Episode 133: Ted Kaouk on AI and the Future of Federal Innovation
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Robert and Adam welcome Ted Kaouk, former Federal Chief Data Officer and (as Adam puts it) the godfather of the federal CDO community. Now founder of Generative Work AI, Ted joins the hosts to discuss how generative AI is transforming the way organizations think, learn, and lead.
From his “30 AI apps in 30 days” challenge to lessons from building the CDO Council after the Evidence Act, Ted shares insights on how agencies can move from compliance to true data-driven value, the emerging art of “vibe coding,” and why behavioral feedback may be the new superpower in managing AI systems.
Episode 132: Dave Wennergren Reflects on the First Nine Months of Trump 2.0
This week on the GovNavigators Show, ACT-IAC CEO Dave Wennergren sits down with Robert and Adam to talk about how ACT-IAC and similar organizations are staying the course through the recent big shifts in the federal management and technology.
Throughout sweeping cost-cuts, shifting priorities, and the AI wave, Dave and everyone on his team have been helping government and industry chart a path forward. Join us while we muse about where we've been, and where we might be heading. It's day 33 of the government shutdown- is there light at the end of the tunnel?
Show Notes:
Keep up with upcoming ACT-IAC events
District Court Judge Blocks RIFs
New DOT and Google Major Contract
NVIDIA GTC Conference Recap
New Citizenship Test
Robert Revieves the George Graham Award from NAPA
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar:
Nov 2-4: National Academy of Public Administration’s National Conference
Nov 4: Data Foundation’s Datum Awards
Dec 4-5: ACT-IAC's ELC in DC!
Episode 131: Welcome Aboard, Hilery Sirpis!
This week on the GovNavigators podcast, Robert and Adam sit down with the newest member of the GovNavigators team, Chief Strategy Officer Hilery Sirpis! Hilery shares her insight gained from her 27 years helping government contractors connect with public-sector audiences.
She shares with the navigators about her love for the state and local market, lessons from launching Route Fifty, and how successful organizations pivot during political transitions. It’s a smart, funny, and candid conversation about storytelling, strategy, and what it takes to thrive in the government market.
Episode 130: Gordon Gillerman on Standards, Testing, and Building Trust in Government Technology
This week, the GovNavigators welcome Gordon Gillerman, former Director of the Standards Coordination Office at NIST, to talk about how standards and testing programs quietly keep the federal government and the products it relies on running safely and efficiently. Gordon shares how collaboration between government and industry helps ensure innovation, interoperability, and public trust.
Show Notes
OMB: Circular A-119
Data Foundation: 2025 Shutdown RIF Impacts Tracker
NSPM-8: Military pay during the shutdown
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
Check out GovExec’s new events calendar
Oct 27-29: Nvidia’s GTC Annual AI Conference
Nov 2-4: National Academy of Public Administration’s National Conference
Episode 129: Special Episode: Inside Process Intelligence Day—From Legacy Pain to Measurable Gain
This week on the GovNavigators, we bring you a special episode from Celonis’s Process Intelligence Day. we’re taking you inside Celonis Process Intelligence Day—where government and industry leaders shared how data-driven insights are reshaping public sector operations.
Robert and Adam talk with Colin Wardlaw, Gary Wang, Aubrey Vaughn, and Sairah Ijaz about what it takes to modernize legacy systems, foster cultural change, and measure success through clear KPIs and real results.
It’s a look at how process intelligence is helping agencies do more with less—and deliver better outcomes for the public.
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
Oct. 13-15, 2025: AUSA’s Annual Meeting
Oct. 14, 2025: BENS’ Arsenal of Democracy 2.0
Oct. 26-28, 2025: ACT-IAC Imagine Nation ELC
Episode 128: Oliver Wise on Data, AI, and the Future of Public Service
This week, the GovNavigators welcome Oliver Wise, former Chief Data Officer at the Department of Commerce and now Executive Director of the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University. Oliver discusses his experience leading data initiatives across Commerce, including efforts to make federal data usable in an AI-driven world, and explains how local governments can harness data to improve lives through programs like the City Data Alliance.
From federal policy to city hall, Oliver shares how better data governance—and a new model of collaboration between levels of government—can help public servants everywhere deliver smarter, more trustworthy results.
Show Notes:
For our furloughed friends: Shutdown deals around town
Events on the GovNavigator’s Radar:
Check out GovExec’s new events calendar
October 9, 2025: Federal News Network’s 25th Anniversary Gala
October 9, 2025: FedInsider / Carahsoft Innovation Summit
Episode 127: The Future of Shared Services with John Marshall and Steve Goodrich
This week, the GovNavigators sit down with John Marshall and Steve Goodrich of the Shared Services Leadership Coalition to chart the past, present, and what’s next in federal shared services, from payroll consolidation and NASA’s model to today’s QSMOs and a legislative plan to turn modernization from pilots into standard practice.
