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Air Force Conducts Minuteman III ICBM Test Launch
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Minuteman III ICBM. The U.S. Air Force conducted a test launch of the unarmed Minuteman III ICBM.

The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command carried out a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, equipped with two test re-entry vehicles on Tuesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Air Force Conducts Minuteman III ICBM Test Launch

The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30 will bring together Air Force and Space Force leaders with industry innovators to discuss advanced technologies shaping the future of air and space power. Book your seat today!

What Was the Purpose of the Missile Test?

Designated GT 255, the mission was conducted to assess the precision and reliability of the weapon system within the land-based leg of the nuclear triad. The test also evaluated the performance of the reentry vehicles, which are designed to enhance the missile’s operational capability and its ability to penetrate adversary defenses.

The launch is part of a long-running, data-driven evaluation program that includes hundreds of similar tests conducted over several decades to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the weapon system. Data gathered from these events supports assessments of missile components and operational readiness across the ICBM fleet.

How Was the ICBM Test Launch Conducted?

The test involved launching a Minuteman III ICBM that deployed two reentry vehicles toward a designated impact point at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands after traveling thousands of miles. Throughout the flight, specialists from the 377th Test and Evaluation Group monitored the missile to assess accuracy, reliability and the performance of key system components. Data gathered from the launch is provided to agencies such as the Department of War, Department of Energy and U.S. Strategic Command to support ongoing evaluations of the Minuteman III’s operational readiness.

Previous Minuteman III Modernization Efforts

The launch comes as the Air Force continues efforts to sustain the Minuteman III while preparing to transition to the LGM-35A Sentinel system. In 2024, Boeing received a $405.4 million contract modification to support operations, testing and maintenance of the Minuteman III through 2029. Northrop Grumman has also supported the program under a potential $3.86 billion contract for ground subsystem sustainment, while contractors such as Guidehouse have provided systems integration support during the transition period.

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Jim O’Neill Nominated as NSF Director
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Jim O’Neill. The former HHS deputy director has been nominated to serve as NSF director.

The White House on Monday announced that President Donald Trump nominated Jim O’Neill, most recently deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services, to serve as director of the National Science Foundation for a six-year term.

O’Neill’s nomination at NSF comes after recent leadership changes at HHS, where he served as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention while also serving as deputy secretary.

Why Is the NSF Director Position Open?

The position has been vacant for nearly 10 months following the resignation of former NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan in April 2025 after five years at the helm of the agency. Since his departure, NSF Chief of Staff Brian Stone has been performing the duties of director.

If confirmed by the Senate, O’Neill would lead the independent federal agency that funds basic research and education in science and engineering across the U.S.

Who Is Jim O’Neill?

O’Neill took oath as deputy secretary of HHS in June 2025 after the Senate confirmed him to the role in a 52-43 vote. Shortly afterward, he assumed additional responsibilities as acting director of CDC.

Before joining HHS leadership, O’Neill served as CEO of the SENS Research Foundation, where he led research and development efforts focused on regenerative medicine solutions for cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and other age-related diseases.

He served as CEO of the Thiel Foundation and co-founded the Thiel Fellowship, where he supported young entrepreneurs who founded science and tech companies.

According to his LinkedIn profile, the Yale University graduate was managing director at Mithril Capital Management and Clarium Capital Management.

O’Neill also held leadership roles at HHS during President George W. Bush’s administration, including principal associate deputy secretary, member of the steering committee for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and associate deputy secretary.

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Istari Wins DOW OTA for Mission Engineering Automation Testbed
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Department of War logo. DOW awarded Istari a prototype OTA to build the Mission Engineering Automation Testbed.

The Department of War has awarded Istari Federal, operating as Istari Digital, a prototype other transaction agreement to build the Mission Engineering Automation Testbed, or MEAT, which seeks to enhance how mission engineering insights are produced and used to support joint force operations.

The National Security Technology Accelerator said Tuesday the OTA is expected to have a potential value of up to $50 million, including possible follow-on phases for logistical support and expanded system integration.

The agreement was issued through the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane Division under the Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems OTA, known as S2MARTS, a contracting vehicle managed by NSTXL that supports rapid prototyping and technology development.3

Istari Wins DOW OTA for Mission Engineering Automation Testbed

Recent developments in defense innovation, such as new efforts to modernize mission engineering capabilities, highlight the evolving priorities shaping the naval and broader defense landscape. These trends provide important context for conversations across government and industry. Save your seat and join the discussion at the 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27.

