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Paul Courtney is the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He is equipped with a deeply rooted experience in contracting, giving him unique perspectives on the policies, regulations, and standards in procurement and contracting. 

Along with his acceleration in the federal contracting space, the DHS’ CPO has risen in the procurement leadership ranks of different federal agencies. His demonstrated capabilities in these roles earned him prestigious awards, such as the 2024 Wash100 Award. It’s his first time joining this reputable list for leading the procurement efforts of the DHS.

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What is the financial management strategy of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security? How is DHS modernizing its financial management system? What’s next in its financial modernization journey? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Stacy Marcott, Acting Chief Financial Officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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How has U.S. Department of Homeland Security enhanced its employee engagement efforts?  What has it been doing differently to attract and retain a skilled workforce? How is it using technology and innovation to change the way it operates?  Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Angela Bailey, Former Chief Human Capital Officer at the US Department of Homeland Security.  

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What is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s financial management strategy? How is DHS working to modernize its financial system? How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the finances and budget of DHS? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Troy Edgar, Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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What is the DHS’s procurement strategy? How is DHS innovating its procurement function? What are the key procurement and acquisition challenges facing DHS today? How is DHS improving the operational performance of its procurement function? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Soraya Correa, Chief Procurement Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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What are the key strategic priorities for DHS? How is the DHS Unity of Effort initiative going? What is DHS doing to improve its operational performance? Join host Michael Keegan and he explores these questions and more with Alejandro Mayorkas, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Listen to the first segment of the interview.

From transforming the National Airspace System to managing homeland security resources, educating today’s information leaders, and transforming governmentoperations, these executives clarify and extend our understanding of the work they champion and the efforts they lead.

The nation stands on the verge of a new era in aviation. The National Airspace System is one of the largest and safest in the world. It is also one of the busiest. Randy Babbitt, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, outlines the next generation air transportation system (NextGen), explaining how it will improve the airspace system, increase capacity, and ensure safety.

With an expansive and varied mission, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must manage its resources efficiently, effectively, and as “OneDHS.” Rafael Borras, undersecretary for management (DHS) discusses how the department is turning its OneDHS vision into reality and forging stewardship between meeting objectives and investing wisely.

Dr. Robert Childs, chancellor of the National Defense University’s iCollege, discusses how NDU’s iCollege is positioning itself as a global hub for educating, informing, and connecting information age leaders.

Stephen Goldsmith, deputy mayor for operations for the City of New York, discusses how city government is modernizing and consolidating operations for the 21st century, and what New York City is doing to shape a government that is customer-focused, innovative, and more efficient.

Listen to the complete interview.

From transforming the National Airspace System to managing homeland security resources, educating today’s information leaders, and transforming governmentoperations, these executives clarify and extend our understanding of the work they champion and the efforts they lead.

The nation stands on the verge of a new era in aviation. The National Airspace System is one of the largest and safest in the world. It is also one of the busiest. Randy Babbitt, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, outlines the next generation air transportation system (NextGen), explaining how it will improve the airspace system, increase capacity, and ensure safety.

With an expansive and varied mission, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must manage its resources efficiently, effectively, and as “OneDHS.” Rafael Borras, undersecretary for management (DHS) discusses how the department is turning its OneDHS vision into reality and forging stewardship between meeting objectives and investing wisely.

Dr. Robert Childs, chancellor of the National Defense University’s iCollege, discusses how NDU’s iCollege is positioning itself as a global hub for educating, informing, and connecting information age leaders.

Stephen Goldsmith, deputy mayor for operations for the City of New York, discusses how city government is modernizing and consolidating operations for the 21st century, and what New York City is doing to shape a government that is customer-focused, innovative, and more efficient.

Listen to the complete interview.

 

 

Rafael Borras oversees management of the Department of Homeland Security’s $56 billion budget, appropriations, expenditure of funds, and accounting, and finance. He administers control over the Department’s $17 billion in acquisitions and procurement. He is responsible for directing human capital resources and personnel programs for the Department’s 230,000 employees. Mr. Borras administers control of the Department’s information technology enterprise architecture. Mr. Borras is responsible for oversight of the Department’s facilities, property, equipment, and other material resources. He administers programs and processes that provide security for personnel, information technology and communications systems, facilities, property, equipment, and other material resources.

Mr. Borras has 27 years of management experience in the federal government, city government, and the non-profit and private sector. He has deep experience in the areas within the portfolio of the Under Secretary for Management at the Department of Homeland Security, including finance, human capital, facilities, information technology, and procurement.

Prior to his appointment with the Department, Mr. Borras served as a Vice President with URS Corporation, a global engineering services firm. As Vice President of the Infrastructure and Environment Division, Mr. Borras managed Program Management and Construction Management profit and loss; overseeing operation business development and staffing as well as the National Federal Management and Construction Management Initiative.

Prior to joining URS, Mr. Borras served as the Regional Administrator for the Mid-Atlantic Region of the U.S. General Services Administration. As regional administrator, he managed an organization with more than 1,300 employees, providing federal customer agencies with real estate services; supply and procurement, vehicle acquisition, and leasing services; and information technology telecommunications services.

Mr. Borras served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce where he was responsible for overseeing the Department’s financial, personnel, information technology, budget, administrative services, acquisition, grants, and Equal Employment Opportunity functions. He also served as Deputy City Manager in the City of Hartford, Connecticut, where he was responsible for the departments of finance, police, fire, code enforcement, information technology, purchasing, budget, and human relations.

Mr. Borras began his public sector career as Administrative Officer for the Office of the County Manager in 1982 with Metropolitan Dade County Government in Dade County, Fla.

Listen to Mr. Borras’ interview.

Richard Spires is the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Homeland Security.

Mr. Spires is responsible for the department’s $6.4 billion investment in Information Technology (IT).

Listen to Mr. Spires’ entire interview.

Alonzo R. Peña is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Prior to accepting this position, Mr. Peña served as the DHS attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, where he was the department’s senior diplomat and liaison to the government of Mexico. As the direct representative for the Secretary of Homeland Security in Mexico, Mr. Peña was a leader in fostering increased counter-narcotics and law enforcement cooperation with Mexico and other regional partners. Mr. Peña served in this position from July 2008 – May 2009.

Learn more by listening to his audio interview.

http://www.businessofgovernment.org/audio/LS_MAG_abc.mp3

Leaders Speak Series –  Conversation on Homeland Security 

 Special guests includes:

  • Admiral Thad W. Allen, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
  • John Morton, Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Admiral Thad Allen, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, discusses the modernization efforts at Coast Guard in the Leader Speak Series

John Morton, Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), talks about the overview and mission of ICE and how it secures our nation

Leader Speak Series – Homeland Security: What does the future holds for the Coast Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)?

Special guests includes:

  • Admiral Thad W. Allen, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
  • John Morton, Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Admiral Thad Allen, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, discusses his career, role & responsibilities at Coast Guard

Admiral Thad Allen, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, discusses the modernization efforts at Coast Guard

Admiral Thad Allen, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, discusses how the US Coast Guard is employing social networking tools and technology to collaborate and addressing issues surrounding cyber security