Show Notes
SSLC: Shared Services Leadership Coalition
NSSC: NASA Shared Services Center
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
Oct. 9, 2025: FedInsider / Carahsoft Innovation Summit
Oct. 26-28, 2025: ACT-IAC Imagine Nation ELC
Episode 126: The GovNavigators Take a Deep Dive: Discussing Developments From the Last Few Weeks
Robert and Adam are sailing solo on this special episode of the GovNavigators Show, featuring an in-depth discussion of recent developments from OPM, OMB, GAO, and more. With the end of the fiscal year fast approaching, the GovNavigators are here to make sense of the storm. Hold on tight!
Show Notes:
OPM: New Guidelines for Performance Reviews
OMB: Updates to A-11
GAO: New Video
Events on the GovNavigator’s Radar
September 24-25, 2025: AGA’s Internal Controls & Fraud Conference
October 9, 2025: FedInsider / Carahsoft Innovation Summit
Episode 125: Charles Cooper on Congress’s Tumultuous Fall Agenda
This week, the GovNavigators welcome back Charles Cooper of Brumidi Group for a frank look at Congress’s crowded to-do list. From looming shutdown risks, rescissions, and the fight over appropriations to the fate of healthcare extenders, the farm bill, and other expiring programs, Charles explains why the path forward is rockier than ever—and where bipartisan opportunities may still emerge.
Show Notes:
Combined Federal Campaign: Website
Treasury and GSA: SAVE Program
Events on GovNavigators' Radar:
September 16-18, 2025
Partnership for Public Service’s GovHR Conference
September 18, 2025
GovExec’s GAIN Conference
September 17, 2025
ACT-IAC's Digital Transformation Summit
September 24-25, 2025
AGA’s Internal Controls & Fraud Conference
Episode 124: Anne Meeker on Making Congress Work Better
This week, the GovNavigators welcome Anne Meeker, Deputy Director of the PopVox Foundation, for a conversation on making Congress work better. From the overlooked power of casework to AI’s role in shaping legislative oversight, Anne shares how small reforms can strengthen trust and improve service delivery across government.
Show Notes
OMB: Circular A-11
GSA: New ServiceNow Deal
Events on GovNavigators' Radar
September 9-12, 2025
Billington Cybersecurity Summit
September 11, 2025
RSM’s Quarterly Government Services Webinar
September 16-18, 2025
Partnership for Public Service’s GovHR Conference
September 18, 2025
GovExec’s GAIN Conference
September 17, 2025
ACT-IAC's Digital Transformation Summit
September 24-25, 2025
AGA’s Internal Controls & Fraud Conference
Episode 123: Pop-up Episode: Honoring the Labor Movement
In this special Labor Day pop-up episode of the GovNavigators Show, Adam and Robert reflect on the importance of the labor movement, tease some big news for the Navigators family, and preview what’s ahead as Congress returns to town. With the fiscal year’s end approaching, expect debates over rescissions, reconciliation, the NDAA, and the President’s Management Agenda—plus the looming possibility of a government shutdown.
Episode 122: Jason Miller on the Future of Federal Procurement
This week, the GovNavigators welcome Jason Miller, Executive Editor at Federal News Network, for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of federal acquisition and IT leadership. From the long-awaited FAR overhaul and GSA’s contracting shifts to the evolving role of the federal CIO, Jason unpacks what these changes mean for agencies, industry, and small businesses alike.
Show Notes
EO: Improving our Nation Through Better Design
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
August 25, 2025: A Hole in One with ACT-IAC
September 16-18, 2025: Partnership for Public Service’s GovHR Conference
September 18, 2025: GAIN 2025 (Marketing Conference)
Episode 121: Unlocking Federal Real Estate: Efficiency, Partnerships, and the Path Ahead
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Adam and Robert sit down with George Guszcza, President and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences, along with Tom Scott and Paul Firth of Alvarez & Marsal, for a timely discussion on modernizing federal real estate. From shifting work patterns and aging infrastructure to public-private partnerships, our guests highlight the challenges and opportunities facing agencies today.
