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DIU to Develop Nasal Spray to Protect Warfighters From Respiratory Viruses
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DIU to Develop Nasal Spray to Protect Warfighters From Respiratory Viruses

The Defense Innovation Unit has selected Access to Advanced Health Institute and Ena Therapeutics to prototype a small-molecule nasal spray designed to improve the immunity of U.S. troops against respiratory viruses.

As part of the Department of Defense’s Project Panacea, Ena will produce a broad-spectrum antiviral immunomodulatory nasal spray that AAHI scientists will test against Nipah virus and pandemic influenza in preclinical studies, DIU said Wednesday.

The nasal spray will act as a prophylaxis for novel viruses and new variants of existing respiratory viruses.

The 18-month project was launched through the collaboration between DIU and the Joint Project Manager for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Medical under the Vaccine Acceleration by Modular Progression program.

“The lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for the biotechnology industry to address viral threats through the application of novel technologies,” said Amanda Love, a joint product manager with the JPEO.

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Commerce Department Seeks Nominations for U.S.-EU Trade & Technology Council Talent for Growth Task Force
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Commerce Department Seeks Nominations for U.S.-EU Trade & Technology Council Talent for Growth Task Force

The Department of Commerce has begun to solicit nominations for six U.S. members of a newly established task force that seeks to help the U.S. and European Union achieve a trained workforce necessary to maintain leadership in existing and emerging technologies.

The department is looking for six private sector executives to induct into the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council Talent for Growth Task Force, which will offer recommendations to the co-chairs of the U.S. and EU TTC and carry out actions to “showcase training opportunities and increase public understanding of the promise of these careers,” according to a Federal Register notice published Wednesday.

Task force members will serve a one-year term and should come from the business sector, organizations that support training and those who represent labor unions.

The secretary of Commerce will name the U.S. members of the task force after a review of applicants.

Nominations are due Feb. 27.

National Cybersecurity Strategy to Include Guidance on Post-Quantum Cryptography
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National Cybersecurity Strategy to Include Guidance on Post-Quantum Cryptography

The forthcoming National Cybersecurity Strategy from the Office of the National Cyber Director will include guidance on standardizing quantum-resistant cryptography, NextGov reported Wednesday.

Dylan Presman, director of budget and assessment at the Office of the National Cyber Director, confirmed the inclusion of the guidance in the framework and said that the office “will take a strong stand” on the transition of networks to post-quantum cryptographic standards.

Speaking during an Advanced Technology Academic Research Center discussion, Presman acknowledged the transformational qualities and opportunities of quantum computers but noted that there are steps needed to be taken to secure U.S. networks and systems from adversarial threats.

According to Presman, organizations looking to transition to post-quantum cryptography must first conduct a thorough inventory of data and technologies used across the enterprise.

He said there are automation tools available in the market to assist government and commercial institutions in preparing for the transition.

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NTIA Appoints Amanda Toman as 5G Innovation Fund Lead
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NTIA Appoints Amanda Toman as 5G Innovation Fund Lead

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has chosen Amanda Toman, director of the 5G Transition Office and 5G cross-functional teams at the Department of Defense, as lead of the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund.

Toman will oversee NTIA’s diversification efforts for the global wireless supply chain, which are expected to generate new jobs in the U.S., the agency said in a LinkedIn post on Tuesday.

Toman has been at the helm of DOD’s 5G projects since May 2020. Prior to that, she was a program analyst at Arrowmaker and Science Applications International Corp.

Aside from Toman, NTIA also announced the appointment of Russell Hanser as associate administrator for policy analysis and development. He had been serving as senior policy adviser to the Department of Commerce before being selected by NTIA.

Hanser has 27 years experience in the legal field, from his tenure in various law firms to taking on jobs in the Federal Communications Bar Association.

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Naval Postgraduate School, Qualcomm Forge Emerging Tech R&D Partnership; Aaron Weis Quoted
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Naval Postgraduate School, Qualcomm Forge Emerging Tech R&D Partnership; Aaron Weis Quoted

The Naval Postgraduate School and Qualcomm Technologies have agreed to explore military applications of 5G, artificial intelligence and other emerging technology under a cooperative research and development agreement.

