The Government Huddle with Brian Chidester

180: The One with the Applied Information Sciences CEO

Larry Katzman, Chief Executive Officer of Applied Information Sciences (AIS)joined the show for a candid and insightful conversation on the evolving landscape of technology in government. We discuss his journey from developer to CEO and the intentional leadership practices that have guided AIS through decades of digital transformation in both federal and commercial sectors. We also dive into the critical role of safe experimentation environments, the importance of internal champions, and why cloud computing continues to be a game-changer for innovation. 

179: The One with the Metrostar Distinguished Technical Fellow

Hannah Hunt, Distinguished Technical Fellow at MetroStar and former Chief of Product at the Army Software Factory joins the show to share how her government experience is now shaping her impact from the private sector. She also offered candid insights on software factory success metrics, the challenges of scaling innovation within bureaucracy, and how emerging technologies like generative AI can be aligned with mission needs. Finally, we unpacked lessons learned from standing up transformative programs inside the Department of Defense and the importance of storytelling, empathy, and data in delivering value to government customers.

178: The One with the Kyiv Chief Advisor for Digitalization

Oleg Polovynko, the Chief Advisor for Digitalization to the Mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine and Former Kyiv Chief Information Officer returns to share how the city has evolved through crisis, transforming its digital infrastructure amidst a full-scale invasion. From the launch of Misto—a platform designed to help cities adapt best practices—to reflections on the pandemic’s unexpected role in building resilience, Oleg offers powerful insights on adaptability, trust, and citizen-centric design. We also discuss digital twins, the role of AI in service delivery, ensuring data security during emergencies, and why cities everywhere should start preparing now for the unpredictable challenges ahead.

177: The One with the Center for Public Sector AI CEO

Justin Brown, CEO of the Center for Public Sector AI and former Secretary of Human Services for the State of Oklahoma joins the show to level-set on where things stand with AI adoption in government—especially at the state and local levels. From small-scale AI implementations to larger strategic trends, we explore how emerging technologies are reshaping service delivery across health and human services. We also discuss the evolution of leadership conversations around AI, how states are approaching policy differently, and the rise of lightweight, outcomes-focused use cases.

176: The One with the “Becoming Digital Nations” Author

Mohammad J. Sear, Global Public Sector Consulting Leader at EY and Author of “Becoming Digital Nations,” joins the show for a deep dive into his new book while also sharing his inspiration behind the book and the bold ideas that drive his vision for rethinking governance, service delivery, and nation-building in a digital-first world. We also explore the difference between digitizing legacy systems and truly reimagining government operating models from the ground up—touching on examples like smart passports, citizen identity platforms, and one-click, zero-documentation government services. Finally, we talk about why disruption, not just innovation, is critical for meaningful change.

175: The One with the Code & Theory Managing Director

Dominic Sale, Managing Director at Code and Theory for Public Sector and Deputy Chief Information Officer of the United States joins the show to discuss the current state of government modernization and the critical need to reimagine public service delivery. We also deliberate on what government’s ultimate metric should be, and how experience, efficiency, and transparency are all levers to get there. Finally, we explore the barriers holding back innovation and the opportunity this moment in time presents to create a more agile, digital-first government. 

174: The One with the DoD Chief Experience Officer

Savanrith Kong, the First Chief Experience Officer for the United States Department of Defense joins the show to discuss why customer experience is critical in defense and national security. He also shares personal reflections on his leadership journey, insights from building the DoD's CX office from the ground up, and the strategic importance of storytelling, data-driven decisions, and user-centric design within large government organizations.

173: The One with the NobleReach Foundation CEO

Arun Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of NobleReach Foundation joins the show to discuss innovative approaches to integrating top talent from the private sector into public service. He shares his personal journey and parallels between his early aspirations to become a sports general manager and his professional experience as a venture capitalist and the critical importance of assembling the right team and resources. We also address the broader implications of current workforce events and technological advancements, such as AI and cybersecurity, and their impact on workforce dynamics within government. 

 

172: The One about AI Transforming Government Procurement

Akash Mandavilli, Co-founder of GovEagle joins the show to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the government contracting process. He also shares insights into how AI can accelerate proposal development, improve accuracy, and help organizations navigate the evolving landscape of government acquisitions and he covers trends in AI adoption, strategies for winning contracts, and the balance between automation and relationship-building in procurement. 

Breaking the Huddle: Unpacking the Evolving Defense IT Landscape

Jon Baba, Senior Vice President of the Defense Markets at LMI joins the show to discuss the evolving defense landscape and how technology, strategy, and efficiency are converging to shape the future of national security. We also discuss the new administration's defense priorities, including homeland defense and deterrence in Asia the role of AI and emerging technologies in increasing military efficiency and readiness.