Thomas Shedd
Thomas Shedd served as GSA TTS Director and concurrently as Acting DOL CIO from January to August 2025, overseeing federal digital shared services, government contracting infrastructure, and Labor Department technology systems while on unpaid leave from Tesla.
Thomas Shedd is a mechanical engineer and software developer who spent eight years at Tesla, rising from Staff Integration Engineer (April 2022) to Manager of Software Integration (May 2024) before his appointment on January 20, 2025 as Deputy Commissioner of the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service and Director of Technology Transformation Services (TTS) 1. TTS oversees Login.gov, cloud.gov, FedRAMP, and SAM.gov — the shared digital infrastructure used by dozens of federal agencies and the central portal through which companies obtain government contracts. His OGE Form 278 financial disclosure, filed in April 2025, shows a Tesla Employee Stock Purchase Plan account valued between $5 million and $25 million, unvested restricted stock units worth $250,000–$500,000, vested and unvested stock options totaling $150,000–$350,000, a Tesla 401(k), and seven separate Tesla-related agreement or arrangement entries 23. The same disclosure contains an internal contradiction: one section states his Tesla employment ended in January 2025, while another states he "will take an unpaid leave of absence" from Tesla — a distinction ethics attorneys described as "unheard of" 4.
In March 2025, Shedd was simultaneously named Acting Chief Information Officer of the Department of Labor, a position he held through August 4, 2025 5. While serving as DOL CIO, he held access to OSHA enforcement data at a time when DOL's OSHA division was actively investigating a worker electrocution death at Tesla's Austin, Texas factory 6. His actions across both agencies were substantial: at GSA/TTS he eliminated the entire 18F digital services organization (approximately 90 staff) at 1:00 a.m. on March 1, 2025, describing the unit as "non-essential" and "non-critical," and cut TTS workforce by 50 percent overall 7; at DOL he reduced staff by 20 percent overall and technology staff by 40 percent 5. He also demanded root access to Notify.gov, prompting the resignation of an engineer assigned to that system 7.
Shedd departed the DOL CIO role on August 4, 2025 and remained at GSA as a senior advisor for fraud prevention. In February 2026 he was replaced as TTS Director by Gregory Barbaccia, a former Palantir Technologies veteran who simultaneously held the Federal CIO role at OMB 6. GSA confirmed Shedd completed ethics training but provided no specifics on financial holdings or formal recusals from matters involving Tesla 8.
Key Relationships
Shedd’s most structurally significant relationship is with Elon Musk, whose company Tesla employed him for approximately three years before his federal appointment. His placement at GSA — the agency that manages SAM.gov (the government contracting portal), FedRAMP, and Login.gov — gave him oversight of infrastructure that Tesla Government and other Musk enterprises interact with in pursuit of federal contracts. Musk’s DOGE initiative is the organizational context in which Shedd received both federal roles 81.
Amanda Scales, a former xAI recruiter appointed OPM Chief of Staff on January 20, 2025, represents a parallel case: a Musk-company employee placed at an agency (OPM) that regulates the federal workforce, entering government in the same period as Shedd. Scales managed federal hiring processes while Shedd oversaw federal contracting infrastructure — agencies whose regulatory functions bear on Musk-affiliated businesses 1.
Gregory Barbaccia replaced Shedd as TTS Director in February 2026 while simultaneously holding the Federal CIO role at OMB, consolidating both policy (OMB) and operational technology services (GSA TTS) into a single position. Barbaccia is a former Palantir Technologies employee with retained Palantir stock, and the succession shifted the role from a Tesla alumnus to a Palantir alumnus 6.
Thomas Shedd
Financial Activity
Shedd's OGE Form 278 filing (ProPublica disclosure ID: shedd-thomas, doc_id 3372) discloses the following Tesla-related financial positions as of the April 2025 filing date: an Employee Stock Purchase Plan account valued at $5 million to $25 million with capital gains income; unvested restricted stock units valued at $250,000–$500,000; vested stock options valued at $50,000–$100,000; unvested stock options valued at $100,000–$250,000; and vested RSUs valued at $50,000–$100,000 2. Two separate Tesla salary entries appear on the disclosure — $195,000 and $210,000 — along with a Tesla 401(k) plan 9. His reported net worth range is $1.6 million to $3.5 million 6. In addition to the equity and salary entries, the agreements and arrangements section of the 278 lists seven separate Tesla-related entries, encompassing an employment agreement, equity arrangements, and benefit plans 3.
The disclosure's treatment of Tesla employment status is internally inconsistent. One section records the position as ending January 2025; a separate section states Shedd "will take an unpaid leave of absence" from Tesla. Ethics attorneys characterizing this arrangement as "unheard of" and "a mess" were quoted in NextGov's August 2025 reporting 4. The distinction between resignation and unpaid leave is legally material: a leave-of-absence arrangement preserves an employment relationship, which triggers broader conflict-of-interest requirements than a completed employment. GSA confirmed ethics training was completed but provided no detail on specific recusals from Tesla-related procurement or contracting decisions 8. Shedd also held a Palo Alto Networks position, suggesting additional technology-sector holdings beyond Tesla 3.
