Modernization

Rising Star Jason Khan

Khan assisted federal agencies with the adoption of open-source software, Web 2.0 tools, cloud computing and other leading-edge technology. He also has worked on a number of cross-agency lines of business programs, including grants and financial management, IT infrastructure and information security.

People

Rising Star Joseph Kattar

Kattar worked with GSA officials to develop and manage requirements for IT contracts that support the Joint Strike Fighter program. He made a good impression from the start, implementing processes that resolved contract problems that had lingered for more than two years.

Modernization

Rising Star Heather Blackwell

Blackwell led the modernization of the Air Force’s $600 million inventory of theater command and control and air control communications systems. Using a portfolio management approach, she successfully made the case for a $30 million budget increase to improve communications in counterinsurgency and humanitarian relief operations.

People

Rising Star Emily Scott

Scott quarterbacked an initiative to provide Iraq with a nationwide retail payment infrastructure, supporting the use of debit cards, credit cards, point-of-sale devices and other modern financial conveniences.

People

Rising Star Steven Posnack

Posnack played a wide range of roles behind the scenes — drafting policies and guidelines, advising top officials on privacy and security matters, and coordinating work with health IT stakeholders across the country.

People

Rising Star Christina Bapst

Bapst manages the Enterprise Data Management Office, which coordinates the data collected, managed and shared across DHS’ 22 components. Bapst, who also oversees the budget for the Office of Applied Technology, tightened OAT’s acquisition process, with 98 percent of projects now completed on schedule.

People

Rising Star Marwan Jamal

Jamal led the creation of the Crisis Management Center, a high-tech facility that can simulate crisis scenarios used to teach leadership and management competencies. He also manages the private-sector initiative for the IRM College, through which more than 30 IT companies loan equipment to the college for use in training.

Modernization

Rising Star Vanessa Leigh Manchester

Manchester coordinated the efforts of more than 20 federal agencies as they link their existing health IT systems to the emerging Nationwide Health Information Network via the Connect gateway.

People

Rising Star Goldy Kamali

Kamali developed executive-level networking programs and events in the Washington, D.C., area. She also developed FedScoop.com, which aggregates news from publications across the federal IT community.

Modernization

Rising Star Maj. Samuel Abbott-McCune

Abbott-McCune revamped a network laboratory used in IT training, running more than 2 miles of cable, rack mounting 50 pieces of equipment, and creating several cable patch bays so that equipment could be interconnected without moving. He also supervises quality control of 500 classrooms at 15 different locations.

People

Rising Star Jeremy Hiers

Hiers worked with government and contractor employees to develop a five-year road map for improving the performance of enterprise IT systems in the Transportation Information Systems program. He voluntarily traveled to a combat zone to further his experience with using TIS products.

Cybersecurity

Rising Star Mary Beth Murphy

Murphy managed the transition of the Treasury Department's HSPD-12 initiative to the General Services Administration's USAccess shared services program.

Cybersecurity

Rising Star Anthony Hoang

Hoang smoothed the way for adopting the National Information Exchange Model as a way to improve information sharing across DHS and between the department and its partners in federal, state and local governments. He also persuaded senior executives at DHS and DOD to transition the Maritime Information Exchange Model, a competitor to NIEM, into NIEM.

Modernization

Rising Star Don Gunnell

Gunnell spearheaded the procurement and deployment of a wireless network to handle voice, video and data at Twentynine Palms’ massive testing ground. The wireless reach-back system is likely to be replicated at all Navy and Marine Corps ranges, including locations in Iraq.

Modernization

Rising Star John Araujo

Araujo provided IT analysis and support for CDC’s public health initiatives. An expert in public health informatics, he supports both the Office of the Chief Science Officer and the Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Modernization

Rising Star Kristine Beck

Beck harnessed Web 2.0 technology to open new lines of communication with — and among — Military Health System patients and their families. Senior MHS leaders now blog regularly and respond to comments and e-mail messages on the agency’s Web site, www.health.mil.

Cybersecurity

Murphy leads Treasury's HSPD-12 charge

Mary Beth Murphy shepherded Treasury's employee ID card effort.

Digital Government

Araujo prescribes technology to improve CDC's outcomes

Rising Star John Araujo is in a unique and cross-disciplinary niche as he advances the role of IT at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.