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FCC Names Adam Candeub, Jay Schwarz to Key Positions
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FCC Names Adam Candeub, Jay Schwarz to Key Positions

The Federal Communications Commission, through the Office of Chairman Brendan Carr, has announced the appointments of Adam Candeub and Jay Schwarz to key leadership positions.

In a statement released Tuesday, the FCC chairman said Candeub will serve as general counsel of the FCC while Schwarz will be the new chief of the Space Bureau.

Adam Candeub Named General Counsel

Candeub was most recently a professor at the Michigan State University College of Law and a Fellow with MSU’s Institute of Public Utilities. Before joining the MSU Law faculty in 2004, Candeub served as an attorney advisor at the FCC in both the “Common Carrier” and Media bureaus. He also worked for private law firms including serving as litigation associate with Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue and corporate associate with Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton. The FCC general counsel was a clerk to Chief Judge J. Clifford Wallace, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Candeub was appointed in 2019 as deputy assistant secretary of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. He additionally served as assistant secretary and deputy associate attorney general at the Department of Justice.

Jay Schwarz to Lead Space Bureau

Schwarz rejoins the FCC after working in the private sector for years. He was vice president of public policy at Comcast, where he worked for over six years. Before that, Schwarz was the wireline advisor of former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. He previously held leadership positions at the Office of Strategic Planning and the Telecommunications Access Policy Division of the Wireline Bureau. The new Space Bureau Chief also served as an economist for the Wireless Bureau and Wireline Competition Bureau.

Other FCC Appointments

Adam Jackman and Dana Howell were also appointed as director of strategic communications of the Office of Media Relations and executive assistant for the Office of Chairman Brendan Carr, respectively.

“I am honored that this talented team of professionals have agreed to join the FCC and will help ensure that we deliver great results for the American people,” said Carr. “They bring a broad range of legal and policy expertise to their jobs and will enable the FCC to promote free speech and increase economic opportunity. I look forward to drawing on their counsel and advice.”

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Space Systems Command, Japan Launch 1st Bilateral Space Effort
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Space Systems Command, Japan Launch 1st Bilateral Space Effort

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command and Japan have launched their first bilateral space endeavor aimed at strengthening national security. 

The Space Systems Command said Tuesday Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite 6, or QZS-6, carried a U.S. space domain awareness payload as it was launched on Feb. 2 from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Tanegashima Space Center.

Boosting Indo-Pacific Awareness

The Space Operation Command’s Mission Delta 2, or MD 2, will operate the QZS-6, which will transmit real-time data to the Space Surveillance Network enabling the DOD to boost its understanding of the Geosynchronous Orbit regime above the Indo-Pacific region. The MD 2 conducts space domain awareness operations aimed at detecting, evaluating and capitalizing on opportunities while mitigating risks in the national security space.

Details of the Collaboration

The QZSS-HP program involves two U.S. payloads integrated into Japanese satellites. The USSF and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory collaborated with Japan’s National Space Policy Secretariat and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation to incorporate and assess the first payload on the QZS-6 satellite. MIT/LL designed the two payloads while MELCO designed and built the satellites. 

“In an increasingly contested space domain, Japan’s contribution to the U.S. DOD’s deterrence strategy has been, and will continue to be, key to INDOPACOM awareness and operations,” said Col. Bryon McClain, program executive officer for Space Domain Awareness.

Col. Raj Agrawal, commander of Mission Delta 2, added, “These sensors will support the fusion of space- and ground-based Space Domain Awareness to further reinforce all-domain collective defense with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.”

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Navy to Adopt New Sensor System for Super Hornet Jets
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Navy to Adopt New Sensor System for Super Hornet Jets

This spring, the U.S. Navy has announced that it will decide the full rate production for the Infrared Search and Track, or IRST, Block II system for the service branch’s carrier-based F/A-18E/F Super Hornet squadrons. The system production follows the Navy’s November declaration of initial operational capability, or IOC, for the system designed to enhance the Super Hornets’ capability to search, detect and track long-range targets.

Rear Adm. John Lemmon, program executive officer for the Navy’s Tactical Aircraft Programs, called the IRST IOC “an important milestone” in the service’s efforts to provide an advanced integrated warfighting asset to the Super Hornet fleet. 

“IRST provides data for our aircrew to improve reaction time and survivability while remaining unaffected by radio frequency jamming,” the Navy official noted.

Complementary Sensor in Compromised Environments

To boost situational awareness, the system serves as a sensor complementing the Super Hornet’s AN/APG-79 fire control radar in radar-compromised environments or during heavy electronic attack. It reportedly boosts aircrew situational awareness through its supplementary air-to-air detection and tracking capabilities. 

