Dr. Delester Brown Jr. is the Chief Data Officer (CDO) at the National Guard Bureau. Dr. Brown is building a data program at the enterprise level that stretches across the 54 states and territories. Formerly, he acted as the CDO for the Army National Guard. He was tasked with transitioning the ARNG to data-centric organization. Starting as a computer engineer many around Arlington Hall Station know him as the fixer of everything and a change champion in digital transformation. He has seen previous successes in multiple projects regarding emerging technology within the ARNG as the Chief Technology Officer. Additionally, his body of work includes the design of Guard Cloud Services and the Army’s only approved mobility solution under the Rapid Workforce Capabilities Program. Dr. Brown is in a unique environment in which his leadership excels in managing teams of military personnel, civilians, and contractors to complete various projects and initiatives. As a published author, he continues to support higher education amongst Soldiers as a tutor and guest lecturer at the Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon.
Previously, Dr. Brown was an instructor in the Engineering Technology Program at Lanier Technical College. He collaborated to build degree curriculums and conducted science lessons for the Boys & Girls Club of Lanier. Dr. Brown completed AT&T’s Network Engineering Technical Development Program where he was dual hatted as a Manager and Sr. Wireless Translation Engineer at the Mobility Transport Center. His team consisted of engineers working in Atlanta, Dallas, and Prague, Czech Republic. Dr. Brown’s team was highlighted for completing the IPv6 conversion on the entire AT&T network as well as quality service award for prolonged periods without network outages. He started his career as a lead field service technician III at Ciena working to expand the 4G LTE backhaul to support numerous Fortune 500 companies.
Dr. Brown possesses a Doctorate in Computer Science from Colorado Technical University, M.S. in Network and Communications Management from Keller School Management, a B.S. in Electronic Engineering Technology from DeVry University, and A.A.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Augusta Technical College. His career contributions have led to multiple performance awards, challenge coins, the Superior Civilian Service Medal(2x), and awarded the prestigious Bronze Order of Mercury as a civilian by the Signal Corps Regimental Association. Dr. Brown’s foundation is rooted in outreach work, mentorship in addition to coaching, and STEM advocacy.
To operate in excellence and produce daily gains, Dr. Brown acknowledges the support of an amazing family. His wife, Felicia, and two daughters, Ziva and Eleta make home enjoyable and full of laughter. They are his testament to bringing a family-oriented atmosphere and high-energy approach to the workplace.