Show NotesOPM Award Guidance
Jason Miller Op-Ed: DHS Contract Reviews
DOJ Guidance
New Grants Guidance
Events on the GovNavigators' RadarCelonis: Public Sector Process Intelligence Day (08/19/25)
Data Foundation: Virtual AI Forum: Data and Policy in the Age of AI (08/20/25)
ACT-IAC: A Hole in One (08/25/25)
Episode 120: Remember the Mission: Darren Ash Reflects on His Career in Public Service
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Robert and Adam meet with Darren Ash, former federal CIO of multiple agencies, most recently at the Department of the Interior. Ash shares wisdom gained over an expansive career in government, including how IT innovation can transform public service.
Show Notes
NEW EO: Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking
GSA: Adding Leading AI Software to Award Schedules
GAO: Ruling on DOT Impoundment
NIST: Updated Digital Identity Guidelines
FOR ADAM'S FELLOW EM-DASH LOVERS: Wisdom from Poe
Events on the GovNavigator’s Radar
August 19, 2025: Celonis’ Public Sector Process Intelligence Day
August 20, 2025: Data Foundation’s AI Virtual Forum: Data & Policy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Nominate presenters by 7/31 here; register here.)
Episode 119: Empowering Public Servants with Karen Lee
Karen Lee, co-founder of FedsForward, joins the GovNavigators to talk about her journey through federal service, the challenges of transitioning in and out of government, and how her organization is building scalable tools to help civil servants navigate career change.
Show Notes
Upcoming Events
August 5, 2025
Data Foundation’s Evaluating for Efficiency: Lessons from GAO and IGs
August 19, 2025
Celonis’ Public Sector Process Intelligence Day
August 20, 2025
Data Foundation’s AI Virtual Forum: Data & Policy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Episode 118: Understanding Federal Procurement Consolidation with Brian Friel
This week, the GovNavigators sit down with Brian Friel, Co-Founder of BD-Squared, for a discussion on how federal procurement looks in the age of consolidation. An expert in procurement data, Friel offers great insight into how past efficiency efforts have led us to this administration's push to rid the federal government of duplicative and unnecessary contracts.
Show Notes:
Leadership shakeup at GSA
M-25-31 (OMB memo on procurement consolidation)
America's AI Action Plan
Three AI-related EOs released
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
July 28-29th: AGA’s Professional Development Training
July 30th: Rare HSGAC markup scheduled
August 5th: Data Foundation’s Evaluating for Efficiency: Lessons from GAO and IGs
August 19th: Celonis’ Public Sector Process Intelligence Day
August 20th: Data Foundation’s AI Virtual Forum: Data & Policy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Episode 117: The Performance Playbook with Nick Mastronardi
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Nick Mastronardi, founder and CEO of Polco and a former Air Force economist, joins the show to talk about transforming local government with data. Nick shares his journey from national security to civic tech, explains how cities are using performance metrics to make better decisions, and reveals what 400 jurisdictions have taught him about trust, ROI, and the power of listening at scale.
Show Notes
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
July 23, 2025: AI Acquisition Forum
July 28-29, 2025: AGA’s Professional Development Training
August 19, 2025: Celonis’ Public Sector Process Intelligence Day
Episode 116: The Past, Present, and Future of FEMA with Eric Leckey
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Adam and Robert dive in with Eric Leckey, former Associate Administrator for Mission Support at FEMA, about the state of emergency response management. With hurricane season upon us and the administration considering big changes to the agency, Eric reveals how FEMA has adapted overtime, and offers valuable insight into what may be on the agency's horizon.
Show Notes
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
July 17th, 2025: GovExec Government Efficiency Summit
July 17th, 2025: Shared Services Leadership Coalition Webinar
Episode 115: From OMB to IRS: Danny Werfel on Making Reform Stick
This week on the GovNavigators Show, former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel joins us to unpack the Trump administration’s rapid-fire push to modernize the IRS—and what gets lost when speed outruns strategy. Drawing on decades of federal service, including senior roles at OMB and DOJ, Danny reflects on his team’s detailed IRS transformation plan, contrasts it with today’s approach, and raises big questions about transparency, workforce cuts, and cybersecurity risks. Plus, a bonus deep dive into the future of financial reporting under M-25-30, the limits of paperwork-based oversight, and why civics literacy might be the government’s most underrated reform tool.
Show Notes
OMB: M-25-30
IRS: IRS FY25 Budget Justification
Episode 114: Pop-up Episode: Celebrating Independence Day!
The GovNavigators prepare for Independence Day weekend in this special pop-up episode of the GovNavigators Show. Unfortunately, leadership in Congress likely won't be enjoying the fireworks, as the administration insists everyone stay in town until the "Big, Beautiful Bill" is on the President's desk. Meanwhile, Russ Vought calls for a shakeup in federal auditing, and HUD gets a new headquarters.