The Navy followed a two-phased approach for the IRST, with Block I integrated onto an existing system in the F/A-18 fuel tank in 2011 that lead eventually to an early deployment in 2019. Upgraded sensor and processor, plus additional software, were programmed for Block II—planned for first deployment this year. 

Lockheed Martin secured a $108 million contract from Boeing in November 2018 to complete the development of an IRST sensor technology for installation in the Super Hornet jets. 

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Trump’s Buyout Offer Attracts 20,000 Federal Employees
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Trump’s Buyout Offer Attracts 20,000 Federal Employees

The Hill reported Tuesday that at least 20,000 federal employees have accepted the Trump administration’s offer to resign and receive payment through September. The deadline for accepting the government buyout offer is on Feb. 6.

The 20,000 employees represent approximately 1 percent of the national workforce, but sources told the publication that the number of people accepting the buyout offer is expected to surge ahead of the deadline.

Workforce Downsizing

The offer was presented to 2 million federal employees in January ahead of return-to-office requirements as part of an initiative to reduce the workforce.

The memo, which was sent via email by the Office of Personnel Management on Jan. 28, also indicated that all workers will be subject to “enhanced standards of suitability and conduct,” according to an AP News report.

However, the offer’s vague language has caused skepticism and sparked questions about the government’s legal authority to make it. A union representing federal employees warned against it, while Washington, D.C. legislators representing federal workers opposed the deal.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors and a 2025 Wash100 awardee, said the offer would allow employees to take their desired vacation or just relax.

President Donald Trump nominated Musk in November to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.

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NASA Flight Test Prepares Critical Payloads for Moon Mission
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NASA Flight Test Prepares Critical Payloads for Moon Mission

NASA has included critical payloads in a flight test that simulated lunar gravity to prepare them for the Moon and other space exploration missions.

During the test, Blue Origin’s New Shepard reusable rocket was launched in Texas to replicate the Moon’s gravity during a suborbital flight, NASA said Tuesday. The experiments include technologies and instruments, which experienced around two minutes of lunar gravity forces without going to the Moon.

The New Shepard capsule used its reaction control system to spin up to 11 revolutions per minute and simulate one-sixth of Earth’s gravity.

Preparing Tech for Lunar Explorations

The flight test was provided with sufficient support to expand the available vehicle capabilities and ensure technologies are ready for lunar exploration, according to Danielle McCulloch, program executive at NASA’s Flight Opportunities program. She added that the experiment was designed to achieve a test environment that is similar to a mission’s operating environment.

Greg Peters, acting program manager for Flight Opportunities, noted that an extended period of simulated lunar gravity is a critical test regime for NASA. “It’s crucial to reducing risk for innovations that might one day go to the lunar surface,” he explained.

Among the payloads tested in Blue Origin flight is the Lunar-g Combustion Investigation, which seeks to understand material flammability on the Moon. Such knowledge is an important component of astronaut safety on the Moon and would inform the design of potential combustion devices there.

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Audit Flags DHS for Insufficient Governance of AI Use
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Audit Flags DHS for Insufficient Governance of AI Use

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General released on Jan. 30 the results of an audit it carried out concerning DHS’ use of artificial intelligence.

Purpose of the Audit

The audit sought to determine whether and to what extent the agency had developed and put into effect policies governing the use of AI, whose adoption by the agency increased from 2022 to 2023, DHS OIG said.

More Action Required

The audit found that DHS took multiple steps to ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI. These steps include the issuance of guidance specific to AI, the appointment of a chief AI officer and the establishment of an AI Task Force and working groups, whose function would be to guide the agency’s efforts in AI. The OIG nevertheless deemed these measures insufficient, noting that “more action is needed to ensure DHS has appropriate governance for responsible and secure use of AI.”

The agency was also found to have established an AI strategy but not a plan to implement it. The agency also lacked the resources to ensure that its AI was being used in compliance with privacy, civil rights and civil liberties requirements.

Additional issues include the insufficiency of the data being collected by the agency to track and report its use of AI, and the insufficiency of the evidence the agency and its components have managed to collect to demonstrate that their use of AI align with the requirements of the federal government.

‘Appropriate, Ongoing Governance’ of AI

“Without appropriate, ongoing governance of its AI, DHS faces an increased risk that its AI efforts will infringe upon the safety and rights of the American people,” DHS OIG said.

Twenty recommendations were offered to correct the issues. DHS concurred with all of them.

Audit Flags DHS for Insufficient Governance of AI Use

Register now to attend the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 AI Summit. The event will offer participants strategic insights and actionable takeaways on how to best harness the benefits of artificial intelligence.

