At the heart of Peraton is a team of mission-driven individuals, each committed to taking on what can seem impossible. Their tasks are as varied as their backgrounds, but what unites them is a dedication to excellence honed through lifelong training. They take on critically important projects, routinely solving high-stakes challenges. For Peraton’s scientists, engineers, and analysts, this work is not just a job – it’s a testament to their commitment and dedication, propelling us toward a better, brighter, and safer future.
The series gives a firsthand look at the people behind these solutions and their personal journeys while they shoulder such profound responsibilities. Listeners will not only gain insights into these challenges but also discover the innovative problem-solving approaches and execution strategies that Peraton puts into practice to do the can’t be done.
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Everyday Extraordinary: Episode 1
Artificial Intelligence on the Frontlines with Ritu Chadha, Ph.D.
Episode Release Date: Sep 3
Ritu Chadha, Ph.D.
As Senior Research Director at Peraton Labs within the Strategic Innovation Group, Ritu leads the Autonomous Systems Research business unit.
Episode Release Date: Sep 3
This episode paints a picture of Peraton Labs’ legacy dating back to the ‘90s and even before through the lens of Ritu’s background, fields of study and research, and personal experience. The conversation will delve into the evolution of AI, challenges faced in the early stages, its applications then vs now, and what type of expertise is required to work in this rapidly developing field. The episode includes Peraton’s CyberVAN testing environment, machine learning use cases, and how to validate trustworthy AI. It also includes ways to trick machines and the importance of having clean and correct data when training them for automation.
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Everyday Extraordinary: Episode 2
CyberHER Connections to Real World Issues with Jeff Berlet and Cleo Brown
Episode Release Date: Sep 17
Jeff Berlet and Cleo Brown
Jeff is the Senior Director for Technology within Peraton’s Cyber Mission Sector. Cleo is the Senior Enterprise and Cloud Computing Architect/Engineer Advisor to ARCYBER.
Episode Release Date: Sep 17
This episode sets the stage with Cleo’s military background and her path to cybersecurity during her 26-year Army career. Contrasted against Jeff’s deep cyber expertise, Cleo is the warfighter he has been supporting his entire life. Through their work at Peraton, not only are the two able to diversify the cyber pipeline through the company’s university partnerships such as the longstanding partnership with Dakota State University’s CybHER Security Institute and the burgeoning one with the University of Texas at San Antonio’s National Security Cyber Center. Finally, Cleo and Jeff will break down what and how Peraton helps keep the country safe, and how everyday Americans can understand the threat and the tools we have to keep our country secure, learning lessons that are understandable to the average citizen from such attacks as Colonial Pipeline and Solar Winds.
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Everyday Extraordinary: Episode 3
Helping NASA Connect with Leslie Cunkelman and Sonny Giroux
Episode Release Date: Oct 1
Leslie Cunkelman and Sonny Giroux
Leslie is the Outreach Supervisor on the NASA / JPL DSN contract. Sonny is the current DSN Program Manager under Peraton’s S&I sector.
Episode Release Date: Oct 1
This episode tells the story of the deep space network (DSN), which spans the Milky Way Galaxy and beyond. The conversation talks about the longstanding relationship between Peraton and NASA, the story of DSN, and some of the exciting stories about human space flight and missions that have made the news. It will also cover the efforts it takes to keep the DSN systems operating 24/7/365, what happens during those 7-minutes of suspense when a spacecraft re-enters the atmosphere, and finally they will talk about the most rewarding accomplishments they remember, from the Mars Rover to the Voyager missions to the ongoing Artemis efforts.
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Everyday Extraordinary: Episode 4
The Gatekeepers: Ensuring Integrity in the Federal Workforce with Natalie Nencioni
Episode Release Date: Oct 15
Natalie Nencioni
As Senior Director of Technology Program Management in the DMHS sector, Natalie leads the field investigators of RDG.
