US NAVY
BRETT VAUGHAN TITLE : CHIEF AI OFFICER INDUSTRY : DEFENCE LOCATION : ARLINGTON , VIRGINIA , UNITED STATES
EXECUTIVE BIO
Mr . Brett Vaughan assumed the role of Navy Chief AI Officer in December 2019 under the Navy ’ s Office of Digital Transformation ( SECNAV OCIO / OPNAV N09D ). Prior to that he was in , and still holds , the position of Artificial Intelligence Portfolio Manager for the Office of Naval Research ( ONR ). He is responsible for shaping and informing Navy plans , policies and position on Artificial Intelligence and the alignment and coordination of AI work across ONR . He is the principal agent for AI-focused engagement on behalf of ONR , the Chief of Naval Research , the Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of the Navy .
Prior to joining ONR , Mr . Vaughan served as Science and Technology Integration and Innovation Lead on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff , OPNAV N2N6FX , Information Warfare from 2010 - 2019 . Responsible for driving science and technology ( S & T ) gain across the Information Warfare portfolio , support to strategic S & T decision-making and related technology outreach and engagement . His previous assignment was Section Head for Technology Outreach under the Knowledge Dominance Directorate of N2N6 . Mr . Vaughan entered Navy civilian service in June 2009 , attached to the Strategy and Concept Development branch of OPNAV N20 , where he was responsible for technology strategy development and concept innovation .
Prior to joining the Department of the Navy , Mr . Vaughan spent a twenty-year career with the National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency ( NGA ). Prominent assignments with NGA included : NGA Pentagon Liaison Division Chief , NGA Defense ( 2009-2010 ); NGA Liaison to the CNO N2 Staff ( 2003-2009 ); NGA Liaison to the JCS Joint Staff ( 1997-2002 ) and Operations Engineer ( 1995-1997 ). Mr . Vaughan entered federal service in 1989 after working as a cartographer for the City of Virginia Beach Mapping and Surveying Department .
Mr . Vaughan is a distinguished graduate of the U . S . Naval War College , earning a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies . He also holds a Master ' s Degree in Environmental Science from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor ' s Degree in Geography from the University of Mary Washington where he also completed five semesters of Russian language studies .
His honours and awards include the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal , the Joint Meritorious Unit Citation ( two awards ), the James V . Forrestal Award for Excellence in Strategy and Force Planning , the Marine Corps Association Writing Award , the NIMA Superior Service Medal , the DCI Meritorious Unit Citation and several letters of appreciation and commendation from OSD and the JCS Joint Staff . technologymagazine . com 33