Shows
The Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: Lunch & Keynote Fireside Chat from the Acquisition and Innovation Forum 2026In this episode we feature ACT-IAC’s Acquisition and Innovation Forum's Lunch & Keynote Fireside Chat between Geoff Edwards and NASA Financial Systems Office Director Chi Okonkwo, who shares her career path from consulting to OPM modernization and then NASA. Okonkwo explains how NASA finance and acquisitions are modernizing legacy systems together, shifting the CFO role from retrospective reporting toward real-time analytics and performance insights, and pursuing responsible AI for future financial, budgeting, and risk needs, including fraud, waste, and abuse detection. She reflects on major NASA transformations, including the post-shuttle workforce realignment, commercialization partnerships, and implementing SAP with sus...
2026-05-2123 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACLeadership Under Pressure: Jared Peatman on the 20th Maine, Gettysburg, and Public Service LessonsThe episode features historian and leadership educator Jared Peatman discussing his book A Hell of a Regiment, a 10+ year research project on the 20th Maine and its pivotal role at Gettysburg as a story of ordinary civilians rapidly becoming an effective unit under national stakes. Peatman explains his lifelong interest in Civil War history, why the 20th Maine’s rank-and-file stories matter, and how training under West Point–trained Adelbert Ames, motivation to build a reputation back home, and trust enabled performance. He highlights Joshua Chamberlain’s transferable skills, communication, empathy, and lifelong learning, along with his handling of the Se...
2026-04-3049 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACClosing the Gap Between Curiosity and ROI: AI Training SeriesStephanie Hubka, founder of Protos Learning, who has spent 20 years designing human-centered learning strategies and has trained leaders in 50+ countries, is working with ACT-IAC on the business value of AI training for non-technical leaders. Hubka argues organizations often treat AI as either a magic fix or an existential threat, when it is better understood as a capability amplifier that requires humans in the loop. She emphasizes anchoring AI training to real work and quick wins, using everyday language instead of jargon, and building data literacy without turning everyone into analysts. Successful adoption depends on psychological safety, experimentation, and trust...
2026-03-2643 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACInside the ACT-IAC Associates Program: Growth, Networks, and New HorizonsIn this episode, we continue our series on the Associates Program with a guest appearance from Jason Pan, a business development analyst at Dev Technology Group. Jason shares his journey from recently graduating college to working full-time in government contracting, and his experiences going through the Associates Program. He discusses the challenges and opportunities he faced, the influence of mentors, and the pivotal moments that defined his professional growth. Jason also highlights the value of networking and collaboration within the program, and his key takeaways that have influenced his career. The episode concludes with a fun game of 'Acronym...
2026-03-0517 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACReal Leadership in the Age of AI: A Conversation with Melvin Brown IIWe are honored to chat with Melvin Brown II, Vice President and Chief Growth Officer at Contract Administration Network International (CANI), LLC, to discuss authentic leadership amidst AI advancements. Melvin shares insights on effective leadership, addressing technology and culture gaps, and the significance of judgment and adaptability. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting decision-making skills, ethical practices, and the challenges of modernization in both federal and industry settings. Melvin emphasizes the shift needed from technology focus to capability building in people and underscores the need for outcomes-based rewards. MORE INFO: ACT-IAC Academy | ACT-IACBecome a...
2026-02-1220 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: The Future of AI Powered Digital ServicesAngy Peterson explore the transformation of customer experience, with highlights from a recent ACT-IAC CX Summit event. Angy Peterson, VP of the Experience Group at Granicus, shares her journey from newspaper design to helping government agencies build digital-first services. She delves into the potential of AI in government services, reflecting on how it can reshape experiences from convenience to deeper connection and collaboration. Key insights include the need for structured data, proactive content management, and the paradigm shift toward omnichannel, AI-powered interactions. Peterson emphasizes that the future lies in smart systems and richer conversations that truly understand and serve...
2025-12-0424 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACNavigating Federal Tech: Scrum Mastery and Agile Principles at ACT-IAC AcademyIn this episode we're in conversation with Manjit Singh, the president and founder of Agilious and an instructor at ACT-IAC Academy. They delve into the importance of agile frameworks, particularly scrum, for government IT acquisition and modernization. Manjit shares his extensive technical background and the significance of scrum mastery in managing projects efficiently. He discusses the role of a Scrum Master, common misconceptions, the importance of asking the right questions, and the impact of emerging technologies like AI. The episode also highlights continuous upskilling and the value of lean principles in achieving productivity.Become a...
2025-11-2731 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACCollaboration at the Core: Inside ACT-IAC's Cyber COIWe get to talk to Ken Adams, the Chief Strategy Officer at Foxhole Technology and the long-serving Industry Chair of the ACT-IAC Cyber COI. Ken shares his career journey, insights into the collaborative dynamics within the gov tech community, and the importance of continuity and professional relationships. Ken highlights the significance of volunteer work, the impact of ACT-IAC projects like 'Zero Trust' and 'ATO as Code,' and the balance between day jobs and volunteer commitments. The conversation also touches on the non-sales ethos of these engagements and the value of maintaining a collaborative and supportive environment among industry...
2025-11-2038 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACCamino de Santiago to Government TechIn this episode of the Buzz we get to talk to Todd Hager, the Vice President of Strategic Advisory at Alpha Omega. Todd reflects on his extensive career journey, starting from his early tech roles in the hotel industry, transitioning to government contracting, and becoming a key player in fostering industry-government collaboration. He discusses the importance of emerging technologies like blockchain and AI, and shares insights on building collaborative communities. Todd also touches on significant personal experiences, including his reflective walk on Spain's Camino de Santiago and his longtime commitment to teaching GED math, which have both shaped his...
2025-10-2320 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACRelaunching Partners 2026: Building Tomorrow's Leaders TodayDJ Dart, Chief Strategy Officer at Inadev, and Marisa Roinestad, recently retired after 25 years in federal service, discuss the relaunch of ACT-IAC's Partners 2026 program. They share their personal journeys and experiences that shaped their leadership styles, emphasizing the importance of empathy, creativity, and community in the evolving landscape of government-industry collaboration. They also explore the unique strengths of the Partners program, its role in preparing future leaders, and the excitement surrounding its new chapter. Additionally, the trio engages in a lively session of 'Acronym Wars,' showcasing their knowledge of federal agencies and programs.Become a Member...
2025-10-161h 08The Buzz with ACT-IACBuilding Collaboration in Government: Insights with Acquisition COIIn this episode of The Buzz, Scott Simpson, the acquisition COI Government chair at ACT-IAC, shares his unexpected journey into the governmental acquisition field. We delve deep into Scott's experiences, the crucial role contracts play, and the impactful mentorship that shaped his career. Scott discusses the significance of building a reliable network, the transformative power of true collaboration, and the exciting but challenging cultural shift in acquisition practices. This episode is rich with insights on overcoming fear, fostering teamwork, and leveraging events and emerging technologies for better outcomes.Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A...
