Keeping IT Brief: The Power Perspective

In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown is joined by Robert Ezekiel, Director and Product Strategist at Booz Allen Hamilton, and a winner of the prestigious 2025 FORUM IT100 Award. Robert reflects on what this award means to him personally and professionally, sharing how his work supporting Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Hiring Our Heroes program has made a lasting impact.

Robert talks about a pivotal career moment that shifted his focus from a technical role to one centered on leadership and helping others excel in their careers. He discusses how empowering people and fostering growth has become one of his greatest sources of joy.

Looking to the future, Robert explores how rapidly evolving technologies, especially AI, are reshaping the IT landscape and how he plans to stay at the forefront of this revolution to benefit Veterans and the VA.

Finally, Robert shares valuable leadership advice for others aspiring to make a difference in the IT industry.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on leadership, technology, and making a meaningful impact! 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

In today’s episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown chats with Matt Quinn, Science Director at TATRC/DoD, about his groundbreaking program, Passive Data Collection for Automated Documentation, which won a 2025 Disruptive Tech Award.

Matt dives into the specifics of his award-winning program, explaining how it addresses key challenges in the GovCon space and what makes it stand out in the industry. He shares insights into the innovation process, the critical technologies that played a role in the program's success, and the strategies behind creating truly disruptive solutions.

In this episode, Matt also discusses what it takes to drive sustainable innovation in the GovCon sector and gives us a sneak peek at what’s next for his program.

Tune in for an inside look at how technology is changing the game in government contracting and what we can expect to see in the future. 

 Matt Quinn is the Science Director for the Army’s Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) and leads efforts by TATRC’s research & development teams to automate casualty care by fusing data, humans, and machines.  

For over 20 years Matt has been deeply involved in advancing health technology in the public and private sectors in key roles such as Senior Advisor for Health Technology at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Managing Director for Healthcare & Life Sciences at Intel Corporation, Director of Healthcare Initiatives at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Healthcare Industry Manager for Teradata.  

At the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Matt led a research agenda that resulted in “safety-enhanced design” certification requirements for electronic health records.  Mr. Quinn has been called to testify before both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, been inducted in the FORUM100 Hall of Fame, received the HHS Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor granted by the department, the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Medal for his work in launching the National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network (NETCCN) and the first ever National Health IT Collaborative for the Underserved "Champion of Diversity" award. 

Matt began his career as an Army Engineer Officer and earned an engineering degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from Colorado State University. 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Tris Carpenter, General Manager for Strategic Growth at Red Team Consulting, to explore the evolving landscape of federal contracting. As the current administration ushers in significant changes, Tris provides valuable insights into how companies can adapt, thrive, and stay competitive.
Key topics discussed include:

• The major shifts in federal contracting policies and their potential impact
• How workforce reductions are affecting businesses and how to safeguard cash flow
• Which sectors are experiencing growth, and which are at risk
• The latest on cybersecurity, CMMC challenges, and IT modernization
• How new regulations are reshaping the competitive landscape for contractors

Tris also shares his forecast for the future of federal contracting and offers some unexpected advice that could give your company the edge it needs in a changing environment. If you’re in the federal contracting space, this episode is packed with the strategies and insights you need to stay ahead of the curve.
Tune in now for expert analysis and actionable advice! 

Tris Carpenter, General Manager, Strategic Growth, Red Team Consulting

Tris Carpenter serves as Red Team's General Manager for Strategic Growth and in-house expert on all things related. Pulling from over 24 years of experience as a senior executive and advisory consultant, Tris works with our clients to build targeted solutions to cultivate new business across major government agencies and diverse commercial markets. Tris' primary focus is advising and guiding clients looking to grow in the DOD, Intel, and Federal Civilian market areas. 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown is joined by Alexis Bonnel, Chief Information Officer & Director of the Digital Capabilities Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Recently recognized with the prestigious 2025 FORUM IT100 Award, Alexis shares her thoughts on what this achievement means to her both personally and professionally.

Through this conversation, Alexis reflects on a pivotal moment in her career that significantly contributed to her success and the innovative work being done at the Air Force Research Laboratory. She also discusses her vision for the future of technology in defense and research, highlighting the evolving role of digital capabilities in shaping national security and innovation.

