The chapter's 2024-2025 Luncheon Series kicked off with a remarkable Multi-Cloud Luncheon that highlighted the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (NGA) multicloud road map, presented by James Cherry. His insights underscored the critical nature of the NGA's cloud strategy, emphasizing that it is fundamentally a data strategy. Ensuring the right data reaches the warfighter at the right time is not just a goal; it is a priority that shapes the NGA's approach to cloud infrastructure.
The luncheon featured a panel discussion moderated by Kimberly Underwood, director of digital news media, AFCEA International, which proved to be a rich source of knowledge and perspective. Panelist Darek Kitlinski emphasized the importance of establishing landing zones and common shared services, which are essential for facilitating collaboration and efficiency in cloud operations. Lt. Hollie Parrish provided a valuable perspective on the role of FedRamp and Department of Defense sponsorship in cloud accreditation journeys, highlighting the necessary steps organizations must take to ensure compliance and security.
Alee Long discussed the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) contract vehicle, revealing its efficiency in reducing the timeframe for mission partners to transition from cloud requests to awards, now streamlined to approximately 35 days. This significant reduction is a game-changer for agencies needing rapid access to cloud services. Col. Heath Giesecke rounded out the panel by discussing opportunities for cloud service providers to offer continuity of operations and disaster recovery solutions to the Enterprise Cloud Management Agency, further illustrating the evolving landscape of cloud services in government operations.
Molly B., along with our Insights Sponsor GovTribe, set the stage with compelling insights into the multicloud environment, enriching the discussions that followed. Their contributions paved the way for a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within cloud strategies.
Additionally, gratitude is owed to HashiCorp for being the underwriter of the series, as its support plays a crucial role in making events like this possible.
The collaborative spirit of the luncheon, bolstered by the contributions of all speakers and sponsors, highlighted the importance of shared knowledge in navigating the complexities of cloud technology in defense and intelligence sectors. As the series progresses, it is clear that such gatherings foster an essential dialogue among stakeholders, enabling them to adapt and innovate in an ever-evolving technological landscape. Thank you to everyone involved for making this event a success!
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Pictured (l-r) at the November luncheon are Tereza Jacoby, chapter board member, Splunk; Becci DeFrank, chapter president, NVIDIA; Darek Kitlinski, panelist, A1 chief technology officer, U.S. Air Force; Heath Giesecke, panelist, director, Enterprise Cloud Management Agency, U.S. Army; Hollie Parrish, panelist, U.S. Coast Guard; James Cherry, keynote speaker, division chief, Hybrid Cloud Services, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; Alee Long, panelist, program manager, Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability, Department of Defense; Shaleen Braley, chapter vice president of programs, Oracle; Kimberly Underwood, panel moderator, SIGNAL Media; and Indira Donegan, chapter board member, Red River. |
