How will projects be funded?

Many of the projects we’re focused on are already funded through their respective organizations—we’re simply helping them optimize and connect with one another. In cases where projects have high potential to scale and make a significant impact in achieving Department-wide objectives, DTO matching investments may be available. The DTO and other digital champions will continue to pursue and secure funding for enterprise-wide digital enablers.

How can external partners get involved in this initiative?

We’re eager to engage current and potential partners as we build out this initiative, and will share more information on opportunities for collaboration in the coming weeks. To learn more visit daftdto.com/get-involved .

Meet the DTO Team

Meet the DTO team

Our team is committed to addressing the digital needs of the entire acquisition and sustainment enterprise from a short- and long-term perspective. We’re looking beyond mission sets, breaking down barriers, and enabling digital innovators by connecting them with the information, resources, and support they need to outpace our adversaries.

J. Kyle Hurst

DAF DTO Chief

Kyle has worked in the Air Force for his entire career, having spent time in flight test, program offices, and numerous acquisition-focused Pentagon positions. He is now serving to advance the Digital Transformation of the DAF acquisition and sustainment enterprise. In this role, Kyle is tasked with leading Digital Transformation strategic communication, stakeholder engagements, and the Digital Campaign governance and battle rhythm. Kyle believes in relationship building, doing what makes sense rather than “what we always do,” and empowering others to do their job better and faster.

Dr. Steven Turek

DAF DTO Technical Advisor

Steve has deep expertise in R&D and acquisition efforts focused on digital thread/twin, advanced manufacturing, and Computer Aided Design/Manufacturing (CAD/CAM). He previously spent time in industry, the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), and the Pentagon. Steve’s current scope of responsibility includes strategic prioritization, Digital Maturity Assessment processes, and Digital Airworthiness. He received his MS and PhD from the University of Cincinnati with theses addressing computational metrology and graph-based methods for Design for Assembly (DFA) analysis in early design.

Vince “Swath” Pecoraro

DAF DTO Lead Program Manager

Vince has worked as a contracting officer on some of the largest and most innovative acquisitions in the history of the Air Force. He has held more acquisition warrants at one time than anyone else in the Air Force, which translates to having the most obligation authority. Vince values relationships built on shared experiences and believes in thinking differently.

Ryan McNeal

DAF DTO Digital Education and Training Lead

Ryan is passionate about using agility and an open mind to drive digital transformation. His experience spans organic software development and sustainment in support of multiple electronic warfare systems, electromagnetic threat modeling and simulation, novel AFRL projects, armament programs, and digital leadership in the Agile Combat Support directorate. Ryan is responsible for managing the DTO Launchpad environment, the Cyber Testing RAVE ENZ environment, and coordinating Digital Education and Training requirements. Ryan is also leading a DAF-wide effort to improve the cyber ATO and EPL approval process to enable faster onboarding of software products into the Air Force.

Noah “Odie” Demerly

DAF DTO Process Automation Lead

Odie has spent time as an Air Force aircraft maintenance officer, in industry, and in program offices. He has experience in commercial engine applications, instrumentation, aircraft maintenance, airworthiness, and safety. As the DTO’s Process Automation Lead, he’s tackling digital transformation with a focus on certifications and acquisition processes. Odie is the Chairperson of the Digital Airworthiness team, which is charged with leading six working groups to improve the Airworthiness process in a digital manner. He also manages external marketing for the DTO, and recently began interfacing with the AF-PLM CSO. Odie’s passionate about leveraging new technologies, models, and data to break paradigms and improve how the Air Force currently works. He believes in encouraging others, staying energized, maintaining positive relationships, and understanding the “why” behind what we do.

Elizabeth Loiacono

DAF DTO Digital Engineer

Elizabeth has significant experience in Digital Manufacturing and implementing digital processes for the sustainment and acquisition Community. She is passionate about delivering digital engineering capabilities across the acquisition and sustainment enterprise to promote early analytical consideration of production and supply chain impacts and reduce data handling costs for AF programs. Previously, she was the lead of the Digital Enterprise program for the Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies Division out of AFRL. She has experience in predictive maintenance, AI/ML implementation, Digital Twin/Digital Thread, Model Based Systems Engineering, and Manufacturing Readiness Assessments.

Scott Thompson

Digital Integration Lead

Scott is passionate about eliminating manual, repetitive processes. With career expertise in Avionics and Navigation Test, including lab, ground, and flight testing, Scott has spent a significant amount of time trying to “break things” to improve design. Holding certifications such as a CISSP and a CSSLP, Scott has supported multiple domains, including Software Assurance, industrial cybersecurity, and system security engineering for aircraft systems. At the DTO, Scott’s working to modernize the DOD's processes from the 1950s era to contemporary digital engineering practices, focused primarily on digital environments, strategic tool integration, and cybersecurity. He’s dedicated to acculturating the workforce on how to utilize enterprise available capabilities as well as advocating for new enterprise capabilities that aren’t currently available.

Amber Gilbert

Digital Strategy Lead

Amber brings diverse Air Force experience to the DTO team, having served in multiple program offices, B-52 depot maintenance, and the Air Force Research Lab. She helped develop digital improvement efforts for DoD manufacturing during her time in AFRL and worked to implement digital transformation in the B-52 program office. She brings this tactical experience, practical perspective, and user-centric focus to strategic development for Department-wide digital enhancements. Amber believes in meeting the needs of Airmen and Guardians with modernized digital capabilities so we can collectively achieve our missions.

Fernando Browning

DAF DTO Digital Sustainment Engineer

Fernando is currently a part-time DTO team member, also working in the Technology and Technical Policy Division within Logistics, Civil Engineering, Force Protection, and the Nuclear Integration Directorate, where he focuses on Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS). His experience spans propulsion and airframe engineering, and he’s previously held roles across the Air Force sustainment community, including Logistics/Sustainment Process Lead Engineer, Division Sustainment Engineering Support Focal Point/Expert, Division OSS&E (Operational Safety, Suitability, & Effectiveness) Engineering Lead, Systems Integration Team Sustainment Expert, and Sustainment Component Improvement Program (CIP) Manager. Fernando is passionate about enabling sustainment programs to realize optimal returns through the expanded use and cultural adoption of digital tools.

The form below is for specific questions. If you’d like to get involved in the Digital Transformation Initiative, please visit the Connect page: