Session 7: 508 Compliance: Ensuring Accessible Technology and Information

Session 7: "508 Compliance: Ensuring Accessible Technology and Information"

Maria Roat

Maria A. Roat is the DOT Chief Technology Officer and is responsible for architecting of the Department’s technical transformation focused on cloud computing, data management, and leveraging enterprise technology services to improve the operations, productivity, efficiency, effectiveness and service delivery of the Department.

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, then as the Program Manager for the Fraud Detection and National Security System, and then Chief of Staff, Office of Information Technology (OIT), within the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, 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. Ms. Roat served as Deputy Chief Information Officer, Director for Administration within the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS/FEMA).

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.