Leading Government Influencers

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Getting the ear of the folks on Capitol Hill isn't always easy, but a handful of voices rise above most. Whether knocking down doors or driving change from within, these influencers speak for the channel, helping to shake dollars from the federal money tree.

Karen Evans: Driver of Innovation

Nothing encourages agencies to invest in technology more than a superior telling them they have no choice, and Karen Evans is just the person to do it. As administrator of the Office of Electronic Government and Information Technology at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Evans oversees IT implementation throughout the federal government. And she controls the cash.

These days, Evans would like to see dollars spent on the Lines of Business (LOB) initiatives that were included in President Bush's Management Agenda. In a nutshell, those encourage the implementation of common processes across government agencies, leading to increased efficiency.

On a quarterly basis, agencies are judged on their progress in each LOB, including the management of budgets and spending, grants, human resources, federal-health architecture and IT security, and, more recently, IT integration, geospatial investments and budgeting.

So, by setting and enforcing these lofty IT standards for agencies, Evans is an ally to industry. Perhaps as appreciated is her willingness to keep the lines of communication open with the contractors that help agencies meet those standards. Evans is a staple at events inside the Beltway and across the country. No doubt, as a former CIO of the Department of Energy, Evans understands the importance of partnerships with industry for making things happen.

If you ask contractors who pads their bottom lines most in driving IT in government, you'll hear one name most: Karen Evans.