In recent years, the Department of Defense (DOD) and Intelligence Community (IC) have recognized the strategic importance of information technology (IT) and data management. The IC and the DOD have made efforts to bolster their data management processes to enable quick and secure data usage.
As the reliance on IT grows, public and private leaders must be aware of the federal government’s modernization data strategy and the DOD’s defense data strategy, plans for commercial data, analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging data processing technologies.
Federal and commercial leaders in several government agencies and services are gathering together at GovConWire Events’ Data Innovation Forum to discuss data innovation and its impact on national security.
To register for the Data Innovation Forum and view other upcoming events, visit GovCon Wire Events.
David Spirk, chief data officer of the DOD, will deliver the Forum’s keynote address. Spirk, a 2021 Wash100 Award recipient, will discuss the DOD’s defense data strategy and data management priorities. Gregg Melanson, EVP and GM of Illuminate Mission Solutions, U.S. Operations, will introduce Spirk before his address.
The Forum will host an expert panel moderated by Randy Soper of Illuminate Mission Solutions (IMS), featuring Chris Borneman of Software AG Government Solutions, Thomas Sasala of the U.S. Navy (USN), Ron Bewtra of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Eileen Vidrine of the U.S. Air Force (USAF).
Spirk was named the DOD’s chief data officer (CDO) in June of 2020 and is responsible for data management across the Department and accelerating the transition to a data-centric culture. He also oversees key enablers, including the data governance process, data standards and policies and the promotion of data acumen across the DOD workforce and implementing the new DOD data strategy.
Before serving as the DOD’s CDO, Spirk was the United States Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) first-generation CDO. He was responsible for creating a data-driven decision-making culture while leading the integration of AI/Machine Learning automation across the U.S. Special Forces enterprise.
Spirk also worked as the associate director of Technology Investment at the Secretary of the Air Force’s (SECAF) Concept Development and Management Office for Advanced Analytics and Technology Investment. As associate director, he advised SECAF and the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Leadership on technology needed to advance the defense intelligence enterprise mission across functional and operational requirements.
To register for the Data Innovation Forum and view other upcoming events, visit GovCon Wire Events.
