In this week’s episode of Fed’s At the Edge, we talk with agency and industry experts about the potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) in government, where improved knowledge management and a reduction on tedious tasks are just some of the benefits waiting to be unlocked.
We’ll explore the large Knowledge Management Platform CMS has put together to assist federal professionals access information.
We’ll look at how AI and LLMs should be viewed as an extension of human abilities and how organizations may have to ethically organize new policies on using AI to derive information from LLMs.
We’ll ask if turning to “synthetic” data is the answer to generate insight on sensitive data while not compromising personal and identifiable information.
Tune in on your favorite podcasting platform today.
To view this webinar: Unlocking Your Agency’s Data Treasure Trove with Large Language Models.
Featured Speakers:
Andrés Colón-Peréz
Chief Technology Architect
Mr. Andrés Colón-Peréz is the Chief Technology Architect for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Prior to CMS, Andrés worked with the U.S. Digital Service at SBA, serving as a technical advisor to agency champions and stakeholders, providing leadership, management and mentoring to product teams in the first cloud project and major agile software development at the agency.
Andrés led a small team of USDS engineers, designers, user researchers, product managers, and bureaucracy hackers to work on modernizing government contracting programs that award more than $105 billion every year and support over a million jobs across the nation.
Andrés earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science from Sacred Heart University in 2005.
Chief Technology Architect, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Dr. Don Widener
Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Don Widener is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for BAE Systems’ Intelligence Solutions business area. He is responsible for defining strategies to accelerate the adoption of key technology priorities for the Intelligence & Security (I&S) Sector, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and automation to augment BAE Systems’ more than 3000 engineers and intelligence analysts supporting the Intelligence Community (IC) today. As CTO, he also directly supports several major programs focused on Supply Chain, Threat Intelligence, and Cloud services while leading the I&S Advanced Analytics Laboratory driving innovation into mission-enabling solutions.
Prior to this role, Dr. Widener served as Chief Engineer of the Global Analysis business area and Technical Director of the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) portfolio which he grew from four employees to over 800 providing Full Motion Video (FMV) Imagery Intelligence Analysis for counterterrorism operations. As a technology leader, he successfully transitioned numerous research projects involving platforms, sensors, and software. Dr. Widener has also led the application and use of new analysis and data management methods, such as activity-based intelligence and structured observation management for software development.
Dr. Widener joined BAE Systems in 2002 after serving in several leadership positions for the U.S. Department of Defense. He served as the Branch Chief of ISR Assessments for U.S. Forces-Iraq, responsible for tracking and validating ISR platform and mission assessments and driving ISR collection strategy and asset utilization for the region. He also conducted counterterrorism targeting operations for the U.S. Air Force while stationed in Hawaii. At the U.S. Army’s Night Vision Laboratory, Dr. Widener supported sensor /system development and acquisition initiatives.
Dr. Widener completed his Ph.D. in systems engineering from The George Washington University and currently serves as an adjunct professor. He also holds a bachelor of science in imagery intelligence technology from Wayland University, and a master’s of science in systems engineering management from The George Washington University.
CTO, Intelligence Solutions, Intelligence
& Security, BAE Systems, Inc.
Dan Tucker
Senior Vice President
Dan Tucker is a senior leader focused on cloud and data engineering solutions in Booz Allen’s citizen services business. He drives development of innovative solutions in cloud migration, multicloud management, tactical cloud, cloud-native development, and data management and integration. Dan has more than 25 years of experience in large-scale IT modernization and digital transformation, with a strong technical background in application and network infrastructure, data architecture, and lean development methodologies.
Dan currently leads the delivery of production-scale cloud operations and digital transformation engagements for clients at the Department of Treasury, the Bureau of Fiscal Service, the General Services Administration, and others. In addition, he drives the evolution of cloud service provider (CSP) and vendor relationships with partners such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, Databricks, and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation.
With his background in cloud, DevSecOps, data engineering, and product management practices, Dan drives some of the largest and most mission-critical digital transformation programs in the public sector. In recognition of Dan’s deep expertise, WashingtonExec named him a 2021 Cloud Executive to Watch. He was also a 2021 Pinnacle Cloud Executive of the Year Finalist.
Dan serves on the WashingtonExec Cloud Computing Council. In addition, he’s on the board of directors of the Data Foundation, a Washington, DC, based nonprofit that champions the use of open data to inform public policymaking.
Dan holds a B.S. in applied mathematics from James Madison University. He also completed the executive management program focused on product management and high-velocity organizations at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is certified as an AWS solutions architect (associate).
Senior Vice President,
Booz Allen Hamilton
Chris Roberts
Director, Federal Sales Engineering
Chris Roberts is a seasoned technology leader with over 25 years of experience in the industry, having held various engineering and sales roles at market-leading companies such as Microsoft, Dell, and Quest Software. Currently, he serves as the Director of Federal Sales Engineering at Quest Software Public Sector Inc., where he leads a multi-disciplinary team of IT professionals. Their mission is to support governmental agencies with comprehensive software solutions around Zero Trust, securing Active Directory against unwanted intrusions, managing privileged access, and providing advanced recovery and governance tools.
Previously, as a Senior Solution Architect at Quest Software, Chris focused on building and delivering innovative solutions for IT operations in enterprise customer environments. His expertise lies in modernizing legacy workloads and specializing in performance analytics for large-scale applications in both private and public cloud spaces. At Microsoft Corporation, Chris held roles as an Architectural Engineer and Principal Technology Specialist. He was instrumental in driving the introduction of technologies considered the standard in enterprise IT today while driving customer sales and success programs, delivering comprehensive technology roadmaps, and leading competitive opportunity management.
Chris studied Computer Science and Marketing at the University of Maryland and Andrews University. His specialties include public speaking, enterprise software architecture, virtualization, cloud analytics, identity management, and technology management, among others. His track record of success, combined with his extensive knowledge and skills, make him a credible voice in the technology industry focused on solving challenges within the federal government.
Director, Federal Sales Engineering,
Quest Software Public Sector, Inc.
Jane Norris
Contributing Editor
Jane Norris a contributing editor to FedInsider, is committed to advancing government communications and putting people first in every regard.
Jane brings a lifetime career in media and government to her role. She has held senior roles at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As a consultant and public relations lead, she worked to execute priority issues for two powerhouse government contracting firms creating successful communications strategies for issues like, technology modernization, AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, customer experience, human centered design, health and economic policy, the government workforce and employee engagement.
Jane’s private sector career also includes on-air work with multiple radio and television stations, most recently as a daily drive-time host on Federal News Radio/WTOP in Washington DC.
Moderator & Contributing Editor,
FedInsider