2025-09-1840 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACLeadership and Collaboration Strategies in a Hybrid WorldIn this episode of The Buzz podcast by ACT IAC, the focus is on our Voyagers program, a leadership development initiative aimed at emerging leaders across federal government and industry. We get to talk with Ankur Saini, CTO at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and Robert Turman, Director of Consulting and Delivery at CGI Federal. They discuss their paths to leadership, the vital role of creativity and adaptability, and how participation in ACT-IAC's programs has shaped their careers. The episode also highlights the importance of professional development programs and concludes with the game 'Acronym Wars.'...
2025-09-0435 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACHuman-Centered Design in Government: COI's Journey from the former Soviet Union to QualtricsIn this episode of The Buzz, host Yohanna Baez speaks with Sydney Heimbrock, the Chief Industry Advisor for Public Sector at Qualtrics and co-chair of the ACT-IAC's COI (community of interest) on talent. She shares her extensive career journey, including her transformative experience in the former Soviet Union and her efforts to integrate human-centered design principles into governmental processes. She discusses the importance of collaboration between industry and government, explains human-centered design, and explores the potential impact of AI on federal talent pipelines. Heimbrock emphasizes the value of public service and encourages the next generation of innovators to consider...
2025-08-1444 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACExploring Digital Health Technologies in Federal ResearchIn this episode of The Buzz, expert guests delve into a new white paper by the ACT-IAC Health Community of Interest titled 'Digital Health Technologies in the Federal Health Research'. The discussion covers the intersection of technology, health, and research, particularly focusing on the use of wearables, mobile apps, and in-home monitors to enhance clinical and analytic research. Key speakers include leaders from academia, government, and industry who share insights on the collaborative efforts required to integrate digital health technologies into research, as well as the future applications and challenges in this evolving field. The episode also highlights the...
2025-08-0750 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFrom Engineering to Federal Contracting: A Mid-Career VoyageIn this episode of 'The Buzz from ACT-IAC,' host Yohanna Baez delves into the professional journey of Eric Ritz, a mid-career professional working with Accenture Federal Services for 15 years. Eric shares his experiences before, during, and after participating in the ACT-IAC Professional Development Voyagers Program. The discussion covers the program's impact on his career, including the valuable lessons learned, skills acquired, and the supportive network of mentors and peers he engaged with. Eric emphasizes the significance of understanding perspectives from both industry and government sides and highlights the pivotal experiences that enriched his professional growth. Listeners are encouraged...
2025-07-1725 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACInnovators Unite: ET&I Conference Highlights Part 1In this episode of The Buzz, we broadcast live from the 2025 Emerging Tech and Innovation Conference, featuring exclusive interviews with industry leaders like Destinie Harris from Maximus, Jeff Mercurio from OnPoint Consulting, and Ratima Katari from ICF. Destinie discusses Maximus' Total Experience Management (TXM) solution and her journey in tech, while Jeff shares insights on OnPoint’s contributions to cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure. Ratima talks about her extensive experience in federal health and her upcoming role on the ACT-IAC board. The episode highlights the synergy between government and industry, the importance of technology in solving complex challenges, and fostering con...
2025-06-1922 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACVoyager Voices: Stories of Growth and ImpactIn this special live edition of The Buzz, hosted by Yohanna Baez from Jammin Java in Vienna, Virginia, the focus is on Voyager Talks, celebrating the achievements of the ACT-IAC Voyagers program. The event highlights the importance of collaboration between government and industry, featuring professionals from the program and supporting Canines for Warriors. The episode includes an interview with Annabelle Garcia, Capture Manager at Evans Incorporated, discussing her presentation, experiences, and challenges as a bilingual professional. Insights into the Voyagers program's impact on her career, networking, and the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone are also sh...
2025-05-1424 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACThe Power of Connection: Lessons from the Voyager ProgramIn this special live edition of The Buzz, host Yohanna Baez broadcasts from Jammin Java in Vienna, Virginia, hosting the signature Voyager Talks event. This episode highlights the ACT-IAC Voyagers program, a professional development program for rising leaders in government and industry. Yohanna interviews Andrew Powell, Chief Growth Officer of Strongbridge, who shares his experiences in the Voyagers program, including effective communication as a tool for leadership, the importance of collaboration between government and industry, and his personal career journey. Andrew also discusses the strategic role of a Chief Growth Officer and the invaluable lessons learned through mentorship and...
2025-05-0728 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACThe Buzz Live: Creativity and Collaboration at Voyager TalksIn this special live edition of The Buzz, host Yohanna Baez reports from Jammin Java in Vienna, Virginia, celebrating the ACT-IAC Voyagers program and its impact on government and industry leaders. The episode features an inspiring conversation with Colette Creech, Director of Growth Operations at Gunnison Consulting Group, discussing her team's presentation on navigating government compliance and her journey in the professional development program. Colette shares insights on collaboration, the value of mentors, and the importance of building relationships within the industry. The conversation highlights the real-world impact and personal growth fostered by the Voyagers program.Become...
2025-04-3025 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACEmpowering Communities: Christina Binhack and the ACT-IAC Gives Back InitiativeIn this episode, we sit down with Christina Binhack, Director of Operations and HR at ACT-IAC, to dive into her background, experiences, and passion for nonprofit work. Christina shares her journey from the Midwest to the DMV area, her involvement with ACT-IAC, and her dedication to community service through the ACT-IAC Gives Back program. She discusses the importance of volunteering, the various successful initiatives launched under ACT-IAC Gives Back, and offers insights into how service-oriented projects can shape leadership development. Christina's vision for the future of the program and her unwavering commitment to fostering opportunities for giving back shine...
2025-04-2332 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFrom College to Career: A Talk with an Associates Graduate from IBMIn our final episode of the Associates graduate series, host Yohanna Baez interviews Lila Najmyar, a senior federal developer at IBM and a recent participant in the ACT-IAC Professional Development Associates Program. Lila shares her journey from college to IBM, the valuable experiences and lessons learned during the program, and how it has influenced her career. They discuss the importance of networking, skill development, and cross-sector collaboration. Lila also provides insights into the community and ongoing professional growth opportunities facilitated by the program. Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole i...
2025-04-1618 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACBuilding Networks and Skills: A Talk with an Associates Graduate from ABS ConsultingIn this episode of The Buzz from ACT-IAC, host Yohanna Baez interviews Abby Cassell, a business development manager at ABS Consulting and an alumna of the ACT-IAC Professional Development Associates Program. Abby discusses her career journey from graduating college in 2020, navigating business development during the COVID-19 pandemic, to joining ABS Consulting in 2022. She highlights her experiences in the Professional Development Associates Program, the challenges she faced, and the valuable lessons and skills acquired, particularly in networking and negotiation. Abby emphasizes the importance of mentorship and leadership skills gained during the program, which have significantly influenced her career. B...
2025-04-0919 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFrom Nursing to Business Operations: A Talk with an Associates Graduate from Akiak HoldingsIn this episode of The Buzz from ACT IAC, host Yohanna Baez dives into the career journey of Olivia Henry, an early career professional who participated in the ACT-IAC Professional Development Associates Program. Olivia discusses her transition from nursing to a leadership role in business operations, fueled by the support and skills gained from the program. The conversation covers Olivia's day-to-day responsibilities, key learnings from the program, the importance of networking, and her promotion to Director of Business Operations. Olivia also shares the impact of mentorship and the practical skills she implemented immediately.Become a Member | ACT-IAC
2025-04-0231 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFrom Courtside to Capitol Hill: Dir. of Professional Development Sarah Hughes on Career TransformationWe have a different host for this special episode of The Buzz, Pete Tseronis, founder of Dots and Bridges. He interviews Sarah Hughes, Director of Professional Development at ACT-IAC. They discuss Sarah's diverse career across industries, networking, mentorship, and career growth. Sarah shares insights from her journey, including her work with sports teams, transitions to government, and contributions to professional development. The episode also highlights the importance of building strong communities and explores various ACT-IAC programs designed to enhance professional development. Key themes include adaptability, the influence of technology on government, and the power of mentorship.Become...
2025-03-2736 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACBuilding Confidence and Connections: A Talk with an Associates Graduate from CGIOn our next episode of The Buzz from ACT-IAC, host Yohanna Baez interviews Paige Kowahl, a senior consultant at CGI Federal, about her experiences in the ACT-IAC Professional Development Associates Program. Paige shares her educational and career journey, which began with a pivot from chemistry to computer information systems, leading her to CGI. She discusses how the program helped her overcome social anxiety, gain confidence, and develop essential skills through coaching and collaborative projects. Paige highlights the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone and offers advice to potential program participants. Become a Member | ACT-IAC
2025-03-1922 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFrom Intern to AI Sales: A Talk with an Associates Graduate from IBMIn this episode, Yohanna Baez hosts Mackenzie (Kenzie) Downes, a data and AI seller at IBM, to discuss her journey through the ACT-IAC Professional Development Associates Program. Kenzie shares her background, how she was inspired by her mother to pursue sales, and her experience working at IBM. She dives into her motivations for joining the ACT-IAC program, the skills and network she gained, and specific moments that shaped her career. Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IACSubscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! F...
2025-03-1222 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFrom Aviation to GovCon: A Talk with an Associates Graduate from LeidosIn this episode of The Buzz from ACT-IAC, host Yohanna Baez interviews Ryan Cloghessy, a capture manager at Leidos, about his journey through the ACT-IAC Professional Development Associates Program. They discuss Ryan's career trajectory, the impact of the program on his professional growth, and the valuable lessons and experiences he gained. Ryan shares his initial challenges, his role at Leidos, insights from his mentor, and the confidence he has developed in the GovCon industry. The conversation also includes a fun segment called 'Acronym Wars' and encourages listeners to explore ACT-IAC's professional development opportunities....
2025-03-0521 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACBuilding Bridges in GovCon: A Talk with an Associates Graduate from the Wilco GroupIn this episode of 'The Buzz from ACT-IAC,' host Yohanna Baez dives into the journeys of early career professionals in the ACT-IAC Professional Development Associates Program. Senior Digital Transformation Consultant John Rehm from the Wilco Group shares his story, from his communications background to his current role in federal contracting. John discusses the invaluable skills he acquired, the challenges he overcame, and the supportive mentorship he received. He also highlights the significance of building a network and the profound impact the program had on his career. The episode wraps up with a fun game of acronym wars, showcasing...
2025-02-2629 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACNew V2X Technology at DOT with Grafton deButts and Brian CroninThis week, The Buzz presents a conversation with Grafton deButts from Strongbridge LLC and the ACT-IAC Department of Transportation Federal Insights Exchange (FIE), as they sit down with Brian Cronin, the forward-thinking Director of the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office at the U-S Department of Transportation. Together, they explore the world of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology—a game-changer poised to redefine road safety, mobility, and sustainability on a global scale.Brian shares his expert perspective on how V2X enables seamless communication between vehicles, infrastructure, and road users, paving the way for smarter, safer, and more ef...
2025-02-1946 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFarewell Colin!This week, The Buzz is saying goodbye to Colin Larsen, who has produced and hosted the show since it began in the Spring of 2021. Colin would like to profoundly thank ACT-IAC and the listeners for their support through these more than 150 episodes. Don't worry, The Buzz will continue! As always, stay tuned for more from ACT-IAC.Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IACSubscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit ht...
2024-07-3116 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: How NIST is Responding to AI DevelopmentThis week, The Buzz presents a session from ACT-IAC's 2024 Emerging Technology and Innovation Conference. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is responsible for developing and issuing guidance around the standards and measurements we use in all kinds of technological development in the US. In the modern era, this includes Artificial Intelligence. Since the release of the AI Executive Order in October 2023, NIST has issued four draft publications intended to help improve the safety, security and trustworthiness of AI systems. In this fireside chat, Raymond Holder, VP for Digital Growth at Maximus...
2024-06-0537 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: Venture Meets Mission with Arun GuptaLast week, ACT-IAC held its 2024 Emerging Technology and Innovation Conference in Cambridge, MD, where leaders and experts from across government, industry and academia met to discuss how government can harness new technology to improve mission outcomes. Our conference kicked off with a keynote presentation and fireside chat with Arun Gupta, a venture capitalist, lecturer at Stanford University, adjunct Entrepreneurship Professor at Georgetown University, and author of Venture Meets Mission. Arun is joined during the fireside chat portion of this session by Ted Davies, Managing Partner at Attain Capital and member of...
2024-05-3053 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: Resilient Infrastructure Work at the National Renewable Energy LaboratoryThis week, The Buzz presents a session from our 2024 Resilient Infrastructure Summit. In this opening keynote session, Dr. Elizabeth Doris, Director of the Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), discusses the past, present and future work that the laboratory has conducted to assist in the United States' clean energy transition, resilient infrastructure adaptation, and more. The Buzz will be taking a break next week as ACT-IAC holds its 2024 Emerging Technology and Innovation Conference in Cambridge, MD. Register now!Become a Member | ACT-IAC ...
2024-05-1524 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: Digital Transformation Strides Driving Citizen Experience in GovernmentThis week, The Buzz presents a session from ACT-IAC's 2024 Digital Transformation Summit. This panel of fedtech experts discusses the progress they have made in their respective agencies to leverage digital transformation to enhance the citizen experience, focusing on policy and process impediments that can derail progress and how to overcome them. Panelists:Andrea Fletcher - Chief Digital Strategy Officer, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesRaymond Holder - .VP of Digital Growth, MaximusBeth Martin - Digital Services Expert, OPMRaj Iyer (Moderator) - Global Head of P...
2024-04-1736 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACReplay: The Tax Software We Deserve with Gabriel Zucker This episode originally aired on April 5th, 2023.As tax season ramps up in earnest, and given the good news about the IRS's Direct File Pilot Program, we thought now would be a good time to revisit an interview we conducted last year with Code For America's Gabriel Zucker, the Interim Program Director of Tax Policy and Partnerships.This interview focused on how the IRS could design a direct file system, what such a tool might look like, and Code for America's work in civic tech for taxes.Resources:GAO Free F...
2024-03-2043 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFrom the Archives: The Roots of Government CX with Dan TangherliniThis week, The Buzz presents a session from our archives.The concept of customer experience has driven business decisions in private industry for some time, but it's only in the last decade that CX, or citizen service, has become a focus of government. The creation of healthcare.gov in 2013 heralded a new era in government, one marked by an interest in the lessons learned from tech start-ups and the relationship between IT systems, government processes and the people that use them. In this fireside chat from ACT-IAC's 2014 Executive Leadership Conference, we see the beginning stages o...
2024-03-1354 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: Don't Forget to CyberThis week, The Buzz presents a session from ACT-IAC's 2024 Digital Transformation Summit. Digital transformation efforts often rely on implementation of new systems. This presents an opportunity to integrate improved cybersecurity policy from the ground up. Unfortunately, cyber is still often ignored in the digital transformation process despite its importance. In this fireside chat, Paul Butterfoss, CTO of Federal Civilian IT at Leidos, discusses proper cyber hygiene with Paul Selby, CISO and Deputy CIO at the Department of Energy. Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in On...
2024-03-0632 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: Pursuing Greatness with Art JacksonThis week, The Buzz presents something a little different than usual. ELC 2023, ACT-IAC's flagship conference in Hershey, PA, opened with a rousing, inspirational keynote from Art Jackson about personal leadership. Art Jackson is a professional speaker and coach, West Point graduate, and former IT executive. Learn more about him at https://artjackson.com/. Learn more about the ACT-IAC Associates Program here!Submit a nomination for the 2024 Innovation Awards here!Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IACSubscribe on your...
2024-01-2434 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: CX Progress at the IRS with Danny WerfelThis week, The Buzz presents a session from our December 2023 CX Summit. CX is a key component of the Biden-Harris President's Management Agenda. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act appropriated an additional $79.4 billion to the IRS to assist in modernization and improved service delivery. In this keynote, Commissioner Danny Werfel details the challenges and priorities of the agency as they strive to build a simpler, fairer, tax system for Americans. Learn more about the ACT-IAC Associates Program here!Submit a nomination for the 2024 Innovation Awards here!Become a Member | ACT-IAC ...
2024-01-1841 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACAll About Tech Hubs with Alejandra CastilloIn August 2022, Congress passed the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors – or Chips and Science Act. Congratulations to whoever came up with that acronym. The law authorized more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in funding for domestic technology manufacturing and development. It has been recognized as a key piece of the reignition of US industrial policy – which has lain dormant for much of the 21st century. As you can imagine, direct funding of research across the US is a key component of this legislation – so the bill set aside funding for the designation of Regional Technol...
2024-01-1042 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFarewell 2023 with Dave WennergrenThis week will be the last episode of The Buzz for 2023, and we're taking the time to reflect back on a busy year at ACT-IAC with Dave Wennergren, our CEO.We review the major topics of interest for the federal government, how to deal with a rapidly-changing world, what ACT-IAC has been up to, and what to look forward to next year. Thank you, listeners, for making The Buzz a part of your week in 2023. Have a fantastic holiday season, and we'll see you in 2024.Become a Member | ACT-IAC S...
2023-12-2032 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: 2023's Leaders in Acquisitions ExcellenceThis year, ACT-IAC's Imagine Nation ELC was our largest conference ever, with more than 1200 in-person attendees! We also had more sessions than ever, and The Buzz is excited to bring a selection of recordings from this year's event to our podcast audience.This session features the presentation of the Federal Acquisition Institute's 2023 Chief Acquisition Officers Council Awards. After a brief introduction, moderator Christine Harada, Senior Advisor in the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, sits down with all our award-winners for a robust panel discussion around the important work they've done in 2023. Awardees
2023-12-0638 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: Kiran Ahuja on the Future at OPMThis year, ACT-IAC's Imagine Nation ELC was our largest conference ever, with more than 1200 in-person attendees! We also had more sessions than ever, and The Buzz is excited to bring a selection of recordings from this year's event to our podcast audience.We're kicking things off with a lively discussion between OPM Director Kiran Ahuja and her colleague Melvin Brown, who serves as the Deputy CIO. Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IACSubscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss a...
2023-11-1529 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFederal Insights Exchange: Acquisitions at the VA with Dr. Angela BillupsThis week, the Buzz is partnering with ACT-IAC's Federal Insights Exchange (FIE). The FIE program hosts short-form conversations between industry and agency leaders to share success stories, challenges, and priorities.Our guest host Dr. Allan Burman, President of Jefferson Solutions at the Jefferson Consulting Group and member of the Department of Veterans Affairs FIE, sat down with Dr. Angela Billups, Executive Director for the Office of Acquisitions and Logistics at the VA. Together, they discuss Dr. Billup's career journey into procurement, her perspective on how the acquisitions field can improve, and what the...
2023-11-0135 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: A Cybersecurity Breakdown with Yemi OshinnaiyeOctober is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so this week we present a session from ACT-IAC's 2023 Cybersecurity Summit.TSA CIO Yemi Oshinnaiye kicked off our summit with a broad-ranging discussion of his experience in cyber, why cybersecurity matters, and how the IT community can confront the cyber challenges of the present and future.Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IACSubscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.
2023-10-1342 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACSummer News Round-Up 2023As August comes to a close, The Buzz is here to get you up to speed on the top stories in the federal technology sector from this summer, as well as share what ACT-IAC has coming up in the fall. From climate change to government AI, we'll give you the most important updates from the past few months.Resources:AI News:No Section 230 for AI Act Block Nuclear Launch by Autonomous Artificial Intelligence ActCREATE AI ActVoluntary AI Developer CommitmentsAI Bill of Rights2023 AI R&D Strategic PlanThe EU AI Act...
2023-08-2312 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: Preparing for the Future at the Defense Intelligence AgencyThis week, The Buzz presents a keynote session from ACT-IAC's 2023 Emerging Technology and Innovation Conference. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) supports the entire DoD community by providing strategic information about the capabilities of foreign adversaries. In this talk, Edacheril "E.P." Mathew, the agency's Deputy CIO, explains who the DIA is concerned about, how they enable information-sharing across both DoD members and US allies, and what modernization efforts will mean for the agency's mission. Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IACSubscribe on your f...
2023-06-0125 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFederal Insights Exchange: Workforce Modernization at the VAThis week, the Buzz is partnering with ACT-IAC's Federal Insights Exchange (FIE). The FIE program hosts short-form conversations between industry and agency leaders to share success stories, challenges, and priorities.Our guest host Sid Getz, Vice President at CGI and member of the Department of Veterans Affairs FIE, sat down with Jon Rychalski, Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer at the VA. Together, they discuss approaches the VA and government financial management community are taking to stay competitive in the labor market, retain talent, and attract younger civil servants....
