Fed Gov Today

In this episode of Fed Gov Today, Francis Rose welcomes Kshmendra Paul, one of the federal government’s most influential voices in data strategy, to reflect on two decades of evolving federal data policy and implementation. Paul, who has served as the Chief Data Officer at the VA, Program Manager for the Information Sharing Environment (ISE), and in key roles at the Department of Energy and the Department of Justice, shares candid insights into the progress and pitfalls of federal data usage.Paul’s journey in government began post-9/11, driven by a deep sense of service. As Chief Enterprise Architect at DOJ, he was struck by the siloed nature of information systems. He argues that “Enterprise Architecture” was never meant to be a purely IT or CIO function—it should have served as a tool for enterprise transformation. This early experience shaped his enduring commitment to integrating data sharing, policy, and technology to drive operational improvements across government.A key focus of the episode is Paul’s tenure at the ISE, which he describes as a “master class in public choice theory.” He explains that many agencies acted in self-interest rather than aligning for the broader public good, making true information sharing a challenge. His work required navigating complex interagency dynamics, balancing federal priorities with state and local equities, and forging partnerships in unconventional areas outside his core expertise.Paul shares one of his proudest achievements at the VA—creating a “digital twin” of the agency by integrating over 1,000 datasets into an enterprise data model. This system gave leadership a unified, real-time view of operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The model not only improved decision-making but also produced tangible results, like saving $90 million in six months through smarter acquisitions. These successes, Paul emphasizes, weren’t purely technological—they were underpinned by strong governance and well-designed data policies.Looking forward, Paul proposes the creation of a Federal Chief Data Analytics Officer role, separate from the Chief Data Officer, with a clear mandate to drive operational decision support. He highlights that while the Evidence Act has helped institutionalize program evaluation, more must be done to embed real-time, data-informed policy analysis into federal management. He sees data analytics as the “killer app” of the Evidence Act era—central to making government decisions that are fast, relevant, and rooted in evidence.In conclusion, Paul underscores that lasting government reform begins with data and evidence, but it must be stewarded through policy, leadership, and guardrails that encourage sustained adoption. His message is clear: data isn’t just a tool—it’s the foundation of modern governance.

Today, Alissa Czyz, Director of Defense Capabilities and Management at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), joins Francis to expose a critical, costly challenge facing the Defense Department: mismanaged real property. Alissa shares how the Pentagon oversees a staggering portfolio of more than 700,000 facilities valued at $2.2 trillion, but a lack of consistent data across the military services is undermining its ability to manage and maintain these assets effectively.Alissa explains that although DOD issued standardized guidance nearly a decade ago to measure facility utilization, most services still rely on outdated or inconsistent methods. The Air Force only recently adopted DOD’s approach, while the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps continue to use their own inconsistent systems—leaving DOD without a true enterprise-wide view of how its property is being used or wasted. She outlines how the Army is piloting promising new tools to better measure space utilization, but inconsistencies persist across the services. She describes how installation-level control of facilities makes sense locally but creates a system-wide blind spot, preventing the Pentagon from managing risk and optimizing its enormous real estate portfolio. Alissa and Francis explore GAO’s five recommendations to DOD, including holding services accountable for consistent utilization measurements and requiring risk management processes that span entire services—not just single installations. You can read more about GAO’s findings and recommendations on today’s show page at fedgovtoday.com. And you can subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

Today, former NSA Technical Director and Synack co-founder, Mark Kuhr, breaks down the rapid evolution of generative AI, agentic AI, and their deep impact on cybersecurity across government. Mark explains that the proliferation of AI tools, like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, creates urgent new risks for agencies around data control and network security. He stresses the importance of securing sensitive data by encouraging the use of government-developed AI tools instead of consumer-grade models, avoiding potential leaks similar to past shadow IT problems.Drawing on his public and private sector experience, Mark highlights the critical privacy concerns both sectors face as employees blend personal and work-related AI usage, often without proper controls. He discusses how the adoption of government-specific AI tools, like GSA’s new initiative, is a smart move toward safeguarding agency data. Mark also introduces agentic AI—the next frontier where multiple specialized AI agents collaborate autonomously to solve problems, mimicking human teamwork. Mark emphasizes that in a world where adversaries are using AI to exploit vulnerabilities within minutes, defenders must move just as fast—or faster—by automating security and vulnerability management. He discusses the urgent need to modernize legacy systems, evolve FedRAMP toward machine-to-machine compliance verification, and embrace AI-driven vulnerability scanning.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

