ATARC Federal IT Newscast

In this episode of ATARC’s “Doing Tech Better in Government” podcast, host Brian Fox is joined by Frank McNally and Derek Masaki to reflect on the early chapters of Recoding America by Jennifer Pahlka. They explore the book’s central theme: that the challenges facing government digital modernization are less about technology and more about outdated processes, entrenched bureaucracy, and misaligned policy implementation. Through personal insights and stories, they emphasize the importance of psychological safety, policy reform, and product ownership to drive sustainable change. They advocate for smaller, agile initiatives, insourcing talent, and closing the gap between lawmakers and implementers to improve government service delivery.Get connected with the club here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13274071/

In this episode of Tech Transforms, host Carolyn Ford speaks with Tim Amerson, Founder and CEO of CSMO Consulting and former CISO at the Social Security Administration, about the urgent and complex challenge of securing the technology supply chain in government. Drawing from over 30 years of experience in the Army and federal cybersecurity, Amerson explains how supply chain risks extend far beyond IT, touching every aspect of procurement, insider threats, and vendor accountability. He emphasizes the need for real-time visibility, executive-level ownership, and a shift from compliance checklists to risk-based approaches. The conversation highlights how human behavior, geopolitical tensions, and insufficient resource planning compound the problem—and why securing the supply chain must become a full-time, multi-disciplinary priority.

Join us on this unique episode of Doing Tech Better in Government as we explore the intersection of leadership, legacy systems, and tech modernization. We’re joined by a panel of experts who get candid to discuss the critical role leadership plays in modernizing outdated systems and share insights on the challenges of updating legacy infrastructure and how effective leadership drives change. They also explore real-world success stories and the strategies that made them possible. From managing risk to fostering collaboration, this episode uncovers the keys to successful modernization efforts. Don’t miss this conversation on how leadership and innovation are shaping the future of government tech!

In this episode, host Brian Fox speaks with Brian DeLong, CTO at BMC3, and Gordon Deng, Cloud Customer Engineer at the Gravity Platform at Space Camp, about their insights from the recent Front Range Innovation Forum. They discuss key themes such as the importance of building a collaborative and safe innovation community, embracing productive failure, and improving communication between industry, government, and academia. Topics include acquisition challenges, modular open systems architecture, the concept of "exit-ramps," and the need for shared lessons learned. The conversation emphasizes creating forums and tools that foster transparency, trust, and speed in government tech efforts while also supporting leaders in being open about discussing failures.

In this debut episode, Frank Indiviglio, CTO at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains the power of AI data science and high performance computing to transform vast raw data into actionable insights—from hurricane forecasting to coral reef monitoring. He discusses how AI improves data processing efficiency, the importance of blending science and tech to scale forecasting, and how open data efforts are balanced with cybersecurity to build public trust. With cross-sector collaboration driving innovation, NOAA is leading the charge in turning raw data into real-world impact. Tune in to the full episode to hear how tech is transforming how we understand our planet.

In this episode, Alexis Bonnell, now former Chief Information Officer at AFRL, shares insights on how to drive tech adoption in government to stay ahead in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape. She discusses the concept of the “oodaloop” and its importance in taking immediate action to bring digital solutions into practice. While technology advances, the challenge remains in getting people to adopt new processes. Alexis also dives into her passion for human-machine teaming and augmented reality, exploring how these technologies are shaping the future of government operations. Tune in to hear how we can do tech better in government!

Join us on this episode of "Doing Tech Better in Government" as we sit down with Dmitry Poisik, TraCSS Program Manager at NOAA's Office of Space Commerce. Dmitry shares insights into NOAA's vital mission in space commerce, highlighting his career journey from the Navy to the Pentagon. He delves into NOAA's role in advancing commercial space initiatives, emphasizing the collaborative efforts across agencies. Dmitry discusses the critical reliance on real-time data and how these insights drive decision-making in tackling future challenges. Tune in to discover how NOAA and its partners are shaping the future of space commerce and technology integration in government.

In this final episode of Season 1, hosts Brian Fox and Gordon Deng are joined by two powerhouse leaders from the United States Space Force: Paul W. Contoveros, Division Chief and Chief of the Combat Force Enhancement Division, and Lt. Col. JJ Homan, Deputy Chief of the same division.Together, they dive into the evolving landscape of space operations—from redefining what "innovation" means for the Space Force to exploring the critical distinction between innovation and force enhancement. With decades of experience between them, Paul and JJ unpack the challenges of building combat credibility in orbit and discuss how to future-proof capability in an era of rapid transformation.

Join us in this special episode of "Doing Tech Better in Government" as we sit down with Jeremy Bracamontes (JB), a seasoned veteran in both military experience and business development. JB shares his unique journey from the military into the realm of digital modernization, emphasizing the critical role of resilience along the way. In a departure from our usual tech-focused discussions, JB introduces his new book, "Resilient: A Story of Group Home Survival," shedding light on personal experiences that underscore the importance of resilience in navigating challenges—both personal and technological. Tune in as JB bridges personal growth with digital transformation, offering insights that resonate far beyond the realm of government tech.

In this episode of "Doing Tech Better in Government," Jennifer Hay, director of the Defense Digital Service (DDS) at the Pentagon, discusses DDS's mission to build better technology and digital solutions. She explains how technology should empower, not hinder, the mission, emphasizing DDS's user-centric approach. Hay highlights DDS's focus on discovery and deep user understanding to create impactful solutions. She also touches on the significant impact of initiatives like DOGE within the Department of Defense. The episode showcases how DDS is transforming technology in government to better serve users and enhance efficiency.