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John Barsa Named Acting Administrator of USAID
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John Barsa Named Acting Administrator of USAID
John Barsa
John Barsa

John Barsa, assistant administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, has been assigned to lead USAID as a whole on an acting basis, succeeding Mark Green.

He brings experience in the government, having held roles with the Department of Homeland Security, NASA and the U.S. Army Reserves, the White House said Tuesday.

Barsa's roles with DHS and NASA involved work on partnerships and external engagement. He also served as senior director of business development during his time with General Dynamics Information Technology.

The newly appointed USAID leader replaces Mark Green who will resign this month. Bonnie Glick, USAID's deputy administrator, was initially reported to succeed Green.

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Sean Connelly: CISA to Launch Pilot Programs on Zero-Trust Architecture
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Sean Connelly: CISA to Launch Pilot Programs on Zero-Trust Architecture
Sean Connelly
Sean Connelly

Sean Connelly, program manager for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Trusted Internet Connection initiative, said the agency has conducted pilot projects ahead of the TIC 3.0 policy’s rollout, Federal News Network reported Tuesday.

Connelly told the publication that CISA collaborated with working groups, vendors and cloud service providers to help inform the agency's plans to establish “trust zones” in government network infrastructures.

He noted that the TIC 3.0 pilot efforts are currently focused on infrastructure-based services and potential alternatives that support the zero-trust concept.

“Ideally we want to shrink that trust zone down to be as small as possible to focus on the application, to focus on identity user,” said Connelly. “But with the pilots we have right now is more focused on a larger spectrum of networks and systems.”

CISA’s TIC subcommittee plans to launch more pilots and seek proposals from agencies focused on the development of architecture risk strategies.

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Cyberspace Solarium Commission Seeks More Data to Improve Assessment of Cyber Defense Strategy
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Cyberspace Solarium Commission Seeks More Data to Improve Assessment of Cyber Defense Strategy
Cyberspace Solarium Commission Seeks More Data to Improve Assessment of Cyber Defense Strategy

Members of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission have said that the government must collect more data to better evaluate the effectiveness of the Department of Defense’s “defend forward” strategy, Fifth Domain reported Tuesday.

Mark Montgomery, the commission’s executive director and former policy director at the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the group also recommended the establishment of a Bureau of Cyber Statistics that will enable visibility into the cyber ecosystem and provide sufficient information on the strategy's progress.

“I think business understands that the more data you have to analyze in the raw and make competent decisions against, the better off you’re going to be,” he said.

Chris Inglis, a fellow commissioner and former deputy director of the National Security Agency, said the strategy’s effectiveness may be measured based on the increase of allied nations that implement "defend forward". 

He also suggested using data such as the decrease of high-profile cyberattacks over the next three to five years as performance metrics.

Montgomery and Inglis’ comments come after the CSC submitted their policy recommendations to Congress on March 11.

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DOE Unveils $60M Computing Research Program for Scientific Efforts
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DOE Unveils $60M Computing Research Program for Scientific Efforts
DOE Unveils $60M Computing Research Program for Scientific Efforts

The Department of Energy eyes to allot $60M in funds to build computational tools and techniques that will work to speed up scientific discovery initiatives.

DOE said Tuesday it seeks to form teams that are composed of experts and researchers in applied mathematics, computer science and various scientific disciplines to develop computing methods that will address scientific questions through the Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing program.

The program aims to cover various areas such as condensed matter physics, materials science, fusion energy sciences and nuclear physics. DOE expects the teams to utilize DOE Office of Science supercomputing facilities at Argonne, Lawrence Berkeley and Oak Ridge National Laboratories in line with the program.

Universities, businesses, national laboratories and nonprofit organizations with multi-institutional partnerships are eligible to apply for the program. DOE's Office of Science will provide funding for five-year projects, while out-year funds are subject to Congressional appropriations.

Applicants have until April 14 to submit letters of intent, while full applications are due May 12.

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GAO: 5G Rollout Could Result in Spectrum Mgmt, Cybersecurity Risks
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GAO: 5G Rollout Could Result in Spectrum Mgmt, Cybersecurity Risks
GAO: 5G Rollout Could Result in Spectrum Mgmt, Cybersecurity Risks

The Government Accountability Office has issued a guidance detailing the potential benefits and challenges of 5G implementation.

GAO said that 5G, which is suitable for high-throughput broadband applications like virtual and augmented reality and cloud services, can be used to support emerging concepts like internet-of-things ecosystems and self-driving cars. The next-level connectivity can also support the U.S. economy through new jobs, according to the watchdog.

However, GAO noted that 5G implementation could pose challenges in spectrum management and result in high infrastructure costs and cybersecurity risks.

Rolling out the technology may also result in the potential loss of user data due to location-based connectivity issues. In addition, 5G may exacerbate the widening digital divide with high-population urban areas expected to benefit from the technology earlier than rural and low-income locations.

According to GAO, telecommunications firms have begun deploying hybrid 4G and 5G networks while researchers are assessing the feasibility of using numerous small antennas to prevent connection interference and drive energy efficiency.

