Weekly Round-up: November 09, 2012

Gadi Ben-Yehuda

• Deputy FEMA Cheif thanks the crowd. On Gov.Aol, Deputy Administrator Rich Serino thanks volunteers who provided aerial imagery analysis in the Hurricane Sandy recovery effort.
• From DCWeek, advice on socialgov. Alice Lipowicz writes up a cheat sheet with five tips for social government success.

Dan Chenok

• Too many CXOs?
• Implementation of Big Data is the key next phase.
• GSA likely to provide approval for cloud providers under the FedRAMP programs by end of year.

Michael Keegan

Retroactive repeal of sequestration possible — but risky
Impact from the devastating federal budget cuts that could be imposed by sequestration come Jan. 2 could be mitigated, a new analysis suggests, but it is questionable how effective those efforts would be. Federal agencies currently remain in a state of limbo as government leaders appear either confident, or at least hopeful, that a last-minute deal will avert the 10 percent across-the-board cuts.

IRS CTO’s effort to improve software development bears fruit
Terry Millholland came to the IRS in 2008 to turn the agency’s IT operations from a “medieval guild shop” into a 21st century operation. To do that though, he has had to apply pressure and act patiently to convince employees that he was taking them on the right track.

Election’s end revives hope for cybersecurity action
For much of the past year, cybersecurity has itself been a battleground – subject to partisan tug-of-war and unsuccessful legislation on Capitol Hill, as well as the possibility of a White House executive order. Now, as Congress is expected to reconvene on Nov. 13 following President Barack Obama’s re-election, there is cautious optimism in Washington that there may finally be decisive action.
Next few weeks critical to defining Defense Department
In some ways, a second Obama term is likely to mean some degree of continuity in the Defense Department. But the shape and size of the government’s largest and most complex department over the next few years will depend to a large degree on what happens over the next few weeks.

The Business of Government Radio Show: Dr. Peter L. Levin

Federal News Radio 1500-AM
Mondays at 11 a.m., Wednesdays at 12 p.m.

The Business of Government Hour features a conversation about management with a government executive who is changing the way government does business. The executives discuss their careers and the management challenges facing their organizations.

Dr, Peter L. Levin was appointed Senior Advisor to the Secretary and CTO in May 2009. His primary role is to lead Veteran health and benefit service innovations. He is the executive sponsor of the Blue Button personal health record, of the Fast Track electronic claims processing system, of the electronic record modernization initiative, the open source custodial agent, and of the VA’s Open Government initiatives all of which have been institutionalized by the agency as part of its ongoing transformation.

Broadcast Schedule: The show airs Monday, November 12, at 11 a.m., and Wednesday, November 14, at noon, on Federal News Radio 1500AM WFED

If you can’t wait, though, you can listen to (or download) this week’s program and all our previous interviews at businessofgovernment.org and by searching our audio archives.