Peter Villano is the director of Quantum Government Solutions at IonQ, a leading quantum information science company that is developing quantum computers to solve the world’s most complex problems. Previously he led global strategy at Microsoft and accelerated the deployment of Azure Quantum and cloud computing solutions for the U.S. government and international partners.

Peter’s government service has spanned more than 25 years, most recently as a Professional Staff Member with the House Armed Services Committee where he managed $75 billion in government programs, including quantum information science, emerging technologies, cyber operations and policy, information technology, special operations, and related Intelligence and interagency activities. He was the principal staff author of ground-breaking AI and quantum information science legislation and was a recipient of the “Federal 100 Award” from Federal Computer Weekly for advances in cloud computing.

Peter additionally served as a government Program Director and technical program manager in support of U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

A former Naval Officer with extensive operational experience, he is a combat veteran of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen, where he led specialized Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) bomb squad teams.

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