/
Executive Mosaic Spotlights Carlos Del Toro and Judi Dotson in Recognition of 2023 Wash100 Wins
Published on
Executive Mosaic Spotlights Carlos Del Toro and Judi Dotson in Recognition of 2023 Wash100 Wins

Continuing the celebration of the Wash100 Award’s incredible 10th anniversary class, Executive Mosaic has honored U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro and Booz Allen Hamilton’s Judi Dotson, two dedicated advocates for military modernization, with comprehensive profiles detailing their  accomplishments within the past year.

The annual Wash100 Award, which signifies the most prestigious recognition in the broad government contracting industry, puts its nominees through a detailed selection process that considers their past achievements and expected future triumphs. This year, Del Toro and Dotson both proved their standing as notable GovCon leaders and joined the ranks of Wash100 for the first time.

The cherished Wash100 popular vote contest is in full swing. To join the fun and cast two of your 10 votes for Carlos Del Toro and Judi Dotson in this compelling competition, please visit Wash100.com.

As head of the Navy, Del Toro has worked extensively to position the service branch for a successful future. Recently, Del Toro initiated the creation of a 30-year plan to upgrade naval infrastructure, which targets long-term, medium-term and short-term challenges posed by structural issues.

He has also steered the Navy toward the adoption of more advanced technologies, such as unmanned systems and drones, which he said have been “transformational on the battlefield.” To read his full profile, click here.

Dotson, who was elevated to president of Booz Allen’s global defense sector last year, has since driven the expansion of the firm’s defense technology portfolio through the acquisition of software development and analytics-focused company EverWatch.

She also led the development of new partnerships, which, in 2022, included collaborations with Armaments Research Company and AEye to empower the use of new technologies in aerospace and defense initiatives. Click here to read her full profile.

Executive Mosaic Spotlights Carlos Del Toro and Judi Dotson in Recognition of 2023 Wash100 Wins

Booz Allen is sponsoring ExecutiveBiz’s 5G Forum on April 25, during which 5G experts will convene to discuss related challenges and priorities and consider the future of the evolving field of networks. To learn more and register to attend, please visit ExecutiveBiz’s events page.

/
FTC Issues RFI to Gain Insight on Cloud Computing, Improve Security Accountability
Published on
FTC Issues RFI to Gain Insight on Cloud Computing, Improve Security Accountability

The Federal Trade Commission is inviting industry input on the dynamics of cloud computing, including business practices, security implications, and its impact on competition.

The agency said Wednesday that the request for information is part of its ongoing efforts to protect and secure consumer data as various sectors increasingly rely on cloud-based technology.

In 2020, FTC published six steps that companies can follow to ensure cloud security. The agency has also filed a lawsuit against companies that used third-party cloud services but failed to implement basic cyber defense measures.

In light of such incidents, FTC is seeking feedback from software providers on their competitive practices, identification and customer notification approaches in case of security risks, and the extent of different industries’ reliability on these companies.

The agency is particularly interested in the impact of cloud services on defense, transportation, e-commerce, healthcare and finance.

Responses are due by May 22 and will be posted to the website Regulations.gov.

/
CISA Circulates Updated Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals
Published on
CISA Circulates Updated Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has released the updated cybersecurity performance goals in alignment with the five functions of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity Framework.

The CPGs were initially made public in October as a set of voluntary practices that owners and operators of critical infrastructure can take to mitigate cybersecurity risks, CISA said Tuesday.

CISA updated the cross-sector goals based on feedback from stakeholders from multiple sectors and in accordance with the identify, protect, detect, respond and recover functions of NIST’s CSF.

The agency expects the CPGs to serve as a benchmark for critical infrastructure owners to assess and improve their cybersecurity maturity and as recommended security practices for owners of information technology and operational technology systems.

According to CISA, the goals recommend a subset of measures meant to help organizations prioritize their security investments. The updated goals arrived a week after CISA launched a pilot program to help protect critical infrastructure organizations against ransomware threats.

OSTP Releases Resources to Inform Environmental Policy, Raise Climate Science Awareness
Published on
OSTP Releases Resources to Inform Environmental Policy, Raise Climate Science Awareness

The Office of Science and Technology Policy has published a list of new resources to guide climate-related policymaking and raise awareness and educate about climate change.

Among the resources are the National Climate Task Force’s report, which provides information on available climate-informed science approach to managing current and future flood risks, and the National Science and Technology Council’s action plan to boost the accessibility of federal climate information and tools, the White House said Wednesday.

The OSTP released a new guide for guiding federal agency climate adaptation planners in selecting climate information to use in risk and impact assessments.

A report by the Subcommittee on Resilience Science and Technology is also available for decision-makers to design and implement multipurpose science and technology tools to help a community withstand natural disasters and risks associated with aging infrastructure.

The release of the new resources follows the Biden administration’s inaugural U.S. Ocean Climate Action Plan, which outlines a whole-of-government approach in implementing ocean-based technologies to address climate change impacts.

/
Air Force Seeks Comments on Draft Environmental Assessment Related to Use of Defensive Countermeasures
Published on
Air Force Seeks Comments on Draft Environmental Assessment Related to Use of Defensive Countermeasures

The Department of the Air Force has started soliciting public comments on a draft document that assesses the potential environmental impacts of continued use of legacy and new defensive countermeasures and their replacements in DAF testing and military training programs within the continental U.S.

