The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Pinnacle Awards were announced Oct. 13, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place virtually Dec. 8.
Next is DOD Executive of the Year (Public Company) Jim Kelly, senior vice president and general manager of federal at Dell Technologies. Here, he talks achievements, what made him successful, primary focus areas and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2020/2021?
With a wealth of emerging technologies, mission priorities and challenges, the Department of Defense needed a modern way to utilize the data collected by devices and sensors for mission success. For me, a key achievement of 2020/2021 was supporting an innovative solution to this challenge and guiding the DOD’s vision for digital and virtual twins.
I’m proud to have helped lead the DOD through early successes, including the Navy Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems Aegis Virtual Twin program. The Aegis Combat System is one of the most important systems for the PEO IWS, at the heart of a large portion of the fleet’s combat operations systems.
What has made you successful in your current role?
Overall, dedication and partnership with our customers is what has helped inspire success in my current role. This means thinking through the unique challenges our government partners are facing and finding a solution developed for specific mission needs.
For example, working with PEO IWS required an approach to adjusting and maintaining ship systems as needed, even at sea. Through multiple rounds of testing in both a lab and live scenario, my team was able to illustrate the virtual system could effectively and efficiently execute PEO IWS mission needs and replace the legacy bare-metal server-based system.
What are you most proud of having been a part of in your current organization?
I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish for PEO IWS. The unique approach we took delivered clear, measurable results.
In support of the Aegis Virtual Twin program, my team was tasked with taking the proprietary hardware solution powering Aegis and reducing its footprint through a virtual twin architecture. Utilizing virtual twins, the team reduced the afloat compute footprint from 5 IT racks to 12U for the system. Ultimately this cut the power and space required for the system.
Additionally, scenarios too expensive to test can be run and optimized virtually, creating possibilities that previously did not exist.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the future of the nation?
Fully harnessing AI applications will save the defense community significant budget in the years ahead. I have illustrated the possibilities of digital twinning to U.S. Army Futures Command, Air Force and Navy with Formula One racing as an accessible example to inspire leaders to pursue the approach. In racing, digital twins enable development and testing of vehicles in the virtual world before investing in physical production.
For the DOD, it can simulate thousands of scenarios so aircraft engineers can virtually test millions of designs before producing the safest one or decision makers can analyze the outcomes of countless strategies to protect warfighters and our country.
Looking back at your career, what are you most proud of?
I was able to overcome adversity early in my life to develop a 27+ year career in this industry and there is a long list of individuals that helped me achieve success. I am most proud of the relationships I have built over those years and the fact that most of them are still intact.
What was your biggest career struggle and how did you overcome it?
My biggest struggle was transitioning from an individual contributor to a leader. I carried a lot of my tendencies into the new role and they were disruptive to the team. It took honest counsel from several peers and coworkers to shape how I lead organizations today, through collaboration and empowerment.
What’s your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
Work hard and surround yourself with intelligent, high-character individuals. Most importantly, own your professional development — it is up to you be ready when the opportunity presents itself.