The finalists for WashingtonExec’s 2024 Pinnacle Awards were announced Sept. 20, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person Nov. 21.
Next is Steven R. Brand, deputy chief information officer for resource management in the Office of the Chief Information Officer in the Energy Department, and finalist in the Contracts Executive of the Year, government category. Here, he talks about recent achievements, shares career advice and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2024?
I lead a very talented team that achieved quite a bit in 2024. Just one of the key highlights would be the award of a new contract for DOE’s Microsoft enterprise license agreement. I am proud of this because the ELA provides the full suite of Microsoft products for productivity applications that support 170,000 staff members in the efficient performance of day-to-day operations, while also saving the department approximately $188 million.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
The CIO Business Support Services (CBOSS) is a first-consideration, single-award IT Products and Services Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) designed to strengthen DOE’s mission through the delivery of best-in-class Information Technology Support Services. As the most critical IT and cybersecurity contract, CBOSS is a multi-billion-dollar department-wide vehicle, available for use by DOE staff offices, program offices, field offices, and select national laboratories. Because it is so critical to mission success, the successful recompete of the BPA is a primary focus area.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
I once had a mentor remind me of two things that have really stuck with me over the years, and I believe that both have served me well in my career. First, you can’t start the next chapter of your life (or career), if you keep re-reading the previous chapter. To me, that means that it doesn’t matter if the previous chapter was or wasn’t filled with achievement. Either way, moving forward requires that you stop rereading that chapter.
If there were struggles in the previous chapter, learn from them. Apply those lessons to new challenges and in new arenas, because failure is not final unless you quit — that is actually the second bit of advice.
Also, even if your previous chapter was full of success, don’t rest on your laurels. There is no shortage of challenges in the world. Build on previous success! Turn the page and go forth to solve new problems and achieve new heights!
Fun Fact: What is something about you that most people do not know about? (Hobbies, passions, etc?)
I think most people would be shocked to learn that I was once in a choir, and that I was a pretty good singer! I think most would not be shocked at all to learn that those days are behind me, and all my future tour dates have been canceled or postponed indefinitely!