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How Agencies are Moving from AI Pilots to Mission-Ready Workflows

Wed, 09/16/2026

As federal agencies move AI tools from pilot to scale to accelerate mission delivery, officials are focused on modernizing and building governance frameworks to guide implementation. Leaders from the Library of Congress, Marine Logistics Group and Knox Systems examine how organizations can prepare disparate data, test new capabilities in controlled environments and determine which AI use cases to scale.

Learn more about:

How to create clear ownership and safe sandboxes that move AI from pilot to production.
How to address AI skepticism and keep humans in the loop.
How AI and automation can help security teams cut through alert noise, identify risk and respond more effectively.

Featuring

Nino Scimemi VP of Security Operations, Knox Systems, Former DHS Acting Deputy CISO
Nino Scimemi
- VP of Security Operations, Knox Systems
- Former DHS Acting Deputy CISO
Nino Scimemi is Vice President of Security Operations at Knox Systems, where he leads security operations for mission-critical federal cloud environments. He has more than 25 years of cybersecurity and IT operations experience across the Marine Corps, DHS and federal enterprise environments. Nino recently served as Acting Deputy CISO for DHS and previously led Marine Corps defensive cyber operations, network operations, emergency response, and red team engagements.
Natalie Buda Smith Director, Digital Strategy, Library of Congress
Natalie Buda Smith
- Director, Digital Strategy
- Library of Congress
Natalie Buda Smith is the Director of Digital Strategy for the Library of Congress, charged with artificial intelligence, and innovation. A leader in digital transformation and innovation through data, emerging technologies, and customer insight; she has been engaged in research, planning, designing, and developing technology platforms and experiences for a variety of organizations in the United States, India, and Europe for over 30 years.
Maj. Christopher Thobaben COMMSTRAT Officer, 4th Marine Logistics Group
Maj. Christopher Thobaben
- COMMSTRAT Officer
- 4th Marine Logistics Group
Major Chris Thobaben, USMCR, is an expeditionary logistics officer and the Co-Founder and CEO of Maren-go Solutions Corporation, a firm specializing in autonomous systems for defense and commercial use. With over 20 years of experience in military leadership and supply chain optimization, he bridges the gap between tactical operational requirements and cutting-edge technological solutions.

During his active-duty Marine Corps career, Major Thobaben led tactical logistics in Iraq, where he commanded resupply missions in Al Anbar Province and served as a Logistics Advisor to the Iraqi Army. Later, as the Headquarters and Service Company Commander for the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, he developed the “Lift of Opportunity” initiative, which generated significant cost savings for the command.

Transitioning to the Marine Corps Reserve in 2014, he spearheaded tactical autonomy initiatives, including successful field demonstrations of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to sustain infantry operations. He continues to serve in the Reserve as the COMMSTRAT Officer for the 4th Marine Logistics Group.

In his civilian career, Major Thobaben founded Maren-go Solutions Corporation in 2018 to advance autonomous operational concepts. His company has deployed the Department of Defense’s first live operational Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for airfield maintenance and foreign object debris collection, while also supporting autonomous systems deployed in Ukraine.

Beyond his professional work, Major Thobaben is deeply involved in his community in Southwest Washington. As the co-founder of two non-profits, Community Roots Collaborative and Lumen Fidelis, he has helped establish 107 affordable housing units, supporting over 900 individuals transitioning out of homelessness. He resides in Southwest Washington with his wife and four children.