Is the Department of the Navy Taking the Lead in Defense Acquisition?

About Justin and Artem

Justin Fanelli serves as the Navy Chief Technology Officer and has earned a reputation for dismantling bureaucratic barriers that traditionally slow defense innovation. Coming from a technical background, Fanelli has developed new mental models for technology adoption within the Department of the Navy, including a structured approach to piloting, evaluation, and scaling of emerging technologies. His work focuses on creating transparent, outcomes-driven processes that empower change agents across the department.

Artem Sherbinin serves as the CTO for the Naval Surface Force, implementing modernization strategies on the front lines. His operational background as a navigator and operations officer on a Navy cruiser gives him a warfighter's perspective on technology risk. This experience has shaped his approach to innovation, with an emphasis on addressing real operational needs rather than satisfying bureaucratic requirements. Sherbinin works three echelons below Fanelli in the Navy's organizational structure, yet their collaborative approach demonstrates the cross-functional alignment driving today's modernization efforts.

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