Summary4 min read

The Daily Scoop Podcast – September 5, 2025

Host: Billy Mitchell
Episode Theme: Leadership Transitions in Federal Technology – OPM & GSA

Overview

This episode focuses on two major leadership shifts in federal technology:

The departure of Greg Hogan as Chief Information Officer at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Stephen Ehikian’s exit from the General Services Administration (GSA) to become CEO of C3AI, a major enterprise AI software company.

The host, Billy Mitchell, delivers concise updates on how these changes reflect broader trends in government tech leadership, innovation, and modernization.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. OPM CIO Greg Hogan’s Departure

[00:25–03:00]

Tenure & Background:
- Greg Hogan served as OPM CIO for approximately seven and a half months.
- He started on January 20th, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s second term.
- Previously VP of Infrastructure at Comma AI (self-driving car software), with 20 years in private-sector IT and a computer engineering degree.
Transition Details:
- Hogan replaced Melvin Brown II, who had served just a week in the role.
- Perrin Ashmore, Assistant Director of Enterprise and Learning, is now acting CIO.
Controversies & Challenges:
- Little background was officially shared by OPM; legal filings revealed his experience.
- Hogan’s time was marked by DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) efforts, including:
  - Establishing all-employee email communication.
  - Providing DOGE workers access to OPM data.
- Both initiatives are facing ongoing legal scrutiny.
- Hogan clarified he was “not part of the U.S. DOGE service, formerly known as the U.S. Digital Service,” despite regular associations.
Notable Segment:
- “Hogan departed the agency earlier this week and Perrin Ashmore, who is currently assistant Director of Enterprise and Learning at the agency, is currently serving as CIO in an acting capacity.” ([01:17])

2. Stephen Ehikian Leaves GSA for C3AI CEO Role

[03:00–06:00]

Transition Announcement:
- Ehikian recently informed GSA staff of his departure via email.
- He will advise GSA leadership during the transition.
- C3AI publicly announced his hire as CEO.
- Ehikian said he is "honored to join the company at such a pivotal time in the AI era." ([03:43])
Background & Tenure:
- GSA’s acting head for first half of 2025, until July.
- Returned to deputy administrator role after Michael Rigas was appointed by President Trump.
- Edward Forrest, a veteran financial services executive, is tapped as next GSA administrator (hearing date TBD).
Career Highlights:
- Serial entrepreneur; founded two Salesforce-acquired AI platforms.
- Experience with Morgan Stanley, Westbrook Partners, SRS Investment Management.
Major GSA Initiatives under Ehikian:
- Overhaul of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR, over 2,000 pages) – a major regulatory modernization for federal procurement procedures.
  - “GSA's overhaul of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, a more than 2,000 page document detailing the regulations and rules for federal procurement, as one of his top accomplishments.” ([05:07])
- FedRAMP 20x Revamp program: aims to cut FedRAMP approval timeline “from months to weeks.”
- “One Gov” procurement strategy: forged technology partnerships with Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, Google.

3. Broader Context & Implications

Leadership turnover at technology-focused federal agencies signals transformation and ongoing challenges tied to modernization.
The high value and challenges of bringing private-sector innovation into government IT roles.
The push for government to leverage advanced AI and tech partnerships aligns with private sector trends.

Notable Quotes & Moments

“Hogan served as CIO during a time when the agency was a hub for the DOGE work…both of which have faced legal challenges.” – Billy Mitchell ([02:20])
“Ehikian told GSA staff earlier this week in an email obtained by FedScoop that he would transition out of the agency's deputy administrator role but remain an advisor to the leadership team during the transition process.” ([03:22])
“He said in a statement that he is honored to join the company at such a pivotal time in the AI era.” – Billy Mitchell quoting Ehikian ([03:43])
“He also mentioned the FedRAMP 20x Revamp program, which aims to reduce the FedRAMP approval timeline from months to weeks.” ([05:15])
“During his time at GSA, the agency has also rolled out a series of deals under the One Gov procurement strategy involving major tech companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic and Google.” ([05:33])

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:25 – Introduction of Greg Hogan’s departure from OPM CIO role
01:17 – Perrin Ashmore takes over as acting OPM CIO
02:20 – Legal and operational challenges during Hogan’s tenure
03:00 – Stephen Ehikian’s exit from GSA and move to C3AI
03:43 – Ehikian’s statement on joining C3AI
05:07 – Ehikian highlights GSA’s FAR overhaul
05:15 – Overview of the FedRAMP 20x Revamp program
05:33 – The “One Gov” strategy and major tech partnerships

