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USPTO’s emerging tech and AI head to leave agency
Jerry Ma, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s director of emerging technology and chief artificial intelligence officer, said the Trump administration “will likely preside over the most consequential period thus far in AI's history.”
People
SpaceX alum tapped as Interior CIO
Interior is the latest federal agency to undergo leadership turnover in its technology shop since Trump took office in January.
People
Treasury’s acting CIO to depart
The change leaves the Treasury Department’s tech leadership bench practically empty.
Cybersecurity
‘Just wait’ to see how CISA reforms play out, DHS head tells cyber community
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has vowed to rework America’s core cyber defense agency amid GOP accusations of conservative censorship. Many in the cyber community have deemed the reductions a national security risk.
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Homeland Security CTO announces departure
David Larrimore, the agency’s chief technology officer and chief AI officer, said that April 25 was his last official day with the department.
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South Dakota CIO to become deputy director at CISA
Madhu Gottumukkala will take over a position that has remained vacant since Nitin Natarajan departed the agency in January.
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Air Force’s acting CTO officially assumes permanent position
Scott Heitmann has been serving in the acting role since former Air Force CTO Jay Bondi departed the military branch in October.
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Top tech leaders to leave IRS
The departures happen even as the tax agency has made controversial decisions to share taxpayer data with the Department of Homeland Security and centralize that data to make it more accessible.
People
Deep cuts hit HHS tech offices
Current employees say that dramatic cuts to leadership and career staff within FDA and HHS have left critical projects at risk.
People
Loss of NSA leaders will cause disruptions, agency’s former chief says
Gen. Paul Nakasone praised former NSA Director Timothy Haugh and former NSA Civilian Deputy Director Wendy Noble, who were fired from their positions last week.
People
Interior fires senior leaders after fight over DOGE access to key payroll system
Several officials in the department’s CIO shop who were not fired are taking the latest deferred resignation offer, meaning that the office is nearly cleared out, with only two of nine leadership roles permanently filled.
Cybersecurity
Senator puts hold on Trump cyber nominee, citing ‘cover up’ of telecom security report
An unreleased 2022 report is said to contain vital information about the security posture of the U.S. telecommunications sector, according to Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who is blocking Sean Plankey’s nomination to lead CISA.
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Census CIO to depart at the end of April
Luis Cano, who has been with the U.S. Census Bureau since 2017, announced that he would retire from federal service on April 30.
Cybersecurity
Top NSA, Cyber Command officials pulled from premier cybersecurity conference
Notifications about their speaking engagements went out Tuesday afternoon, just days after President Trump fired the head of NSA and Cyber Command.
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NSA firings stoke fears of Trump installing a partisan loyalist to lead spy agency
“We saw it’s possible, without adequate oversight, for our spy agencies to do inappropriate things,” a former senior intelligence official said, referencing the 1970s congressional investigations that revealed many spying abuses against Americans.
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Trump fires head of NSA and Cyber Command
Gen. Timothy Haugh’s removal was spurred by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who, earlier Thursday, reportedly urged the president to terminate multiple National Security Council staffers.
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CX lead at DHS announces departure from government
Dana Chisnell, the first DHS executive director for customer experience, said March 28 was her last day with the department and “my last official day working for the federal government.”
People
Karen Evans tapped for DHS undersecretary weeks after assuming CISA role
Evans had been selected as both a senior advisor and then executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA prior to her DHS nomination.
Artificial Intelligence
Partnership for Public Service launches AI Center for Government
The good-government nonprofit said the center will focus on developing AI leaders, building talent and allowing agencies at all levels of government to share information and best practices.
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