In a world where AI is reshaping every industry and regulators are moving fast to govern it, the organizations that will lead are those that built their data and technology foundations right. Ken brings 40+ years of hands-on experience across data governance, technology leadership, cybersecurity, and program management — including as Maine’s inaugural State Chief Data Officer, where he built an AI-ready data governance program that became a national model.
1. Data Management, Governance, Ethics & Literacy
Ken has worked in the Data Management and Governance (DMG) field for over 40 years across federal, state, and local government and multiple industries. As Maine’s inaugural State CDO, he built a complete DMG practice from zero — legislation, strategy, policies, ethics framework, training curriculum, and a data maturity model now adopted by multiple U.S. states.
Together, we will define the vision, mission, strategy, goals, objectives, and roadmap for your DMG practice. We will integrate a Data Ethics framework and a robust Data Literacy program to provide training, awareness, and AI-readiness — and I will help you promote and sustain your practice over time.
- Authored Maine’s full DMG governance suite from zero: vision, mission, strategy, policies, standards, 10-year roadmap, Data Ethics & AI Handling Framework, Data Maturity Assessment, RACI chart, and statewide Data Literacy curriculum — adopted as a national model by multiple U.S. state governments.
- Integrated DMG standards into enterprise Procurement and Program Management lifecycles, ensuring governance is embedded in how the organization operates — not bolted on afterward.
- Built cradle-to-grave DMG structures supporting Federal regulatory compliance requirements (SOX, IRS Pub 1075, SSA, HIPAA) and DoD intelligence requirements in wartime and peacetime environments.
- Led SIGINT and HUMINT data collections management for a global command — performing needs analysis, developing use cases, and determining optimal collection sources at the highest classification levels.
Ready to build your data governance practice? Schedule a call with Ken.
2. Information Technology Strategy & Leadership
Ken has served as Acting CIO for a Fortune 500 company and has led virtually every function within an IT organization — including a 100% outsourced IT environment. He has managed IT strategy, infrastructure, applications, vendor governance, and technology lifecycle at enterprise scale.
Together, we can define the vision, mission, strategy, goals, objectives, and roadmap for your IT organization. I can help you eliminate Shadow IT, build a disciplined Sunrise-Sunset strategy for your technology lifecycle, and align IT investment directly to business mission and objectives.
- Acting CIO: led IT Group Controller, PMO Director, Data Security Director, SOX Steering Committee, Procurement/Contracts, and GRC functions simultaneously during Fortune 500 transformation.
- Led consolidation of three Strategic Business Units integrating 161 system interfaces and 61 systems — saved $3M through disciplined cost avoidance and direct savings on time and on budget.
- Integrated a full system life-cycle strategy enabling business and IT stakeholders to strategically plan, forecast, and budget — aligned to organizational vision, mission, strategy, and objectives.
- Negotiated enterprise infrastructure, applications, and information security partner contracts; established SLAs; managed globally dispersed vendor resources.
Need IT leadership without a permanent hire? Schedule a call with Ken.
3. Cybersecurity & Information Risk Management
Ken has served as CISO for multiple Fortune 500 companies and has led enterprise-level Federal regulatory compliance efforts. CISSP-certified since 2000. Retired TS/SCI with Special Access Programs. He brings a military intelligence adversarial lens to cybersecurity that most practitioners simply do not have.
Together, we will define the vision, mission, strategy, goals, objectives, and roadmap for your cybersecurity and information risk management practice. We will develop and implement a compliant, sustainable, and adaptive program that protects your organization and earns regulatory trust.
- Co-authored DoD concept of operations, strategic plan, and implementation plan for national cybersecurity — presented to Congressional and Pentagon leaders.
- Managed Corporate Information Security for a Fortune 500 company: incidents dropped 50%, Disaster Recovery efficiencies achieved 67% savings, enterprise vulnerability assessment and penetration testing completed.
- Led successful compliance initiatives across SOX, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, HIPAA, Patriot Act, PCI-DSS, and FFIEC Handbook — re-engineered processes, established KPIs, implemented enabling technology.
- GLBA compliance plan recognized by federal auditors as an industry best practice. Built first CSIRT at Washington Mutual, the largest U.S. mortgage lender.
CISSP-certified. Fractional CISO available. Schedule a call with Ken.
4. Portfolio & Program Management
Ken has built, led, and managed three Project Management Offices (PMOs) from the ground up — two IT PMOs and one enterprise-level PMO. He brings a Lean Sigma discipline to portfolio governance that connects every project to business strategy, TCO, and ROI.
I can help you build and optimize your PMO, integrate Lean Sigma and cultural change management considerations, and align your project portfolio directly to your organization’s mission, strategy, and objectives.
- Built and led an enterprise PMO with a 600-project, $200M portfolio using Lean Sigma phase-gate iterative methodology — aligned business mission and objectives to IT mission, objectives, and standards.
- Customer satisfaction improved 34% through disciplined PMO governance and quality assurance processes.
