Christopher A Allen

Christopher A. Allen (born August 3, 1958) is a technology strategist who has served multiple components and offices within the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (2002 - Present). Allen's private sector experience includes leadership positions at America Online (2000 - 2002) and FedEx (1981 - 2000). Since entering public service within DHS, Allen has served dual roles within the Transportation Security Administration as the Chief Information Technology Officer and Director of Solutions Engineering and Systems Innovation. Currently Allen serves the DHS Office of Health Affairs as the Chief Technology Officer.
DHS Office of Health Affairs Service
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DHS Transportation Security Administration Service
As a key Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Mr. Allen is responsible for the management and administration of information & technology (IT) decisions across the Department. He currently oversees the management of a $157.2 million budget, and works across organizational boundaries internal and external to the government to deliver consistent IT guidance, policy, and capabilities required to serve and protect the nation’s people and critical infrastructure.
Mr. Allen has led the stand-up and management of two of the Department’s major components, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO). Since March 2007, Mr. Allen has been specifically been responsible for leading a number of mission-critical programs and initiatives that span organizational boundaries, including:
• Development of a to-be solution architecture for the organization
• Alignment of Mission Programs with the Homeland Security Enterprise Architecture
• Developing shared critical mission portfolios that tie to DHS Strategic Plans and Objectives
• Planning and implementing three key Information Sharing Environment (ISE) initiatives
• Reducing duplicative spending across major Departmental initiatives, resulting in a savings of over $250M
• Developing strategic programmatic plans in support of the stand-up of five critical innovation offices within the Department
He administers oversight of the Department's major IT investments through strategic use of information technology and communications systems. He administers programs and processes that provide security for personnel, information technology and communications systems, facilities, property, equipment, and other material resources.
DHS Undersecretary for Management Service
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America Online Experience
Prior to serving as the Chief Information Technology Officer of TSA, Mr. Allen served as the Director of Development and Operations for data warehousing, commerce and reporting systems for America Online. In this role, he was responsible for the entire product life cycle of program development, from product inception to revenue generation. Mr. Allen was also responsible for setting the direction for technology policy, strategy and architecture at AOL, including all major operational staffing decisions. Mr. Allen also led the development and design of the IT transitional architecture in support of the initial merger of AOL and Time Warner.
FedEx Experience
Mr. Allen also had a distinguished 20-year career as the Acting Director of the Distributed Systems Innovation Group at Federal Express Corporation. In this role, he managed and created the first real-time, event-driven distributed computing environment at the organization. In this role, he was responsible for making periodic recommendations to the Chairman, Board of Directors and executive management, and played a key role in leading lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill.
Awards
During his service with the federal government, Mr. Allen has been the recipient of numerous outstanding achievement and leadership awards.
Personal Life
Mr. Allen currently resides in Annandale, VA with his wife Debbie and three daughters, Elizabeth, Mary Catherine, and Shannon.

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