John Lyons

Chief Operating Officer | Public-Sector Infrastructure & Pavement Preservation | Operational Platform, Risk & Compliance Leadership

Hammonton, New Jersey, United States

About

I’ve spent my career working at the intersection of operations, regulation, and leadership — helping organizations perform in environments where the stakes are high and execution matters. As COO of a public-sector pavement preservation contractor, I partner with executive leadership to ensure the company’s operating platform — from risk and compliance to fleet support, finance, and technology — enables our field teams to deliver safely and consistently for DOT and government clients. With a background that includes tax, privacy, and public policy work, I bring a governance-oriented approach to operational leadership: building systems that scale, managing risk thoughtfully, and supporting teams with the structure they need to succeed.

Experience

  • Chief Operating Officer at Asphalt Paving Systems Inc.
    Jun 2025 - Present · 1 yr 1 mo

    COO reporting to the President and CEO, responsible for owning the operating platform that supports scalable execution across field operations, fleet/shop, and corporate infrastructure in a public-sector pavement preservation contractor. Lead enterprise risk, compliance, systems improvement, and strategic growth support.

  • Internal Revenue Service (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States)
    • Director of Identity Assurance
      Jan 2025 - Jun 2025 · 6 mos

      Direct strategic initiatives for IRS-wide customer authentication, authorization, access, and e-signature processes. Oversee the omni-channel innovations program, enhancing secure and seamless taxpayer interactions across platforms. Lead the Secure Access Digital Identity program, serving 43M+ users across 40 applications, including individuals, businesses, and tax professionals. Manage IRS-wide electronic signature policy, enabling 200K+ e-signed transactions, improving taxpayer accessibility, especially during COVID-19. Drive IRS entity authorization policy, streamlining online account access for small businesses nationwide Oversee $200M+ in annual contracts for credential service providers, focusing on innovation and fraud detection in digital identity security.

    • Director of Privacy Policy and Compliance
      Sep 2024 - Jan 2025 · 5 mos

      Led a 150-member team providing expertise on identity policy, including Privacy Act of 1975 and IRC 6103, ensuring IRS compliance with legislative directives and emerging technologies like AI. Oversaw IRS Incident Management, coordinating data breach responses, employee safety measures, and critical programs like the pseudonym program to protect staff. Directed a tiger team that issued groundbreaking AI guidance and led the Privacy Advocate Certification Program to enhance agency-wide privacy standards.

  • Assistant to the Regional Administrator / Acting Mission Support Director at FEMA Region 3
    Mar 2024 - Sep 2024 · 7 mos

    Appointed Director of Mission Support, leading a team overseeing HR, disaster staffing, security, IT, and administrative operations to support disaster response efforts. Drove SharePoint innovation projects, optimizing business processes and enhancing regional disaster response capabilities. Led regional staffing improvements through career fairs, position upgrades, and streamlined onboarding, reducing open roles and improving time-to-hire. Supervised Incident Workforce Management, ensuring regional readiness and operational support for disaster declarations and the NATO Summit. Reviewed and refined complex policy documents to align with regulations and ensure procedural continuity. Managed budget projections and planning, integrating requirements across divisions for fiscal efficiency. Ensured 24/7 operational availability of IT infrastructure, data security, and mission-critical systems. Led the design and commissioning of Region 3’s first SCIF in the Philadelphia office.

  • Strategic Operating Plan Initiative Lead - Proactive Alerts at Internal Revenue Service
    Mar 2023 - Mar 2024 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Led a matrixed IRS team to improve taxpayer communication and service delivery. Developed and launched first-of-its-kind proactive text messaging, ensuring privacy and data security. Delivered a proof of concept via SIBR Phase 3 and interagency collaboration for rapid deployment. Established a centralized text messaging service, streamlining operations and eliminating division silos.

  • IRS Criminal Investigation (Full-time · 1 yr 1 mo)
    • Project Lead, Digital Asset Inititative
      Oct 2022 - Apr 2023 · 7 mos

      Led a team to develop and execute the IRS enterprise strategy for crypto assets. Collaborated with IRS leadership, counsel, and Treasury to prepare for crypto asset regulations and deliver interim measures, including chief counsel advisories. Launched a 90-day market evaluation sprint, positioning vendors for crypto-asset tracing, tax computation, intelligence, and training to equip IRS employees. Represented IRS Criminal Investigation in the DAI, bridging communication between CI and Civil divisions, federal partners, and international entities.

    • Acting Director, Center for Science and Design
      Aug 2022 - Nov 2022 · 4 mos

      Led the CSD forensic lab, overseeing 40 staff supporting IRS Criminal Investigation and federal/state law enforcement. Advanced the implementation of facial recognition technology, enhancing undercover operations and agent security. Collaborated with the Secret Service, USDA, and HUD to provide forensic support and training exchanges.

    • Program Manager
      Apr 2022 - Sep 2022 · 6 mos

      As a part of the IRS Executive Readiness Program (XR) I am currently detailed to IRS-CI supporting Cyber and Forensic services as a program manager. This includes supporting complex investigations, performing policy research, and drafting white papers along with other work products on critical issues related to cryptocurrency. In this role I led the design and delivery of CPE materials on IRS-CI's Cyber and Forensic Services function which were delivered to 100% of Special Agents across IRS-CI. Additionally, I provided leadership support for key initiatives across Cyber and Forensic Services which included various budget requests as well as training requests.