- Evaluated, selected, and implemented a shared Storage Area Network solution for 5 military bases — saved the government over $200K annually.
- Led architectural rebuild and policy rationalization to ensure PCI-DSS compliance — rated ‘compliant and conforming’ by external assessors.
Portfolio discipline is one of the highest-leverage investments a growing organization can make. Schedule a call with Ken.
Great strategy is only valuable if it gets executed. Ken bridges the gap between vision and delivery — whether the challenge is optimizing a business process, navigating government complexity, analyzing a market, or making operations run at the right size and cost. He has done this at Fortune 500 scale, in government, and in growing businesses.
5. Business Process Optimization
Ken has worked at the Fortune 500 level and with small-to-medium businesses to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, administration, and processes — while improving the allocation of scarce resources and funds.
I can help you identify where your processes are creating drag, design better ones, and implement the change in a way your team will actually adopt. The goal is not a new process manual — it is a measurably better organization.
- Implemented Six Sigma/Lean Quality Assurance program: technology delivery satisfaction improved 34%, rework reduced from 10% to under 2%.
- Achieved 99.9% system availability through GRC suite implementation (ITIL, COBIT, SEI CMM, NIST CSF/800-53, ISO 27000) — SOX compliant.
- Conceptualized and implemented a global ‘follow-the-sun’ application development methodology across geographically dispersed teams — reduced development time 22%.
- Re-engineered key business processes and data requirements to create a Shared Directory architecture with role-based access controls — security and efficiency achieved simultaneously.
Is your organization performing at its potential? Let’s find out. Schedule a call with Ken.
6. Research, Analytics & Strategic Planning
Ken has established data, information, and intelligence requirements, performed the research and analysis, and authored global assessments, strategic plans, operational plans, and position papers across military, government, and corporate environments.
I can help you and your team develop true data-driven research and analysis — resulting in better strategic decisions, clearer priorities, and plans that are actually executable in the real world.
- Co-authored DoD global Information Operations strategic plan, concept of operations, and implementation plan.
- Co-authored Director-CIA strategy and implementation plan for a multi-billion-dollar future global information system — supported Director-CIA presentation to Congress.
- Developed an innovative nodal analysis process for assessing national/entity-level infrastructure reliability, vulnerabilities, and interdependencies — became the DoD and Homeland Security standard.
- Built dynamic web portal and relational database for state, regional, county, and city supply chain mapping and economic impact analysis — reducing costs 80%.
Better decisions start with better analysis. Schedule a call with Ken.
7. Operations & Administration
Ken has managed every aspect of support and technology operations for a multi-trillion-dollar stock market trading operation, led a $59.4M IT budget, and served twice as Executive Officer for global military commands accountable for all operations, finance, and administration.
I can help you make your operations more effective, efficient, and appropriately sized for your team and mission — whether that means restructuring, rightsizing, or simply building the discipline that sustainable growth requires.
- Led day-to-day operations for 4,000-person global military organizations as Executive Officer — responsible for operations, human resources, administration, and cost controls across geographically separated units.
- Managed $59.4M annual IT budget; accruals dropped 20%; saved over $900K through contract audits and renegotiations.
- Led and managed the largest business unit in Compaq Federal: 7 programs across multiple states, 13 people, $20M+ annual budget — responsible for P&L, forecasting, hiring, mentoring, and business development.
- Led Secretary of Defense-sponsored U.S. tour for 247 foreign ministers, ambassadors, and military leaders (Illinois and Missouri segments) — logistics, protocol, and execution.
Operational discipline is the foundation of every scalable organization. Schedule a call with Ken.
8. Government Navigation & Regulatory Compliance
Ken has worked at federal, state, county, city, and tribal levels of government — as both a government leader and a vendor partner. He has authored legislation, navigated complex regulatory environments, won federal grants, and built compliance programs that earned federal auditor recognition.
I can help you effectively and efficiently navigate within varied forms of government — whether you are a government employee trying to drive change, a business trying to win government contracts, or an organization working to meet complex regulatory requirements.
- Authored CDO enabling legislation for the State of Maine — building the legal, organizational, and policy foundation for the state’s data governance function from zero.
- Program Manager and co-author of a Workforce and Economic Development program proposal resulting in a $4.6M award — program became a national model presented at the DoD national conference.
- Represented state agency in federal IRS and regulatory audits across multiple years — maintained full compliance throughout.
- Co-authored DoD concept of operations and implementation plan for national cybersecurity — presented to Congressional and Pentagon leaders.
Government is complex. Having someone who has led from inside it makes the difference. Schedule a call with Ken.
Technology fails. Processes drift. Markets shift. The organizations that endure are led by people who think clearly, communicate compellingly, adapt intentionally, and bring out the best in others. Ken has led teams in wartime environments, Fortune 500 boardrooms, government agencies, and community programs — and he has been coaching and developing leaders throughout.
