One science-focused federal agency is watching to see how the Federal Aviation Administration goes through its process for integrating unmanned aerial vehicles into the country’s airspace.

The U.S. Geological Survey, which monitors seismic activity and other natural hazards, is examining ways it can work with UAV operators in the private sector to carry out geomapping functions and other aerial surveys.

Bruce Quirk, UAS liason for the agency, revealed that the USGS already has one contract in place to acquire the services and could form more.

“When the FAA finally opens up the national airspace system for commercial operations, the USGS will investigate service contracts with the commercial sector that would provide the data sets we need to meet our mission,” Quirk said

Wednesday, the Potomac Officers Club hosted private and public sector leaders at its “Unmanned & Autonomous Technologies” forum to discuss how the public and private sectors can work together to integrate and to secure unmanned systems.

Navy Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder, chief of Naval Research, brought the perspective of uniformed leaders and their strategies to bring these tools to warfighters.

The GovCon executive attendees also heard from Dr. Mica Endsley, the Air Force’s chief scientist, on the Air Force’s innovation efforts in UAS, and CSIS Senior Fellow Sam Brannen’s perspective on the evolution of unmanned technologies.

Diana Gowen to Retire as CenturyLink Government SVP, GM

Diana Gowen plans to retire at the end of June after nine years as SVP and GM of CenturyLink’s government services business.

The 30-year industry veteran previously held executive positions at AT&T and MCI Government Markets prior to CenturyLink.

During her tenure at CenturyLink, the telecommunications company won contracts with agencies such as DoD, GSA and SSA.

Gowen first joined the company’s government services business in 2005.

Thomas Burns Named Chief Executive at ENSCO

Thomas Burns has joined Falls Church, VA-based company ENSCO as CEO.

Burns most recently served SVP and manager of the sensors and phenomenology segment at SAIC as and is also the former CEO and founder of Science, Engineering and Technology Corp., which SAIC acquired.

He has experience working with commercial and federal government clients.

Burns is also a former program manager at DARPA and holds video and radar technology patents.

Doug Lane Takes CEO Role at Capgemini Government Solutions

Doug Lane has joined the Capgemini Government Solutions subsidiary to take on the CEO position.

Lane reports to Capgemini U.S. CEO Tim Bridges and will oversee the subsidiary’s service direction.

He most recently served as a lead partner at A.T. Kearney and is a business development and service delivery veteran.

Shirl Jenkins Appointed EVP, Chief HR Officer at Intellidyne

Shirl Jenkins was promoted to the roles of executive vice president and chief officer of human resources at the technology consulting firm Intellidyne.

Her responsibilities will include strategy, developing and shaping initiatives.

The company credits Jenkins with having initiated and launched some of its most significant human capital programs to date.

Keith Trippie & Monte Ford Take Board Roles at VIP

Keith Trippie and Monte Ford have joined the board of Visionary Integration Professionals.

Trippie led enterprise systems development during his stint in DHS’ office of the CIO and is the former acting executive director for enterprise business system management at DHS.

Ford was named one of the “50 Smartest People in Tech” by Fortune magazine and is the former CEO of Aptean software.