The Government Huddle with Brian Chidester

211: The One with the Global Tech Humanist

Kate O'Neill, globally recognized tech humanist, strategic advisor to Fortune 500 companies, and author of What Matters Next joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation on AI, ethics, and what it truly means to lead with humanity in the age of intelligent machines. We discuss her early days as one of Netflix's first 100 employees to frame what "future readiness" looks like for organizations today and why the same proactive vision that let Netflix outmaneuver Blockbuster is exactly what's missing from AI governance right now. Together they unpack the philosophical divide between policy, politics, and the dangers of letting "hope lead strategy" in workforce decisions and offer government and enterprise leaders a grounded, human-centered lens for navigating AI, the most transformative technology of our time.

210: The One About the Future of Cyber Warfare

Tom Marlow, Managing Director at Dark Wolf Solutions joins the show to discuss the evolution from opportunistic cybercrime to full-scale cyber warfare. Together we break down why today's adversaries aren't just after financial gain, they're positioning inside critical infrastructure, waiting. From the Salt Typhoon intrusions to water treatment plant exploits, the targets have shifted to the very systems that hold society together: power grids, communications networks, and healthcare. We also dig into what government agencies can do right now, from comprehensive red-teaming to zero trust architecture and AI-enabled threat hunting, and what cyber conflict could look like in the next five to ten years, when autonomous AI agents may be the ones charging into battle.

209: The One About the Future of Benefits Delivery

Chris McDermott, Head of Social Security Solutions at LexisNexis Risk Solutions and former federal government leader joins the show to explore the evolving intersection of modernization, customer experience, identity verification, and public trust in government services. Together we unpack why modernization is no longer optional, how agencies can balance security with accessibility, and what it takes to reduce fraud and improper payments without creating unnecessary barriers for the people who rely on critical benefits. They also discuss dive into Chris’ firsthand insights from nearly two decades in government, highlighting the importance of empathy, dignity, and human-centered design in delivering services that truly meet citizens where they are. 

208: The One with the GovCon AI Research Study

Regan Riddoch, Senior Director of Product Marketing for GovCon Solutions at Deltek joins the show to unpack findings from the newly released 2026 Deltek GovCon Clarity Study and how AI is transforming the industry. Together we unpack why AI is transforming proposal development and how speed without trusted data creates compliance and credibility risks. We also dive into what the shift toward firm-fixed-price contracting means for pricing defensibility and audit readiness, why most firms still manage project risk reactively, despite growing investments in predictive AI, and how AI is reshaping GovCon finance and and why traceability matters more than automation.

 

Registration Link: https://virtualevents.deltek.com/register/cdcb78f7-16e8-4a17-9d1f-c5ef10e03396?sourceid=7&utm_source=non-deltek-event&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=GovCon-StateofAIprepodcast&partnerref=event_non-deltek-event_GovCon-StateofAIprepodcast

207: The One with the Dataminr Global Field CTO

Tim Miller, Global Field CTO and Chief Cybersecurity Strategist at Dataminr joins the show to discuss the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape and what it means for governments and critical infrastructure. Drawing on insights from Dataminr’s latest cyber threat report, he unpacks the widening gap between rising cyber threats and limited cybersecurity staffing with threat actor alerts up 225% year over year. We also discuss how AI—particularly agentic AI—is emerging as a force multiplier, helping organizations detect, contextualize, and respond to threats at machine speed. Finally we dive into key trends shaping modern cybersecurity, including the convergence of cyber and physical security, especially for major global events like the World Cup and Olympics.

206: The One with the Homeland Security SME

Alan Metzler, Vice President of Department Homeland Security at ITC Federal joins the show to unpack one of the most pressing challenges in government today: aligning emerging technologies with mission outcomes. He shares an insider’s perspective on the complexity of the Department of Homeland Security with agency’s diverse, overlapping missions discusses how all Federal agencies can move beyond “technology for technology’s sake” and instead focus on measurable mission impact. Finally we take a forward-looking view on how DHS can balance innovation with operational demands—highlighting the importance of leadership, public-private collaboration, and empowering teams to take smart risks.

205: The One with the Elastic Public Sector VP

Chris Townsend, Global Vice President of Public Sector at Elastic joins the show to explore the evolving intersection of cybersecurity, AI, and data strategy in government. We dive into the shift toward continuous Authority to Operate (ATO) and why real-time, always-on security is becoming essential in an era of AI-powered threats. We also break down how both adversaries and defenders are leveraging AI and why “machine-speed attacks” demand equally fast, intelligent responses. Finally, we unpack the growing role of agentic AI in security operations, from automating threat detection and prioritization to augmenting SOC teams and how AI is transforming citizen services, with real-world examples of improving access to benefits and delivering more personalized government experiences.

204: The One with the Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback

Sean Clifford, Quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals and former Heisman Trophy candidate at Penn State University joins the show to explore leadership under pressure and why those lessons are directly applicable to today’s public sector challenges. As government organizations navigate transformation, workforce shifts, and increasing complexity, this conversation highlights the core leadership traits that truly move teams forward: trust, preparation, resilience, and the ability to lead without formal authority. He shares what it means to operate in high-stakes, uncertain environments, where preparation meets opportunity, and how leaders can add value even when they’re not “the one in charge.” From mastering transitions to building confidence through disciplined preparation, the discussion offers practical insights for leaders working across agencies and missions.

203: The One with the Data Resilience SME

Mark Bentkower, Principal Technologist, Americas at Veeam Software joins the show to unpack what data resilience really means for public sector organizations. Together we explore the shift from traditional compliance checklists to a resilience-first mindset built on zero trust, automation, and cross-functional alignment. He also shares insights into how agencies can move beyond siloed operations and what separates organizations stuck in reactive mode from those building true operational resilience. Finally we dive into Veeam’s Data Resilience Maturity Model (DRMM) developed with McKinsey and discuss how agencies can benchmark their posture, align people, process, and technology, and make a business case for modernization.

202: The One with the Former Department of the Interior CISO

Lou Eichenbaum, former Chief Information Security Officer at the U.S. Department of the Interior and current Federal CTO at ColorTokens joins the show for a deep dive into the evolving world of federal cybersecurity. We dive into firsthand insights on what it really means to balance mission enablement with effective risk management and why today’s CISO must act not just as a security expert, but as an executive risk manager focused on resilience, communication, and strategic alignment. We unpack what real zero trust implementation looks like beyond the buzzword, why micro-segmentation is foundational to preventing lateral movement and building mission resilience, and how federal agencies can move beyond compliance checklists toward meaningful security outcomes. We also discuss candid perspectives on what drives cybersecurity priorities inside federal agencies and and how zero trust principles will play a critical role in protecting both IT and critical infrastructure systems in the years ahead.