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Contributor:

David Olive

David Olive focuses his blogging primarily on the “business of homeland security” — the interaction of the private sector with the Department of Homeland Security and other national security agencies.

Olive is a principal of Catalyst Partners, a Washington D.C based government relations and public affairs firm with an emphasis on homeland security and national security issues. He previously served as Chief of Staff for then Representative Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) in the 106th Congress. Hutchinson, the former Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, served as the first Undersecretary for Border and Transportation Security at the Department of Homeland Security.

The Hill newspaper has named Olive one of the top five Homeland Security lobbyists in Washington DC.

In addition to his consulting practice, Olive is a Fellow at the GWU Center for Cyber & Homeland Security. He also established and currently serves as the moderator of The Washington Homeland Security Roundtable.

Revitalization, Reorganization or Realignment at S&T – Whatever It’s Called, It Needs Further Review

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September 27, 2018

Dubbed the S&T “Revitalization,” changes announced by S&T Under Secretary nominee Bill Bryan are intended to “operationalize” S&T’s research and development mission. But the plan may need further review.

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Bill Bryan Tapped to Lead DHS S&T – It Is About Time

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July 9, 2018

The White House announced its intention to nominate Bill Bryan for Under Secretary of Science and Technology at DHS.

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Who Should Be the Next Deputies at DHS and TSA?

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February 26, 2018

With the departures of DHS Deputy Secretary Elaine Duke and TSA Deputy Administrator Huban Gowadia, nominees are needed quickly who can bring the right skillsets and capture bipartisan congressional support for confirmation. This is no small order.

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In Second Year of Trump Administration, the Perplexing State of Homeland Security

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February 6, 2018

There is a long list of things in the homeland security arena that remain undone as the Trump Administration begins its second full year.

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Contemplating the Future of a DHS Campus at St. Elizabeth’s

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September 4, 2017

TSA and USCIS are moving to new headquarters buildings but not to the long-planned St. Elizabeth’s campus. Congress needs to start asking questions about whether these moves make budgetary sense and what will happen to the DHS HQ consolidation at St. Elizabeth’s.

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DHS Budget – Public Rhetoric vs. Budget Reality

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May 30, 2017

The rhetoric from DHS leadership about the overwhelming need for cybersecurity talent, as well as other stated priorities, does not match the reality of the DHS FY18 budget proposal.

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DHS Releases RFPs for Border Wall Prototypes

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March 20, 2017

The federal solicitation for the “Southwest Border Wall” is out, and the RFPs contain some surprises on timeline and transparency.

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Senate Commerce Committee Hearing on TSA Goes to the Dogs

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February 27, 2017

When it comes to aviation security and cargo screening, until technology is as reliable and effective as a canine’s nose, we need more trained dogs.

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Adm. Neffenger Says Goodbye in his Own Humble Way

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January 15, 2017

Accolades from within DHS, the private sector and Capitol Hill are beginning to flow in praising the work Neffenger accomplished in his too-short tenure at TSA.

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