Companies are also expected to leverage standalone 5G networks and low-latency communications systems over the next decade, GAO said.

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Charles Richard: USSTRATCOM Moves to Sustain Nuclear Triad
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Charles Richard: USSTRATCOM Moves to Sustain Nuclear Triad
Charles Richard
Charles Richard

Adm. Charles Richard, who leads U.S. Strategic Command and received a 2020 Wash100 Award, said his group is pursuing efforts to ensure the readiness of intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched warheads and bomber aircraft that compose the nuclear triad, DoD News reported Tuesday.

He told reporters that USSTRATCOM aims to make sure that these nuclear assets are effective, secure and safe to use.

The command's efforts to achieve its nuclear readiness goals include taking care of involved personnel. Richard said they are reducing activity in areas that may have been contaminated by a pandemic.

USSTRATCOM will also continue to explore more ways to leverage modern communications technologies for strategic operations, the commander.

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Kenneth Kizer of Atlas Research: VA’s Telehealth Experience Could be Useful Against Coronavirus
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Kenneth Kizer of Atlas Research: VA’s Telehealth Experience Could be Useful Against Coronavirus

Kenneth Kizer of Atlas Research: VA’s Telehealth Experience Could be Useful Against Coronavirus

Kenneth W. Kizer, chief healthcare transformation officer for Atlas Research, recently wrote an opinion piece for MilitaryTimes on Tuesday detailing the importance of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) could be as the world continues to struggle with the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Kizer explained that VA hospitals need to have as many beds available as possible and the VA’s use of telehealth and remote monitoring technologies. “The VA is also the only truly national health care system in the country, having multiple health care facilities in every state and essentially every major metropolitan area,” Kizer said.

He also provided examples of the work the VA has done in tele-ICU and it’s partnership with Podimetrics, Inc. to dramatically reduce the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcers by diagnosing the inflammation of incipient ulcers weeks earlier than can be done by conventional methods.

Kizer argues this is the type of innovation that could combat the coronavirus epidemic. He advocates for the VA to take a lead role because telehealth allows patients to be screened remotely, which supports the self-quarantine and other practices currently at play. More people can also be treated at home. As a result, more people can be seen.

Kizer has served as the undersecretary for health in the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as director of health services for California, where he orchestrated the state’s response to the new HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.

About Atlas Research 

Employees at Atlas fuse deep domain knowledge with improvement processes to solve problems and create efficient, sustainable change. Our analytic rigor, business acumen, and multidisciplinary perspectives are built upon a foundation of experience helping clients solve hard problems.

Our mission to make a difference inspires us to strive for excellence and perform with integrity in everything we do. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Atlas Research is nationally recognized for providing creative, enduring results and high customer satisfaction.

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Major Stake in Government Executive Media Group Acquired by Growth Catalyst Partners; Peter Goldstone, Scott Peters Quoted
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Major Stake in Government Executive Media Group Acquired by Growth Catalyst Partners; Peter Goldstone, Scott Peters Quoted
Major Stake in Government Executive Media Group Acquired by Growth Catalyst Partners; Peter Goldstone, Scott Peters Quoted

Growth Catalyst Partners (GCP) has partnered with Hanley Wood, former GCP CEO and Peter Goldstone, a B2B information and data veteran, to acquire a controlling stake in Government Executive Media Group (GEMG), the company announced on Monday. 

Since 1997, GEMG has been owned by Atlantic Media’s chairman and owner David Bradley. He will continue as a board member and prominent investor for GEMG, but Goldstone will serve as the chairman of the board after the acquisition is completed. 

“Partnering with GCP and the GEMG team presents an ideal opportunity for me to leverage a career of experience into a very exciting market partnership. This enables us to bring together capital, complementary skill sets and an extraordinary team in a market that is perfect for our investment strategy,” Goldstone commented. 

In addition, Tom Shoop will continue to serve GEMG as its Editor-in-Chief, Connie Sayers will remain its president and Tim Hartman will stay on as the company’s CEO. 

“This new partnership is going to fuel our growth and enable us to make investments in new products and strategic acquisitions, and author new groundbreaking industry partnerships, all as a fast-moving, independent company,” said Hartman. 

GEMG’s four leading digital brands actively engage with more than two million federal, state, and local government executives, as well as over 200 of the largest private-sector vendor partners via editorial content, digital insights and intelligence, live and virtual events, marketing services, and proprietary research. 

“GEMG has all of the qualities we look for in companies including a strong management team, a proven portfolio of leading products and services and an excellent reputation in their sector, said Scott Peters, co-founder of GCP. 

“We are excited to partner with Peter Goldstone, Tim Hartman and the team to strengthen their footprint and market share in the public sector and build-out more services through organic growth and acquisitions,” Peters added. 

About Government Executive Media Group

Government Executive Media Group (GEMG) is dedicated to providing federal, state, and local government leaders with trusted and useful insights and best practices to help them advance their organizations’ missions. Through its market-leading Government Executive, Nextgov, Defense One, and Route Fifty brands, GEMG reaches over two million government influencers nationwide across digital content, events and offerings.

