George Forbes

Director, Operations Digital Enterprise & Functional CIO & CDAO

U.S. Air Force

Mr. Forbes, the Director of the Digital Transformation Division within the HQ US Air Force Operations Staff, is a multifaceted leader with a remarkable track record.
Digital Transformation Visionary: As the Director of Digital Transformation, Mr. Forbes spearheads the integration of cutting-edge technology across the Air Force. His strategic vision drives innovation, efficiency, and agility. He formulates IT and data strategies, providing guidance and policy direction for all echelon levels. His orchestration and synchronization efforts ensure seamless operations.
Data Evangelist: In his secondary role as the Functional Information and Data Officer for the Operations Enterprise, Mr. Forbes manages the Envision data fabric. This critical responsibility impacts the entire USAF enterprise. His expertise spans Descriptive Data Analytics, Predictive Analytics (including Machine Learning), Process Automation, Data Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence. He leverages data as a powerful weapon system.
Software Development Pioneer. Forbes is at the forefront of low-code and no-code solutions. His rapid deployment of software solutions enhances operational effectiveness. His passion for user adoption ensures that technology translates seamlessly into practical applications.
Military Career Highlights: Commissioned in the US Air Force, Mr. Forbes served as a Civil Engineering Officer. His assignments spanned base level, theater level, MAJCOM, and HQ Air Force. His expertise in expeditionary operations, combined with data science, made him an invaluable asset. Notably, he led base camp planning in the CENTCOM AOR and collaborated with the Royal Saudi Air Force. Deployments to Bosnia, Haiti, Panama, and various Middle Eastern and Asian locations enriched his experience.
Engineering Innovator. Forbes commanded a specialty engineering Explosive Demolition Team, showcasing his hands-on leadership. His pioneering work on GeoBase, a USAF-wide development, revolutionized geospatial data management.
Private Sector Impact: Transitioning from the USAF, Mr. Forbes excelled in the private sector. His executive and senior project management roles oversaw mega-construction projects worth billions of dollars. His influence extended to the Arabian Gulf region, where he managed large-scale endeavors for MILCON and Oil and Gas companies.
Scholarly pursuits: Mr. Forbes was conferred a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and a Masters Degree in Management Information Systems (Data Science) from Harvard University. He is a guest lecturer at Harvard University, US Air Force Academy, and other notable institutions and is published in several professional and industry journals.

Event Participation