Maria A Roat became the Small Business Administration Chief Information Officer in October 2016 bringing 30 years of professional experience in information technology.
Ms. Roat served more than 2 years as the U.S. Department of Transportation Chief Technology Officer and was responsible for establishing and leading DOTs technical vision and strategic direction, driving innovation and planning for technology growth supporting internal and external facing mission activities.
Ms. Roat served 10 years at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) joining in June 2004 in a number of capacities including Federal Risk Management and Authorization Program (FedRAMP) Director, FEMA Deputy CIO, Chief of Staff for the DHS CIO, USCIS Chief Information Security Officer and CIO Chief of Staff, and Deputy Director, Technology Development, for TSA’s Secure Flight Program.
Prior to joining DHS in 2004, Ms. Roat was in the private sector for 5 years deploying and managing global, enterprise network management systems, as well as running Network and Security Operations Centers.
Ms. Roat was previously with the Navy Medical Information Management Command, Norfolk, and other Commands serving in the areas of enterprise network management and engineering, as well as IT operations.
Ms. Roat retired from the U.S. Navy in 2007, with 26 years of active duty and reserve service, in which she obtained the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer, Information Systems Technician. Ms. Roat served in numerous leadership positions including Command Master Chief for the Reserve Intelligence Area Washington (2002-2005) and the Center for Navy Leadership Mid-Atlantic (2005-2007).
Ms. Roat is a graduate of the University of Maryland (UMUC), Harvard Business School Executive Education Program for Leadership Development, and the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy.
