On January 8th, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Director Dr. Steven Walker announced Dr. Peter Highnam as the agency’s new deputy director. Highnam, a DARPA program manager from 1999 to 2003, replaces Dr. Stefanie Tompkins, who served as acting deputy director since January 2017. Prior to his current assignment, Highnam served as research director at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency since July 2015. With over twelve years of service, he worked in various positions at the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity as well as the Department of Health and Human Services. Highnam graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1991 with a doctorate in computer science.
Leadership Connect
We are a data-driven decision intelligence company focused on the public sector. We enable over 40,000 top-performers, leaders and new hires to make better and faster decisions every day in the policy and procurement communities.
You May Also Like
Best PracticesCongressFederal GovernmentSpotlight Interviews
How to Climb the Hill
How to Climb the Hill
Sarah CleinJuly 27, 2026
CongressFederal GovernmentSpotlight Interviews
Congressional Spotlight Interview with Nolan Dunnahoo
Congressional Spotlight Interview with Nolan Dunnahoo
Sarah CleinJuly 15, 2026
Artificial IntelligenceBest PracticesEmerging TechnologyEvent TakeawaysFederal Government
Fraud in the Modern Era: Detecting What Traditional Systems Miss
Fraud in the Modern Era: Detecting What Traditional Systems Miss
Cole van LeliveldJuly 1, 2026