What Is the DOW MEAT Initiative?

MEAT is a DOW effort that seeks to accelerate the adoption of mission engineering across the defense enterprise by automating and integrating workflows used in research, development, evaluation, testing, acquisition and operational planning.

The initiative aims to establish a secure, scalable testbed that supports mission engineering activities across live, virtual and constructive environments while advancing digital engineering practices. Through MEAT, the department seeks to create a reusable, open-architecture environment that can rapidly incorporate new tools and capabilities to support continuous modernization.

The effort is supported by several DOW agencies, including the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, the Navy Modeling and Simulation Office, Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems, the Office of Naval Research and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

A request for solutions for the MEAT initiative was issued in October.

What Are the Phase One Objectives of the MEAT OTA Award?

Under phase one, the company will build prototypes that incorporate advanced modeling, simulation and analytics into LVC environments. The effort aims to enable mission engineering tools to operate more seamlessly together while supporting multilevel security architectures and cross-domain data sharing across different operational environments.

What Does Istari Digital Do?

Istari Digital develops digital infrastructure that connects engineering data, models and simulations to support collaboration and system development across aerospace and defense programs. The company was founded by Will Roper, former Air Force acquisition chief and a three-time Wash100 awardee.

Its initiatives include the Flyer One program, which aims to demonstrate a digitally certified aircraft. In 2024, the company won an AFWERX contract to provide modeling and simulation services for the Model One program.

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Kurt Dykstra Appointed General Counsel at Office of Personnel Management
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OPM General Counsel Kurt Dykstra. The Office of Personnel Management has appointed Kurt Dykstra as general counsel.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has appointed Kurt Dykstra as general counsel, placing him in charge of the agency’s legal office and policy advisory functions.

What Will Kurt Dykstra Do at OPM?

The agency said Dykstra will serve as chief legal officer and oversee the Office of the General Counsel, providing legal guidance to OPM’s director and senior leadership.

OPM Director Scott Kupor said Dykstra brings leadership experience and legal expertise that will help the agency address complex workforce and legal challenges.

“He understands how strong governance, accountability, and sound legal strategy support effective government. I am confident his leadership will help ensure OPM continues to serve federal employees and the American people with integrity and excellence,” said Kupor.

Who Is Kurt Dykstra?

Dykstra is a three-decade veteran of the legal industry with extensive experience advising on complex workforce matters, regulatory compliance, internal investigations and corporate governance. His career spans corporate law, higher education, financial services and public service.

Before joining OPM, Dykstra served as a shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren. He was president and CEO of Independent Colleges of Indiana, a member of the Providence Bank & Trust Board of Directors, and president of Trinity Christian College. He also served as the mayor of Holland, Michigan, for over five years, after previously serving as a council member.

Dykstra spent over 12 years as an instructor at Hope College and also served as the community president of the Mercantile Bank of Michigan. Earlier in his career, he served as an attorney at Warner Norcross & Judd and as a judicial law clerk for the Wisconsin Court System. He was also an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.

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CISA Names Chris Butera as Acting Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity
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Chris Butera, acting executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA. CISA selected Butera to lead its cyber division

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has appointed Chris Butera as acting executive assistant director of its cybersecurity division, NextGov/FCW reported Tuesday. He replaces Nick Andersen, who has stepped in as acting director of CISA following Madhu Gottumukkala’s appointment as director of strategic implementation at the Department of Homeland Security.

CISA Names Chris Butera as Acting Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity

Hear about the threats to federal systems and the strategies that keep critical data safe from adversaries at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21. The event will bring together government and industry leaders to discuss the increasing role of cyberspace in global conflict. Secure your tickets today.

Who Is Chris Butera?

Butera has more than 20 years of experience in cybersecurity and information technology leadership across federal and local government and the private sector. Most recently, he served as senior technical director for CISA’s cybersecurity division, where he led initiatives to enhance cyber services, strengthen operational visibility and guide research and development related to artificial intelligence and industrial control systems security.

