Infrastructure: Cloud Modernization 2022

Dave Catanoso has over 25 years of experience in fields ranging from database development, enterprise architecture design, and enterprise cloud solutions, contributing to a solid track record of success culminating in the overall growth of multiple technology initiatives. Mr. Catanoso led a cross-organizational team over three years to design and implement the VA Enterprise Cloud (VAEC), capable of hosting most of the VA’s applications. The VAEC is designed to be controlled by the VA and to accommodate all applications up to and including the FedRAMP High security level.

Prior to joining the VA in 2011, Mr. Catanoso worked in the private sector, serving in roles related to project management, strategic planning, and systems integration. He also served as a Signal Officer in the US Army. A native of New Jersey, Mr. Catanoso holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in Computer Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. In 2017 he completed the Senior Executive Fellows program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

He currently serves as the Acting Director of Cloud and Edge Solutions (CES) in Infrastructure Operations, which is part of Development, Security, and Operations at the Department of Veterans Affairs. CES is responsible for coordinating IT products and services within VA’s Office of Information and Technology and provides specialized solutions that align with stakeholder requirements. Previously he was Director of VA’s Enterprise Cloud Solutions Office, overseeing the efficient migration to and utilization of cloud technology and leveraging cloud solutions for the benefit of VA customers and, ultimately, Veterans.

John Dvorak serves as a strategic technical advisor and thought leader for public sector customers and ecosystem partners. He is a former FBI Senior Executive who led efforts in data analytics and software development within the law enforcement and intelligence communities. At the National Institutes of Health (NIH), he managed network and engineering services and drove several cybersecurity modernization efforts. Prior to joining Red Hat, he served in Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) roles within the systems integrator community, maintaining a focus on government mission requirements.

Melissa Harris is a staff writer and researcher for GovernmentCIO Media & Research, where she covers federal health and defense IT and co-hosts HealthCast.

Prior to joining the team in October 2019, Melissa worked as a technology reporter for MeriTalk, where she covered IT acquisition, Congressional hearings, and federal technology reports and events. She was also a local news reporter for the New Jersey Hills Media Group, the Editor-in-Chief at The Oberlin Review, and an intern reporter at Homeland Security Today.

Melissa earned her Bachelor of Arts in history and English at Oberlin College.

Amy Kluber is editor-in-chief of GovCIO Media & Research. Previously she managed two aviation publications at B2B media company Access Intelligence. She was nominated for The Innovation in Aerospace Journalism & Publishing Award for launching and hosting an aviation podcast. Prior to that she wrote news scripts and produced videos for the network Newsy. Follow Amy on Twitter: @amykluber

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. Having traveled around the world since an early age, she grew up a U.S. Army brat born in Vicenza, Italy, and spent most of her youth living in Seoul, South Korea.

In her free time, you may find her at Disney World.

Kate Macri is a deputy editor for GovCIO Media & Research, where she primarily covers the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security.

Prior to joining the team in June 2020, she covered the video game industry and small businesses for Zenger News. She also covered banking and finance news for Banking Dive, a B2B media publication based in Washington D.C., and reported logistics, supply chain and shipping news for Supply Chain Dive.

If she isn’t boxing or walking her boxer, you can find Kate with her nose in a Stephen King novel, slaying monsters in the world of Final Fantasy or waiting for a blue public call box to land in her front yard.

Drew Malloy is an experienced senior technical executive leading teams in cybersecurity, software development, systems engineering and digital transformation. He has worked at DISA for thirteen years, serving in several engineering roles and currently as the Technical Director for the Cybersecurity and Analytics Directorate. Prior to DISA, he was an engineer at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. His areas of expertise include secure application development, DevSecOps and C4ISR.

Paul Moxon is the SVP Data Architectures and Chief Evangelist at Denodo. He works with customers to help them understand the benefits of data virtualization and advises them on how the Denodo Platform fits into their information architecture. Paul has over 30 years of experience with enterprise middleware technologies with leading software companies such as BEA Systems and Progress Software.

