Dr. Edward Mays

Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Infrastructure and Support Services, Chief Enterprise Infrastructure Officer, and Portfolio Acquisition Executive, Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Department of Homeland Security

At U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Dr. Edward J. Mays currently holds the Senior Executive Service position of Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC), Infrastructure and Support Services (ISS), Chief Enterprise Infrastructure Officer (CEIO), and Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) for the Office of Information and Technology.

Dr. Mays has over 30 years of experience in delivering IT business systems, applications, and infrastructure in the Marine Corps, industry, and the federal government. Dr. Mays (Colonel USMC, Ret.) served many years working with Information Technology (IT) and Software Development for logistics and intelligence programs supporting the U.S. Marine Corps operational forces. He created a major Marine Corps logistics system used in the Marine Corps for over 25 years and is a veteran of numerous combat actions across the globe. In 2008, Dr. Mays became the Director, Effects Based Operational Assessment for Multinational Forces, Al Anbar, Iraq, where he played a substantive role in the return of Anbar Province to the government of Iraq. He also served in the U.S. Operations in Afghanistan, delivering IT capability, and supporting the Afghan National Acquisition Agency.

Dr. Mays earned a Bachelor of Science from University of Florida and a Master’s Degree in Information Technology from the University of Southern California. Additionally, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School and earned a Master’s Degree in Computer Science with a focus on artificial intelligence and robotics. He also obtained a Doctor of Information Technology from Capella University in 2020

In 2016, Dr. Mays was selected as the Executive Director for the Enterprise Data Management and Engineering Division in OIT. In this role, he engineered cost effective, secure, and reliable IT solutions, and built the framework for Cloud computing at CBP.

In March 2022, Dr. Mays was appointed as the Deputy Assistant Commissioner for OIT’s Infrastructure and Support Services organization which combined three infrastructure organizations under his purview. The organizations have an enterprise focus: Field Support Directorate (FSD), Enterprise Infrastructure Operations Directorate (EIOD), and Enterprise Cloud Services Division (ECSD). The new organizational structure created internal efficiencies executed the new ECSD to complete CBP’s migration to the Cloud more affordably, effectively, and securely. Ultimately providing a modern, reliable IT infrastructure (Cloud, Networks, Mobility, etc.) and 24/7 year-round support services serve as the backbone for technology solutions that deliver critical capabilities at the speed of mission.

Dr. Mays also serves as the OIT Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE), aligning IT investments (digital services) across the overall IT Portfolio. He has served at levels allowing him to excel as The Chief Enterprise Infrastructure Officer (CEIO), bringing IT Service Management, IT Operations Management, IT Service Delivery (automation focused – digital services delivery), Technology Business Management, and the Agile Methodology together in a synergistic manner to meet the complex CBP mission.

In January 2024, Dr. Mays was presented with the 2023 Federal 100 award, a prestigious honor awarded to leaders in the federal IT community to those who have made the greatest impact. He was selected from a panel of government and industry senior executives resulting from the difference he’s made in the way IT is used to advance vital government missions.

Agenda Day 1

9:15 AM KEYNOTE FIRESIDE CHAT: STRATEGIC VISION FOR BORDER SECURITY: CBP’S PRIORITIES AND INITIATIVES

  • Current challenges and threats: Discuss ongoing challenges and threats faced by CBP in securing the nation’s borders highlighting the need for innovative technological solutions to address these issues effectively 
  • Strategic priorities and objectives: Provide insights into CBP’s strategic priorities and objectives in leveraging technology for border security 
  • Collaboration and partnership opportunities: Explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership between CBP and other stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions, to foster innovation, share best proctitis, and develop integrated solutions for enhancing border security 
  • Integration of emerging technologies: Discuss the incorporation of emerging technology and how these technologies can enhance situational awareness, improve detection capabilities, and optimize resource allocation across the border. 
  • Collaborative approaches to border management: Examine the importance of interagency collaboration and international cooperation in developing comprehensive border strategies. 
  • Adaptive response to evolving threats: Analyze the adaptive nature of border threats and the need for flexible, dynamic border strategies capable of responding to changing circumstances. 

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Edward.

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