereignty of the homeland; revitalize the U.S. defense industrial base; and deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.

Raising DHS Appropriations by Nearly 65%

The administration’s budget request includes a nearly 65 percent increase in appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security to support investments in border security efforts.

The proposed budget includes an additional $500 million for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to speed up the removal of illegal aliens through the support of 50,000 detention beds and $766 million for the procurement of border security technologies. It also includes funding to maintain 22,000 Border Patrol agents and hire more Customs and Border Protection officers.

Supporting Space Flight

The budget request includes over $7 billion for NASA’s lunar exploration missions and $1 billion in new investments for Mars-focused programs.

The proposal would also streamline NASA’s IT services, workforce, facility maintenance, center operations, and construction and environmental compliance activities.

Realigning Foreign Aid

Under the budget blueprint, the current administration would reorganize the U.S. Agency for International Development into the Department of State and expand the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, or DFC, to support American interests and U.S. national security.

The president’s budget proposes $3 billion for a new revolving fund to enable DFC to recycle realized returns from its initial investments.

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NavalX Picks Top 6 Tech Projects Through Crucible Pitch Competition
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NavalX Director Capt. Joel Uzarski commenting on the 2025 Crucible Pitch Competition and how it advances defense innovation

NavalX held the 2025 Crucible Pitch Competition in April and selected the top six projects that seek to address critical military requirements and present commercial opportunities.

NavalX said the competition provided the Navy with an opportunity to advance defense innovation and help improve warfighter readiness through the expansion of the industrial base.

NavalX’s 6 Selections

Out of more than 25 proposals, six tech projects from dual-use startups were selected and won research sponsorships to advance development work.

The selected projects are:

  • AmbientSense Technologies — smart stickers for proactive corrosion monitoring
  • Hybron Technologies — lightweight composites tailored for defense platforms
  • Khasm Labs — secure tactical edge networks for operations in contested zones
  • Roboto AI — artificial intelligence-powered robotics data analysis platform
  • Shield — patent-pending laser technology for advanced drone detection
  • Solid Hydrogen — solid-state hydrogen storage enabling compact, clean energy

“NavalX enables mission delivery by lowering the barrier to entry for new ideas and accelerating vetted technologies into the hands of the warfighter,” said Capt. Joel Uzarski, director of NavalX. 

“This pitch competition is an excellent example of how we accelerate capability through connection, curation and collaboration. Whether partnering with industry or across DoD commands, NavalX’s value is in brokering fast, smart and scalable connections,” added Uzarski.

What Is NavalX?

NavalX works to deliver cutting-edge technologies to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps by linking innovators to resources, networks and expertise.

It advances the transition of emerging technologies that support warfighter readiness and lethality through TechBridge Network, Crucible and other programs.

Uzarski will be one of the keynote speakers at POC’s 2025 Navy Summit on Aug. 26. Listen to him and other experts as they discuss the latest tech advancements, policies and trends shaping the future of naval operations. Register now!

POC - 2025 Navy Summit
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TMF Prioritizes Full Repayment to Fund Modernization Efforts
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Technology Modernization Fund logo

The Technology Modernization Fund has revealed that it is implementing a strategic adjustment to its funding model by prioritizing full repayment for new investments.

The U.S. General Services Administration said Friday TMF decided to change its approach to funding to ensure sustained financial support for critical modernization projects across the federal government.

IT Modernization Through Enhanced Repayment Structure

TMF has empowered federal agencies with upfront funding and specialized advisory services since 2018. This enables agencies to rapidly develop and deploy transformative IT initiatives with enhanced accountability. This funding framework bridges the gap between finance and IT teams, resulting in decreased duplicated expenditure and development of shared resources for the whole federal enterprise. To date, TMF has invested more than $1.05 billion in 69 projects spanning 34 federal agencies.

“Our digital infrastructure is fundamental to everything the government does,” said Gregory Barbaccia, federal chief information officer and 2025 Wash100 Award winner. “This shift transforms a finite appropriation to an enduring fixture of our modernization strategy, creating lasting institutional capacity to address technology debt,” added the TMF board chair.