2023-05-2429 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACA Career Retrospective with Mary DavieAfter more than 34 years of federal service, acquisitions pioneer Mary Davie announced her retirement at the end of 2022. Much of her career was spent at the GSA, guiding development of well-known procurement practices like shared services and category management. She's won a panoply of awards for her work (including some from ACT-IAC), so we're very excited to welcome Mary to the show this week.Mary is joined by her colleague (and friend of the show) Renee Wynn, former CIO of NASA, to look back on Mary's many accomplishments and experiences in federal service.
2023-03-0749 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: Lessons Learned and Best Practices in C-SCRMThis week, The Buzz presents a session from ACT-IAC's January C-SCRM Forum. The federal government has identified Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) as one of the pillars of a safe and secure IT environment. In the wake of the SolarWinds attack, the Biden Administration released EO 14028, mandating enhanced C-SCRM practices in the federal acquisitions process.In this panel, you'll hear how some agencies are instituting these policies and what they've learned throughout the process. Panelists:Shon Lyublonavits - C-SCRM Initiatives Lead, CISARajiv Uppal - Acting...
2023-02-2240 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACA Federal Quantum Primer with Tim Gilday and Sabina SokolEven for those with significant experience in the technology field, the concept of quantum computing can feel intimidating. After all, it is a field involving the notoriously complex theories governing subatomic particles, the physical engineering challenges of supercomputer construction, and the higher-level mathematics of computer cryptography. And if that sentence made your head spin, then this episode of The Buzz might be a good place to start. The potential applications of quantum computing make it an area of research for the federal government, and while the technology is still in its infancy, we should be prepared for wh...
2023-02-1627 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACA Peek Behind the Curtains of Federal ProcurementThis week, the Buzz presents a presentation from our Small Business Alliance.The ACT-IAC Small Business Alliance is member community chartered to promote the interests and contributions of small businesses in the federal contracting space. In this presentation, veteran contracting specialist and educator William Randolph will give a peek behind the curtains of federal procurement and help small businesses get a leg up in understanding and competing for federal contracts. William Randolph is the Chief Executive Officer of THINK Acquisition. William was selected into the Senior Executive Service (SES...
2023-01-1958 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan on Making Government Serve the PeopleThis week, The Buzz presents a keynote session from ACT-IAC's ELC 2022 Conference.GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan joined Winnie Lin, VP of Government and Administrative Services at Peraton, to share how the GSA is helping to upgrade the federal government to improve service delivery to the American people. They discuss the Technology Modernization Fund, the President's Management Agenda, and the GSA's sustainability investments to combat resilient infrastructure.You can get access to all of this year's ELC sessions online here: https://web.cvent.com/event/1635a9e7-5864-4abe-b742-6a3...
2022-11-3031 min
The Buzz with ACT-IACHow Government Built This: Encouraging Change by Putting People First at the Department of the TreasuryWelcome to the final episode of “How Government Built This,” a six-part podcast and blog post series developed by the Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service Office of Financial Innovation and Transformation (FIT) in collaboration with The Buzz with ACT-IAC.This week, host Jesrael Lopez interviews Joe Gioeli III, Chief Information Officer at the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, and Nick Totten, Associate Chief Information Officer at the Department of the Treasury. They discuss Treasury's human-centered approach to digital transformation - that change is more about th...
2022-11-021h 01
The Buzz with ACT-IACHow Government Built This: How the Department of Transportation is Driving Digital Transformation with a Focus on Safety, and Resilient InfrastructureWelcome to “How Government Built This,” a six-part podcast and blog post series developed by the Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service Office of Financial Innovation and Transformation (FIT) in collaboration with The Buzz with ACT-IAC.This week, host Jacqueline French interviews Laila Alequresh, Chief Innovation Officer at the Department of Transportation, and Amy Lucero, Associate Administrator of Transportation Workforce Development & Technology Deployment at the Federal Highway Administration.They discuss how the DOT is looking toward future to predict and develop ,connected transportation networks driven by techn...
2022-10-131h 01
The Buzz with ACT-IACHow Government Built This: Balancing the Bottom-Up, Top-Down Approach at Canada’s Office of the Auditor GeneralWelcome to “How Government Built This,” a six-part podcast and blog post series developed by the Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service Office of Financial Innovation and Transformation (FIT) in collaboration with The Buzz with ACT-IAC.This week, host Cindy Good interviews Paul Faucher, Director of Enterprise Services and Digital Engagement, and Troy MacFarlene, Deputy CIO, both from Canada's Office of the Auditor General.They discuss how the OAG is pursuing a culture-first strategy for digital transformation, highlighted the need for benchmarking and measurable outcomes, and ment...
2022-09-281h 08The Buzz with ACT-IACHealth Inequities and the COVID-19 Response with LaRon NelsonBecause of the peculiar perception of time that we have collectively experienced throughout the pandemic, it may feel odd that the US only began rolling out COVID vaccines in the beginning of last year. So much has occurred in the intervening months that the early days of the pandemic seem much further removed than they are.Increasingly, the United States appears to have moved on. Roughly 80% of Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccine and virtually no lockdown restrictions remain in place anywhere in the country. At ACT-IAC, most of our conversations are focusing...
2022-09-2147 min
The Buzz with ACT-IACHow Government Built This: How DHS Focuses on Strategic Partnerships to Jumpstart Digital TransformationWelcome to “How Government Built This,” a six-part podcast and blog post series developed by the Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service Office of Financial Innovation and Transformation (FIT) in collaboration with The Buzz with ACT-IAC.This week, host Cindy Good interviews Dave Larrimore, Executive Director of the CTO Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security, and Rob Brown, CTO at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. They discuss how DHS is tackling digital transformation across a broad coalition of enterprise groups within the agency...
2022-09-141h 01
The Buzz with ACT-IACHow Government Built This: Cyber’s Elite Forces – How Air National Guard Puts People First with Artificial Intelligence to Drive Digital TransformationWelcome to “How Government Built This,” a six-part podcast and blog post series developed by the Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service Office of Financial Innovation and Transformation (FIT) in collaboration with The Buzz with ACT-IAC.This week, host Jacqueline French interviews Lt. Col Andrew Wonpat, member of the Air National Guard's 175th Network Warfare Squadron. In his current assignment, he serves as a Cyber Capabilities Development Strategist with U.S. Air Force (USAF) Futures, with the mission of exploring non-traditional force structure and future cyber capability development.In this episode, Lt. Col...
2022-08-311h 06The Buzz with ACT-IACFrom the Archives: The Federal Perspective from 11 Years AgoThis week, join the Buzz for a journey to the distant past of 2011.Over a decade ago, ACT-IAC's ELC Conference featured a keynote from Steve VanRoekel, who served as Federal CIO from 2011-2014.In his presentation, entitled "Our Moment", VanRoekel discussed the federal IT priorities of the day, the opportunities to involve the private sector in improving government services, and what the future will bring.It's fascinating to see what's changed over the past 11 years (and what hasn't).This recording has been edited for time.Become a...