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Constellis CEO Tim Reardon Receives Fourth Wash100 Award From Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic
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Constellis CEO Tim Reardon Receives Fourth Wash100 Award From Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic
Constellis CEO Tim Reardon Receives Fourth Wash100 Award From Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic

Jim Garrettson, founder and CEO of Executive Mosaic, presented Tim Reardon, chief executive officer of Constellis, his fourth overall Wash100 Award and second consecutive as a part of the 2020 selection.

Executive Mosaic recognizes Reardon for realigning the company’s executive team and driving growth for Constellis while adding to its portfolio. 

Reardon’s leadership helped the company to secure a position on a potential five-year, $6 billion contract vehicle from the State Department in June 2019 to provide diplomatic platform support services, life support services, operations and maintenance and logistics assistance for the department and other U.S. government agencies. 

In January 2019, Constellis made a series of appointments as part of the company’s realignment of its executive team. Reardon said in a statement that the executive moves were to accelerate the company’s growth, optimize client mission focus and build up operational efficiency. 

“Constellis anticipates significant domestic and international growth with the departments of State, Energy, Homeland Security, Defense, Justice, the intelligence community and many Fortune 500 commercial clients,” Reardon said.

Reardon’s predecessor and Constellis’ founder, Jason DeYonker described his successor as,”an experienced leader who is uniquely qualified to guide the company through the next phase of its strategic growth.” 

He said that, “Tim brings to Constellis more than 20 years of delivering solutions and operational support services to government and commercial customers worldwide, including expertise in national security, risk management, cyber, advanced analytics, enterprise information technology, logistics and C4ISR. 

Executive Mosaic congratulates Tim Reardon and Constellis for his 2020 Wash100 Award selection. His work to drive growth, expand the company’s portfolio and realign its executive team are achievements that have established Reardon and Constellis to a top position in the government contracting sector heading into 2020. 

About The Wash100

The Wash100 Award, now in its seventh year, recognizes the most influential executives in the GovCon industry as selected by the Executive Mosaic team in tandem with online nominations from the GovCon community. Representing the best of the private and public sector, the winners demonstrate superior leadership, innovation, reliability, achievement and vision.

Visit the Wash100 site to learn about the other 99 winners of the 2020 Wash100 Award. On the site, you can submit your 10 votes for the GovCon executives of consequence that you believe will have the most significant impact in 2020.
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Granite Telecommunications Releases Remote Redundancy To Support Work from Home Functionality; Christopher Chapin Quoted
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Granite Telecommunications Releases Remote Redundancy To Support Work from Home Functionality; Christopher Chapin Quoted

Granite Telecommunications Releases Remote Redundancy To Support Work from Home Functionality; Christopher Chapin Quoted

Granite Telecommunications has released a rapid-response Remote Redundancy solution to support the nation’s businesses and government agencies, quickly enabling “work from home” functionality for employees in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the company announced on Wednesday.

“Granite’s new Remote Redundancy solution is designed to quickly empower remote workers and provide business continuity,” said Christopher Chapin, Chief Technology Officer for Granite. “This includes rapid overnight shipping, easy self-installation and low monthly pricing to help companies protect their employees as well as their bottom lines.”

The company’s packages will deliver options for redundant connections, network security, communications and collaboration tools that will be customizable for each employee, depending on existing access to the Internet, calling applications and job function.

Remote Redundancy will also include fully managed network services for employees working from home, such as wireless redundancy, essential redundancy and executive redundancy. Wireless redundancy will deliver a wireless connection utilizing one of the four major wireless providers with a term as short as four months.

Essential redundancy will feature wireless redundancy plus a dynamic 25/5Mbps broadband circuit and executive redundancy will include 1Gbps wireless redundancy plus 100/10Mbps broadband circuit, one Granite Cloud PBX Soft Seat with mobile and desktop app and Granite Guardian network monitoring.

Granite will also offer optional package upgrades, including wireline access upgrade from 25/5Mbps up to 100/10Mbps, wireless access upgrade from 250Mbps to 1Gbps, on-premises managed firewall and same-day soft seat with one call path.

The company will also extend Same-day soft “Meeting Light” (4-person conference bridge) VoIP handset and additional call path One-hour on-site setup Granite Guardian network monitoring (with wireline connections only).

About Granite Telecommunications

Granite delivers one-stop communications solutions to multilocation businesses and government agencies throughout the United States and Canada. The $1.6 billion company serves more than two-thirds of the Fortune 100 companies in the United States, and has 1.75 million voice and data lines under management. Granite launched in 2002 and grew quickly by helping businesses to simplify sourcing and management of local and long distance phone services with one point of contact and one invoice for all their office locations nationwide.

Today, Granite is the leader in aggregating Plain Old Telephone Services (POTS), and has extended its unique value proposition – “one company, one contact, one bill” – to include a range of advance business communications services, including Internet access, SD-WAN, wireless WAN, hosted PBX, SIP trunking, mobile voice and data, mobile device management, managed security, network integration and much more. Granite employs more than 2,300 people at its headquarters in Quincy, Mass., and nine regional offices nationwide.

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