GSA Acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian, said, “By ensuring full repayment of our investments, the TMF sends a clear message to federal agencies: focus on high-impact, high-return modernization efforts. These investments not only replace outdated systems but also streamline critical operations, ultimately improving services for government employees and delivering greater value to taxpayers.”

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NTIA, NASA Propose 18 GHz Band Allocation for Space-to-Space Communications
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Satellite communication systems

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration and NASA have recommended allocating radio frequencies in the 18 GHz band for space-to-space communications to keep the United States at the forefront of commercial space.

Advancing Commercial Space Industry

According to a joint report published on Thursday, the proposed commercial allocation would be paired with an allocation for federal government operations. The 18 GHz band working group, comprising NASA,  NTIA and the Department of Defense, completed technical studies and determined that new federal and non-federal intersatellite service, or ISS, allocations in the band will provide regulatory certainty to support the development of commercial services for the space agency’s future needs. 

The document stated that commercial space services could meet NASA’s intersatellite data link requirements for future missions, noting that the agency will not develop additional Tracking and Data Relay Satellites for space-to-space links. NASA’s shift to commercial services, in line with a congressional directive, is expected to boost the commercial space industry.

Protecting Incumbent Operations

NTIA and NASA’s proposal builds on the 2023 World Radiocommunications Conference, during which co-primary allocations for the ISS in the 18 GHz band were added to the International Table of Frequency Allocations to support increasing missions in space.

The report directed the Federal Communications Commission to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking for the 18 GHz allocations and service rules and implement the WRC-23 outcome by adopting new, co-primary allocations for the intersatellite service in the 18 GHz band in the United States Table of Frequency Allocations. It also asked the FCC to add a new international footnote to the U.S. frequency allocations table to ensure proper regulatory protection for incumbent systems using the band.

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Air Force Discusses AI Capabilities, Implementation Efforts in New Doctrine Note
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The Department of the Air Force's Chief Data and AI Office, which oversees that DAF's technology efforts.

The Air Force Doctrine Note 25-1, Artificial Intelligence to guide the responsible development and implementation of AI tools. The doctrine marks a milestone in achieving AI-enabled air and space power, the Department of the Air Force, or DAF, Chief Data and AI Office said in a LinkedIn post Saturday.

The Air Force first published the doctrine in April. It supports AI strategies previously issued by the Air Force and the Department of Defense. 

Roles of AI Within the Air Force

AI is poised to play an integral role in the modern battlefield and amid the Great Power Competition. The United States’ adversaries such as China and Russia are increasingly investing in the development and integration of AI into military equipment. 

The document pointed out that China is building an intelligentized force powered by human-machine teaming. Beijing, according to the doctrine, is applying AI for decision-making, cyber operations, missile guidance, logistics and cyber.

On the other hand, Russia is increasingly using AI for Unmanned aerial, ground and underwater systems. 

As for the U.S. Air Force, AI can facilitate the effective and timely execution of air missions to achieve information advantage and air superiority. Moreover, the doctrine lists global precision attack, rapid global mobility, command and control, and global intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance as some of the areas where the technology can be utilized. 

Air Force’s Ongoing AI Efforts

The doctrine note also provides details about the Air Force’s current programs that integrate AI. The Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, for instance, intends to leverage the technology to enable crewed-uncrewed teaming during combat. CCA relies on semi-autonomous software to augment the capabilities of manned combat aircraft and enhance situational awareness, lethality and survivability. 

The Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office also developed an AI platform to optimize fleet maintenance, increase aircraft availability and reduce vessel downtime. Called the Predictive Analytics and Decision Assistant, or PANDA, the system of record utilizes enhanced-reliability-centered maintenance and sensor-based algorithms to achieve condition-based maintenance.

Learn more about the increasingly critical role of air and space defense in the great power competition at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Summit on July 31. Register for the in-person event today!

Air Force Discusses AI Capabilities, Implementation Efforts in New Doctrine Note
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Navy Conducts Conventional Hypersonic Missile Flight Test in Florida
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Navy Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe Jr.

The U.S. Navy has conducted a flight test of a conventional hypersonic missile from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The experiment highlighted the initial use of the service’s Conventional Prompt Strike, or CPS, capability, which employs a cold-gas launch approach for deployment in sea-based platform hypersonics, the Department of Defense said Friday.

