Defense IT Summit
The Defense IT Summit united federal and industry leaders to explore how IT modernization is reshaping the defense landscape.
Leadership outlined priorities and agency initiatives focused on critical areas such as AI in defense operations, CJADC2 and multi and hybrid cloud security. Attendees also gained insight into the evolving national security strategy, including advancements in zero-trust architecture, to learn the latest updates in national security.

Defense Department Acting CIO Leslie Beavers will discuss key insights and challenges ahead for the agency and what this transition means for the future of defense technology strategy and leadership priorities.
Speaker
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Leslie Beavers Acting CIO DOD
Speakers
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Lamont Copeland Senior Director of Federal Solutions Architecture, Verizon
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David Rouse Senior Director of Defense and National Security Verizon
Federal leaders are looking toward zero-trust infrastructures and security solutions to better defend networks across the national security landscape. Defense officials provide methods and processes to create a zero-trust environment for better security. IT leaders will discuss how zero-trust architectures enforce access controls and continuous monitoring safeguards sensitive defense data.
Speakers
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Gurpreet Bhatia Principal Director for Cybersecurity and Acting CISO DOD
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Kynan Carver Cybersecurity Lead, Defense Market Maximus
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Louis Koplin PEO Digital Department of the Navy
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Monica Montgomery Deputy CISO for Management and Strategy and Deputy Director, Cybersecurity Office NGA
CJADC2 is the north star for the DOD’s digital modernization efforts, uniting all the service branches in air, land, sea, cyber and space toward a common goal of connected, multi-domain operations. Join us as federal leaders discuss the progress they’ve made in pursuit of the strategy and what comes next.
Speakers
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Justin Fanelli Acting CTO and PEO Digital Technical Director Department of the Navy
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Tommy Gardner CTO HP Federal
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Christopher Redding Technical Director, PEO Services DISA
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Shery Thomas Enterprise Innovation Officer Navy Installations Command
The Department of Defense faces a constant need to innovate and maintain technological superiority. However, many promising research projects languish in the “valley of death,” failing to secure the necessary funding and support to move beyond initial prototypes. Join our panel as it explores the critical challenges of transitioning promising research from the lab to practical military applications.
Speaker
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Joey Mathews Superintendent, IT Division Naval Research Laboratory
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Kedar Pavgi Director, Commercial Strategy and Operations DIU
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Kaitie Penry Director, Emerging Technology & Innovation Naval Postgraduate School
Defense leaders are managing, evaluating and assessing agencies’ IT resources to combat some of the most pressing national security challenges. Hear from experts on how they envision IT capabilities enabling missions while staying ahead of evolving threats.
Speakers
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Lam Nguyen Chief Scientist DOD Cyber Crime Center
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Collen Roller Senior Data Scientist Air Force Research Lab
We’ll announce our next batch of Flywheel Award winners, recognizing distinguished leaders and their work in federal government.
The flywheel — a critical component in a machine to increase its momentum — is also a critical symbol representing our goal to keep federal IT decision-makers informed on technology’s impact on government. This momentum is what fuels the constant need for transformers to innovate around the defense systems, infrastructure and tools that are keeping our nation safe.
Categories include: Cyber Defender, Emerging Tech Innovator, Digital Transformer, Data Advocate, Rising Star and Cloud Innovator. The finalists can be seen below.
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Rising Star Matthew Quinn Joint Operational Edge Product Owner, DISA J9 Hosting and Compute
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Rising Star Glenn Parham Digital Service Expert, Defense Digital Service
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Rising Star Taylor Wells Senior Technical Advisor to the Director, DISA
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Emerging Tech Innovator Col. Robert Bailey Acquisition Portfolio Director, Marine Corps
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Cyber Defender Les Call Director, Zero Trust Portfolio Management Office, DOD
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Emerging Tech Innovator Brig. Gen. Michael McGinley Director, GigEagle Agile Talent Ecosystem, Air Force
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Emerging Tech Innovator Margaret Palmieri Deputy Chief Digital and AI Officer, CDAO, DOD
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Cyber Defender David Voelker Zero Trust Implementation Lead, Department of the Navy
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Cyber Defender Charles Wille Deputy Director, Readiness and Security Inspections, JFHQ-DODIN
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Digital Transformer Beth Caswell Director, Digital Transformation & IT Portfolio Management, Department of the Navy
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Digital Transformer Robert Franzen Deputy Customer Experience Officer, DOD
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Digital Transformer Joseph Pack Digital Engineering Lead, Naval Sea Systems Command
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Data Advocate Earl Armstrong Principal Technical Advisor for the Naval Operational Energy Office, Department of the Navy
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Data Advocate Jesus Caban Chief Data Scientist, PEO, DHMS
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Data Advocate Michael Chappell CIO, PEO Enterprise, Army
Fueled by advancements in technology like artificial intelligence and large language models, the rapidly evolving threat landscape demands a proactive approach from federal agencies. This panel will delve into how AI is reshaping strategies to safeguard critical infrastructure, warfighters and sensitive data.