To wrap up, Alexis offers valuable advice for emerging leaders looking to make a lasting impact in the IT industry. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on leadership, innovation, and the future of tech in the defense sector. 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown is joined by Felipe Fernandez, Chief Technology Officer at Fortinet Federal, Inc. With over 20 years of experience in networking and cybersecurity, Felipe leads the charge in delivering mission-critical cybersecurity solutions for federal agencies. He shares valuable insights on the current state of zero trust implementation across federal agencies, as well as the challenges many still face in aligning these principles with their unique operational needs.

Felipe discusses the role of artificial intelligence in optimizing cybersecurity frameworks, and how agencies can enforce zero trust principles in multi-cloud environments. Tune in for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of federal cybersecurity and how agencies can strengthen their defenses moving forward.

If you're involved in federal cybersecurity or interested in the future of zero trust, this episode is a must-listen! 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown is joined by Saeed Elnaj, Chief Innovation Officer at RELI Group, to discuss the role of AI in transforming the federal health industry, particularly in the Medicare system. With 30 years of experience in technology leadership and expertise in Generative AI, cloud technologies, and digital transformation, Saeed shares his insights on how AI can significantly improve customer experience (CX) and health outcomes for older, non-digital-native Medicare beneficiaries.

Saeed explores the recent investments CMS has made in AI to help improve plan selection and proactively identify patients at risk for chronic conditions. He also discusses the challenges federal health agencies face as they integrate AI, using the vast CMS data to deliver better services, and how these innovations are paving the way for the future of Medicare.

Don’t miss this discussion on the future of healthcare and the transformative power of AI in the federal health sector! 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

In this special episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown is joined by Ann Dunkin, former Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and recipient of the 2025 FORUM IT100 Award. With a wealth of experience in both government and private sectors, Ann reflects on her career journey and what this prestigious award means to her personally and professionally. She also shares a pivotal project or moment in her career that significantly contributed to her success.

Ann discusses her vision for the future of technology in the public sector and her hopes for how digital transformation can drive positive change in areas like energy, science, and national security. She concludes by offering valuable advice to emerging leaders looking to make a meaningful impact in the IT industry.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on leadership, innovation, and the evolving role of technology in government! 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

In this insightful episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown is joined by Kyle Tuberson, Chief Technology Officer at ICF and a recent winner of the prestigious FORUM IT100 Award. Together, they discuss what this remarkable achievement means to Kyle both personally and professionally. Kyle shares a pivotal career moment that helped shape his journey to success and how it influenced his leadership in the tech world. The conversation also dives into his vision for the future of technology and his role in shaping its evolution. 

Kyle offers valuable advice to aspiring leaders in the IT industry looking to make a lasting impact. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on leadership, innovation, and the future of tech.

Don't miss this episode for a unique perspective from one of the industry’s top influencers! 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

In this special episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Joseph Sabin, the Vice President of Cyber Programs at Adapt Forward and a recent winner of the prestigious 2025 FORUM IT100 Hall of Fame Award. Joseph shares his journey to this major achievement, discussing the dedication, challenges, and pivotal moments that have shaped his career.

With over two decades of experience in the IT field, Joseph reflects on the personal and professional significance of receiving the award, as well as how it aligns with his vision for the future of technology. He also offers invaluable insights on what it takes to lead in an ever-evolving industry and the key strategies that helped him excel.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, innovation, and the bright future of IT from a true industry trailblazer. 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

In this episode of the Keeping IT Brief podcast, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Susan Burke, Vice President of Military and Veterans Health at Cognosante, a part of Accenture Federal Services. This week, we're celebrating Susan's remarkable achievement as a 2025 FORUM IT100 Hall of Fame Winner.

Susan shares her insights on what winning the prestigious FORUM IT100 Award means to her, both personally and professionally, as well as the pivotal moments and projects that have shaped her career. She dives deep into the future of technology in the military and veterans health sectors, offering a glimpse into the innovative solutions driving transformation in these critical areas.

In addition to discussing her own journey, Susan provides valuable advice to aspiring IT leaders, emphasizing the importance of dedication, innovation, and impact in driving meaningful change within the tech industry.

Tune in for a conversation packed with inspiration, expertise, and forward-thinking leadership! 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts.