DDS Tour of Duty

Introducing our blog series: the DDS Tour of Duty.

Get to know some of our exceptional team members and why they chose to contribute to our national defense and security by serving with the Defense Digital Service. 

Meet Allen Vance, portfolio lead for Hack the Pentagon.

Why did you choose DDS?

I wanted to work for DDS to get as close to “the fight” as I can and contribute to whatever improves warfighter protection, morale, and lethality through the use of new technology.

I followed DDS from afar from its founding and evolution from the US Digital Service. I always thought it would be great to do a tour, and the remote-first approach at DDS that was a silver lining from the Covid pandemic gave me the chance to do it - without having to move from Atlanta to the DC area.

What is your role in DDS? 

I’m a product manager, and my main “day job” is portfolio lead for our Hack the Pentagon program, which uses a crowdsourced approach to improving the Department’s cybersecurity posture through a series of bug bounties. Also, I, along with my fellow product managers, help lead teams of technical experts to deliver outcomes based on modern agile software discovery and delivery techniques across a variety of programs.

What was your background before joining DDS? 

I started out as a software engineer in the long ago days, then moved into systems and network operations and eventually into product management and strategic technology alliances. 

I’ve worked for four cybersecurity companies, primarily in a product leadership role driving strategy and product results, and supervising teams of product managers and UX/UI designer/researchers. I did a few startups along the way, which gave me some experience in marketing, strategy, customer support, raising funding rounds, and sales.

I’ve also served for 20 years as an officer in the Georgia State Defense Force, a Title 32 recognized military unit that works with the National Guard and civilian authority.

What is the most impactful work you’ve done or been a part of to date?

In addition to helping guide the Hack the Pentagon program, I’ve contributed to a technology assessment and recommendations for a DoD agency to help them modernize their systems and approach to software development. I’ve also served as a judge at an Air Force-sponsored hackathon and contributed to a hackathon effort by DDS itself for the Army.

I believe those efforts have helped drive innovation, improved cost-effectiveness, and increased the cybersecurity posture of the Department.

What motivates you? 

Knowing that our work helps the warfighter and their supporting elements accomplish the mission faster, safer, and more capably. I’m up for anything that helps make our national defense more effective.

What are your hobbies?

Reading (anything from science fiction to history, biography, science, and thrillers), working out, volunteering, and trying unsuccessfully to get in more than two rounds of golf a year.

Allen, thank you for being a valued member of the DDS Team!!