He also held the roles of associate director of threat hunting, deputy director of the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center and chief of the NCCIC Hunt and Incident Response Team at CISA. 

Butera holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Chicago.

What Other Leadership Shifts Are Happening at CISA?

Robert Costello, chief information officer at CISA, also announced that he is departing federal service. In a LinkedIn post Tuesday, Costello said the week marks his last at the agency after 23 years in government, including 18 years at the Department of Homeland Security.

“DHS safeguards the American people every day, often without recognition. I have seen firsthand the dedication across the Department and will always be grateful to have been part of that mission for 18 years,” he wrote. 

Costello’s announcement comes shortly after reports confirmed that Shelly Hartsook, acting associate director of CISA’s cybersecurity division, will also depart the agency. Hartsook oversaw capacity-building efforts across the division, including programs that deliver cybersecurity capabilities to federal agencies such as the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program.

CISA has also been without a permanent leader since the departure of Jen Easterly, a three-time Wash100 winner, in 2025. President Donald Trump renominated Sean Plankey, former director for cyber policy at the National Security Council, to lead the agency in January.

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Textron, GDLS ARV-30 Prototypes for Marine Corps Complete Initial Swim Tests
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US Marine Corps logo. ARV-30 prototypes from Textron Systems and GDLS completed their first amphibious swim tests.

Prototypes of the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle-30, which Textron Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems built for the U.S. Marine Corps, completed their first swim tests earlier this year at the Amphibious Vehicle Testing Branch in Camp Pendleton, California.

Textron, GDLS ARV-30 Prototypes for Marine Corps Complete Initial Swim Tests

The 2026 Navy Summit, hosted by the Potomac Officers Club on Aug. 27, will bring together Navy leaders, defense officials and industry representatives to discuss modernization priorities, emerging technologies and the future of naval operations. Register today!

What Did the ARV-30 Swim Tests Evaluate?

The companies each developed two ARV versions that underwent water mobility demonstrations, including still water and calm water operations to evaluate amphibious performance and gather data to refine their vehicle designs ahead of the next phase of the program, the Marine Corps said Monday. The events were conducted under a rapid prototyping program managed by Program Manager Light Armored Vehicles.

Following the swim testing milestone, the Marine Corps plans to conclude the rapid prototyping phase and transition to the program’s pre-production development stage.

Under the next phase, Textron and GDLS are expected to build 16 prototypes of various ARV variants over a four-and-a-half-year competition period. Following additional testing and a final design selection around 2030, the winner will deliver six ARVs to the Fleet Marine Force.

What Capabilities Does the ARV Program Aim to Deliver?

The ARV is intended to replace the Marine Corps’ Light Armored Vehicle, which has been in service for more than four decades. The new platform is designed to operate as a networked reconnaissance system capable of integrating sensors, communications systems and autonomous technologies to enable manned and unmanned teaming operations.

“There is no question the LAV has been a wonderful vehicle for the Marine Corps for the last 40+ years, but there’s a limit to how much you can iterate on a 40-year-old design,” said Col. Christopher Stephenson, program manager of PM LAV. “The ARV brings a truly modern platform, designed using the best commercial practices for significant safety and interconnectivity improvements.”

What Features Are Included in the GDLS ARV-30 Prototype?

GDLS’ ARV-30 prototype is designed to enhance mobility, survivability and lethality. The vehicle connects to onboard and offboard sensors and unmanned aerial systems, and is designed with a modular open architecture to support the integration of new technologies. The platform also incorporates the company’s Next Generation Electronic Architecture to enable artificial intelligence functionality and control of robotic systems.

What Capabilities Does Textron’s Cottonmouth Prototype Provide?

Textron developed the Cottonmouth prototype in partnership with Elbit Systems of America as part of their joint bid for the Marine Corps’ ARV program. The platform is designed for sustained reconnaissance missions and supports organic unmanned systems operations. An Elbit executive previously said the ARV concept includes a multidomain situational awareness suite that provides significant increases in lethality and survivability.

What Acquisition Strategy Is the Marine Corps Using?

The ARV program is using other transaction agreements with Textron Systems and GDLS, allowing the Marine Corps to utilize flexible contracting mechanisms designed to speed development.

Stephenson said the program also uses the middle tier acquisition pathway to reduce development timelines.