Tone & Delivery

Billy Mitchell delivers news with a direct, matter-of-fact style, focusing on the substance of leadership changes and their significance:

Emphasizes breadth and impact of government tech shifts
Maintains a brisk, informative pace to cover a range of updates within a short timeframe

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode provides a clear and concise update on major leadership departures in two key federal technology agencies—OPM and GSA. It offers context around the backgrounds of Greg Hogan and Stephen Ehikian, points to significant modernization initiatives they oversaw, and highlights how these transitions might shape the evolution of federal technology. For those tracking government IT trends, this episode captures essential news on personnel moves and policy priorities at the highest levels.

Loading summary

Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
Today on the Daily Scoop podcast from the Scoop News Group, OPM CIO Greg Hogan has left the role and Stephen Ehikian leaves GSA to be CEO of a leading AI firm. It's Friday, September 5th, 2025. Welcome to the Daily Scoop Podcast, where you hear the latest news and trends facing government leaders. I'm the host of the Daily Scoop Podcast, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for joining me. All right, let's dive into the day's top headlines. Greg Hogan is out as the Chief Information Officer of the Office of Personnel Management after roughly seven and a half months on the job. Hogan was installed at the Human Capital Agency on the first day of President Donald Trump's second administration, replacing Melvin Brown II after roughly a week on the job, according to an OPM spokeswoman. Hogan departed the agency earlier this week and Perrin Ashmore, who is currently assistant Director of Enterprise and Learning at the agency, is currently serving as CIO in an acting capacity. Also, although very little about Hogan's background was shared by the agency, a legal filing and a challenge brought by current and former federal employees over Department of Government efficiency, access to OPM data provided some details. According to that document, Hogan was the vice president of Infrastructure at Comma AI, a self driving car software company, before joining the Trump administration. He also told the court that he had 20 years of experience in private sector IT and a computer engineering degree. He also confirmed that he started his service at OPM on January 20th. Hogan was often associated with DOGE efforts, but in that same legal declaration with his background, he said he wasn't part of the U.S. dOGE service, formerly known as the U.S. digital Service. Still, Hogan served as CIO during a time when the agency was a hub for the DOGE work. Efforts specifically related to Hogan's role included establishing an ability to send emails to all federal employees and and providing access to OPM data by DOGE workers, both of which have faced legal challenges. And now, turning to other news, Stephen Ehikian, the deputy administrator of the General Services Administration, has left the agency to take over as chief executive officer at Enterprise AI application software company C3AI. Ehikian told GSA staff earlier this week in an email obtained by FedScoop that he would transition out of the agency's deputy administrator role but remain an advisor to the leadership team during the transition process. On Wednesday, C3AI announced Ehicians hiring as CEO. He said in a statement that he is honored to join the company at such a pivotal time in the AI era. E. Hickian served as GSA'S acting head for the first half of the year until July, when President Donald Trump tapped State Department leader Michael Rigas for the role and Ehician moved formally back into the deputy spot. Edward Forrest, a longtime financial services executive, was nominated by Trump in July to serve as the next administrator of the gsa. A nomination hearing date has not been scheduled. According to congressional records, E. Hickian, referred to as a serial entrepreneur by the gsa, helped found two AI powered platforms that were both acquired by Salesforce. Previously, he also worked in finance at Morgan Stanley, Westbrook Partners and SRS Investment Management. In GSA's announcement of his departure, Hickian gave a statement pointing to GSA's overhaul of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, a more than 2,000 page document detailing the regulations and rules for federal procurement, as one of his top accomplishments. He also mentioned the FedRAMP 20x Revamp program, which aims to reduce the FedRAMP approval timeline from months to weeks. During his time at gsa, the agency has also rolled out a series of deals under the One Gov procurement strategy involving major tech companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic and Google. For more news at the intersection of the federal government and technology, make sure to visit fedscoop.com thanks so much for tuning in to another episode of the Daily Scoop Podcast. Available on all podcast platforms already rated the podcast on your platform of choice. Thanks so much. High ratings and good reviews of the show help more people to find it. The Daily Scoop Podcast is a production of the Scoop News Group in Washington, dc. Adam Butler and Carlin Fisher help put the show together and the entire Scoop News Group team contributes. We'll be back next week with more top headlines. Until then, I'm your host Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for listening.