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White House Bans Government Use of Commercial Spyware With New Executive Order
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White House Bans Government Use of Commercial Spyware With New Executive Order

President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to counter the misuse of commercial spyware by precluding U.S. federal agencies from operationally using such cyber surveillance tools that pose national security risks.

The EO also intends to address the misuse of such technologies by foreign entities to facilitate repression and human rights abuses, the White House said Monday.

The presidential directive establishes security, counterintelligence and improper use factors that indicate such risks and outlines remedial steps that vendors of commercial spyware can take to mitigate the identified risks.

Additionally included in the EO are information sharing and reporting requirements pertaining to the executive branch to ensure that agencies can make informed decisions based on updated information.

The White House said the new policy will further advance the administration’s National Security Strategy and strengthen international cooperation to promote industry reform and responsible use of surveillance technology.

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Kathleen Featheringham Selected as VP of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning at Maximus
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Kathleen Featheringham Selected as VP of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning at Maximus

Kathleen Featheringham has joined Maximus as its new vice president of artificial intelligence and machine learning, bringing over two decades of experience in the public sector technology market to the company.

In this position, Featheringham will drive the development and growth of Maximus’ AI and advanced analytics portfolio under its Federal Technology Consulting Services business, the Tysons, Virginia-headquartered organization announced on Tuesday.

“Federal agency leaders understand the value and potential that emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning and advanced analytics can deliver and how an experienced partner like Maximus can make that reality,” said Scott Barr, who leads Maximus’ TCS unit.

He commented on Featheringham’s more than 20-year history in the industry, which he said is “unmatched” in the field and will help the Maximus team advance its approach to public sector technology transformation.

Featheringham emphasized the “extraordinary period for federal technology” that is currently informing the efforts of government agencies to better meet their mission, customer experience and service delivery goals.

Her career, she added, was built around the intersection of U.S. government missions and has placed a “special emphasis on the human element of adoption.”

“I joined Maximus to become part of a team that has shown federal agencies how the full potential of new technologies can be realized with a trusted partner,” said Featheringham.

Throughout her career, she has primarily focused on AI, data science, strategy and change management.

Prior to joining Maximus, Featheringham was a director at Booz Allen Hamilton, a role in which she created and scaled the firm’s AI strategy. She also oversaw the development of its AI governance and risk management procedures and drove initiatives to boost federal agencies’ analytics capabilities for data-driven decision-making.

Featheringham’s appointment follows an earlier leadership change made by Maximus last month, when the company appointed Elisabeth Schmidt as one of its senior vice presidents for technology and consulting services. 

Kathleen Featheringham Selected as VP of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning at Maximus

Maximus is sponsoring the Potomac Officers Club’s 4th Annual CIO Summit, which will bring together notable GovCon CIOs to consider current information technology challenges and solutions on May 16. To learn more and register to attend, please visit the Potomac Officers Club events page.

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Ken Bowersox to Succeed Kathryn Lueders as Associate Administrator of NASA Space Operations; Bill Nelson Quoted
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Ken Bowersox to Succeed Kathryn Lueders as Associate Administrator of NASA Space Operations; Bill Nelson Quoted

Ken Bowersox will transition from deputy associate administrator to head of NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, effective May 1.

He will succeed outgoing SOMD Associate Administrator Kathryn Lueders, who announced her retirement after 31 years at the agency, NASA announced Monday.

Bowersox is an accomplished astronaut, completing five orbital missions and 211 days in space. He was the commander of the sixth expedition to the International Space Station. He was also a crew member in two flights to repair the Hubble Space Telescope, and in another two missions to the U.S. Microgravity Laboratory.

The executive was appointed director of the Johnson Space Center’s Flight Crew Operations Directorate, and later transitioned to the private sector as vice president of astronaut safety and mission assurance at SpaceX. Subsequently, he returned to NASA as interim chair of its advisory council.

“Kathy and Ken have both dedicated their life’s work to NASA and our nation,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson commented. “We know countless individuals at NASA – as well as members of the Artemis Generation – will be inspired by Kathy’s service and countless contributions, he said. Nelson also noted that Bowersox ”has been instrumental to advancing NASA’s goals and missions in low-Earth orbit and beyond, and I know Space Operations will be in good hands under his leadership.”