NPS said Monday the partnership will set up an innovation laboratory at the school campus in Monterey, California, as part of the limited-purpose CRADA.

San Diego-based Qualcomm will offer students and faculty members of the U.S. Navy-run graduate school access to the company’s Robotics RB5 and RB6 development kits, Cloud AI 100 inference and Snapdragon 8 mobile processor for use in experiments.

Both parties seek to identify the strengths and limitations of the products, as well as to determine how the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps can use these platforms.

Aaron Weis, chief information officer of the Department of the Navy, said the agreement marks a step in DON’s efforts to create an innovation culture and drive its competitive advantage.

“The CRADA will identify promising emerging commercial technologies so we can rapidly adopt them for full-scale implementation,” added Weis, a 2023 Wash100 awardee.

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John Sherman Releases DOD Manual on Cyberspace Workforce Qualification & Management Program
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John Sherman Releases DOD Manual on Cyberspace Workforce Qualification & Management Program

John Sherman, chief information officer of the Department of Defense and a 2023 Wash100 awardee, has issued a new DOD manual that seeks to modernize the department’s management of its cybersecurity workforce.

The Cyberspace Workforce Qualification & Management Program manual seeks to provide the department’s components with a wider set of options to achieve and manage a qualified workforce in the areas of cybersecurity, information technology, cyber enablers, cyber effects and cyber intelligence, DOD said Tuesday.

“[DoD 8140] provides a targeted, role-based approach to identify, develop, and qualify cyber personnel by leveraging the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF),” Sherman said during his April 2021 testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“The [policy series] will require workforce members to demonstrate a foundational understanding at the work role level while also addressing personnel capability and continuous professional development at the work role level,” he noted.

He added that the manual will help facilitate the management and tracking of cyber workforce capabilities across the enterprise.

DOD 8140 replaces the manual on Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program.

“The 8140 policy series unifies cyber workforce development efforts under a common umbrella and facilitates greater mobility across population types,” said Patrick Johnson, director of the workforce innovation directorate at DOD.

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Rank the 2023 Wash100 Elite; Vote for Your Favorite GovCon Leaders
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Rank the 2023 Wash100 Elite; Vote for Your Favorite GovCon Leaders

Executive Mosaic‘s editorial team is in its third week of publishing individual profiles on 2023 Wash100 selections, recognizing 35 first-time inductees and 65 repeat winners.

As the elite roster is gradually unraveled every week, the popular vote list is also taking shape. In 2022, three-time inductee Lauren Knausenberger, chief information officer at the Department of the Air Force, ended up being the favorite Wash100 awardee.

This year, a fair share of government and industry officials are filling the popular vote rankings, as peers express appreciation for their contributions to the federal acquisition and contracting sector.

Microsoft Federal President Rick Wagner and Vice President of Defense Wes Anderson are currently leading the list, representing two of the six industry officials in the top 10. The four remaining spots are taken by government officials, led by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Your vote can still shake up the lineup!

Show your support for colleagues who have made a mark in the GovCon industry. Make them the 2023 popular vote winner by choosing 10 of your favorite Wash100 executives. Polling ends on April 28.

As of Thursday morning, the top 10 most-voted awardees were:

Rank the 2023 Wash100 Elite; Vote for Your Favorite GovCon Leaders
Click on this banner to see the full list of 2023 Wash100 winners and their popular vote rankings
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Executive Mosaic Honors Microsoft Federal’s Rick Wagner & Max Peterson of AWS as 2023 Wash100 Award Winners
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Executive Mosaic Honors Microsoft Federal’s Rick Wagner & Max Peterson of AWS as 2023 Wash100 Award Winners

Two of the most influential leaders working in the government contracting sector today — Rick Wagner, president of Microsoft Federal, and Max Peterson, vice president of Amazon Web Services’ Worldwide Public Sector — were highlighted by Executive Mosaic in recognition of their 2023 Wash100 Award wins. 

