According to Federal Computer Week, Katie Lewin, program manager for cloud computing at the General Services Administration, is retiring.  “Multiple sources told FCW that Lewin accepted a position at Falls Church, Va.-based CSC, an IT services and solutions company. The company refused to comment.”

Lewin is widely known for her role as the driving force behind the launch of the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP).  FedRamp is the government’s standardized approach to cloud computing.

Lewin helped federal agencies efficiently develop cloud computing capabilities, carrying out the federal cloud initiative in four key areas: the Apps.gov website, E-mail in the Cloud, Security as a Service and Data Center Consolidation. “Much of this work came at a time when cloud computing was in its infancy in government.”

FedRamp, while not perfect, provided the government with a foundation of requirements as to what it takes to move to cloud.  The GSA, as well as NIST, are pockets of innovation around cloud adoption that we don’t see in other parts of the government.  I suspect Lewin had a great deal to do with that innovation.