Full Name
Mr. Don Means Jr.
Job Title
Director, Operations and Infrastructure Center
Company
Defense Information Systems Agency
Speaker Bio
Don Means Jr. is a Senior Executive and the Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency’s Operations and Infrastructure Center. He provides, coordinates and synchronizes capabilities and services that
are available, reliable and secure in support of the Department of Defense Information Network. He is also responsible for the delivery and operation of secure worldwide enterprise information technology services enabling the efficient and effective execution of DISA’s global combat support missions. Means has the responsibility for personnel who are located around the world and working 24-hours a day, seven days a week. His 6,100-person workforce is assigned to three directorates: Endpoint and Customer Service, Cyberspace Operations and Transport Services. Their mission-critical work to deliver, operate and defend DISA capabilities supports the warfighter, mission partners and national-level leaders.
Previously, Means served as the Defense Enclave Services Executive at DISA, where he oversaw the Fourth Estate Network Optimization information technology initiative. 4ENO is a bold, aggressive reform program designed to transform the way DOD delivers IT by creating a better digital enterprise. He also served as the Executive over the National Leadership Command Capabilities and Infrastructure Office and the Compartmented Enterprise Services Office, providing unified services for Special Access Program IT, Presidential/Senior Leader Communications, Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications, and Continuity of Operations/Continuity of Government Communications.
In 1989, he began his military career when he was commissioned as a Navy officer through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Program. After completion of Advanced Overwater Jet Training, Means was designated a naval flight officer and assigned to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron FOUR in Patuxent River, Maryland where he qualified as a Navigator, Airborne Communications Officer, Mission Commander, and an Instructor. Following that assignment, he served at the Pentagon in the National Military Command Center as a Communications Officer. He served 15 years in the active duty and reserve forces.
Means spent several years as a senior engineer and analyst with Raytheon, where he planned and implemented operational assessments for DISA. He entered federal service in 2000 with DISA and has worked in various engineering and leadership roles over the last 22 years.
His commitment to the mission and to driving solutions have been recognized with numerous military awards including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Means regularly engages with colleges and universities in support of their efforts to develop the future cyber workforce. To that end, he is currently serving on the Illinois Institute of Technology’s College of Computing Board of Advisors. In 2022, he was recognized by FedTech Magazine as one of the top 30 Federal IT Influencers to follow on social media.
Means received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1989, and his Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at the National Defense University in 2009. He also completed the Senior Executive Fellows program at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government in 2010.
are available, reliable and secure in support of the Department of Defense Information Network. He is also responsible for the delivery and operation of secure worldwide enterprise information technology services enabling the efficient and effective execution of DISA’s global combat support missions. Means has the responsibility for personnel who are located around the world and working 24-hours a day, seven days a week. His 6,100-person workforce is assigned to three directorates: Endpoint and Customer Service, Cyberspace Operations and Transport Services. Their mission-critical work to deliver, operate and defend DISA capabilities supports the warfighter, mission partners and national-level leaders.
Previously, Means served as the Defense Enclave Services Executive at DISA, where he oversaw the Fourth Estate Network Optimization information technology initiative. 4ENO is a bold, aggressive reform program designed to transform the way DOD delivers IT by creating a better digital enterprise. He also served as the Executive over the National Leadership Command Capabilities and Infrastructure Office and the Compartmented Enterprise Services Office, providing unified services for Special Access Program IT, Presidential/Senior Leader Communications, Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications, and Continuity of Operations/Continuity of Government Communications.
In 1989, he began his military career when he was commissioned as a Navy officer through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Program. After completion of Advanced Overwater Jet Training, Means was designated a naval flight officer and assigned to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron FOUR in Patuxent River, Maryland where he qualified as a Navigator, Airborne Communications Officer, Mission Commander, and an Instructor. Following that assignment, he served at the Pentagon in the National Military Command Center as a Communications Officer. He served 15 years in the active duty and reserve forces.
Means spent several years as a senior engineer and analyst with Raytheon, where he planned and implemented operational assessments for DISA. He entered federal service in 2000 with DISA and has worked in various engineering and leadership roles over the last 22 years.
His commitment to the mission and to driving solutions have been recognized with numerous military awards including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Means regularly engages with colleges and universities in support of their efforts to develop the future cyber workforce. To that end, he is currently serving on the Illinois Institute of Technology’s College of Computing Board of Advisors. In 2022, he was recognized by FedTech Magazine as one of the top 30 Federal IT Influencers to follow on social media.
Means received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1989, and his Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at the National Defense University in 2009. He also completed the Senior Executive Fellows program at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government in 2010.
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