Brian Bothwell

Brian Bothwell is a Director in GAO’s Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics (STAA) team. He oversees a team of engineers and scientists who analyze engineering and technology issues. He also directs a team whose work includes assessing federal efforts to acquire and operate weapons, satellites, and other major technological systems on time and on budget.

Brian joined GAO in December 2013 as a member of the Applied Research and Methods team, where he assessed cost estimates, schedules, cost management systems, and technology readiness of several federal programs. Additionally, Brian contributed to the development of several GAO best practice guides and led the update to the “Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide.” In 2021, he became a Director in GAO’s STAA team. Prior to joining GAO, Brian enjoyed a 20-year career in the United States Navy and worked as a cost estimator in the private sector.

Brian earned a master’s degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School and a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

Brian can be reached by email at bothwellb@gao.gov or by phone at (202) 512-6888. He works in GAO’s Los Angeles Field Office.