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GCN Home > 05/2/05 issue

Trust is verified

By Edmund X. DeJesus, Special to GCN

Glen Johnson handles the tough IT chores for State’s Bureau of Verification and ComplianceZ

Glen Johnson has a reputation as the go-to guy for tough IT projects in the State Department’s Bureau of Verification and Compliance. And that keeps him pretty busy, because there is no shortage of tough assignments.

Johnson is director of the bureau’s Office of Verification Operations, which provides all IT support to the four bureaus that constitute State’s Arms Control and International Security area.

IT support is a broad franchise, and OVO spearheads a variety of demanding projects—from diplomatic videoconferencing systems in Europe and Africa to secure communications systems in Iraq.

For example, the office currently is modernizing the export licensing system for the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. The system ensures that U.S. companies export only approved arms and arms-related products to approved countries in ap- proved ways.

The system handles more than 50,000 export license applications per year, some of them running to hundreds of pages. The current project aims to streamline this paper-based process with electronic submission, a daunting job many agencies have attempted with mixed success.

Less paperwork

OVO is making progress. “Already, 15 percent of applications are submitted electronically,” Johnson said. Industry likes electronic applications because they’re simpler to generate and faster to process, which is better for business. Government users also like the system, because it makes it easier to search, track and manage complex applications. In addition, the program is almost paying for itself in efficiencies and savings.

Johnson operates according to specific management principles. First, he looks for staff members who are not only technology experts but can also understand policy.

“I want my people to be able to do the jobs of our customers,” Johnson said. This familiarity helps ensure that technology solutions are appropriate for the users and the situation. Johnson’s group includes about a dozen GS-13 and GS-14 program managers and more than 60 contractors.

Johnson’s own background reflects this approach to mixing technology and policy: He has a doctorate from the University of Maryland in the dual fields of government and computer science.

Another principle is to limit projects so success is possible and workers aren’t overwhelmed. Prioritizing projects has allowed his staff to focus its attention and make real progress.

More news on related topics: The Community, IT Infrastructure



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