Gauss named president of tech firm

John Gauss, former chief information officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs, has been named president and chief operating officer at FGM, a Reston-based technology company.

Gauss, a retired rear admiral in the Navy, will start the position Feb. 1. He will lead companywide business operations and business performance, and be responsible for program management oversight, customer relations and resource allocation.

"John has successfully built strong teams and led large organizations," said Scott Gessay, the company’s founder and chief executive officer, in a statement. "His strong leadership, expert combat support and C4I domain knowledge, and professional network of senior leaders in military, government and private industry are a strategic advantage for FGM."

Gauss is a former commander of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command where he was responsible for the development, acquisition and life cycle management of C4ISR systems for the Navy, plus selected Marine Corps and joint service programs.

He served as assistant secretary for information and technology and CIO at the VA from 2001 to 2003.

FGM has developed software called Tracker for the State Department, which permits real-time tracking of strategic, dual-use and hazardous materials. State has given the software to 10 countries to help track imports and exports that could include components to make a nuclear weapon.

“We’re hoping to expand the marketing base of Tracker to other departments of government within the U.S. government,” Gauss said, in a telephone interview.