In 2015, I discovered the book My Work is that of Conservation: An Environmental Biography of George Washington Carver while working abroad. Dr. Carver has been one of my lifelong heroes, and his dedication to innovation through public service served as a practical example of what it meant to become disciplined in the S.T.E.M. field in order to deliver the fruits of service before self. Years later, when I decided to pursue a career in public service, I realized I could use my abstract thinking skills and Agile concepts as a person implementing solutions based on policy, to promote transparency and understanding within the institution of what occurs after laws are passed and expectations are set for technical teams. This is significant because gaps between the future state and the current state are frequently overlooked when opposing values are present, and the result impacts the overall value stream of our nation as technology advances. I pursued this opportunity to increase my knowledge of Congress and the ways in which I can assist it in achieving its technology policy-related missions across committees and political lines.
I am of the opinion that the challenges facing the current (and future) technology landscape cannot be resolved through a single lens, nor can new problems be resolved by attempting to fit evolving technical issues into outdated constructs. I desire to support pressing issues such as post-quantum preparedness and information security, building sustainable and effective supply chains, intellectual property protection and encouraging innovation for U.S.-based manufacturers, critical infrastructure development and risk management, investing in and constructing more diverse and inclusive S.T.E.M. talent pipelines, and ultimately increasing the bipartisan legislation requisite to defending the Homeland. Industry and agencies are looking to legislators to develop policies and guidance for the current and future states of our technology infrastructure, and this momentous juncture in our nation's history presents a variety of opportunities to demonstrate that laws do not impede innovation and progress.
Serving the nation and its institutions motivates me and serves as an actionable point of accountability as a citizen to scale my public service commitment, combined with my business and technical expertise, to support leadership and teams committed to securing our homeland and assisting our allies. Prioritizing the public interest is my motivation, and reflecting the diversity of our nation through inclusivity is a competitive advantage that is required across industries, particularly in S.T.E.M. This journey provides me with a platform to step up and serve, while also fostering the collaborative relationships necessary for the United States to maintain its competitiveness in the current digital revolution. My objective is to fully immerse myself in this experience and demonstrate my willingness to understand the institution's decision-making processes and challenges, the strategies being used to implement them, and how I can contribute to building a better future for those we serve.