Leading the Future: Delivering Tomorrow’s Air Force Network Today. Part 6.

As AVP Technical Sales for Business Solutions - Global Public Sector, Donald is responsible for working with Federal Government clients, assisting them with business and technical transitions by providing strategic direction and practical guidance across both the business and IT landscapes. As a technology innovator, Donald provides leadership advice on the adoption of emerging technologies and delivers IT solutions using a collaborative approach combined with technical expertise and creativity.

Before joining Global Public Sector, Donald was with the AT&T cloud services business where he led a team that defined the AT&T cloud services strategy, road map, offer definition and marketplace positioning.

Previously, Donald led the Customer Demonstration Program for AT&T Business Services. His team developed technology showcases and led strategic business discussions with executives representing many of the world’s largest enterprises at venues including AT&T Executive Briefing Centers, analyst conferences and many AT&T customer events. Donald also served in multiple roles for AT&T Managed Services, including Design Architect and Technical Product Developer. There he led solution design and development activity for many AT&T customer opportunities across all customer segments.

From 1993 to 1997, Donald was a Member of the Technical Staff at Bellcore (currently Telcordia Technologies). While at Bellcore, Donald was a power systems engineer and researched powering methods for coaxial- and fiber-based telecommunications plants, developed Bellcore generic requirements, participated in standards and code development, and was a member of the Bellcore Disaster Recovery and Prevention Team.

Donald holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Gannon University, an M.S. in Electrical Power Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and an M.B.A. in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is a NJ Licensed Professional Engineer.

Rocky Thurston leads business activities and is responsible for delivering integrated solutions to the U.S. Air Force, NORAD-NORTHCOM, USTRANSCOM, and USSTRATCOM. He is highly skilled at applying AT&T services and solutions to meet enterprise and mission needs, including Open and Closed Network Modernization and Transformation, IOT, Smart Bases, Mission System Cyber Defense, Cloud Enablement, and Mobilization.

Prior to AT&T, Rocky was a Managing Director at Accenture where he brought innovation and thought leadership to the Department of Homeland Security. Rocky has held key leadership positions supporting the United States including Vice President Civilian Services at Wyle and Director of Financial and Regulatory Services at Lockheed Martin. He has proven experience leading organizations to support defense, civilian, public safety, and intelligence clients, and he takes pride ensuring clients are getting what they need to accomplish their mission.

Early in his career, Rocky served as a flight test engineer in the U.S. Air Force where he directed, planned, and executed testing and evaluation of fighter aircraft-software upgrades to the F-15 and F-16 radar and weapons systems.

Rocky holds a B.S. in General Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy, and an MBA from the University of West Florida, with concentrations in Finance and Marketing. Rocky serves on the Board of Directors for Logos Academy, a dual-immersion school in Herndon, VA. He is also on the Advisory Counsel for the Air Force Association Cyber Patriot program.

Jason Miller is an executive editor and reporter with Federal News Network. As executive editor, Jason helps direct the news coverage of the station and works with reporters to ensure a broad range of coverage of federal technology, procurement, finance and human resource news.As a reporter, Jason focuses mainly on technology and procurement issues, including cybersecurity, e-government and acquisition policies and programs.