BSA-The Software Alliance is bringing on former GSA chief acquisition officer Jessica Salmoiraghi to expand the advocacy group’s portfolio into procurement policy, in response to increasing interest from lawmakers and agencies on software security and IT modernization.
“Modernizing government IT and procurement systems through access to software, digital identity tools, AI technologies, and cloud computing services is one of BSA’s growing priorities. We’re delighted to have Jessica lead the expansion of our program,” BSA’s Craig Albright said today in an announcement.
Albright, vice president of U.S. government relations, said, “She brings a proven track record of success to BSA that will help address the challenge of improving how the federal government leverages technology to modernize its services.”
Salmoiraghi joined BSA in May as the association’s senior director for IT modernization and procurement. She spent 15 years working on government contracting and procurement issues, including nearly three years as GSA chief acquisition officer and associate administrator for GSA’s Office of Government-wide Policy.
OGP represents GSA on the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council and is responsible for monitoring and reporting to the Office of Management and Budget on the government’s transition to the cloud including software-as-a-service and platform-as-a-service.
“Fundamentally, I am a procurement nerd,” Salmoiraghi said in an interview with Inside Cybersecurity. She said cloud is under her portfolio at BSA and the trade association provides “a fantastic opportunity to play in the procurement space.”
Salmoiraghi most recently worked at Golden Key Group, a federal contractor focused on human resources, where she played an active role in acquisition on negotiations with government contracting officers.
According to BSA, “Salmoiraghi previously worked in various trade association roles including serving as Director of Federal Agencies and International Programs at the American Council of Engineering Companies, and as Director of Federal Relations and Counsel at the American Institute of Architects, where she directed national trade association advocacy on procurement policies before Congress and federal agencies.”
Salmoiraghi said her portfolio at BSA will focus on the “digital transformation of government,” including cloud software and multi-cloud solutions, as well as how to manage and leverage “data across the government.” Cybersecurity falls under Salmoiraghi’s purview and she will also contribute to BSA’s work on artificial intelligence.
Salmoiraghi will also play a role in BSA’s lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill through engagements with the homeland security, oversight and veterans affairs committees.
She pointed S. 931, the Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act, as a topic of interest. The bill passed the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee unanimously on May 17 with a substitute amendment that addressed stakeholder concerns. -- Sara Friedman (sfriedman@iwpnews.com)