October 28, 2025
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On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, former NASA Chief Data Officer Ron Thompson shares a hopeful perspective on the current government shutdown. With Congress reportedly getting closer to a deal, Thompson believes now is the time for agencies to prepare not just to restart operations, but to rebuild smarter.
Drawing from his three decades of federal service, including leadership roles at the Census Bureau and NASA, Thompson recalls his first shutdown in 1995. He notes that, despite the decades between then and now, the emotional impact remains similar. Federal employees still face anxiety about pay, job stability, and mission continuity. Yet this moment, he says, can also be a catalyst for innovation and cultural renewal inside government.
Thompson emphasizes that when employees return after a shutdown, the focus must first be on mission delivery — ensuring services to citizens continue without delay. But this time, he believes agencies have the chance to go beyond restarting operations. They can rebuild smarter, aligning teams around outcomes that not only meet but exceed expectations. That means reaffirming trust with citizens, fostering shared mission across the workforce, and providing strong, empathetic leadership.
As Thompson explains, today’s government operates in a different landscape than it did in 1995. There are fewer people to do more work, and the demands on public agencies have only grown. To meet those challenges, he sees automation and artificial intelligence as essential tools. “There’s not a better time than now to bring in automation,” he says. Automation, he argues, can improve the quality and timeliness of work while freeing up people to focus on higher-value activities.
Still, Thompson acknowledges the human concerns that come with technological change. Employees returning from furlough may already feel unsettled, and talk of automation can add to that unease. But rather than viewing technology as a threat, he encourages workers to see it as an opportunity to grow. “If you’re in a role that’s not using technology,” he says, “embrace it.” Learning and adapting to new tools can open doors to more meaningful, future-ready work.
For leaders, Thompson’s message is clear: be transparent, be compassionate, and be ready to redesign how your organization functions. The disruption of a shutdown can become an inflection point — a moment to question old processes, eliminate unnecessary manual work, and refocus on results that matter.
Reflecting on past shutdowns, Thompson observes that delays and backlogs often strain agencies long after operations resume. But this time, he hopes leaders won’t just “restart the machine.” Instead, he urges them to modernize the operating model, integrate automation into everyday workflows, and prepare for a government where AI is embedded in everything.
The shutdown, he says, may be a setback — but it also offers the chance to build a more resilient, efficient, and mission-driven government. For federal leaders and employees alike, this moment could be the foundation for lasting transformation.