2022-08-2446 min
The Buzz with ACT-IACHow Government Built This: How USDA is Paving the Way for Digital TransformationWelcome to “How Government Built This,” a six-part podcast and blog post series developed by the Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service Office of Financial Innovation and Transformation (FIT) in collaboration with The Buzz with ACT-IAC. This week, host Jesrael Lopez is joined by Dr. Michael Valivullah, Chief Technology Officer at the US Department of Agriculture.Michael's perspective on digital transformation is informed by the mission areas of the USDA, which has been collecting data for over 150 years. He emphasizes the importance of cloud computing and upskilling and res...
2022-08-1738 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: AI in Mission Decision-MakingThis week, The Buzz with ACT-IAC presents a session from the 2022 Emerging Technology and Innovation Conference.This panel features a discussion among agency CIO's and industry leaders about how emerging AI tools are being used to manage data and guide decision making, as well as the limitations of AI in the government sphere.Speakers:Lexy Guenther (Moderator) - VP & CTO, Civil Enterprise IT & Mission Solutions at LeidosGundeep Ahluwalia - CIO at the US Department of LaborKeith Jones - CIO at US Department of State
2022-07-2745 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACReflections on a Career in Federal Service with Maria RoatAfter a storied, four-decade career in federal IT, Deputy Federal CIO Maria Roat retired in March of this year. Maria spent 25 years in the Navy and Naval Reserve, then served in leadership roles in an array of federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Transportation.Few can claim the breadth of professional experience that Maria can, and fewer still can match her extracurricular activity. Maria has served as both ACT's President and Vice President as well as a conference chair and frequent speaker and moderator at...
2022-07-2045 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACLessons in Digital Transformation from Government and IndustryThis week, The Buzz with ACT-IAC presents a discussion about the many pieces of successful digital transformation - cultural change, new software and technologies, service design and more - from leaders in the Federal IT community who have undertaken these changes first-hand.This episode is hosted by Ben Kutil, Director for Technical Solutions at Ad Hoc, with guests Christopher Corpuel, Co-Founder and CEO of Catalest, and Melvin Brown II, Deputy CIO at OPM. This episode of The Buzz is sponsored by Ad Hoc. Learn more at https://adhocteam.u...
2022-07-0653 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACAdapting to IT Supply Chain Risks with Leo AlvarezSoftware development and hardware manufacturing has become increasingly globalized over the last 10 years. A single application can contain hundreds, or even thousands, of software components sourced from just as many vendors located all over the world. And each one of these components presents a potential entry point for attack. As evidenced by the Solar Winds hack, the lack of transparency in our supply chains represents a significant impediment to securing the United States' IT systems . The Biden Administration said as much with last year's Executive Order 14028, "Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity".Now, a year later, federal...
2022-06-2931 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACService Delivery from the Farm to the Wildlands at USDALast year, the Biden Administration issued a series of executive orders directing federal agencies to study and measure the effectiveness of government programs - both for program recipients and the federal workforce that implements them. This difficult, but necessary, work involves gathering both qualitative and quantitative data, analyzing it, and taking a critical eye to the processes that govern our agencies in order to assess how they can better meet the needs of US citizens. This week's guests are helping to drive this historic effort at one of the broadest-reaching federal agencies: the US Department of Agriculture
2022-06-1542 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: The Impact of Health Data Interoperability on the Patient ExperienceThis week, The Buzz presents a session from ACT-IAC's 2022 Health Innovation Summit, which took place in person on May 5th. This panel explores how health records can be more easily shared and within our federal health ecosystems, how interoperability can improve care for patients and make processes more efficient, as well as looking at some challenges and trends in health data exchange. Speakers:Geoff Howard (Moderator) - VP for Health, ManTechDr. John Howard - Director, National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, CDCLance Scott -
2022-05-2542 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACBuilding FinTech for Low-Income Americans with Stacy Taylor of PropelHere at ACT-IAC, we are all about looking at ways that technology can help solve our nation's most intractable problems. While technological development can and does shape and disrupt the way we live, it is rare to see new technology intentionally designed to serve the economically vulnerable. And that's what makes Propel different. Propel develops simple software primarily for low-income Americans. Their app, Providers, helps recipients of government benefits manage their spending and budgeting as well as giving users access to coupons and job listings. This week on The Buzz, we spoke to Propel's Head of...
2022-05-1830 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACExploring Change in the Federal Health SectorLast week, ACT-IAC held its 5th annual Health Innovation Summit – an event which explored the evolution of healthcare systems and technologies. Of course, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic looms large over every discussion in the healthcare sector, and understandably so, as it has revealed the strengths and weaknesses of our health systems as only a true crisis can. To talk more about how the Federal health sector and workforce has responded to the pandemic, this week The Buzz is joined by Tamar Mintz and Lisa Klein from Highlight Technologies, one of the sp...
2022-05-1137 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACDemystifying Procurement: The Rise of Other Transactions with Stan SolowayFor those outside of the acquisitions community, the practices, policies and processes of federal procurement can seem quite impenetrable. But given that the US Government spent more than $665 billion on contracts in 2020, it is not a subject to be ignored.To that end, The Buzz with ACT-IAC presents: Demystifying Procurement - a series designed to take you through the ins and outs of this complex, but vital, topic.In this episode, Stan Soloway, President and CEO of Celero Strategies, shares his insights on a unique aspect of federal procurement - other transaction authorities (O...
2022-04-2753 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: Innovate or Perish - A CIA Perspective on Digital TransformationIn case you missed it, The Buzz presents a keynote session from ACT-IAC's most recent Digital Transformation Summit.Jennifer Ewbank, Deputy Director of Innovation at the CIA, discusses the digital threat landscape and how digital innovation is enabling CIA’s success against America’s most daunting national security challenges.This recording also includes a Q&A moderated by Sam Cottrell, Vice President and General Manager at GDIT.Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IACSubscribe on your favorite podcast platform to n...
2022-03-1629 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACGetting America Online with Kathryn De WitLast November, after much deliberation and negotiation in the house and senate between congressional Democrats and Republicans, President Biden finally signed the $1.2 Trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This is an enormous, comprehensive piece of legislation that touches nearly every sector of the US economy – including the Internet. And that’s why we at ACT-IAC are talking about it. This is the first time in US history that funding for the “information superhighway” is included in the same category as funding for our physical highways. It represents a shift in how we think about infrastructure into something more comprehe...
2022-03-0246 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACRethinking Digital Bank Transfers with FedNow CIO Dan AnthonyAs a follow up from our recent episode about digital transformation, this week The Buzz presents an interview with Dan Anthony, Senior Vice President and CIO of FedNow, a new digital payment rail being developed by the Federal Reserve - the first since ACH was introduced roughly 50 years ago.Erika Flora, one of the authors of ACT-IAC's digital transformation case study, interviewed Dan to understand his path to working on FedNow, how this service can help American citizens, and how the concepts behind digital transformation have manifested in FedNow's development. Learn m...