9. C-Suite Advisory & Executive Coaching
Ken has coached and mentored professionals at every level — from up-and-coming government leaders to Fortune 500 executives. He has developed and led enterprise-level training and awareness programs across government, Fortune 500, and SMB environments. He brings 40+ years of ‘scar tissue’ — hard-won experience across industries, roles, and crises — to every advisory relationship.
I can help you see your challenges from perspectives that inside experience alone cannot provide. I will share what I have learned — the successes and the failures — and help you make better decisions, faster, with more confidence.
- Developed objectives, curriculum, standards, and training requirements for the first-ever global transportation infrastructure class for senior decision-makers.
- Developed and managed training curricula teaching senior decision makers how to analyze options and develop strategic and operational courses of action.
- Built and led Continuity of Operations training for 400+ agency personnel annually — COOP program and templates now the Maine state standard.
- Developed dynamic wargaming scenarios used in multi-service, multi-unit, and multi-national exercises — participated as Blue Forces intelligence lead, Opposition Forces leader, and Officiant/Judge.
Every leader benefits from a trusted advisor who has been where you’re going. Schedule a call with Ken.
10. Leadership Development & Team Building
Ken has led and empowered teams in wartime environments, Fortune 500 companies, and small-to-medium businesses. He has built high-performing teams from scratch, led turnarounds, and developed successor leaders in every organization he has led.
I can help you successfully build, lead, and empower teams to achieve your goals and objectives — and to seize the opportunities that arise when a team is operating at its best.
- One of only 13 Airborne Intelligence Officers in the entire U.S. Air Force — trainer and evaluator of other AIOs; led ISR, high-value asset protection, and near-real-time targeting in combat.
- Flew first sortie of Desert Storm as AIO — exceeded Joint Chiefs of Staff projections by 347% with zero loss of high-value assets.
- Twice hand-picked as dual-hatted Executive Officer for global military commands — led 4,000-person organizations across geographically separated units.
- Led the largest business unit in Compaq Federal — responsible for P&L, forecasting, hiring, motivating, and mentoring across 7 government programs.
Great teams are built intentionally. Schedule a call with Ken.
11. Cultural Change Management
Ken has led deliberate enterprise and department-level change management initiatives AND mandated cultural change initiatives — including M&A integrations, technology outsourcing transitions, and coalition planning across 11 countries in wartime environments.
I can help you sell and/or drive cultural change management initiatives at multiple levels — from the executive team to the frontline. Change that sticks requires both the strategy and the human work. I do both.
- Managed change management considerations for the sale of multiple Fortune 500 companies, including M&A due diligence and integration planning.
- Led internal and external change management for enterprise technology outsourcing initiative — managing stakeholder alignment, communications, and adoption across the organization.
- Coalition planning team member in a culturally diverse, politically charged, international wartime environment involving 11 countries — obtained consensus under operational pressure.
- Co-authored a Workforce and Economic Development program resulting in $4.6M in federal funding — driving cultural and behavioral change across 1,100+ businesses.
Change that is managed is change that succeeds. Schedule a call with Ken.
The best strategy, the most disciplined governance, and the strongest team are only as effective as the communication that surrounds them — and the financial foundation that sustains them. Group 4 brings together Ken’s communications and executive briefing expertise with Rebecca Goff’s CFO and financial leadership services.
12. Communications, Presentations & Executive Briefings
Ken was requested by-name to assist the Director of National Intelligence prepare Congressional testimony. He has authored and delivered daily intelligence briefings to senior executive leadership and visiting domestic and foreign dignitaries as a Command Briefer. He has negotiated SLAs, drafted crisis communication frameworks, and presented to CEOs, Boards, legislators, and foreign ministers.
I can help you and your team tailor communications and presentations for any target audience — technical, executive, legislative, or public — while delivering the most impactful message in the clearest possible way.
- Requested by-name to assist Director of National Intelligence prepare Congressional testimony for highly classified future capability.
- Hand-picked as CEO-level briefer for a global DoD command — delivered daily intelligence briefings to senior executive leadership and visiting domestic and foreign dignitaries.
- Co-authored the Air Force Guide for Integrated Electronic Warfare; co-authored multiple DoD strategic planning documents incorporated into national strategic planning.
- Drafted and negotiated SLAs with customers; authored corporate Crisis Management Team framework and operations document.
The right message, to the right audience, at the right moment. Schedule a call with Ken.
☆ Rebecca Goff — CFO, COO & Financial Leadership Services
Rebecca Goff brings 30+ years as a CFO, COO, and financial strategist — specializing in law firm accounting, small business and solopreneur coaching, and financial clarity for performing artists and creatives.
Whether you need fractional CFO or COO leadership, financial planning and forecasting, law firm accounting and administration, or business coaching as a solopreneur or creative — Rebecca brings both structure and humanity to every engagement.
- Fractional and Interim CFO services: financial planning, forecasting, and cash flow management
- Fractional and Interim COO services: operational structure, process efficiency, and sustainable growth
- Law firm accounting and administration
- Small business structure, compliance, and financial clarity
- Business and financial coaching for solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, and performing artists