Conventional Prompt Strike Capability

The approach supports the ejection of a missile from the platform to achieve a safe distance above the ship before the first-stage ignition, according to Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe Jr., director of the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs. He added that the technical milestone moves the project closer to the objective of “providing a safe and reliable hypersonic capability to our Navy.”

Navy Secretary John Phelan explained that CPS will provide unmatched capabilities to U.S. warfighters. “The speed, range and survivability of hypersonic weapons are key to integrated deterrence for America,” he stressed.

The CPS program is preparing for its initial fielding aboard the USS Zumwalt destroyer. Before completing the flight test, it conducted an extensive test campaign to validate the cold-gas launch approach. The effort will inform the development and production of the All Up Round program, a joint Army-Navy initiative to rapidly develop hypersonic strike capabilities to deter and defeat potential strategic competitors.

POC - 2025 Navy Summit

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Navy Summit to learn about the latest technology advancements for the naval force. Reserve a spot now to attend the important event!

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Mike Cannon Appointed FirstNet Authority Executive Director, CEO
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Michael Cannon, FirstNet Authority Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer

Michael Cannon has been named executive director and CEO of the First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet Authority, within the Department of Commerce.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration said Thursday Cannon was elevated to his current position after serving as chief counsel of the FirstNet Authority. NTIA also issued a Federal Register Notice seeking individuals interested in serving on the FirstNet Authority Board.

Who Is Mike Cannon?

Cannon has been serving in the government and military for over four decades. He held various positions at the Commerce Department since joining in 1992. He was the chief counsel for economic affairs, providing legal insight and services to the Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The executive was also the chief of the General Litigation Division.

A retired Navy Captain, Cannon served in the FBI and was a radar intercept officer during his active-duty years.

Renee Gordon, FirstNet Authority acting board chair, said, “The board looks forward to collaborating with Mike as the FirstNet Authority network continues to serve the needs of public safety day-in and day-out from routine use all the way through disasters. We will partner with Mike on future network investments, strategic goals and making further improvements to support first responders nationwide.”

Adam Cassady, acting assistant secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, stated, “With Mike Cannon as executive director and the strategic direction and oversight performed by the Board, the FirstNet Authority is in good hands and will continue to deliver for public safety.”

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Hegseth Wants Army to Implement Transformation Strategy, Acquisition Reform
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issues a memo calling for Army transformation and acquisition reform

Pete Hegseth, secretary of the Department of Defense, has issued a memorandum directing the secretary of the Army to implement a comprehensive transformation strategy, reform the acquisition process, eliminate wasteful spending and streamline the military branch’s force structure.

Army Future Warfare Preparation

In the memo dated Wednesday, Hegseth, a 2025 Wash100 awardee, is directing the secretary of the Army to advance the deployment of long-range missiles designed to strike moving ground and maritime targets by 2027; achieve electromagnetic and air-littoral dominance by 2027; and extend advanced manufacturing to operational units by 2026.

By 2027, artificial intelligence-driven command and control should be enabled at theater, corps and division headquarters.

The DOD secretary also calls for the modernization of the organic industrial base to produce ammunition stockpiles to sustain national defense during wartime through the implementation of 21st-century production capabilities. Hegseth expects the measure to achieve full operational capability by 2028.

According to the document, the Army should boost its forward presence in the Indo-Pacific region by expanding rotational deployments, prepositioned stocks and exercises with allies to improve basing, strategic access and overflight.

Army Acquisition Reform

The secretary of the Army should accelerate modernization and acquisition efficiency by working with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller, to consolidate budget lines and transition to capability-based funding across critical portfolios to ensure rapid technology adaptation.

The memo directs the Army to expand the use of other transaction authority agreements to facilitate rapid prototyping and fielding of critical technologies, including software and software-defined hardware; implement performance-based contracting to minimize waste; and expand multiyear procurement agreements when cost-effective.

Hegseth also wants the Army to identify and propose contract modifications for right to repair provisions where intellectual property matters restrict the service branch’s ability to perform maintenance and access the necessary maintenance tools, technical data and software.

Join us at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Army Summit on June 18. Hear notable leaders and experts as they share their insights into modernization imperatives, force structure optimization, national security missions and more. Save your spot today!

POC - 2025 Army Summit
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