Today, we dive deep into the critical shifts happening in defense acquisition strategies. Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Nick Guertin, joins the program to unpack the Defense Department’s new guidance mandating a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) to building military capabilities. Nick shares behind-the-scenes insights on how modularity and open standards aren't just technical buzzwords—they are essential to staying ahead in a world where adversaries are evolving rapidly.Nick reflects on his time leading transformation within the Navy, including establishing a new Deputy Assistant Secretary role focused on mission systems and championing the creation of a Naval Modular Open Systems Approach guidebook. He discusses how breaking systems into modular, upgradeable parts allows the military to adapt faster without the time and cost of massive overhauls. Francis and Nick explore how modularity balances innovation with potential risks like requirements creep, ultimately ensuring that forces stay mission-ready with flexibility built into every ship, airplane, and system from the ground up.You can find a link to the new guidance on today's show page at fedgovtoday.com. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.

The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.

Today we dive into the transformative potential of a new executive order that could finally shake up the federal acquisition system. Francis is joined by Stan Soloway, President and CEO of Celero Strategies and former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Reform, for an insightful conversation on what the executive order really means—and why it could be a rare turning point after decades of inertia.Soloway peels back the rhetoric surrounding the EO and homes in on its substantive goals: modernizing the bloated and outdated 2,000-page Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and re-centering government procurement around commercially available software. He explains how this could revive FAR Part 12—the original commercial buying framework—and outlines why past reform attempts fizzled. Stan also highlights the critical role of investment in human capital and tech infrastructure, noting that meaningful change won’t happen without it.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

Today, the spotlight is on zero trust—not just as a cybersecurity strategy, but as a cultural and operational shift across government. With the Department of Defense aiming to fully operationalize its zero trust strategy by 2027, the pressure is on agencies to go beyond checklists and truly embed zero trust principles into their missions. Joining Francis is Ryan Zacha, Solution Architect at Booz Allen, who shares deep insights into what it takes to make zero trust work—beyond the buzzwords.Ryan highlights successful government-industry partnerships like the Thunderdome program, which provides a scalable model for delivering cutting-edge security capabilities across the Department of Defense. He emphasizes the need for collaborative engagement where industry partners help federal teams analyze their current environments, identify capability gaps, and chart strategic implementation roadmaps.One of the biggest challenges, Ryan notes, is cultural—not technological. Many agencies have the tools and architectures they need, but fear and uncertainty around data classification and access control often stall progress. He urges agencies not to wait for perfect standards or top-down direction but to begin now with foundational data analysis and strategic planning. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

Today’s conversation turns to one of the most pressing and controversial issues facing the Department of Defense: a sweeping mandate for workforce reduction. Former Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) Dov Zakheim joins the show to unpack the urgent memo issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which gives military services and agencies just two weeks to analyze and recommend personnel cuts.Zakheim warns that while the intention behind the workforce realignment—boosting efficiency and modernizing operations—is commendable, the rushed timeline may lead to damaging and shortsighted decisions. Drawing on his experience and a recent piece he authored for The Hill, Zakheim outlines why the process must extend all the way down the chain of command and allow new leaders time to find their footing.For a link to Zakheim’s article and the official memo, visit the show page at fedgovtoday.com. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

We dive deep into the future of the Defense Department’s cyber and technology workforce with retired Lieutenant General Susan Lawrence, former Army CIO/G-6 and current President and CEO of AFCEA International. As one of the key leaders at the recent 2025 Cyber Workforce Summit, General Lawrence shares exclusive insights into the event’s genesis, its explosive growth, and the collaborative efforts between government and industry to address the critical cyber talent gap.General Lawrence also reveals how today’s evolving threat landscape—what she calls “the speed of the threat”—requires rapid innovation and an all-hands-on-deck approach that includes civilian partners. She previews TechNet Cyber, AFCEA’s flagship event, which will feature the largest number of stages ever, showcasing thought leadership from DISA, OSD, Cyber Command, academia, and industry alike.Learn more about TechNet Cyber and register at fedgovtoday.com/events, and catch Fed Gov Today TV every Sunday on ABC 7 and YouTube for more exclusive insights from federal leaders.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.