“The ARV program is a prime example of how we are thinking differently about major acquisitions. By leveraging Middle Tier Acquisition pathways and Other Transactional Authorities, we are empowered to move faster than traditional models,” he said.

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War Department Seeks Autonomous Low Profile Vessel for Contested Littoral Resupply
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War Department logo. The Department of War is seeking proposals for an autonomous low-profile vessel for resupply missions.

The Department of War is seeking low-cost logistics transport capabilities that can resupply units dispersed across wide distances in contested littoral environments.

Why Is the DOW Seeking New Maritime Resupply Platforms?

According to the commercial solutions opening notice published by the Defense Innovation Unit, the War Department is soliciting industry proposals for an autonomous low-profile vessel, or ALPV, to address all-domain threats and other evolving challenges that hinder warfighters from sustaining operations and maintaining combat capability in littoral environments. The proposed unmanned system must be demonstrated within 180 days of contract award.

What Are the Required ALPV Capabilities?

Under the concept, the vessel would be built on a modular open systems approach to support interoperability and future enhancements. It would carry at least 18,000 pounds of cargo, including bulk liquids and multiple classes of supply such as palletized containers and Joint Modular Intermodal Containers. Desired performance targets include an operating range of 1,000 to 2,000 nautical miles, speeds of at least 12 knots under specified sea conditions and the ability to loiter for up to 96 hours.

Additionally, the government is seeking vessels with a low-profile design to reduce detectability by adversary sensors during transit. The platform must also support autonomous navigation in congested waterways and denied, degraded, intermittent and limited, or DDIL, communication environments, while enabling dynamic re-tasking and remote human control during critical phases of operation.

Related Logistics Modernization Initiatives

The ALPV program aligns with other initiatives to enhance military logistics capabilities. In December 2025, the Defense Logistics Agency introduced the “Just Enough” logistics approach, which leverages data and artificial intelligence for demand forecasting to enhance readiness and operational agility. Earlier, in 2024, the U.S. Marine Corps highlighted the need for new transportation platforms, such as ALPVs, medium landing ships, and medium and large autonomous drones, to modernize and strengthen its logistics capabilities.

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DOE Launches $352M Funding Round for Energy Frontier Research Centers
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DOE logo. The Office of Science is seeking proposals for $352M to fund Energy Frontier Research Centers.

The Department of Energy’s Office of Science is seeking proposals for $352 million in funding dedicated to Energy Frontier Research Centers.

The funding opportunity supports research teams from U.S. colleges and universities, national laboratories, nonprofit organizations and private companies conducting basic research tied to the development of future energy technologies, DOE said Tuesday. 

Pre-applications are required and must be submitted by an authorized institutional representative by April 1. The department expects to issue responses to pre-applications by May 6. Full applications are due by July 1. DOE will host an informational webinar on Monday to provide additional details on the funding opportunity. The program is managed by Basic Energy Sciences within the Office of Science.

What Role Do Energy Frontier Research Centers Play?

EFRCs support collaborative research aimed at addressing fundamental scientific questions related to energy systems.

The centers bring together scientists from multiple institutions and disciplines to study complex scientific challenges in areas such as materials science, chemistry, geosciences and biosciences, with an aim of expanding understanding of how matter behaves across different scales and generating scientific discoveries that could support next-generation technologies.

According to DOE, the program also serves as a training ground for future scientists by engaging students and postdoctoral researchers in team-based energy research.

Darío Gil, DOE under secretary for science, said the program has helped connect national laboratories and universities in pursuit of major scientific breakthroughs.

“The EFRCs will continue to play a vital role in bridging disciplines and institutions, advancing foundational science and strengthening America’s leadership to push forward scientific frontiers critical for new energy technologies,” Gil added.

What Research Areas Are Eligible for Funding?

DOE said proposals must focus on basic research addressing scientific challenges related to the agency’s priority topics. These include unconventional computing paradigms, artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for materials and chemistry, complex chemical systems, critical minerals, nuclear energy science, subsurface science, electrical energy storage, advanced manufacturing, microelectronics, and quantum systems.

How Does the Initiative Align With Federal Science Policy?

DOE said the funding opportunity advances President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at restoring the use of “gold standard science” across federal agencies.