Government Roles and Agency Scope
At GSA, Shedd held the title Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service and Director of Technology Transformation Services. TTS is the unit responsible for Login.gov (the federal identity platform), cloud.gov (the government cloud-hosting service), the US Web Design System, FedRAMP (the federal cloud security authorization program), and SAM.gov (the System for Award Management, through which all federal contract awards are published and through which vendors register to do business with the government). As TTS director, Shedd held administrative authority over infrastructure through which companies, including Tesla Government, register for and pursue federal contracts 16.
At the Department of Labor, Shedd served as Acting Chief Information Officer from March through August 4, 2025. The DOL CIO position carries oversight of technology systems spanning 27 Labor sub-agencies, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics and OSHA. During this period OSHA was conducting an active investigation into a worker electrocution death at Tesla’s Austin, Texas manufacturing facility 5. The combination of formal access to OSHA systems and an ongoing unpaid-leave relationship with Tesla represents what ethics experts described as an uncharted conflict-of-interest arrangement 8. Media reporting characterized Shedd’s dual-agency role — GSA TTS and DOL CIO simultaneously — as part of a broader pattern of DOGE placements at agencies whose regulatory functions bear on Musk-affiliated enterprises 86.
After his departure from the DOL CIO role in August 2025, Shedd transitioned within GSA to a position as senior advisor for fraud prevention 6. He was replaced as TTS Director by Gregory Barbaccia in February 2026. Shedd’s appointments, beginning with pre-inauguration interviews alongside DOGE personnel, were part of a broader transition operation that placed technology-industry personnel across federal agencies 810.
All Connections
5 total
All Connections
5 totalFormer Tesla engineer (8 years) installed as GSA TTS Director; fired 18F division of tech consultants; reportedly maintained ties to Tesla while in government. GSA manages federal procurement including tech contracts
Shedd on unpaid leave from Tesla while serving as GSA TTS director and DOL CIO with access to OSHA Tesla investigation data
Former Tesla software engineer, appointed to head Technology Transformation Services at GSA as part of DOGE
Musk company employees at separate agencies: Shedd (Tesla) at GSA/DOL controlling contracting/OSHA data, Scales (xAI) at OPM managing federal layoffs -- parallel Musk company-to-government pipeline at agencies regulating Musk businesses
Federal CIO succession at GSA TTS: Barbaccia replaced Shedd as TTS director while also holding Federal CIO role -- Palantir alum took over from Tesla alum, concentrating IT procurement authority
All Findings
10 total
All Findings
10 totalfinancial (5)
GSA Technology Director holds Tesla ESPP stock worth $5M-25M plus unvested RSUs after 3 years at Tesla
Thomas Shedd, Deputy Commissioner and Director of Technology Transformation Services at GSA (appointed 1/20/2025), disclosed Tesla ESPP account valued at $5M-25M with capital gains income, Tesla unvested restricted stock units valued at $250K-500K, Tesla vested stock options $50K-100K, Tesla vested RSUs $50K-100K, and Tesla unvested stock options $100K-250K. He was a Tesla employee from 4/2022-1/2025, rising from Staff Integration Engineer to Manager Software Integration. His Tesla salary was $195K-210K. GSA manages federal technology contracts and building leases -- Musk companies (Tesla energy, SpaceX) compete for GSA-managed contracts.
GSA tech director has 5 Tesla agreements and compensation arrangements while managing federal technology
Shedd OGE 278 lists 7 separate Tesla-related agreement/arrangement entries in the agreements section, suggesting complex ongoing financial ties to Tesla even after departure. These include employment agreement, equity arrangements, and benefit plans. GSA Technology Transformation Services manages Login.gov, cloud.gov, and federal technology shared services. Shedd previously managed software integration at Tesla -- his GSA role overseeing federal technology standards and platforms creates a direct pathway for Tesla-adjacent technology interests. His Palo Alto Networks holding suggests cybersecurity industry awareness.
Tesla engineer on unpaid leave managed GSA SAM.gov and FedRAMP; held concurrent DOL CIO role accessing OSHA data during Tesla investigations
Thomas Shedd served as GSA TTS Director and simultaneously held DOL CIO role (March-August 2025) while on unpaid leave from Tesla -- not resigned. Financial disclosure states he 'will take an unpaid leave of absence' from Tesla, contradicting earlier section stating employment ended January 2025. Ethics experts called arrangement 'unheard of.' ProPublica 278 shows: Tesla ESPP account $5M-25M, unvested RSUs $250K-500K, vested options $50K-100K, unvested options $100K-250K, vested RSUs $50K-100K, Tesla 401(k), two Tesla salary entries ($195K and $210K). Net worth $1.6M-$3.5M. At GSA he controlled SAM.gov (government contracting portal) and FedRAMP. At DOL he accessed OSHA data while Tesla under active OSHA investigation for worker electrocution death. Cut 20% of DOL staff and 40% of technology staff. Now serves as GSA senior advisor for fraud prevention.
