Texas Capital Region CASA instills innovation into Army’s future planning

By Maureena Thompson, Army Futures CommandJanuary 9, 2023

Abdul Subhani, right, and Lt. Gen. Thomas H. Todd III
Abdul Subhani, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army – Texas (Capital Region) and Founder, President and CEO of Centex Technologies, right, and Lt. Gen. Thomas H. Todd III, Deputy Commanding General of Acquisition and Systems and Chief Innovation Officer at Army Futures Command, visit the Robotics Center of Excellence at the University of Texas at Austin on Feb. 17, 2022. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Patrick Hunter) VIEW ORIGINAL

AUSTIN, Texas – Austin-based tech leader Abdul Subhani is invariably passionate about IT and innovation.

When he isn’t guiding the work of his IT consulting firm, Centex Technologies, he can often be found teaching advanced computer science courses to college students, writing textbooks on information security, or speaking to the nuances of the rapidly changing IT field.

For the last three years, however, Subhani has enthusiastically taken on additional role: Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) – Texas (Capital Region).

“I am proud to serve,” Subhani said, adding that he is “committed to supporting all Department of the Army Civilians, Soldiers and their Families” as a CASA.

Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth meets with Abdul Subhani, CASA - Texas (Capital Region).
Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth meets with Abdul Subhani, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army – Texas (Capital Region), in May 2022. (Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Abdul Subhani) VIEW ORIGINAL

As direct advisors to the Secretary of the Army, CASAs play important roles in supporting recruitment efforts, liaising between regional and headquarters senior leaders, and improving communication between command and community. They volunteer significant time and effort to foster strong linkages among the Army, academia, private industry and the civic sector.

Subhani explained that there are about 100 CASAs currently, working from all areas of the country to positively influence Army problem-solving and decision-making.

Given his base in Austin, Subhani works closely with Army Futures Command (AFC) Commanding General Gen. James E. Rainey and Texas Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, strategizing on future and present Army needs and capabilities.

He also leverages his tech industry expertise to inform cutting-edge Army science and technology activities, coordinating with the AFC Acquisition & Systems Directorate, the Army Software Factory and the Futures and Concepts Center to keep the Army apprised of key breakthroughs and challenges in the field.

Texas Capital Region CASA Abdul Subhani visits with ARMY ROTC cadets.
Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army – Texas (Capital Region) Abdul Subhani, center, visits with Army ROTC cadets at the University of Texas at Austin in December 2022. Subhani served as a guest lecturer at the ROTC event, sharing information on his work and motivational messages. (Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Abdul Subhani) VIEW ORIGINAL

“The proudest moment I had as a CASA was being a senior mentor to the Army Software Factory leadership,” Subhani said. “Seeing Army Software Factory come together and become a place where Soldiers take lead in developing software for the Army was a dream come true.”

His work additionally takes him to the Pentagon, where he helps Army technologists and senior officials understand and apply leading industry standards, such as Zero Trust Architecture and cloud migration.

Subhani credits many of his career successes in technology and business to the opportunities he was able to pursue after immigrating to the U.S. from Pakistan in 1998. He completed his senior year of high school in Texas before going on to achieve bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the state, which he has called home since. Subhani was motivated to take on the role of a CASA in large part due to the transformative experience.

“Being nominated to be a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) was something I never expected. It means so much to me to be able to give back and serve the country that has given me so much. I would not be where I am today if I was not granted the opportunities from this great country of ours,” Subhani said.

Texas Capital Region CASA Abdul Subhani meets with faculty at West Point.
Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army – Texas (Capital Region) Abdul Subhani meets with faculty and department heads at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in March 2022. (Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Abdul Subhani) VIEW ORIGINAL

Subhani looks forward to continuing to advise the Army, both as a CASA and in another position he was appointed to in November of 2022: Distinguished Chair of Innovation and Strategic Engagement at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“My hope is that we keep pushing through – not stopping – on modernization, and we bring in people who have the vision to make that change,” he said.