Episode Release Date: Oct 15
This episode highlights Peraton’s role as a major contractor responsible for conducting background investigations for the federal government through the story of Natalie who, after 9/11, followed in her grandfather’s footsteps to support background investigations. She has spent more than two decades working to keep the country safe and vet those who are part of America’s trust workforce. The conversation will give listeners a view into the world of what goes into the extensive research process to help the government decide who should be granted a security clearance, how they navigate the need to protect personal privacy rights, and how technology has helped us those do their jobs better, more efficiently, and more thoroughly.
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Everyday Extraordinary: Episode 5
Modernizing the Military’s Database with Tony Patillo
Episode Release Date: Oct 29
Tony Patillo
As Senior Director of Strategic Innovation under the Technology & Engineering function of SIG, Tony is the Mission Capability Lead (MCL) for Tradecraft.
Episode Release Date: Oct 29
This episode talks about how the modernized integrated database (MIDB), built in the early 1990s as the central intelligence database repository, was used by both Tony and Scott during their times in the military. The platform had its share challenges, and in 2018 the Defense Intelligence Agency began a “once in a generation happening” to modernize and improve MIDB. Peraton was given that task, and the result has been a tool that uses AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics to provide warfighters with a more accurate picture of what and where the threats are across the globe in real time. The conversation talks about how Peraton’s transforming all-source analysis with location-based objective services (TALOS) and the machine assisted analytic rapid reporting system (MARS) is transforming the way military professionals share information and intelligence securely, swiftly, and at scale.
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Everyday Extraordinary: Episode 6
The Battle of Influence with Shawn Chenoweth
Episode Release Date: Nov 12
Shawn Chenoweth
As Technical Lead Program Manager within the Cyber Mission Sector, Shawn leads the OPIAS contract supporting U.S. foreign information advantages.
Episode Release Date: Nov 12
This episode opens against the backdrop of the Cold War – a tale of communism vs capitalism – and how the competition of ideas was just as important as the military balance and the hard power of deterrence. As the world has changed, the competition for hearts and minds have not, though the means by which people communicate and gather knowledge about the world around them has. In 2024, information warfare continues but with a completely new arsenal of tools, like social media, that can spread a narrative within seconds. The episode highlights how Peraton is assisting the U.S. government, the broad funding challenges, and the imperative for why the US and its allies can’t afford to underinvest in these important efforts.
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Everyday Extraordinary: Episode 7
Storing and Securing Data for America’s Critical Agencies with Rob Davies
Episode Release Date: Nov 26
Rob Davies
As VP and GM of Peraton’s Financial and Regulatory Business within the CSPS sector, Rob supports the BU responsible for most of the civilian federal government.
Episode Release Date: Nov 26
This episode talks about problems no one thinks about until they’re not working. Peraton provides the backbone for some of the most critical hybrid clouds of the federal government – from the IRS to the student loan administration, to the US Geological Survey to Housing and Urban Development to the U.S. Patent and Trade Office. When it comes to these systems, American taxpayers expect flawless services, but also at an affordable price point. The managed service model allows the government to operate faster, better, and under budget. Peraton has been at the cutting edge of this work to provide a flawless service that is also a bargain to the taxpayer.
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Everyday Extraordinary: Episode 8
A Matter of Life and Death with Sergei Li
Episode Release Date: Dec 10
Sergei Li
Sergei, Vice President of Public Health, leads the CDC team that designed the COVID vaccination card.
Episode Release Date: Dec 10
This episode focuses on the healthcare industry’s evolution through the lens of Sergei’s career. Healthcare has evolved and improved significantly over the past century. 100 years ago, there were almost no systems available to provide health care at scale, or even the simplest medical procedures. Today, we have created a system that can be ready and flexible to take on the health challenges – whether it is bioterrorism, a global pandemic, or an ongoing crusade like the global AIDS/HIV crisis. Peraton has and continues to play a key role in these efforts.