The policy calls for federally funded research to follow principles emphasizing transparency, reproducibility, and clear communication of uncertainties and assumptions in scientific analysis.

What Has the EFRC Program Achieved So Far?

Since its launch in 2009, the EFRC initiative has supported 107 research centers involving more than 190 institutions across 43 states and Washington, D.C.

Research funded through the program has produced more than 17,000 peer-reviewed publications, generated 780 patent applications and resulted in 270 patents. DOE said 135 companies have benefited from innovations emerging from EFRC-supported research.

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A Comprehensive Guide to Federal CIOs (Part 1)
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Federal CIOs. These technology professionals are the focal points of how agencies modernize technology and protect data.
  • Delve into part one of our ongoing series on federal CIOs and how they’re driving technology modernization in the government
  • Learn more about the backgrounds and achievements of top CIOs including Kirsten Davies, a Wash100 awardee from the DOW, Sean Gallagher from NASA, and more
  • Get the latest federal technology modernization business opportunities at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Digital Transformation Summit on April 22!

Federal chief information officers are the focal points of how agencies modernize technology, protect data and deliver digital services. They shape the IT roadmap for their agencies and oversee billions of dollars in technology spending.

These skilled technology professionals guide decisions on key emerging technologies including:

  • Cloud adoption and migration
  • Cybersecurity
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Data governance

Why Are Federal CIOs Impactful?

Federal CIOs are impactful because their priorities often become agency-wide initiatives and directly translate into future contracting opportunities and technology requirements. Better understanding a CIO’s background and vision can help vendors align solutions with an agency’s future procurement priorities.

In part one of a new series, we explore the diverse backgrounds of these federal CIOs and learn how they’re advancing how public officials leverage emerging technologies to provide government services faster, more efficiently and at lower costs.

Dig into federal technology modernization priorities at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Digital Transformation Summit on April 22! Hear directory from leading federal officials like Daniel Hettema, Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering director of digital engineering, modeling and simulation during an illuminating panel discussion on Mission Engineering at Scale: The Digital Backbone of Defense Modernization. Secure your seat today!

Who Are Leading Federal CIOs?

A Comprehensive Guide to Federal CIOs (Part 1)

Kirsten Davies

Department of War

Kirsten Davies, a 2026 Wash100 Award winner, has made a fast impression on GovCons since being confirmed as the Pentagon’s CIO in January. She has emphasized a mission-first technological modernization strategy that prioritizes the warfighter and aligns with the National Defense Strategy.

Davies has identified AI, data analytics and advancing the Pentagon’s electromagnetic spectrum advantage as key focus areas. She’s served in technology roles at some of the highest-profile commercial companies, such as Unilever, Estee Launder Companies and Barclays.

A Comprehensive Guide to Federal CIOs (Part 1)

Antoine McCord

Department of Homeland Security

Antoine McCord, as DHS CIO, is responsible for an IT budget of about $11 billion. He has nearly 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, intelligence and national security having previously served in the Marine Corps, where he built expertise in intelligence and cyber operations.

McCord also has private sector experience, specifically in defense technology and cybersecurity, where he protected critical assets and encouraged public-private collaborations to increase infrastructure resilience.

A Comprehensive Guide to Federal CIOs (Part 1)

David Shive

General Services Administration

David Shive is a technology professional focused on delivering modern technology tools to public servants as quickly as possible. As GSA CIO, a position he has served in since 2015, he provided new business tools to the Public Building Service in just over two weeks by leveraging no-code or low-code applications that allowed for fast platform development.

Shive in 2022 discussed how the CIO Modernization and Enterprise Transformation, or COMET, contract vehicle had grown beyond its introductory application. COMET was initially awarded to 12 contractors in 2019, but became part of the larger GSA business portfolio, including the Public Building Service, because of its positive business outcomes.

Hear from top federal CIOs like these at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Digital Transformation Summit on April 22! Get the latest business opportunities from Pavan Pidugu, Department of Transportation chief digital and information officer (pending confirmation). Network with these leading CIOs. Sign up today!

A Comprehensive Guide to Federal CIOs (Part 1)

Sean Gallagher

NASA

Sean Gallagher supervises the delivery of IT products and services to more than 60,000 NASA users located both in the U.S. and abroad. He’s had a long CIO career at the agency, having served as deputy CIO and CIO at NASA Glenn Research Center in Ohio from 2012 to 2022. He became deputy CIO of NASA in Jan 2024 before being promoted to acting CIO.

