Jon Lazar is the Director of the Innovation & Modernization Office, an innovation accelerator within the Office of the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering.   Working closely with innovators across DoD, industry, academia, and the interagency, Mr. Lazar’s team identifies, develops, and transitions prototype concepts and technologies that accelerate DoD Modernization, and counter emerging and anticipated threats.  Using lightweight processes that emphasize speed and agility, these prototypes capitalize on the latest advancements in both commercial and government technologies, and are designed to accelerate the introduction and adoption of transformative technologies into the hands of the joint warfighter.

 In a previous assignment within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Mr. Lazar served as the Director of the Defense Biometrics Office, responsible for the oversight of DoD biometrics related technologies and concept development. He facilitated the rapid development and transition of biometric technology within the Department and worked with interagency partners to address national security needs through improved interagency data sharing and collaboration.

 Prior to joining the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Mr. Lazar served as a Naval Aviator in the United States Navy, deploying multiple times to the Arabian Gulf and serving in a variety of leadership positions.  An accomplished pilot, he logged more than 3,000 rotary wing hours and almost 1,000 shipboard landings; and helped pioneer the use of night vision goggles, the hellfire missile system, and the Sea Swap initiative in his community.