Executive Mosaic — GovCon’s premier media, events and membership organization — carefully selects the top 100 executives shaping the GovCon ecosystem each year. These distinguished individuals comprise the annual Wash100 list, which highlights the leaders to watch for the coming year. 

Rick Wagner won his sixth consecutive Wash100 Award this year for his leadership in Microsoft’s cloud capabilities in support of national security missions and the Department of Defense. Notably, Microsoft was selected as one of four awardees on the DOD’s Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability contract, which marks a monumental step in the department’s cloud journey. Read Wagner’s Wash100 profile on GovCon Wire to learn more.

Max Peterson clinched his second Wash100 win this year through his work elevating AWS’ cloud innovation efforts and playing a pivotal role in bringing the company closer to its federal customers. AWS was also chosen for a spot on the DOD’s JWCC contract. Click here to read Peterson’s Wash100 feature on ExecutiveBiz.

Now, it’s your turn to participate in GovCon’s most exciting race! In April, Executive Mosaic will announce the winner of the 2023 Wash100 popular vote competition. Vote for Rick Wagner and Max Peterson as your favorite GovCon executives at Wash100.com! 

Executive Mosaic congratulates these two top-tier executives from JWCC awardee companies on their past, present and future contributions to the vital GovCon landscape.

Who Are Turner Construction Corporation Leaders, Founders, & Executives?
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Who Are Turner Construction Corporation Leaders, Founders, & Executives?

Photo by Postmodern Studio from Shutterstock.com

Turner Construction Company specializes in large-scale projects in the United States. The company offers construction management services to build critical infrastructure across various industries, such as healthcare, aviation, the federal government, and green building. Take a look at Turner Construction Corporation leaders, founders, & executives.

About Turner Construction Company

Turner Construction Company is a construction management firm based in North America. The company is one of the largest infrastructure contractors in the United States, taking on large projects for the federal government, such as the New York City Subway System, United Nations Secretariat Building, John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library, and more.

Turner Construction Corporation has a workforce of 10,000 employees across the U.S., working on approximately 1,5000 projects worth over $12 billion of construction contract awards annually.

Who is the owner of Turner Construction Company?

The owner of Turner Construction Company is Hochtief AG, a German construction company. The parent organization bought The Turner Corporation for $370 million in 1999, allowing the company access to heavy construction operations in Australia and the U.K.

Who is the founder of Turner Construction Company?

Henry Turner founded Turner Construction Company in New York City in 1902. The company’s first project was the construction of concrete staircases for the New York City Subway Station, worth $690.

Where is Turner Construction headquartered?

Turner Construction Corporation headquarters is located in New York City. The company has offices throughout 30 U.S. states, notably California, New York, Ohio, and Texas. The company also has a global network of offices in Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Turner Construction Executive Team

The leadership team of Turner Construction Company consists of industry-leader executives. They’ve been with the company for decades, helping it boost its status as one of the biggest construction firms in the U.S. Here’s the list of Turner Construction executives.

Peter J. Davoren, President, and Chief Executive Officer

Who is the CEO of Turner Construction? | Peter J. Davoren, President and Chief Executive Officer

Peter J. Davoren has been Turner Construction’s President since 2003 and Chief Executive Officer since 2004. He is best known for sustainable initiatives and aggressive responses to racism, leading an ethical and diverse culture. As Turner Construction CEO, he leads the company to reduce gas emissions and water consumption in the workplace by 50% by 2030.

Davoren has been with Turner Construction Company since 1978 and has served in different leadership positions across key markets in North America, India, Asia, and Europe. His first assignment in the company was as a field engineer for Brigham and Women’s Hospital before holding delivery and management jobs.

Christa Andresky, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Christa Andresky, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Christa Andresky assumed the roles of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Turner Construction Company in 2021. He manages the company’s finance organizations, maintains a strong balance sheet, and provides growth opportunities and value for stakeholders through strategic evaluations of profits.

Before assuming office as Turner Construction CFO in 2021, Andresky served as the Vice President of Controller and Chief Accounting Officer in 2013 and Senior Vice President of Risk Management in 2017. Before coming to the company, she was with HARMAN International, where she worked as a controller and finance VP for three years.