As CIO at Glenn Research Center, Gallagher directed the facility’s IT initiatives in support of its space, aeronautics, research and engineering, and test efforts. He also managed the center’s IT investments, ensuring that its security and services matched legal and federal requirements.

A Comprehensive Guide to Federal CIOs (Part 1)

Carter Farmer

Environmental Protection Agency

Carter Farmer is the CIO and deputy assistant administrator at the EPA. He encourages federal agencies to ensure they’re asking the right questions when considering using AI to tackle problems.

Farmer suggested that looking for fast solutions with AI without first investigating the pros and cons of a problem can slow the process down, especially if technology professionals have missed cheaper, and more straightforward, solutions, FedScoop reported in July of last year.

Farmer started as EPA CIO in May of last year. He previously spent four and a half years as the director of IT systems and solutions at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

A Comprehensive Guide to Federal CIOs (Part 1)

Samuel Berry

Department of Agriculture

Samuel Berry is an entrepreneur with a track record of technology and digital transformation success, with an extensive background in both enterprise and startup environments. As a CEO and founder of software firms, Berry guided the automation of challenging business processes, streamlined enterprise applications and championed secure and efficient cloud infrastructure.

Berry has demonstrated a keen eye for creating solutions from scratch through his work as a founding engineer of several creative service offerings.

A Comprehensive Guide to Federal CIOs (Part 1)
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Owen West Assumes Leadership of Defense Innovation Unit
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Owen West. DIU named Owen West as its new director.

Owen West, a 2026 Wash100 Award recipient, has officially assumed the role of director at the Defense Innovation Unit following a ceremonial handover at Fort Benning, Georgia. DIU confirmed the appointment in a LinkedIn post on Monday.

West succeeds fellow Wash100 awardee Emil Michael, who led DIU in an acting capacity. In his new role, West will oversee the organization’s critical role as the Pentagon’s strategic link to the commercial industrial base, driving the rapid integration of market-ready technologies into the military ecosystem.

The Department of War recently designated DIU — along with the Strategic Capabilities Office — as a field activity, a move intended to streamline innovation efforts and speed delivery of advanced capabilities to warfighters.

What Are Owen West’s Immediate Priorities?

In his first memorandum to DIU employees, West signaled a sharper operational focus centered on converting commercial technology into “combat power.”

He said DIU’s investment priorities will narrow and align directly with operational problems identified by the joint force. The unit will concentrate on areas where speed, scale and lethality converge.

West outlined three priority lanes:

  1. High-end technologies designed to produce battlefield overmatch.
  2. Capabilities that substitute machines, fires or electronic effects for troops in harm’s way.
  3. Systems that can scale rapidly while lowering cost-per-kill metrics.

West said technologies in the latter two categories should be fielded within three years. Projects outside those lanes will only be considered if they produce significant efficiencies that free resources for weapons or training.

How Will DIU Measure Success?

West emphasized performance accountability and speed as central to DIU’s mission, stating the organization aims to be the fastest contracting and fielding agent within DOW.

He called for quantitative measurement of risk and reward across the portfolio and underscored the importance of transparency to ensure projects remain relevant to operational needs.

“Of our many customers, none is bigger than the warfighter,” West wrote.

Who Is Owen West?

A Marine Corps veteran, West brings both military and private sector experience to the role. He served six years in the Marine Corps as a platoon commander and reconnaissance platoon commander, deploying twice overseas. He later worked at Goldman Sachs as an energy trader, where he led global natural gas and U.S. power businesses over a 19-year career. During his time at the firm, he took two leaves of absence to deploy to Iraq with fellow Marines.

West served as a fire support officer with Force Recon Company in 2003 and deployed as an adviser to an Iraqi infantry battalion in Anbar Province in 2006, leading a small team embedded with Iraqi forces at a remote outpost.

During the first Trump administration, he was appointed as assistant secretary of war for special operations and low-intensity conflict.

West was also selected to lead the DOW’s drone dominance effort and the Department of Government Efficiency team, DefenseScoop reported.

West graduated cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in government and later attended Stanford Graduate School of Business. He also authored three books on military affairs.

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