Digital Government

SSA Tech That Works (Fast)

I turn 65 on Feb. 8 (e-cards welcome), and with some dread I went to the local Social Security Administration office here in the Original Las Vegas (as in New Mexico) to fill out my application for Medicare hospital benefits.

Digital Government

Webs, blogs for DISA Buys?

Last week, Lisa Schlosser, director of the <a href=http://www.epa.gov/oei/collection.htm>Office of Information Collection</a> at the Environmental Protection Agency, <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090129_7141.php">told me</a> that she thought blogs and wikis would be a good way to increase participation in the regulatory process, meeting President Obama's <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/TransparencyandOpenGovernment/">call for the use of technology</a> to boost openness in government.

Digital Government

Pollett: Field Commanders First

Army Lt. Gen. Carroll F. Pollett, director of the Defense Information Systems Agency since last month, did not make the <a href=http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090130_2556.php>Jan. 30 AFCEA Washington gabfest</a>, but Tony Montemarano, the agency's component acquisition executive, telegraphed Pollett's priorities. Pollett, Montemarano said, has made "getting capabilities to operational commanders in the field" his first priority, a statement that gladdens my old Marine grunt-type radio operator heart.

Digital Government

Silver Oak Leaves for Schlosser

Lisa Schlosser, who runs the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Information Collection and serves as a reservist with the Amy's 1st Information Operations outfit at Ft. Belvoir, Va., is up for promotion to lieutenant colonel.

Digital Government

DISA Steps Up for DKO

The Defense Information Systems Agency plans to dig into its pocketbook to ensure <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090127_9500.php">funding for the Defense Knowledge Online</a> portal for fiscal 2010.

Digital Government

The GI Bill Countdown Is On

Yesterday I interviewed Stephen Warren, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Veterans Affair's Office of Information and Technology and acting chief information officer. He showed me that he has a handy tool that reminds him exactly how much he has left to get a system in place to process payments to veterans under the new GI Bill, which goes into effect on Aug 1.

Digital Government

Desperately Seeking an IPO Chief

The Government Accountability Office on Jan. 28 faulted the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments for failing to appoint a director of a joint Defense/VA Interagency Program Office to manage health information sharing between the two departments.

Digital Government

AF's Global Strike Team Program

A benevolent reader sent me the bench for the new <a href=http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0109/012109kp1.htm>Air Force Global Strike Command</a>, which is headed up by Brig. Gen. James Kowalski and provisionally headquartered at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington:

Digital Government

New Defense CIO?

I'm picking up strong signals that the Obama team is looking at retired Radm. Robert "Willie" Williamson to succeed John Grimes as assistant secretary of Defense for networks and information integration, the Pentagon's top gadget, gizmo, network and data guy.

Digital Government

Kolodner Still Health IT Chief

Dr. Rob Kolodner told me he will stay on as the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology in the new Obama administration, a truly demanding job considering Obama's commitment to health IT.

Digital Government

In, Out, In, and Back Out

Paul Brubaker, who served as Defense deputy chief information officer in 2000 and most recently headed the Transportation Department's Research and Innovative Technology Administration, joined Cisco as director of the company's North American Public Sector, Internet Business Solutions Group on Jan 21.