When Ariel Vargas joined NASA in 2023, he knew he wanted to make an impact. Despite his relatively short tenure, he has earned the reputation of a Digital Transformer in his work as a Network and ICAM (Identity, Credential, and Access Management) Service Integrator at Johnson Space Center (JSC). No matter the task at hand, Ariel is motivated by measurable transformation. "I wanted to have my fingerprint on something no matter what it was, big or small. To be able to see an impact," he says. "And a lot of the things that I'm doing, both within my role and within Digital Transformation, I can see really flourishing already."
In his current role, Ariel oversees the integration and management of various network services to ensure compliance and smooth operation. This includes the modernization of NASA's Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to consolidate the agency's telephone systems and enhance wireless communications. He is involved in rolling out wall-to-wall wireless and coverage improvements on campus at JSC. Ariel also spearheads efforts in streamlining communications across NASA by integrating new capabilities into familiar platforms like Microsoft Teams. With these projects in progress, he aims to foster a more flexible, collaborative work environment aligned with Digital Transformation's goal of inclusive teaming.
Ariel appreciates the cultural side of Digital Transformation, particularly the challenges involved in pursuing constant innovation. He recognizes that growth "often requires a period of adjustment, especially for those encountering new tools or methods for the first time." Ariel strives to ensure cohesive collaboration across teams and centers in establishing interoperable architectures, processes, and tools. His team measures the impact of their transformation efforts by several metrics, including increased network performance and adoption rates of new tools and technologies. For instance, the VoIP modernization initiative aims to remove 50% of telephones at NASA centers. Of the over 1300 users affected by the NASA-wide service shut-off of non-compliant phones at JSC, only 6% reported issues post-implementation. This reflected a positive and proactive collaboration with users on finding alternative solutions and embracing future innovations.