Adam Patterson is a staff writer/researcher for GovCIO Media & Research, where he covers IT and innovation at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Prior to joining the team in June 2019, Adam worked as a researcher at the National Defense University’s Center for Applied Strategic Learning (CASL) where he helped design war games and crisis response exercises. He has also worked at the Johns Hopkins Center for Global Affairs performing research and analysis covering the Syrian Civil War.

Adam earned a Master of Arts in strategic studies and Middle East studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies where he focused on insurgency, asymmetrical conflict and the social origins of mass violence.

Lauren Pavlik serves as the Chief for Data and Software Services within the Enterprise Cloud Management Agency under the Army CIO’s Office. In this position she supports the CReATE DevSecOps software environment for the Army, Cloud Cybersecurity modernization and automation, and cData efforts.

Previously, Ms. Pavlik served as the Chief Information Officer for PEO Soldier. In this position she supported the workforce and the Soldier with cloud technologies, cybersecurity innovation and modernization, enterprise data management strategy and analytics, and network operations. She also served as the Lead CIO for ASA ALT’s CIO Council.

Ms. Pavlik also held acquisition positions at PEO Enterprise Information Systems to include Deputy Technical Director for Army Leader Dashboard (now known as Army Vantage), Project Manager for the Enterprise Resource Planning Cloud Migration (GFEBS and AESIP), Deputy Knowledge Management Team Lead and Knowledge Management Specialist. Ms. Pavlik successfully led diverse teams to deliver enterprise process automations, data visualization capabilities, multiple cloud migrations to unclassified and classified environments and unified knowledge management in multiple areas.

In 2012, Ms. Pavlik earned her Master’s degree in Information Systems Management from Strayer University. She also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from the Edward R. Murrow School of Communication at Washington State University. Ms. Pavlik is a graduate of the Department of the Army’s Emerging Enterprise Leader program at University of Alabama Huntsville. She is also a member of the U.S. Army Acquisition Core.

Ms. Pavlik began her career in private industry producing national print, radio, and television campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and non-profits with an average audience of 60 to 180 million.

Mr. Stephen Wallace has served as Chief Technology Officer at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) since October, 2021.

Prior to that, Mr. Wallace served as Systems Innovation Scientist for the Emerging Technologies (EM) Directorate. Wallace focuses on delivering innovative processes, services, and capabilities across the agency. The EM Directorate develops, executes, prioritizes, and collaborates EM-based needs such as browser isolation, Software Defined Networking and Assured Identity.

Previously, Mr. Wallace served as the Technical Director of DISA’s Development and Business Center. In this role, he worked on integrating commercial and government-owned technologies in support of the Agency’s emerging technologies, such as Software Defined Networking and Assured Identity. Wallace’s other former roles within DISA include Chief of Cyber Innovation and chief engineer for DoD Enterprise Email.

Prior to joining DISA, Mr. Wallace was an employee of Computer Sciences Corporation as a government contractor. During this time he worked to build a variety of enterprise class collaboration, identity management, and authentication systems for the Federal Government.

Wallace holds a Master of Science degree in Cyber Security, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications, both from Capitol College. He holds a CISSP certification, and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive Program.

Kevin Walsh is a Director in GAO’s Information Technology and Cybersecurity team. He oversees work related to AI, Census, CIO authorities, legacy modernizations, and satellite and space systems. He has led reviews covering topics related to the authorities of federal Chief Information Officers, management of legacy IT systems, coordination of IT contracts, and assessments of IT-related risk.

Kevin joined GAO in June 2006, and led projects related to FITARA and GAO’s High Risk area on Improving the Management of IT Acquisitions and Operations.

Kevin earned a master’s degree in business administration from Virginia Tech. Kevin earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Ron Williams brings over 9 years of state and federal government experience to his role as Cloud Adoption Lead. Williams supports federal agencies with adoption of modern cloud native DevOps and Security practices. Williams helps partners identify and overcome challenges faced when transitioning to cloud services. Previously, Williams served as the Deputy Director for Cloud.gov, and the Director of IT for USDA Communications working on USDA.gov, ChooseMyPlate.gov, Farmers.gov, and other public facing websites. As an open-source advocate, Ron focuses on deploying disruptive technologies within public sector institutions to improve services provided to the general public.