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Christopher Wright Confirmed as Energy Secretary
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Christopher Wright Confirmed as Energy Secretary

Christopher Wright, a fracking executive, received Senate confirmation on Monday as secretary of the Department of Energy in a 59-38 vote.

Reuters reported that Wright will be responsible for DOE’s budget of approximately $50 billion and 17 national laboratories involved in supercomputing and research fusion energy, among other areas.

During his nomination hearing, he said his top priority is to expand the domestic production of liquefied natural gas and nuclear energy. He also believes in the potential of geothermal power to provide the country with emissions-free energy.

According to the report, Wright is expected to play a key role in a new national energy dominance council.

Christopher Wright’s Career Background

The newly confirmed DOE secretary most recently served as CEO, chairman and founder of Liberty Energy.

Wright served on the boards of several companies, including small modular reactor developer Oklo and global mining royalties company EMX Royalty.

In 1992, the oil industry leader and MIT graduate founded shale gas producer Pinnacle Technologies, where he also served as chief executive.

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Karen Evans Rejoins DHS as Senior Cyber Adviser at CISA
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Karen Evans Rejoins DHS as Senior Cyber Adviser at CISA

Karen Evans, a former chief information officer at the Department of Homeland Security, has joined the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency as senior cyber adviser.

A CISA spokesperson confirmed Evans’ return to government service, Federal News Network reported Monday, adding that multiple sources claimed Evans would either become an executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA or assume a top-level position at DHS headquarters.

Meanwhile, the returning DHS executive announced her new role in a LinkedIn post on the same day.

Evans’ Recent Career History

Evans served in the first Trump administration as assistant secretary for cybersecurity, energy security and emergency response at the Department of Energy between 2018 and 2020. She then moved to the DHS for the CIO post and held the role from June 2020 to January 2021.

Evans worked as a partner at KE&T Partners and served as managing director of the nonprofit Cyber Readiness Institute after her government stint. She also played a leading role in a 2022 National Academy of Public Administration study on CISA’s role in building a national cybersecurity workforce.

Her appointment comes as DHS Secretary Kristi Noem called for a smaller CISA, leaving the agency’s future uncertain under the second Trump presidency.

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House Bill Seeks to Ensure DHS Research Security
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House Bill Seeks to Ensure DHS Research Security

Rep. Dale Strong, R-Ala., has introduced a bill that would direct the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate, or S&T, to develop a process to protect sensitive information in research and development projects.

What’s in the Bill?

Strong’s office said Friday the Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act would require the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on DHS’ compliance with governmentwide policies to safeguard R&D.

The proposed legislation would also direct DHS to provide a briefing to the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees to address the Office of Inspector General’s 2022 report concerning S&T’s oversight of R&D projects.

The OIG report found lapses in the directorate’s efforts to protect sensitive data in R&D initiatives due to a lack of guidance and oversight.

“This bill will strengthen safeguards to prevent unauthorized access of sensitive information, ensuring that our nation’s research and development efforts remain secure,” said Strong.

“Chinese espionage is one of our country’s greatest threats. Protecting our innovations is critical to national security, and this legislation takes an important step in ensuring the integrity of DHS research,” added the lawmaker from Alabama.

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LMI Execs on How GenAI Could Help Accelerate EO Implementation
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LMI Execs on How GenAI Could Help Accelerate EO Implementation

Matthew Finney, Milasy Mugnolo and Harry Edelman of LMI discussed five ways the management consulting firm’s generative artificial intelligence program — LIGER for Policy — could help the Trump administration quickly implement executive orders, or EOs, and automate challenging policy tasks during the transition period.

In a blog post published Thursday on the firm’s website, the three LMI executives mentioned LIGER’s ability to help agencies assess the impact of EOs and improve decision-making through quick analysis that uncovers emerging priorities and key adjustments.

With LMI’s LIGER for Policy, organizations can comply with new directives under the current administration by searching document collections to identify content that needs updates.

LIGER Use Cases

The firm’s generative AI platform could support transition activities by enabling incoming leaders and their personnel to summarize large document libraries and generate insights for informed decision-making, the LMI representatives said.

The executives also cited how LIGER could enable organizations to produce reports, memos and synopses by preserving critical program data and institutional knowledge during transitions and allow teams to quickly respond to policy and program questions during transitions.

Finney is LMI’s vice president of generative AI and Mugnolo is the firm’s vice president of policy analysis and operations. Edelman serves as LMI’s principal technical adviser for policy.

Finney will be part of the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 20. Register here to join and hear more about cutting-edge AI innovations from industry and government experts.

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