Pete Villano

Director, Microsoft Azure Government Affairs

Peter Villano currently serves as the Director of Government Affairs at Microsoft. He is also a Visiting Fellow at the National Security Institute at George Mason University. Before his role at Microsoft, Pete was a Professional Staff Member with the House Armed Services Committee and advises Members of Congress on issues related to emerging technologies, information and communication technologies, cyber operations and policy, counterterrorism, special operations, Intelligence programs, and related interagency activities. He was the principal staff author of ground-breaking Artificial Intelligence legislation, including the creation of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, and a recent recipient of the “Fed 100” Award from Federal Computer Weekly for contributions in information technology and cyber warfare.

Prior to joining the committee in 2010, Pete served in senior staff positions at the U.S. Department of State and managed foreign assistance programs throughout the Middle East, Asia and Africa. His largest programs resided in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, and Somalia, as well as an emergency response capability with global-reach.

A former Naval Officer with extensive operational experience, Pete is a decorated combat veteran with service in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, and several other countries in support of national security objectives. He led specialized Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) “Bomb Squad” teams throughout the Middle East, Africa and Europe, and served in operational capacities with U.S. and British Intelligence elements.

Pete holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from The George Washington University and The Johns Hopkins University, respectively, and has held fellowships with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and The Brookings Institution. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, two children, and two kayaks.