Maximus Inc.

Human beings are tracked and destroyed like logical and logis- sorry, log- logistical cargo.

David Mastrand, the f- future founder of Maximus Inc., was recruited as one of the key analysts for the project.

Mastrand's specific task was to create a computer simulation of truck convoy moving down the Ho Chi Minh Trail and air orders of battle bombing, uh, that were bombing the convoys.

The military-grade interdiction and targeting methodology didn't end in Vietnam.

Strategic hamlets provided the physical geofencing grid, fenced in human populations, restricting physical movement, and creating a stark binary where anyone outside the perimeter was classified as a targetable enemy.

Igloo White, as we previously defined, provided the electronic surveillance grid blanketing the surrounding corridors with sensor networks, automated telemetry, and computer-driven strike algorithms to monitor and neutralize movement across the perimeter.

Now, mo- uh, both of the programs stemmed from the same, uh, technocratic inner circle, Robert McNamara, DARPA spooks, and the lesser talked about, the JASON group, the JASON scientists of the MITRE Corporation, and Maximus Inc., of course, seeking a technical algorithm solution to human warfare and social control.

After departing the Air Force, David Mastrand took his Igloo White interdiction models, combined them with sto- the stolen PROMIS software, which that, that's another rabbit hole to go down.

My guest today is Derek Pledger.

Derek is the Chief Digital and Information Officer of Maximus, where he leads AI enablement transformation, cybersecurity, and technology modernization for one of the largest providers of government services in the country.

Prior to his current role, Derek was the chief information officer of Laidos, where he oversaw global IT.

He's a U.S. Army combat veteran, an author, and someone who spent his career at the intersection of large-scale technology transformation and personal performance.

Head to elevenlabs.io backslash technovation to get started for free.

And now on to the interview.

Well, let's begin, if you don't mind, with Maximus.

For those who may be less familiar with the company, give us a little bit more context as to the company that you help lead.

Great to be back.

Mark Abel is the Vice President, Capture and Strategic Growth, and Go-To-Market Executive for Workforce Solutions at Maximus Federal.

Mark, welcome to the show.

Hey, thanks, Dave.

But for Mark and Steve, I'm going to give you each an opportunity to introduce yourselves.

So Mark, let's start with you.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you and the Maximus team are working on.

Great.

Um, in Texas, the entire welfare system is run by a contractor.

You wouldn't know it if you call them up, but it's the case, that a company called Maximus is deciding whether people there are entitled to welfare benefits, entitled to healthcare, entitled to SNAP.

Should those decisions be in the hands of private companies? I think a lot of people would say not if they knew.

No, most people would say that you're exactly right.

And the crazy thing about the, this, th- this company, Maximus, the... is that they haven't really been investigated in, uh, to my satisfaction and, and that, not that that means a damn thing, but to the point to say that they...

Are they, are they, uh, uh, approving and allocating the benefits appropriately and to the people that need them the most? And this is where racism, um, and, uh, family, familial status comes into play because from what I've read, they are, they, they really kinda walk the fine line of, um, if, if a family is of a certain ethnicity or if the family is not one that has the makeup that the private corporation behind closed doors thinks it should, those benefits are going in other directions, and that, to me, is a huge problem when you have private corporations running programs that should be run by, you know, a, a, a well-run government organization.

W- what, what are your thoughts there?

States don't make a big deal out of telling people, "Oh, hey, we're not actually making decisions on your behalf.

That will help me to remember you.

Your father and a few other people call me Maximus." He tossed me the polished stick he was leaning on and went away.

You might have knocked me down with it.

"Who was he?" said Dan.

Maximus himself, our great general, the general of Britain, who had been Theodosius's right hand in the Pict War.

Not only had he given me my centurion's stick direct, but three steps in a good legion as well.

A new man generally begins in the Tenth Cohort of his legion and works up.

"And were you pleased?" said Una.