The Government Huddle with Brian Chidester

Amanda D'Amico, Senior Director of Market Planning for Fraud and Eligibility Solutions at LexisNexis Risk Solutions joins the show to discuss why operational execution—not just understanding policy—will determine success ss Medicaid agencies prepare for the implementation of H.R. 1. We dive into how agencies can balance program integrity with continuity of coverage by modernizing outreach, improving data quality, and leveraging technology to better engage beneficiaries. We also explore the importance of clear communication, efficient workflows, and keeping the human impact at the center of compliance efforts to ensure eligible individuals continue receiving the critical services they need.

Kate O'Neill, globally recognized tech humanist, strategic advisor to Fortune 500 companies, and author of What Matters Next joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation on AI, ethics, and what it truly means to lead with humanity in the age of intelligent machines. We discuss her early days as one of Netflix's first 100 employees to frame what "future readiness" looks like for organizations today and why the same proactive vision that let Netflix outmaneuver Blockbuster is exactly what's missing from AI governance right now. Together they unpack the philosophical divide between policy, politics, and the dangers of letting "hope lead strategy" in workforce decisions and offer government and enterprise leaders a grounded, human-centered lens for navigating AI, the most transformative technology of our time.

Tom Marlow, Managing Director at Dark Wolf Solutions joins the show to discuss the evolution from opportunistic cybercrime to full-scale cyber warfare. Together we break down why today's adversaries aren't just after financial gain, they're positioning inside critical infrastructure, waiting. From the Salt Typhoon intrusions to water treatment plant exploits, the targets have shifted to the very systems that hold society together: power grids, communications networks, and healthcare. We also dig into what government agencies can do right now, from comprehensive red-teaming to zero trust architecture and AI-enabled threat hunting, and what cyber conflict could look like in the next five to ten years, when autonomous AI agents may be the ones charging into battle.

Chris McDermott, Head of Social Security Solutions at LexisNexis Risk Solutions and former federal government leader joins the show to explore the evolving intersection of modernization, customer experience, identity verification, and public trust in government services. Together we unpack why modernization is no longer optional, how agencies can balance security with accessibility, and what it takes to reduce fraud and improper payments without creating unnecessary barriers for the people who rely on critical benefits. They also discuss dive into Chris’ firsthand insights from nearly two decades in government, highlighting the importance of empathy, dignity, and human-centered design in delivering services that truly meet citizens where they are.

Regan Riddoch, Senior Director of Product Marketing for GovCon Solutions at Deltek joins the show to unpack findings from the newly released 2026 Deltek GovCon Clarity Study and how AI is transforming the industry. Together we unpack why AI is transforming proposal development and how speed without trusted data creates compliance and credibility risks. We also dive into what the shift toward firm-fixed-price contracting means for pricing defensibility and audit readiness, why most firms still manage project risk reactively, despite growing investments in predictive AI, and how AI is reshaping GovCon finance and and why traceability matters more than automation.

 

Registration Link: https://virtualevents.deltek.com/register/cdcb78f7-16e8-4a17-9d1f-c5ef10e03396?sourceid=7&utm_source=non-deltek-event&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=GovCon-StateofAIprepodcast&partnerref=event_non-deltek-event_GovCon-StateofAIprepodcast