Ms. Karen Britton is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Management from Florida Institute of Technology. She is a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College and is Defense Acquisition Work Force Improvement Act (DAWIA) Certified Level III in Program Management.

Ms. Britton began her professional career in 1987 with the Submarine Maintenance Engineering Procurement and Planning (SUBMEPP) at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a General Engineer. She was assigned to develop Cost Estimates for SSN688 Class Overhauls. As part of her professional development she was selected for the Assistant Ship Superintendent position and worked on the first Depot Modernization Program (DMP) for the USS Dallas (SSN 700).

In 1990 Ms. Britton joined the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Headquarters, Submarine Directorate. As the Project Engineer for the SSN 688 Class Fast Attack Submarines, she managed the implementation, planning and execution efforts for nuclear powered submarine overhauls.

In 1992 Ms. Britton was assigned as the Project Engineer responsible for planning, scheduling and managing the Post Shakedown Availabilities (PSA) for SSN688 Class Submarines. She was the NAVSEA representative while underway during the PSA Sea Trial of the USS Asheville (SSN 758).

In May of 1998, Ms Britton was selected as the Assistant Acquisition Program Manager in the USS VIRGINIA Class Program Office where she prepared Flag level program briefings and responded to Congressional inquiries on technology insertion, teaming and contract issues. Early the following year in 1999 Ms. Britton was assigned as the Team Submarine Congressional Manager responsible for all public affairs and media inquiries.

In February of 2000, Ms. Britton served as the Electric Boat Construction Manager for the VIRGINIA Class submarine. She provided both technical and management oversight for new construction requirements.

In August of 2000, Ms. Britton was promoted to the position of Deputy CIO for IT Capital Planning. In this capacity, she led the NAVSEA IT Portfolio Planning team to provide an enterprise view of the information management/information technology strategy.

Ms. Britton was promoted to the Deputy Command Information Officer (CIO) for Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in May 2003 where she was responsible for managing Command-wide Information Technology (IT) planning, policy, and budget, and for overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of all NAVSEA information systems including legacy network and server reductions.

Ms. Britton departed the Department of Navy in 2007 for an opportunity in the private sector and was selected for a Program Management position with e-Management. In this position she provided support to the Department of Energy for implementing the capital planning and investment control process and developing the Enterprise Architecture plan.

In July 2009 Ms. Britton joined the Office of Administration Executive Office of the President as the Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO). In this position she will provide technology vision, operational guidance, and leadership for developing and implementing IT initiatives that create and maintain leadership for the EOP.