Maria A. Roat became the U.S. Department of Transportation Chief Technology Officer in September 2014 bringing 30 years of professional experience in information technology, including operations and intelligence. She is responsible for establishing and leading DOTs technical vision and strategic direction.
Ms. Roat served 10 years at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) joining in June 2004, first serving at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), where she was Deputy Director, Technology Development, 2005-2006, for TSA’s Secure Flight Program.
In August 2006, Ms. Roat began serving at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), as the Program Manager for the Fraud Detection and National Security System, and then Chief of Staff, Office of Information Technology (OIT), where she managed OIT operations and administration, in addition to holding responsibility as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with oversight of all aspects of USCIS’ Information Security Program.
Ms. Roat served as Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) in DHS Headquarters, September 2008. She directed the OCIO Front Office, which serves as the principal administrative advisor to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Deputy CIO, with responsibilities for budget, acquisitions, communications, human resources, and support programs. Ms. Roat served as Deputy Chief Information Officer, Director for Administration within the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS/FEMA), November 2011.
Ms. Roat served as the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Director, January 2013-August 2014.
Prior to joining DHS in 2004, Ms. Roat was with the Navy Medical Information Management Command, Norfolk, and other Commands serving in the areas of enterprise network management and engineering, as well as IT operations.
Ms. Roat was in the private sector for 5 years deploying and managing global, enterprise network management systems, as well as running Network and Security Operations Centers.
Ms. Roat retired from the U.S. Navy in 2007, with 26 years of active duty and reserve service, in which she obtained the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer, Information Systems Technician. Ms. Roat served in numerous leadership positions including Command Master Chief for the Reserve Intelligence Area Washington (2002-2005) and the Center for Navy Leadership Mid-Atlantic (2005-2007).
Ms. Roat is a graduate of the University of Maryland (UMUC), Harvard Business School Executive Education Program for Leadership Development, and the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy.