The draft programmatic environmental assessment evaluates the potential impacts of the proposed action on air quality, safety, biological resources, land use and visual resources, socioeconomics and cultural resources, DAF said Monday.

For the proposed action, DAF classified the defensive countermeasures into five categories: chaff; standard Magnesium, Teflon and Viton or MTV flares; standard spectral flares; thrusted flares; and spectral decoys.

The draft PEA, which was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, also looks at the potential impacts of a no action alternative. Under this approach, the department would continue using legacy flare and chaff units at current levels in routine training and testing activities under existing management strategies.

Public comments are due May 3.

/
IRS Issues Proposed Rules on CHIPS Act Investment Credit Implementation
Published on
IRS Issues Proposed Rules on CHIPS Act Investment Credit Implementation

The Internal Revenue Service is soliciting public comments on proposed regulations to guide the implementation of the advanced manufacturing investment credit authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

IRS said Tuesday it has defined eligibility requirements for qualified properties and advanced manufacturing facilities and provided information on how to claim the 25 percent investment tax credit for purposes outlined in the legislation.

According to the rule, facilities are eligible to receive the credit if their primary purpose is the manufacturing of semiconductors or semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

Research or storage facilities used in connection with the manufacturing of semiconductors and equipment can also qualify for incentives.

The CHIPS Act established the credit program to boost the production of semiconductors in the U.S.

/
State Department Appoints Laura Williams Deputy CIO for Foreign Operations
Published on
State Department Appoints Laura Williams Deputy CIO for Foreign Operations

Laura Williams, formerly director of analytics at the Department of State, has been appointed to the role of deputy chief information officer for foreign operations, according to a recent LinkedIn post.

Prior to her appointment, Williams facilitated the use of data analytics and management tools across the department; managed a portfolio of information technology systems that enabled connectivity among the U.S. embassies worldwide; and helped maintain the security of the department’s sensitive information.

She served as deputy director for bilateral affairs, international communications and information policy from 2019 to 2021 and director of the Foreign Service Institute’s business applications division.

Her more-than-two-decade career at the State Department also included information management roles at U.S. embassies in Nicosia, Algiers, Rome and Mexico City.

Williams previously served as a contractor with the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Navy Submarine Command and the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs.

The Heritage Foundation Publishes Recommendations to Maximize Fiscal 2024 Defense Budget
Published on
The Heritage Foundation Publishes Recommendations to Maximize Fiscal 2024 Defense Budget

The Heritage Foundation has issued its recommendations on how Congress can optimize the National Defense Authorization Act and the defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2024 to bolster national security and the U.S. Armed Forces.

In a report posted Wednesday, the organization referenced its 2023 index of U.S. military strength, which it rated as “weak” overall due to lack of funding, and poor prioritization and program execution.

The NDAA can upgrade the posture of the U.S. Army if Congress can find ways to speed up modernization of its equipment, the Heritage Foundation said. Budget cuts in programs that are critical but less visible may be hindering the Army from replacing aging military weapons and defense systems.

The 2024 budget should also support efforts to equip the U.S. Navy amid growing threats from Russia and China, according to the report. Lawmakers should leverage the Naval Act and set a fleet goal of 355 ships for the branch.

The U.S. Marine Corps received a “strong” rating in the 2023 index, but Congress should fund efforts to sustain the service’s modernization programs, Heritage stated. The organization feels one of the priorities should be the Light Amphibious Warship project, which is a vital component of the USMC Force Design 2030.

/
Biden Nominates USMC Maj. Gen. Gregory Masiello to Head DCMA
Published on
Biden Nominates USMC Maj. Gen. Gregory Masiello to Head DCMA

President Biden has nominated Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Gregory Masiello to become the Defense Contract Management Agency’s next director, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Wednesday.

Masiello is currently a military deputy to the Department of Defense’s undersecretary for policy. If confirmed, he would lead the agency that helps DOD, other federal agencies and international partner organizations administer contracts across the globe.

Prior to his current role, Masiello was program executive officer for air anti-submarine warfare, assault and special mission programs at Naval Air Systems Command from May 2018 to August 2022.

He served as NAVAIR’s assistant commander for logistics and industrial operations from November 2015 to May 2018 and as director and program manager of the F-35 Joint Program Office’s follow-on development from August 2014 to November 2015.

Other positions he held at NAVAIR include manager of the V-22 joint program, director of weapon system integration for the tiltrotor aircraft and deputy manager of the VH-71 presidential helicopter program.

In line with his DCMA leadership nomination, Masiello would elevate to the rank of lieutenant general.

/
Rear Adm. James Downey Tapped by Biden to Lead Naval Sea Systems Command
Published on
Rear Adm. James Downey Tapped by Biden to Lead Naval Sea Systems Command

Rear Adm. James Downey, program executive officer for aircraft carriers at the U.S. Navy since June 2019, has been nominated by President Biden to serve as the next commander of Naval Sea Systems Command, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Wednesday.

In line with his nomination, Downey would be promoted to the rank of vice admiral. He would lead the Navy’s largest systems command upon congressional approval.

Downey currently leads the office that supports the design, construction, delivery, system integration and life cycle management of aircraft carriers.

The State University of New York alum previously served as deputy commander for surface warfare at NAVSEA and commanded the Navy Regional Maintenance Center as his initial flag assignment.

Commissioned in 1987, Downey holds a master’s degree in computer science from Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

1 … 631 632 633 634 635 … 2,658