Federal News
DoD Transitions CMMC Leadership
March 20, 2026
Stacy Bostjanick, the Department of Defense's Chief of Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity and a key architect of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, is retiring after 37 years of federal service. Her departure marks a significant leadership transition as the DoD continues to implement CMMC requirements, which mandate cybersecurity standards for up to 80,000 defense contractors over the next three years. Buddy Dees, with prior industry experience at SAIC and Harris, is expected to serve as interim director of the CMMC Program Management Office, guiding the program through this critical phase.
- Why this matters: The leadership change occurs amid ongoing CMMC rollout, impacting contractor compliance timelines and cybersecurity requirements across the defense industrial base.
- Procurement professionals should anticipate continuity in CMMC enforcement but also potential shifts in program priorities or implementation strategies under interim leadership.
- Contractors must maintain focus on meeting evolving CMMC standards to remain eligible for DoD contracts, especially as the program phases in over the next three years.
- Industry stakeholders can leverage this transition period to engage with DoD cybersecurity leadership and align their cybersecurity investments with anticipated program developments.
Mr. Bishop brings an extensive and unique blend of industry, federal and transformational experience that will be critical as the Department focuses on Secretary Hegsethβs charge for lethality, efficiency, and warfighter readiness.
— Kirsten Davies, DoD CIO
Agencies
Department of Defense, Naval Surface Warfare Center White Oak Division, Missile Defense Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, Defense Information Systems Agency
Vendors
SAIC, Harris
Locations
Sources
- Bostjanick to Depart DOD After 37 Years of Service β MeriTalk · MeriTalk · Mar 20
- Pentagon DIB Cybersecurity Chief Stacy Bostjanick to Retire · ExecutiveGov · Mar 20
- CMMC director Bostjanick retiring from DoD | Federal News Network · Federal News Network · Mar 20