DOT CDIO Pavan Pidugu to Keynote 2026 Digital Transformation Summit

The Potomac Officers Club, the nation’s leading GovCon events organization, is excited to announce that Pavan Pidugu, chief digital and information officer at the Department of Transportation and a 2026 Wash100 Award winner, will deliver a keynote address at the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit on April 22 at the Hilton McLean in Virginia. 

The 2026 Digital Transformation Summit is a premier event featuring high-ranking officials dedicated to modernizing government technology and replacing outdated legacy systems to improve mission. The event convenes decision makers from government and technology providers to share exclusive insights into advancing AI, cyber and enterprise IT in the federal landscape. Tickets are still available here.

Who Is Pavan Pidugu?

Pidugu is a seasoned technology leader known for driving innovation and overseeing digital transformation across both the private and public sectors.

In the private sector, Pidugu held leadership roles at major global retailers, including Walmart and Target. At Walmart, he led digital customer and omnichannel experience initiatives across international markets. At Target, he supported enterprise technology initiatives.

He joined DOT in 2020 as chief technology officer at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, where he led efforts to modernize legacy systems and improve how technology supports registration, inspection, compliance and enforcement functions.

Pidugu was sworn in as the Transportation Department’s CDIO in February 2025. In the role, he develops and implements the department’s digital strategy and spearheads IT modernization efforts to enhance transportation safety and efficiency across the nation.

Throughout his career, the federal official has earned recognition for his leadership in technology innovation and digital transformation. He was recognized in 2024 as one of Marlow Business School’s World 100 Technology Leaders for his impact on the technology industry. More recently, he was honored with the 2026 Wash100 Award, an accolade handed to industry and government leaders shaping the future of GovCon.

What Will Pavan Pidugu Address in His 2026 Digital Transformation Summit Keynote?

Pidugu’s keynote is expected to focus on several themes shaping federal digital transformation efforts.

AI Adoption at DOT

Pidugu’s keynote is expected to focus on how federal agencies are applying technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to improve mission delivery. 

The DOT is already exploring the use of AI to streamline labor-intensive functions, such as reviewing large volumes of public comments on notices of proposed rule-making and mitigating fraud in its digital identity verification process for individuals applying for trucking credentials, CIO.com reported.

At the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit, he is expected to expand on ongoing and future initiatives to apply AI to improve service delivery and security across the agency. He may also speak to industry about what other DOT processes will benefit from AI deployment and what capabilities the agency will need to support its digital transformation priorities.

Modernizing Legacy Systems

In February, DOT launched an enterprise-wide IT modernization effort aimed at transforming legacy systems and improving service delivery across the department.

Led by Pidugu, the initiative prioritizes the creation of a OneDOT model to unify enterprise services such as cloud, infrastructure, cybersecurity and data, while eliminating duplicative systems across the agency.

He has emphasized the importance of delivering modernization outcomes within months rather than years, advocating for a shift away from simply migrating legacy systems toward rethinking processes and adopting the right technologies.

At the summit, Pidugu is expected to discuss how this approach can help agencies accelerate delivery timelines, improve operational efficiency and better align technology investments with mission needs.

Insights From Real-World Digital Transformation Efforts

Pidugu is also expected to draw on his experience leading technology transformation at FMCSA, where he modernized legacy systems and revolutionized how technology is developed and delivered at the agency.

Attendees of the summit may hear Pidugu share lessons learned from this transformation and how similar approaches can be applied across federal agencies seeking to modernize their IT environments.

Do not miss this opportunity to hear Pidugu share his perspective on digital transformation, AI adoption and IT modernization at the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit on April 22. Sign up today. 

Why Should GovCons Attend the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit?

The 2026 Digital Transformation Summit is the perfect opportunity for government contractors to gain insight into federal digital priorities and position themselves to meet emerging opportunities. Attendees will:

• Hear directly from federal technology leaders on priorities in AI, cybersecurity and IT modernization
• Better align capabilities with agency needs as digital transformation efforts accelerate across government
• Build strategic relationships with decision-makers and industry peers to support future partnerships and contract opportunities

Which Other Government Leaders Are Speaking at the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit?

Aside from Pidugu, the Potomac Officers Club invited top technology leaders from across government to discuss critical challenges, strategies and opportunities related to digital transformation at the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit. 

Kirsten Davies, chief information officer of the Department of War and a fellow Wash100 recipient, will also deliver a keynote address at the summit.

Davies is expected to discuss how federal agencies can accelerate digital transformation while maintaining strong cybersecurity and operational resilience. Her remarks will likely cover enterprise cybersecurity, zero trust implementation, modernization of legacy systems and the use of artificial intelligence, automation and analytics to support mission readiness.

The Potomac Officers Club has also booked the following government leaders as speakers at the upcoming summit:

• Andrea Brandon, deputy assistant secretary for budget, finance, grants and acquisitions at the Department of the Interior
• Anil Chaudhry, senior adviser for the Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence at the Department of Transportation
• Christopher Dearie, deputy executive director of the Border Enforcement Management Directorate at the Customs and Border Protection
• Daniel Hettema, director of digital engineering, modeling and simulation at the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering
• David Hinchman, federal senior executive for cybersecurity and IT modernization at the Government Accountability Office
• Col. Scott Klempner, deputy program executive officer at the Space Systems Command
• Col. Jonathan McCall, deputy director for space at the U.S. Space Force
• David Raley, chief digital business officer at the Marine Corps Community Services

More industry and government speakers will be added to the lineup as the event approaches. 

Federal agencies are accelerating digital transformation to improve mission speed and efficiency. At the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit, government leaders will provide updates on modernization efforts and priorities in AI, cybersecurity and enterprise IT. Secure your tickets today!