U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) – one of 11 combatant commands of the U.S. Defense Department (DoD) and with areas of responsibility including the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia – has tapped Dr. Michael Foster to serve as chief data officer (CDO).
As the new CDO, Dr. Foster will lead “data efforts across the organization’s headquarters, components, and subordinate units,” DoD said.
“I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve with CENTCOM and contribute to their already impressive accomplishments,” Dr. Foster said. “I am excited by the challenges of developing data-centric solutions to enable warfighting across the CENTCOM region.”
Before starting his new CDO role, Dr. Foster held positions as a machine learning director for Maxar and head of solutions Engineering for CrowdAI, where he drove the technological developments and integration of AI and critical data across these organizations.
“As an organization focused on digital modernization and data-centric operations, we are committed to leveraging our data more effectively and efficiently in support of our missions,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command. “Dr. Foster brings an impressive resume as a data leader at the U.S. Air Force, National Reconnaissance Office, and multiple cutting edge artificial intelligence and machine learning companies,” he said.
“Dr. Foster joins our Chief Technology Officer, Schuyler Moore and our advisor for AI, robotics, cloud computing and data analytics, Dr. Andrew Moore, CENTCOM’s Innovation and Capabilities Integration Cell,” the general said.
“Dr. Foster is a phenomenal talent with a rare set of skills in the employment of data to enable the warfighter,” added General Kurilla. “He will help us advance as a data-centric organization to enable our critical mission in the region.”
