Pentagon Spokesman Eric Pahon provided the following readout:
Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks met with the Defense Business Board in a closed session today at the Pentagon.
During the session, she briefed board members on the department's business practices and management of the DoD innovation ecosystem and efforts to reduce barriers to innovation and modernization.
The deputy noted that she is focused on improving the management processes required to orchestrate efforts across organizations and enable department to be a place where innovative ideas and capabilities thrive.
She highlighted three focus areas:
- Alleviating security-related roadblocks;
- Improving enterprise-wide progress toward recruiting, retaining and upskilling the innovation workforce;
- Addressing challenges related to the gap businesses face between prototype/experimentation and production.
Board members then provided their feedback and suggested ideas related to best business practices within industry and the private sector which could be helpful in addressing these focus areas.
Deputy Secretary Hicks thanked the board members, including 10 newly-appointed members, for dedicating their time and expertise toward improving Department of Defense business practices and culture.