2022-02-2331 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACDemystifying Procurement: Getting Creative within the FAR with Soraya CorreaFor those outside of the acquisitions community, the practices, policies and processes of federal procurement can seem quite impenetrable. But given that the US Government spent more than $665 billion on contracts in 2020, it is not a subject to be ignored.To that end, The Buzz with ACT-IAC presents: Demystifying Procurement - a series designed to take you through the ins and outs of this complex, but vital, topic.In this episode, Soraya Correa, former Chief Procurement Officer at DHS, returns to the Buzz to offer more insights about federal acquisitions. She shares some o...
2022-02-1644 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACWhy Digital Transformation is About More than Just TechnologyWhile emerging technologies like Robotic Process Automation, 5G, and Quantum Computing may capture our imaginations (and headlines), there is more to digital transformation than buying a shiny new toy. As a new case study from ACT-IAC's ITMM Community of Interest details, digital transformation is about more than the tools we use, but rather the people who build, use, and maintain the tools, and the larger systems that exist outside of the technology. It means considering the context in which a new digital tool is used to fulfill an organization's mission.This week, The Buzz is j...
2022-02-0942 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFrom the Archives: Dr. Michio Kaku's Predictions for the FutureThis week, the Buzz presents a recording from ACT-IAC's 2012 Executive Leadership Conference.That year's theme was "“Charting a Course Through Changing Times", so renowned theoretical physicist, author and futurist Dr. Michio Kaku took the stage to present a vision of how society would change as a result of technological advances in the far-off year of 2020.Admittedly, not everything he predicted has come to pass, but many of Dr. Kaku's forecasts for the future of technology were remarkably prescient, including the role of big data, digitization, and IoT.This recording has been edited and co...
2022-02-021h 01The Buzz with ACT-IACDemystifying Procurement: A Crash Course in Modern Acquisitions with Lesley FieldFor those outside of the acquisitions community, the practices, policies and processes of federal procurement can seem quite impenetrable. But given that the US Government spent more than $665 billion on contracts in 2020, it is not a subject to be ignored.To that end, The Buzz with ACT-IAC presents: Demystifying Procurement - a series designed to take you through the ins and outs of this complex, but vital, topic.In this episode, host Colin Larsen interviews Lesley Field, Acting Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy at OMB, where she guides the office to provide government-wide d...
2022-01-2625 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACDemystifying Procurement: A Brief History of Government Contracting with Jim NagleFor those outside of the acquisitions community, the practices, policies and processes of federal procurement can seem quite impenetrable. But given that the US Government spent more than $665 billion on contracts in 2020, it is not a subject to be ignored. To that end, The Buzz with ACT-IAC presents: Demystifying Procurement - a series designed to take you through the ins and outs of this complex, but vital, topic. This week, host Colin Larsen interviews lawyer, author and lecturer Jim Nagle. In addition to his over 40 years of experience in procurement law, Jim has a...
2022-01-0547 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACLooking Ahead to 2022 with Dave WennergrenThis week on The Buzz, the final episode of 2021! This year has brought plenty of change, challenge and adaptation to the government IT community, and the next year looks to bring even more. To help us look forward to 2022, The Buzz is joined by ACT-IAC's very own CEO, Dave Wennergren. On this episode, Dave gives his perspective on the Biden-Harris Management Agenda, the importance of government-industry collaboration, and how organizations can promote faster and smoother IT modernization.Links:President's Management AgendaACT-IAC Zero-Trust ProjectACT-IAC Communities of Interest...
2021-12-2231 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACWinning Ideas for Simplifying AcquisitionsBack in September, the Buzz previewed a virtual Shark Tank competition hosted by ACT-IAC's Emerging Tech and Acquisitions COI (you can listen to that episode here). The question competitors sought to answer was "How can emerging technologies help streamline the acquisition lifecycle ?"This week, host Colin Larsen talks with the winners of that event to discuss where these ideas came from, how they work, and why it matters. Guests:Jaime Gracia - IRS Acquisition Manager and Government Chair of ACT-IAC’s Acquisitions Community of Interest "Intelligent Automation for Automating Contract Mo...
2021-12-0131 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACCatching Up With Imagine Nation ELC 2021ACT-IAC's largest annual conference, Imagine Nation ELC, is coming up from November 7-9! This week on The Buzz, host Colin Larsen chats with members of the conference's executive committee to give listeners an idea of what to expect this year.First, Maria Roat, the government chair, and Jonathan Benett, the industry chair, highlight some of the exciting speakers and sessions during the 3-day conference. Next, Sudha Venkateswaran and Steve Krauss, two of the ELC's vice-chairs, talk more about the themes and topics of Imagine Nation 2021 and what makes this conference unique. You can get all...
2021-10-2721 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACIn Conversation with Government IT Leader Sandy BarskyThis week, The Buzz with ACT-IAC celebrates Sandy Barsky’s retirement from the General Services Administration (GSA) after an almost 40-year career in government. In this episode, Sandy sits down with Todd Hager, Industry Chair of ACT-IAC’s Emerging Technology Community of Interest (COI) and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Macro Solutions, to reflect on a career that began as a GS-3 supporting GSA’s cataloging. ACT-IAC would like to thank Sandy for his years of public service and his many contributions to the ACT-IAC community as a senior leader and speaker, as well as for his cont...
2021-10-2024 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: How Contact Centers Drive Inclusivity EffortsThis week, The Buzz presents a recording from ACT-IAC's 2021 CX Summit.The pandemic has increased the public's expectations and the government's drive towards the delivery of digital services to the public and to its employees. This panel discussion focused on some concrete ways that federal agencies have utilized contact centers to reach diverse and underserved audiences, and the impact these centers have had on both employee and customer experience.Speakers:Mary Ann Monroe (Moderator), Senior Director, Customer Engagement Solutions and Services, Maximus Angeline Boey, CDC-INFO Operations Lead, Division of Communication S...
2021-09-2932 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACCOVID Conversations: Government CX Leader Brian WhittakerThe Buzz with ACT-IAC presents COVID Conversations - reflections on life and work during this historic time period with members of the ACT-IAC community.This week, host Colin Larsen is joined by Brian Whittaker, Chief Experience Officer at FDIC* and host of The Buzz's CX discussion series. Brian shares insights about his job transition during the pandemic, learning how to lead a remote workforce, dealing with stress, and his CX goals for the future.Brian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bwhtt/*At the time of recording, Brian was serving as the Director...
2021-09-2235 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACShark Tank: Innovative Solutions to Procurement ChallengesOn October 14th, ACT-IAC’s Emerging Technology and Acquisition Communities of Interest (COIs) will be hosting a Shark Tank competition focused on making acquisitions easier, faster, and simpler. Government agencies, academia, and industry will have an opportunity to pitch ideas on how federal government can leverage emerging technologies to solve federal acquisition challenges. On this episode, to cover the competition in more detail and provide an overview of the submission process, The Buzz is joined by Mike Rice, Co-Founder of CornerStone IT, LLC, and Cindy Good, Management and Program Analyst for the Bureau of Fiscal Service’s Office of Fina...
