Of course, FMV is just one area in which augmentation and automation are key. As we identify which jobs have tasks and elements that are repetitive and follow rule-determined patterns and processes, we need industry and academia to help us identify those specific activities that can be automated. How can we best analyze the cost/benefit ratio? How can we streamline these processes and maximize
the data? We’re going to invest here and your thoughts on this would be very welcome.

So, that leads to an idea I’d like to share with you. It’s an emphasis on how we need to change Team GEOINT – a new entity we can create together – a Public-Private Partnership. That term has been used in different ways over the years, but in this case, I’m talking about an innovative and interdependent relationship between NGA and industry that supports and grows both our capabilities. NGA sits on an amazing and broadly untapped resource. We have labeled imagery, data and analysis going back decades. In a world of deep learning, historic data and ground truth are immensely valuable. Some have even called data “the new oil.”

At the same time, we know that industry has valuable data, as well as the talent, creativity and ability to make something out of nothing to create new algorithms and whole concepts. We must tap into that. So, we propose the creation of a data investment brokerage. NGA would invest our data, our analysis and maybe even our data exhaust – the byproducts – into promising startups, companies and ideas.

The goal would be to obtain a return on that data in the form of new or transformed data, new algorithms, trained machine vision approaches or an application of linked software. Our approach to this initiative is now in formation, and we look forward to developing this type of data-centric synergy with any and all interested partners.

It’s a bold idea with many challenges – from authorities to declassification to licensing – and it definitely falls into the category of taking a risk. So, I’ve assigned Dr. Anthony Vinci to address these challenges and bring about this new Public-Private Partnership.

This is part of the larger goal of putting NGA on the right foot for innovation. To help do that, we’re creating a new Office of Ventures and Innovation under Anthony, which I’ll task with driving innovation – both internally and with our commercial partners.

I’m pleased to announce we’ve recruited Dr. David Bray to come over to NGA to run that office – next month. David is a true change agent, who’s currently serving as the CIO at the FCC and I expect big things from him.

Again, we can’t – and won’t – do it alone. We want your thoughts, feedback and ideas. We want to know how we can work together. What data do you want? Do some of you want to invest your data alongside ours? What can we create together? It’s the start of a conversation that we look forward to having with you. Please come by the Government Pavilion today at 3:30 p.m., to hear more from Anthony.

In the spirit of this new partnership, let me tell you about the data challenge we’ve come up with. Illegal trafficking of all types – whether it’s in people, wildlife, drugs, money or weapons – is a global problem. Our challenge, simply stated, is this: Using your knowledge, skills, resources and only open source material, how would you help NGA and our partners model, track and deter trafficking?Your proposal might be to create analytic algorithms, visualize data or develop unique ways to leverage open source information. We'll run this in the same manner as our hackathons, with a team of experts assembled to judge the submissions, but over a period of several months. And, let's consider this challenge a preview of the Public-Private Partnership, because for the prize, here's the twist: We're not simply giving away money.

As long as you’re a U.S. citizen, you’ll also be able to participate in a cooperative project with NGA. We’ll work together to test and implement your ideas from the challenge. We’ll negotiate the release of unique NGA data. And you’ll be able to share the outcome of the cooperative project. Now I hope that sounds appealing. Big data is clearly the new coin of the realm and we all need to invest it wisely. So look for a press release to come out about our Trafficking Data Challenge, in the very near future, with all the details.

As the current stewards of our profession we look to the future, but it’s important to remember the past. We stand on the shoulders of giants. Today, on the eve of D-Day’s anniversary, it’s worth a couple of minutes to acknowledge our World War II predecessors. One such group was the U.S. Army Map Service Civilian Women Cartographers.

I was privileged to induct all 224 of them into the Geospatial Intelligence Hall of Fame last October. Well, when we held that ceremony at our Virginia headquarters, we wanted to honor them and all the other inductees, without them feeling as if they had to do, or say, anything. But one of them, Bea McPherson, had other ideas, so we went off script a bit. She represented her fellow cartographers and she did it with panache. I’ll let Bea take it from here.

[McPherson video]
Now, recall the two letters General Eisenhower drafted, here is the one he read … “Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force … The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you … You will bring about … security for ourselves in a free world.”

In a world where so many things divide us, our mission brings us together. It reminds us just how closely connected we are. And, if we can do more than see these connections, if we can honor them, then that unity of purpose will inspire us. It will develop and deliver the next generation of intelligence that the world demands and our customers deserve.

Because that unity isn’t only for the big moments – like preparing for a D-Day. It’s for all of us, every day. It’s also what connects us to this moment – and this gathering place – at this GEOINT Symposium. What’s different now is that operations today don’t have such defined, clear-cut timelines as Operation Overlord. So we have to be ready to help our customers hit the beach and clear that beach, around the clock, every single day. And we need to start riding that wave now.

My intent today was to underscore the connections between my agency and the rest of Team GEOINT, between the U.S. and our allies, between our proud history and our vibrant future. Please allow me to share one final, personal connection. When I think of who inspires me, what connects me to this moment, I think of this picture. It was taken 11 years after D-Day.

In it, President Eisenhower is handing a diploma to a newly minted Second Lieutenant, Richard Cardillo, my father, and passing on the responsibility to represent our ideals and to defend our freedom. I think of that diploma as a baton and it’s our turn to run as fast as we can and to win.

I am proud to stand here as the GEOINT Functional Manager and carry that responsibility, with you, for all who depend upon us. Because, just as we keep our eyes on the world, the world is also looking to us, counting on us to use every asset at our disposal – every pixel, every neuron, every bit of data – to make the difference, to win the race. We do that for our leaders, our citizens and our first responders. And of course, we do it for our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen to ensure they succeed in their missions.

Now it’s our turn to play our own critical role in protecting the world. And if you’ll permit me to mix my metaphors: To ride this new wave, as part of this GEOINT revolution we’ve sparked. And to lead and train the next generation in our field, as they prepare to carry the baton – for the race continues. They’ll need to ride that next wave, so our legacy continues onward.

Truly onward.