Rosemarie Demonte, Executive Vice President, and Chief Human Resources Officer

Rosemarie Demonte, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Rosemarie Demonte is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Turner Construction Company. She joined the company as Director of Recruiting in 2002 and has since assumed different human capital leadership roles, such as Vice President of Recruiting and Senior Human Resources Director.

Serving in her current role as CHRO since 2020, Demonte is responsible for leading Turner Construction Company’s HR group, including knowledge and learning, talent management, employee relations, recruitment, compensation, and benefits.

Michael J. Kuntz, Executive Vice President

Michael Kuntz

As the Executive Vice President at Turner Construction Company, Michael J. Kuntz manages global sales and market segment groups. He is also responsible for the company’s operations across Southwest, Northern California, and Northwest regions, expanding his role as the senior leader in 2013.

Kuntz joined Turner Construction Company as an assistant superintendent in 1987 and has since assumed leadership roles, such as Vice President and Director of the Pharmaceutical Group in 1998, Vice President and General Manager in its Philadelphia office in 2003, and Senior Vice President in 2013.

Pat A. Di Filippo, Executive Vice President

Pat A. Di Filippo, Executive Vice President

Pat A. Di Filippo is the Executive Vice President at Turner Construction Company, responsible for its offices in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New England states. In addition to his current role, he manages the company’s partial ownership of E.E. Cruz, a New York City-based construction firm.

Di Filippo joined the company in 1984 in its New York office and has been promoted to various positions in different offices in the United States. He served as the Senior Vice President for Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana business units in 2003 and as Executive Vice President for New York and New Jersey in 2005.

Tom Reilly, Executive Vice President

Tom Reilly

Tom Reilly serves as the Executive Vice President and senior leader for Turner Construction Company’s offices in Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Ohio regions. He also manages Turner Federal Services Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company since 2013, responsible for working specifically with the federal government.

Since joining Turner Construction Company as a field engineer in 1987, Reilly has held increasing responsibilities across various company operations. In 2003, he was promoted to Vice President and Operations Manager of Turner’s Government Services. He also served as the Vice President for Mid-Atlantic and offices in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Abrar Sheriff, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Turner International

Abrar Sheriff

Abrar Sheriff serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer at Turner International, responsible for the company’s operations in Southeast Asia, Europe, India, and Latin America. He also holds senior leadership positions in Canada and the Central and Great Lake Regions in the United States.

In addition to leading the company’s international operations, Sheriff serves as Turner Construction’s Executive Vice President. Before assuming his current role, he was the Chief Operating Officer from 2011 to 2013. He was involved in project management across infrastructure works in Texas, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, and Malaysia.

(Above Executive Photos from Turner Construction Company Website)

Making a Difference in People, Customers, and Community

Turner Construction Corporation leaders, founders, & executives improved the lives of people, customers, and communities through large, complex infrastructure projects. The company provides its federal and commercial customers with the highest-value global construction services and technical expertise.

FAR Council Urged to Revoke Proposed Carbon Emission Disclosure Requirement for Small Businesses
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FAR Council Urged to Revoke Proposed Carbon Emission Disclosure Requirement for Small Businesses

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, ranking member of the Senate Small Business Committee, has called on the Federal Acquisition Regulation Council to withdraw a newly proposed rule to require small businesses looking to work with the federal government to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions.

In a letter to the FAR Council, Ernst said the proposed rule will add regulatory and cost burdens to small businesses at a time when they are already facing challenges due to supply chain disruptions and skyrocketing inflation.

According to the lawmaker, the rule is “confusing, contradictory, and misaligned with existing” contracting standards and could result in “broader, deleterious impacts to the small business industrial base.”

Ernst has specifically raised concerns about the establishment of new categories of small businesses, which she said deviates from the Small Business Administration’s size standard.

The FAR Council proposes to categorize federal suppliers into two: significant contractors and major contractors. Small businesses under both categories would be required to report their Scope 1 and 2 emissions annually. 

Only major contractors would be mandated to submit annual climate disclosure, which includes Scope 3 GHG emissions and science-based target requirements.

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