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White House Eyes June Release of National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan; Robert Knake Quoted
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White House Eyes June Release of National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan; Robert Knake Quoted

Robert Knake, the acting principal deputy national cyber director, said the White House plans to release in June a public version of the implementation plan for a new national strategy to defend U.S. critical infrastructure from cyberthreats, Federal News Network reported Monday.

Speaking at a recent Chamber of Commerce event, Knake said the implementation actions from agencies involved in the process will be available to the public and noted that further updates to the strategy will be released in the coming months and years.

“We will be tracking each of those activities, making sure that we do them as a federal government, but also to make sure that they’re effective,” Knake said.

He added that the Office of the National Cyber Director will request public input on ways to coordinate cybersecurity regulations across the U.S. critical infrastructure sector.

The National Cybersecurity Strategy aims to strengthen the U.S. cyber resilience by rebalancing the responsibility to defend cyberspace and realigning incentives to favor long-term investments.

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Baird’s Jean Stack & Leidos’ Roy Stevens Heralded in Recognition of 2023 Wash100 Wins
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Baird’s Jean Stack & Leidos’ Roy Stevens Heralded in Recognition of 2023 Wash100 Wins

Executive Mosaic has honored Baird Managing Director Jean Stack and Leidos Intelligence Group President Roy Stevens, two accomplished private sector representatives, with celebratory profiles for their 2023 Wash100 Award wins.

The annual award, which illuminates the highest-tier of government contracting industry executives, represents the most respected recognition in the field. In its historic 10th year, the rigorous Wash100 Award selection process identified Stack and Stevens as two of the most powerful contributors to the vast GovCon space.

A champion of community, Stack received her third Wash100 award for driving notable mergers and acquisitions and supporting industry connections through impactful events. Last year alone, Baird served as a financial advisor for acquisitions by Booz Allen Hamilton, Guidehouse and IBM.

Alongside partners John Song and Alex Sevilla, Stack introduced the annual Government and Defense Conference to Baird, which the firm hosted for the 5th time in 2022. This iteration of the event gathered an incredible 1,400 attendees. To read her full profile, click here.

Stevens won his first Wash100 Award for his dedication to progressing Leidos’ intelligence and homeland security missions through a number of contract awards. Last year, the company secured a $1.5 billion task order from the Department of Defense for command, communications, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance services as well as others from the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Transportation Security Administration.

Accompanying his U.S. work, Stevens also leads a variety of programs within Leidos’ Australia business. The unit acquired Cobham Limited’s Australian Special Mission unit in November 2022, which boosted Leidos’ intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Click here to read his full profile.

While Executive Mosaic continues to spotlight each member of the 2023 Wash100 class, you have a chance to choose your favorite winner in the thrilling Wash100 popular vote contest! To cast two of your 10 votes for Jean Stack and Roy Stevens, please visit Wash100.com.

Baird’s Jean Stack & Leidos’ Roy Stevens Heralded in Recognition of 2023 Wash100 Wins

Leidos is sponsoring the Potomac Officers Club’s 4th Annual CIO Summit, an event that will bring together expert GovCon CIOs to discuss a variety of information technology challenges and solutions on May 16. To learn more and register to attend, please visit the Potomac Officers Club events page.

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DHS Unveils Website to Advance Targeted Violence & Terrorism Prevention Efforts; Alejandro Mayorkas Quoted
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DHS Unveils Website to Advance Targeted Violence & Terrorism Prevention Efforts; Alejandro Mayorkas Quoted

The Department of Homeland Security has introduced a new website meant to provide the public access to resources such as grants, training opportunities and research as part of efforts to prevent terrorism and targeted violence.

The site PreventionResourceFinder.gov provides visitors information on grant funding, multimedia content and educational materials across 17 federal agencies and is organized into five categories, DHS said Thursday.

These searchable categories are community support resources, information sharing platforms, grant funding opportunities, evidence-based research and training opportunities.

“The website we are launching today equips our partners throughout the country with helpful resources to better prevent, prepare for, and respond to acts of violence,” said DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

“We will continue to provide additional resources, including grant funds and critical information and intelligence, to strengthen community efforts to prevent terrorism and targeted violence,” added Mayorkas, a previous Wash100 awardee.

According to the department, the website builds on the current administration’s National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism and features nearly 100 federal resources.