DOGE Personnel: Thomas Shedd — GSA Deputy Commissioner/TTS Director, cutting DOL CIO office 30%
Thomas Shedd, Deputy Commissioner and Director of Technology Transformation Services at GSA. Net worth $1.6M per 278 disclosure. Also DOGE CIO at Department of Labor, reportedly reducing IT office by 30%. CRITICAL: Controls TTS (Technology Transformation Services) which builds login.gov, cloud.gov, and other shared federal IT platforms used by dozens of agencies. Connected to Gregory Barbaccia (Federal CIO) in overlapping tech authority at GSA/OMB. Shedd's dual GSA/DOL role gives DOGE IT control over both government-wide shared services and labor workforce systems. Disposition: EMBEDDED (dual GSA/DOL roles).
Eliminated entire 18F digital services division at 1am; 5 separate Tesla compensation agreements disclosed
Thomas Shedd eliminated the entire 18F digital services division (~90 staff) at 1:00am on March 1, 2025, calling them 'non-essential' and 'non-critical.' 18F had built Login.gov, IRS Direct File, and the US Web Design System. Shedd also cut TTS workforce by 50% and demanded root access to Notify.gov (causing engineer resignation). ProPublica disclosure reveals 5 separate Tesla compensation agreements: ESPP account ($5M-25M), unvested RSUs ($250K-500K), vested stock options ($50K-100K), unvested stock options ($100K-250K), vested RSUs ($50K-100K), plus Tesla 401(k) and two salary entries ($195K and $210K). Now serves as GSA senior advisor for fraud prevention. His financial disclosure states he 'will take an unpaid leave of absence' from Tesla, contradicting earlier section stating Tesla employment ended January 2025.
relationship (2)
Shedd also served as acting CIO at Department of Labor (Mar-Aug 2025) while maintaining GSA role. At DOL he had access to OSHA data while Tesla was under active OSHA investigation for worker electrocution death. Cut 20% of DOL staff overall and 40% of technology staff. Departed DOL Aug 4, 2025.
REVOLVING DOOR: Thomas Shedd, former Tesla Staff Integration Engineer and Manager of Software Integration (2022-2025), now serves as Deputy Commissioner and Director of Technology Transformation Services at GSA. Tesla holds billions in federal contracts managed through GSA systems. Shedd retains substantial Tesla holdings including ESPP account ($5-25M), 401k, and stock options. GSA/TTS controls Login.gov and federal technology procurement that directly impacts Tesla Government's contracting pipeline.
Position: Tesla Staff Integration Engineer (4/2022-5/2024), Manager Software Integration (5/2024-1/2025). Now: GSA Deputy Commissioner/Director TTS. Holdings: Tesla ESPP $5-25M, Tesla 401k up to $250M range, vested stock options $50-100K, unvested RSUs $250-500K. GSA/TTS manages federal technology platforms including Login.gov that Tesla Government interfaces with for contracts.
legal (1)
Shedd served as GSA TTS Director while on unpaid leave from Tesla — not resigned. Financial disclosure signed April 2025 states he 'will take an unpaid leave of absence' from Tesla, contradicting earlier section saying Tesla employment ended January 2025. Ethics experts called this 'unheard of' and 'a mess.'
intelligence (1)
Thomas Shedd served as GSA TTS director and DOL CIO while on unpaid leave from Tesla -- unprecedented dual loyalty creating direct conflict with OSHA Tesla investigations
Thomas Shedd was a mechanical engineer and software developer at Tesla for 8 years before being appointed in Jan 2025 to lead GSA Technology Transformation Services and then as DOL Chief Information Officer in March 2025. He served at GSA and DOL while on unpaid leave from Tesla -- ethics experts called this arrangement unheard of. DOL OSHA was actively investigating Tesla workplace death at Austin TX factory. Shedd had potential access to sensitive investigation data. He eliminated 18F digital transformation agency, cut 20% of DOL staff overall and 40% of technology staff. Departed DOL Aug 4, 2025. GSA spokesperson claimed he completed ethics training but disclosed no specifics on financial holdings or recusals.
document (1)
Shedd eliminated entire 18F digital services division (~90 staff) on March 1, 2025 at 1am, calling them 'non-essential' and 'non-critical,' under White House direction. 18F built Login.gov, IRS Direct File, US Web Design System. Also cut TTS workforce by 50% and demanded root access to Notify.gov, causing engineer resignation.
- 1.Finding #5234
- 2.Finding #5729
- 3.Finding #5748
- 4.Finding #4489
- 5.Finding #4493
- 6.Finding #5949
- 7.Finding #4491
- 8.Finding #4691Sources: https://www.nextgov.com/people/2025/08/meet-trump-appointee-apparently-maintaining-unheard-ties-tesla/407702/Open sourceView source record, https://www.nextgov.com/people/2025/03/tts-director-tapped-serve-labor-cio/403855/Open sourceView source record, https://readsludge.com/2025/02/05/musks-doge-pushes-into-labor-department-now-investigating-tesla/Open sourceView source record
- 9.Finding #5981
- 10.Finding #5974