
ATARC Federal IT Newscast
The Advanced Technology Academic Research Center (ATARC) is a leading organization dedicated to fostering collaboration between government, academia, and industry to drive the adoption and integration of emerging technologies within the federal government. Established to bridge the gap between these critical sectors, ATARC provides a unique platform for technology leaders and innovators to share knowledge, explore new ideas, and solve pressing challenges.
Latest episodes

Mar 4, 2025 • 49min
Orbital Convergence with Brian Fox and Gordon Deng: Episode 7
In this episode of Orbital Convergence, co-hosts Brian Fox and Gordon Deng shift the conversation from innovation to leadership—specifically, leadership through influence. Drawing from Joseph Grenny’s Influencer: The New Science to Leading Change, they explore the principles that make leadership impactful across any era. Brian and Gordon discuss what it truly means to lead, how influence drives transformation, and why the ability to inspire change is critical in government and defense. Whether you're in a leadership role or striving to make an impact from within, this episode offers valuable insights into the science of influence and the strategies that shape successful leadership.

Feb 10, 2025 • 53min
Orbital Convergence with Brian Fox and Gordon Deng: Episode 6
In this episode of Orbital Convergence, co-hosts Brian Fox and Gordon Deng dive into the world of innovation and prototyping in government and defense. Drawing insights from Col. George M. Dougherty's article, Promoting Disruptive Military Innovation: Best Practices for DoD Experimentation and Prototyping Programs, they explore case studies and strategies driving change in the Department of Defense. Topics include the evolution of U.S. military strategy, the role of the Strategic Capabilities Office, and the shift from quantity to precision. Brian and Gordon also share best practices for turning ideas into prototypes, emphasizing customer-centric design, rapid experimentation, and the challenges of fostering innovation across government.

Jan 16, 2025 • 46min
Doing Tech Better in Government with Dave Raley, Digital Program Manager, U.S. Marine Corps Community Services
Join us as we talk with Dave Raley, Digital Program Manager for U.S. Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS), about the organization’s critical role in supporting the warfighter. From providing food, retail, and recreation services to spearheading modernization and cloud transformation initiatives, Dave is at the forefront of helping MCCS transition to more advanced processes while enhancing customer experience capabilities. Discover how these efforts support the morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) and Exchange services, ultimately strengthening mission readiness and quality of life for Marines.

Jan 6, 2025 • 55min
Orbital Convergence with Brian Fox and Gordon Deng: Episode 5
Orbital Convergence is where big ideas meet bold conversations. Co-hosts Brian Fox and Gordon Deng dig into the fascinating stories behind invention and innovation, breaking down the frameworks that got us here and asking the tough questions: Are we analyzing innovation correctly? What lessons from the past can shape a smarter future? Hosted with curiosity and a dash of wit, this podcast unpacks success stories, explores product management strategies, and highlights why having the right talent isn’t just important—it’s critical. If you’re ready to rethink what it means to innovate, you’re in the right place. Let’s invent the future, one lesson at a time.

Jan 2, 2025 • 42min
Doing Tech Better in Government with Major Jake Singleton of the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command
In the latest Doing Tech Better in Government podcast, Brian Fox from OmniFederal interviews Major Jacob Singleton of the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command about the DARK program for space domain awareness. Major Singleton highlights the importance of international partnerships in advancing U.S. security and prosperity in space amid great power competition. He emphasizes leveraging global technology innovations collaboratively with allies to stay ahead. The episode explores how aligning priorities with partners avoids duplication, optimizes resources, and fosters shared security in the evolving space domain.

Dec 19, 2024 • 47min
Doing Tech Better in Government with Dr. Bill DeMarco, Director of Innovation at the Air University Innovation Accelerator (AUIX), part of the U.S. Air Force’s Air University
This "Doing Tech Better in Government" podcast, hosted by Brian Fox from Omni Federal and supported by ATARC, explores the innovative strides being made in government technology. This episode features Dr. Bill DeMarco, Director of Innovation at the Air University Innovation Accelerator (AUIX), part of the U.S. Air Force’s Air University. Bill shares insights on fostering innovation in military education, bridging ideas from students and commanders, and developing prototypes to modernize digital and operational capabilities within the Air Force.

Dec 5, 2024 • 40min
Doing Tech Better in Government with Col. Frank Biancardi, Battle Space Awareness portfolio lead for the U.S. Air Force
In this episode of Doing Tech Better in Government, host Brian Fox speaks with Col. Frank Biancardi, Battle Space Awareness portfolio lead for the U.S. Air Force, about modernizing command and control (C2) capabilities. They explore efforts to enhance interoperability across the Department of Defense (DoD) and with international allies, including the development of the DAF Battle Network. Col. Biancardi highlights collaboration with industry and experimentation at Nellis Air Force Base as key to advancing technology. The conversation emphasizes ensuring warfighters have timely access to critical information.

Dec 2, 2024 • 40min
Orbital Convergence with Brian Fox and Gordon Deng: Episode 4
In this episode of Orbital Convergence, co-hosts Brian Fox and Gordon Deng, explore how the Space Force is revolutionizing collaboration through the power of Terms of Reference. Discover how this game-changing approach aligns diverse teams, fuels modernization in government, and brings clarity to complex military operations. From cutting-edge strategies to avoid confusion to fostering seamless communication, we uncover the secrets behind building a unified force that's ready to conquer the challenges of space. Tune in to learn how Space Force leaders are ensuring every orbit aligns!

Nov 21, 2024 • 42min
Doing Tech Better in Government with Frank McNally, United States Digital Service (USDS) Acquisition Strategist
Join host Brian Fox as he interviews Frank McNally, an acquisition strategist with the United States Digital Service (USDS), about the pivotal role of procurement in government tech modernization. Frank shares insights from his career, spanning from the TSA to private consulting and now USDS, where he helps agencies tackle modernization challenges alongside top designers and engineers. He highlights the Digital IT Acquisition Professional training program and the importance of “failure as an option” to foster agile, adaptable solutions. Tune in for valuable insights into the evolving landscape of federal acquisition.

Nov 7, 2024 • 46min
Doing Tech Better in Government with Jed Sundwall, Executive Director, Radiant Earth
In this episode, podcast host, Brian Fox sits down with Jed Sundwall, the Executive Director of Radiant Earth and Lecturer at Yale School of Global Affairs, to explore the challenges and opportunities in managing and sharing planetary-scale data. We dive into the evolution of cloud computing, discussing how thoughtful, intentional use of this technology can lead to incredible performance, while avoiding the pitfalls of centralized storage solutions. Whether it’s data management, geospatial tools, or global collaboration, this episode sheds light on the future of shared knowledge in a digital world.