Oct 29, 2026

Peltier Wins Award

      Nextgov/FCW reports that the Public Service Leadership Academy has awarded its Government Executive of the Year award to Brian Peltier, Head of Technology, Customer Data and Artificial Intelligence at Social Security.

 …“My goal is to hide the complexity of government and make it feel simple for the person when they need us or [for] the employee serving,” Peltier said at the gala [announcing the award]. “My vision is simple: to be able to choose how you interact with us, move between channels when you need them and still get the same level of service. Maybe your aunt wants to come in her Sunday best with you all to apply for retirement. Maybe your sister was injured and needs to apply for disability from home. Neither experience is more important than the other. What matters is that we meet people where they are instead of forcing them to meet the government where [it is].” …

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Brian is a great guy. Very happy for him and wish there were more like him.

Anonymous said...

Is this a joke?

Anonymous said...

Great speech 👏
But what are you going to do with a full lobby with only three representatives calling numbers as was my experience two weeks ago.

What matters is that we meet people where they are instead of forcing them to meet the government where [it is].

Anonymous said...

Where is Daniel Dale to fact check all these achievements? Does he also walk on water?

Among his key achievements, Brian championed 24/7 access to mySocialSecurity, enabling more than 1.4 million people to use the portal during previously unavailable hours within the first 60 days. He integrated APIs into the Technician Experience Dashboard to streamline Direct Deposit and Change of Address transactions and helped stabilize the National 800 Number, reducing average call wait times by approximately five minutes to 7.1 minutes. He also advanced AI-enabled tools, including the Agency Support Companion, Policy Assistant Tool, and Evidence Portal, helping employees research policies, process claims, and manage documents more efficiently.

Brian has also strengthened SSA’s responsible use of AI, leading development of the agency’s AI Strategy, supporting workforce training, and sharing governance practices across government. His review of 208 software licenses eliminated duplication and saved taxpayers $14.7 million, which was redirected toward higher-priority technology initiatives. By combining digital modernization, AI, operational efficiency, and fiscal stewardship, Brian is helping SSA provide a simpler, faster, and more responsive experience for both the public and the employees who serve them.

Anonymous said...

Is it strange someone ‘Head of Technology and Customer Data’ got an award after the worst data breach ever at SSA last year?!

Anonymous said...

SSA technology might be heading in the right direction but it’s too early to know because the job is only half done. Seems odd to congratulate someone before the work is done.

Anonymous said...

He actually left SSA for CMS this month

Anonymous said...

Another achievement, Brian quietly watched as Greg was being terminated for not allowing DOGE to copy the database to an offsite location.

Anonymous said...

Didn't a bunch of online Medicare applications go unprocessed via UBA this past summer?

Anonymous said...

ASC and PAT are trash, the automated claims processing is trash, TED is trash, and legacy programs are screwing up more than usual. What a joke.

Anonymous said...

From the very little I was able to discover about the “Public Service Leadership Academy, its chief mission seems to be giving awards. I wouldn’t take this too seriously.

Anonymous said...

His award is for his time at SSA. He only just recently accepted a position at CMS.