Speakers
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Raj Dasgupta Research Scientist Naval Research Laboratory
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Joel Krooswyk Federal CTO GitLab
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Deepak Seth Chief Engineer, Emerging Technologies Directorate DISA
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Leslie Beavers Acting CIO, DOD
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Gurpreet Bhatia Principal Director for Cybersecurity and Acting CISO, DOD
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Kynan Carver Cybersecurity Lead, Defense Market, Maximus
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Lamont Copeland Senior Director of Federal Solutions Architecture, Verizon
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Raj Dasgupta Research Scientist, Naval Research Laboratory
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Justin Fanelli Acting CTO and PEO Digital Technical Director, Department of the Navy
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Tommy Gardner CTO, HP Federal
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Louis Koplin PEO Digital, Department of the Navy
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Joel Krooswyk Federal CTO, GitLab
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Joey Mathews Superintendent, IT Division, Naval Research Laboratory
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Monica Montgomery Deputy CISO for Management and Strategy and Deputy Director, Cybersecurity Office, NGA
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Lam Nguyen Chief Scientist, DOD Cyber Crime Center
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Kedar Pavgi Director, Commercial Strategy and Operations, DIU
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Kaitie Penry Director, Emerging Technology & Innovation, Naval Postgraduate School
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Christopher Redding Technical Director, PEO Services, DISA
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Collen Roller Senior Data Scientist, Air Force Research Lab
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David Rouse Senior Director of Defense and National Security, Verizon
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Deepak Seth Chief Engineer, Emerging Technologies Directorate, DISA
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Shery Thomas Enterprise Innovation Officer, Navy Installations Command
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NSF Wants Industry Driving Quantum Innovation
The agency is pushing for partnerships to enhance the research community as Congress weighs additional legislation.
3m read -
White House Science Chief: US-Driven AI Sets Global Standards
Michael Kratsios outlined how American AI technology on the global stage will help standardize the tech and counter China’s influence.
5m read -
Modernizing Critical Infrastructure in the Face of Global Threats
Officials are expanding the latest strategies in boosting defense infrastructure, including securing satellite communications, upgrading enterprise-wide technology, optimizing data management.
20m watch -
Trump AI Orders Call for Speed in Building Infrastructure
The directives call for expanding AI infrastructure, streamlining federal permitting and promoting AI exports.
4m read -
DOD Accelerates Software Modernization with Agile DevSecOps Push
The Pentagon's software implementation plan tackles cultural hurdles and integrates security early to deliver critical capabilities faster.
6m read -
White House Unveils AI Action Plan to Secure Global Dominance
The strategy outlines steps to accelerate private sector innovation, build critical infrastructure and advance U.S. leadership in AI policy and security.
3m read -
VA's Platform One Powers Rapid Innovation to Bolster Digital Services
VA's Platform One accelerates software development timelines from weeks to hours, ultimately enhancing digital services for veterans.
5m read -
Doing More with Less is Muscle Memory for IRS, Former Deputy CIO Says
Darnita Trower discusses her experience, the legacy she’s left behind and how she pushed the IRS to modernize itself,
20m watch -
Opinion: Original Intelligence Is the Missing Piece for AI Transformation
Limitations of AI agents and development drive growing needs for workforce development and "original intelligence."
3m read -
VA CIO Targets Modern IT and Smarter Workforce Alignment
Agency leaders told lawmakers they are focused on trimming legacy systems and restructuring its workforce to streamline operations.
3m read -
Pentagon's $200M AI Contracts Signal Broader Effort to Transform Talent
The Army is leveraging Silicon Valley, reservist programs and new hiring strategies to integrate critical digital skills in its ranks.
5m read -
AI Foundations Driving Government Efficiency
Federal agencies are modernizing systems, managing risk and building trust to scale responsible AI and drive government efficiency.
43m watch