DHS worked with other agencies, including the departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Justice and Veterans Affairs, to develop the online platform.

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NSF, Partners to Support Development of Integrated Data, Knowledge Infrastructure
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NSF, Partners to Support Development of Integrated Data, Knowledge Infrastructure

The National Science Foundation has collaborated with five agencies to launch a $20 million program that aims to develop a prototype open knowledge network to help address existing challenges in health care, space, climate change and other areas.

The Proto-OKN initiative will fund projects to innovate a cloud-based infrastructure that will serve as an engine for interconnected data repositories  used for various purposes, such as developing evidence-based policies and artificial intelligence capabilities, NSF said Friday.

Research projects will be divided into three categories: use cases, interconnecting fabric and education and public engagement.

The first category will focus on the development of knowledge graphs to provide data-driven solutions to societal challenges and the second category will create new technologies to link the knowledge graphs.

The program will choose one awardee to develop educational materials and tools for Proto-OKN users.

 NASA, the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Justice, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Geological Survey are NSF’s partners in the endeavor.

“The open knowledge network will transform the nation’s ability to unlock insights from data and transform these data into useful, actionable information and knowledge crucial to address challenges for a more efficient and equitable future,” said Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of NSF.

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PNNL Formalizes Joel Duling’s Appointment as Associate Lab Director of Operational Systems
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PNNL Formalizes Joel Duling’s Appointment as Associate Lab Director of Operational Systems

Joel Duling has been confirmed as the official associate laboratory director of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Operational Systems Directorate.

He has been serving in an interim capacity since January, managing the laboratory’s facilities as well as multiple areas including infrastructure; nuclear operations; project management; and environment, health, safety, and security, PNNL announced Friday.

Duling’s 35-year career has made him an expert in nuclear operations. Notable rules include a stint as president of BWX Technologies‘ Nuclear Operations Group subsidiary. In this position, he was responsible for the company’s five manufacturing plants for reactor cores and components. He was also president of BWXT Nuclear Fuel Services.

His other professional milestones include time spent as vice president of production at the Y-12 National Security Complex, which operates under the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. Additionally, Duling was appointed in strategic leadership positions at Battelle and Idaho National Laboratory.

As associate lab director, Duling will oversee the implementation of PNNL’s net-zero emission goals and its 10-year, $1.2 billion campus development plan.

Senators Reintroduce Bill to Oversee Enterprise Software Spending
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Senators Reintroduce Bill to Oversee Enterprise Software Spending

Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., have reintroduced legislation that seeks to help the federal government save costs by overseeing how agencies purchase and use their software assets.

The Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act would provide the Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration the authority to oversee the government’s enterprise software spending to reduce duplicate purchases, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee said Wednesday.

Under the bill, agencies would be required to conduct an independent assessment of their software purchasing practices and submit their findings to Congress, OMB and GSA.

“By requiring federal agencies to better track their software purchases, this commonsense, bipartisan bill will reduce waste, save taxpayer dollars, strengthen cybersecurity, and modernize government operations to help ensure the federal government can more effectively serve taxpayers,” Peters, chairman of Senate HSGAC, said.

The legislation builds on the Megabyte Act, which has reportedly saved taxpayers more than $450 million since it was signed into law in 2016.

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DARPA Selects 3 Teams to Develop Self-Healing Substances for Military Structures
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DARPA Selects 3 Teams to Develop Self-Healing Substances for Military Structures

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has announced the participants in a program that aims to prevent the early deterioration of concrete used in Department of Defense structures.

Battelle Memorial Institute, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the University of Colorado Boulder have been selected to develop advanced technologies that can transport self-healing capabilities within the depths of existing concrete under the Bio-inspired Restoration of Aged Concrete Edifices program, DARPA said Thursday.

The participants will operationalize their proposed approaches to creating a network of “vasculature” substances to repair cracks and diagnose the root causes of material deterioration.

The research program includes a strategic track for long-term capabilities designed for large, heavy structures, such as missile silos and naval piers, and a tactical track to enhance rapid airfield damage recovery efforts in expeditionary settings.

“BRACE will attempt to push the limits of what is possible for engineering biological technologies to safely function and preserve our legacy concrete, and in doing so, we likely will learn about new possibilities for engineering biology and materials that we have not yet conceived,” said Matthew Pava, BRACE program manager.

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