Note from Executive Editor Allan Holmes: Nextgov Editor at Large Bob Brewin, who writes the Defense IT What's Brewin' weekly column, will soon begin to post daily items in a new blog on Nextgov.com. You can still receive the What's Brewin' newsletter every Monday, which will include the previous week's blog items. Below is a sample of the kind of items Bob will write about. We'll post a few more before the What's Brewin' blog officially launches, when you will be able to read What's Brewin' daily.
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.
Williamson was one of a gaggle of flag officers who endorsed Obama at a highly publicized event in Chicago in March 2008, which was designed to boost Obama's credentials as commander-in-chief. At that event, Williamson said Obama "has all the great qualities and attributes required to carry out the most difficult duties of the presidency."
COMMENTS
Having someone with experience in the high tech field in critical for the future of OSD NII. Willie has the right resume for this job, working in DoD, high tech and in a major defense contractor gives him a unique perspective.
OSD NII has struggled to recognize the unique challenges of the fast paced IT market, maintaining weapon systems architecture and acquisition processes to continue in spite of Clinger Cohen Act directives to streamline the IT Acquisition Process and adopt COMMERCIAL best practices.
If he does not accept, I hope Dr. Marv Langston is approach as he has the same DNA.
John Weiler 01/29/09 07:24 am ET