ATLANTA, GA August 4, 2024 (bdpatoday.com) — The Honorable Harry Coker, Jr. delivered this year’s keynote address on Saturday, August 3, 2024 during BDPACON24’s Awards Gala. This year’s theme was “Big Data & Predictive Analytics (B.D.P.A.): Forged by the Power of AI.”

executive and career Naval Officer. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy (USNA), the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), and Georgetown University Law Center.

In his last government assignment, Director Coker served as the Executive Director of the National Security Agency (NSA). As the third in command of the largest component of the US Intelligence Community (IC), he directly supported NSA’s Director and Deputy Director in the strategic and day-to-day leadership of the Agency. Director Coker’s service to the Nation and NSA was recognized with the awarding of the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the NSA Director’s Distinguished Service Medal, and the IC EEOD Outstanding Leadership Award.

During his service with the CIA, Director Coker was assigned to leadership positions in the Directorate of Digital Innovation; the Directorate of Science & Technology; and the Director’s Area. Key assignments included service as Director of the Open Source Enterprise, which is responsible for leveraging publicly available information; and as Deputy Director of CIA’s Office of Public Affairs, which is responsible for the Agency’s internal and external communications and media relations. Director Coker was also a member of the small, hand-selected team of senior officers that architected the Agency’s organizational construct and operating model. He also had a key role in formulating and executing the Diversity in Leadership Study; and served on the Executive Diversity & Inclusion Council. Director Coker’s leadership and contributions earned him the Presidential Rank Award and CIA’s Don Cryer Award for Diversity & Inclusion leadership.

BDPA™, with its annual technology awards gala, culminated the Association’s 46th annual assembly of local BDPA™ Chapters, BDPA™ Members, and BDPA™ Student Members with tech industry professionals, academic leaders, and government executives. BDPACON is the Association’s impactful annual gathering of computer and data science professionals with tech industry’s thought leaders.  

Founded in 1975 as Black Data Processing Associates,  BDPA™ (bdpa.org) and participating local BDPA™ Chapters will mark the Association’s 50-year milestone with marquee Golden Anniversary events across the United States in 2025. Email → CorpSales@bdpa.org -or- FedSales@bdpadc.org to reserve exhibits, booths, book-signings, and speaking engagements.

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