2021-09-1522 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFrom the Archives: CX Recommendations from 2020This week, The Buzz presents a recording from ACT-IAC's archives.ACT-IAC's 2020 CX Summit occurred in a particularly challenging year for customer experience. COVID-19 spotlighted the gaps in agencies where progress hadn't happened. while also highlighting agencies where those improvements had already been made. The virtual event was closed out by a fireside chat between Kathy Conrad and Robert Shea. They discussed Robert's role in the Presidential Election Project, how to expand the focus on CX, how to measure progress, how to improve trust in governance and how to shift to digital access. Ka...
2021-09-0832 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACCOVID Conversations: Former NASA CIO Renee WynnThe Buzz with ACT-IAC presents COVID Conversations - reflections on life and work during this historic time period with members of the ACT-IAC community.This week, host Colin Larsen is joined by Renee Wynn, former CIO at NASA, who shares her experience helping NASA transition to a remote environment, her strategies for promoting human connection as a manager, and her plans and goals for the future, however uncertain it may seem.Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IACSubscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never...
2021-08-1835 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACReflections on a Career in Federal Service with Soraya CorreaThis week, The Buzz with ACT-IAC bids a fond farewell to Soraya Correa, who retired last month after a 40-year career in government. In this episode, Soraya sits down in conversation with colleague Harrison Smith, Director of Enterprise Digitization at the IRS, to reflect on a career that began as a GS-4 clerk typist in 1980, and ended more than 40 years later as the Chief Procurement Officer at the Department of Homeland Security. ACT-IAC would like to profoundly thank Soraya for her years of public service, as well as her many contributions to the ACT-IAC community as...
2021-08-1153 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACACT-IAC News Briefing - July 2021This week, the Buzz presents a quick breakdown of some of the top stories from world of Federal IT, as well as some updates on upcoming events and opportunities from ACT-IAC. ACT-IAC Voyagers: https://www.actiac.org/overview-0ACT-IAC Communities of Interest: http://www.actiac.org/participation/communities-interestFor ELC sponsorship inquiries, email Carol Miller at mailto:cmiller@actiac.orgSources for this episode's news stories:JEDI Contract Cancellationhttps://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/article/2682992/future-of-the-joint-enterprise-defense-infrastructure-cloud-contract/ https://federalnewsnetwork.com/dod-reporters-notebook-jared-serbu/2020/12/dod-microsoft-ask-court-to-dismiss-amazons-political-bias-claims-in-jedi-case/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/co...
2021-07-2108 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on COVID-19 in the USIn case you missed it, The Buzz presents a virtual keynote from ACT-IAC's 2021 Health Innovation Summit.Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, chair of the Congressional Coronavirus Task Force, sat down with Combiz Abdolrahimi, the Emerging Technology and Innovation Leader at Deloitte. They discussed the government's response to the pandemic in the Congresswoman's district.Congresswoman Jackson Lee represents Texas's 18th district, located in Houston. She sits on three Congressional Committees — as a senior member of the House Committees on the Judiciary and Homeland Security, and as a member of the Budget Co...
2021-06-3023 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFrom Earth to the Moon and Mars with Space Architect Sam XimenesThis week, the Buzz with ACT-IAC presents the second in a series of episodes exploring some of the innovative people and organizations of Port San Antonio.Colin Larsen talks with Sam Ximenes, space architect and CEO of XArc, an interplanetary architecture firm. Sam is also the Founder and Board Chair of the WEX Foundation, which provides space-STEM education programs for disadvantaged youth in the San Antonio area. They discuss constructing habitats and commercial interests on the Moon and Mars, spaceport infrastructure on Earth, and how the government interacts with private industry to drive the space...
2021-06-2341 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACICYMI: Federal CIO Clare Martorana on Fostering InnovationIn case you missed it, this week The Buzz presents a recording of Federal CIO Clare Martorana's keynote address from the 2021 Emerging Technology and Innovation Conference.The Q&A session was facilitated by Dave Young, Senior Vice President at Lumen.Register for ACT-IAC's 2021 Health Innovation Summit: https://www.actiac.org/act-iac-event/health-innovation-summit-2021Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IACSubscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.
2021-06-0233 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACLunar Manufacturing, Lasers and eSports at Port San AntonioThe Buzz with ACT-IAC presents the first in a series of episodes exploring Port San Antonio - an innovation campus that has emerged from the closure of Kelly Air Force Base.In this episode, Jim Perschbach, President & CEO, gives us an introduction to the Port, highlights some of the technologies and companies coming out of San Antonio, discusses their approach to fostering innovation, and hypothesizes on the future of the space industry. Learn more about Port San Antonio: https://www.portsanantonio.us/Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A...
2021-05-2648 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACInnovations from a Pandemic YearThis week on The Buzz, we present a conversation with three of our judges for ACT-IAC's 2021 Innovation Awards.The Innovation Awards, a part of our Emerging Technology and Innovation Conference on May 25 and 26, recognize those technologies and projects at the forefront of change in the government IT sector.Our judges, Renee Wynn, Jim Cook and Tim Smith, reflect on the trends in innovation from the past year, discuss their process for selecting the winners, and highlight some of their favorite nominees. Registration for the Emerging Technology and Innovation Conference is still open! Register...
2021-05-1938 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACFrom the Archives: Vint Cerf - Father of the InternetThis week, we present an interview from our archives. At Imagine Nation ELC 2019, Teresa Carlson, ACT-IAC's conference industry chair, sat down with technology pioneer Vint Cerf to discuss his reflections on the past, present, and future of the internet.Vint Cerf is currently the Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist at Google. He is a recipient of the US National Medal of Technology, the Alan M. Turing Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.Become a Member | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IACSubscribe on your f...
2021-05-1237 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACSolving Problems in Federal AcquisitionsIn this episode, Mike Pullen of CGI, Adam Bouffard of Mitre, and Chad Jones of KPMG come together to review some of the lessons learned from ACT-IAC's Acquisition Innovation Forum. Mike, Adam and Chad each served as facilitators for breakout room discussions during the forum. Listen to them discuss collaboration, information-sharing, learning from failure, improving communication, and soap.Mike Pullen is the VP of Strategic Operations at CGI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-pullen-pmp-8583907/Adam Bouffard is the Contract Analysis Lead and Group Lead at The MITRE Corporation: https://www.linkedin.com/in...
2021-04-2834 minThe Buzz with ACT-IACA Briefing on the SolarWinds ThreatThis week, ACT-IAC presents a podcast version of our April 14th, 2021 webinar on the SolarWinds cyberattack, presented by Palo Alto Networks. This episode also contains additional commentary by the event speakers: Ryan Olson and Ryan Gillis. They discuss the methods, effects and timeline of the SolarWinds cyberattack and provide security recommendations for future attacks. Ryan Gillis is the Vice President of Cybersecurity Strategy and Global Policy at Palo Alto Networks. Ryan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmgillis/Ryan Olson is the Vice President of Threat Intelligence (Unit 42) a...
2021-04-2144 min