Technology Modernization Drives a More Efficient Government

Dr. Laura Freeman is a Research Professor of Statistics and serves as the Deputy Director of the Virginia Tech National Security Institute. She is currently serving on a rotational assignment to the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) as the Senior Advisor for Strategy and Policy. Her research leverages experimental methods in the domains of cyber-physical systems, data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning to address critical challenges in national security. She develops new methods for test and evaluation focusing on emerging system technology. Her work in the National Security Institute focuses on transitioning emerging research into implementable solutions to solve challenges for the Defense, Intelligence and Homeland Security Communities. She is also a hub faculty member in the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative and leads research in AI Assurance. She is the Assistant Dean for Research for the College of Science, working to shape research directions and collaborations across the College of Science.

Previously, Dr. Freeman was the Assistant Director of the Operational Evaluation Division at the Institute for Defense Analyses. In that position, she established and developed an interdisciplinary analytical team of statisticians, psychologists, and engineers to advance scientific approaches to DoD test and evaluation. During 2018, Dr. Freeman served as the acting Senior Technical Advisor for Director Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E). As the Senior Technical Advisor, Dr. Freeman provided leadership, advice, and counsel to all personnel on technical aspects of testing military systems. She reviewed test strategies, plans, and reports from all systems on DOT&E oversight. Dr. Freeman served as Editor-in-Chief of the International Test and Evaluation (ITEA) Journal from 2020-2024 and transitioned the Journal to an online offering with options for peer-reviewed articles.

Dr. Freeman has a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, a M.S. in Statistics and a Ph.D. in Statistics, all from Virginia Tech. Her areas of statistical expertise include designed experiments, reliability analysis, and industrial statistics. Her Ph.D. research was on design and analysis of experiments for reliability data.

Cynthia Kaiser is a Deputy Assistant Director with FBI Cyber Division, where she oversees national-level cyber policy, analysis of cyber threats, and partner engagement.

Cynthia has covered cyber, technology, and counterintelligence issues for over 17 years for the FBI; served as a PDB Briefer in two presidential administrations; and has led FBI cyber threat analysis and served as an FBI election lead since 2017. In these roles, she has reshaped FBI information sharing and collaboration with the private sector and federal, state, and local government officials to be robust, proactive, and aimed at imposing risks and consequences on malicious cyber actors.

Cynthia holds a Master’s degree in security policy focused on science and technology and an Executive Master’s degree in leadership.

Mr. Lopez is a proven technology strategist with a distinguished record of leading large-scale, mission-critical IT transformations within the public sector. His deep understanding of government operations, coupled with a passion for driving innovation, has consistently delivered measurable improvements in efficiency and quality for his clients. Over 25+ year career, he’s spearheaded impactful initiatives for key federal agencies, including The Executive Office of the President, Department of Homeland Security, and the Defense Information Systems Agency, as well as multiple State and Local governments. Gustavo’s expertise in navigating complex IT landscapes and his commitment to achieving strategic objectives make him an asset for any government CIO seeking to modernize their technology infrastructure.

Lieutenant Commander Ian H. Roessle, Ph.D., is currently serving as the Deputy Director for the Center for High Assurance Computer Systems at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. Previous tours of duty include the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, where he served as the Chief of Staff to the Principal Director for Cyber, and the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center where he served as the Chief of Cyber Data / Artificial Intelligence.

Pete Sessions believes the United States of America is the greatest country on Earth and is a strong advocate for civility among our elected officials. As a Member of the 119th Congress, Pete is a voice of balance, reason, and common sense.

A native of Waco, Texas, Pete attended local public schools until the ninth grade. His father, Judge William Sessions, led a successful career as a Federal District Judge and was appointed to serve as the fourth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under President Ronald Reagan. His father’s leadership instilled Pete with a sense of duty and integrity for elected and non-elected roles in public.

Pete attended Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio. Afterward, he graduated from Southwestern University in 1978. After college, he began working for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Over his 16-year career, Pete never missed a day of work before retiring as District Manager.

He was first elected to Congress in 1996. Throughout his 24 years in Congress, Pete has been an integral player within the Republican Party. He spent a decade in Republican Party leadership and was instrumental in the House Majority balancing the federal budget from 1998 to 2001. Pete was Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee from 2009 through 2012, leading to a net 63-seat victory in 2010. From 2013 to 2019, Congressman Sessions served as Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, where he revived bipartisan efforts and accelerated the Republican agenda in the House of Representatives. He is currently a senior Member on the House Financial Services Committee and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

No member of the Texas delegation has passed more legislation off the floor than Congressman Sessions. Notably, he sponsored and passed the Border Tunnel Task Force Act in 2018 to create a directorate to intercept illegal tunneling operations on the southern border. One of Pete’s key accomplishments was sponsoring and passing the Family Opportunity Act of 2005, which enables families of medically stressed children to receive comprehensive healthcare. The bill became law in 2006 after Congressman Sessions and his son Alex worked with President Bush.

Pete has always valued his community involvement throughout his life. He, his father, and two sons are Eagle Scouts. Over the years, he has served in various leadership roles with the Boy Scouts of America, disability assistance, and local conservation groups. He also devoted twelve years to serving on the Board of Trustees at his alma mater, Southwestern University.

Congressman Sessions lives in Waco, Texas, and is married to Karen Sessions. They are the proud parents of five sons. Bill and his wife Kayle are both doctors living in Austin, Texas. Alex is a special-needs young man who works for Home Depot in Austin. Conor is a U.S. Navy veteran. Liam, a 2020 graduate of Baylor University, lives in Florida. Nicholas is a senior at Rollins College and a member of his college golf team.