Elon Musk is reportedly relying on a group of young engineers with limited government experience to support his ambitious reshaping of U.S. federal government infrastructure. Here are details on three key figures playing a significant role in this transformation:
Gavin Kliger
Gavin Kliger, a former senior software engineer at AI startup Databrinks, has been serving as a “Special Advisor to the Director” at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) since January 2024. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 2020 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, boasting an impressive GPA of 3.95. Kliger has previously worked at Twitter and is known for his writings on Substack, where he has published essays on topics such as political figures like Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth. His writings echo some of the same themes Musk is known for, particularly around challenging entrenched power structures. Kliger has remained active on social media, reposting Musk’s statements and aligning himself with Musk’s tech-driven goals, including promoting the idea of transforming government efficiency.
Luke Farritor
Luke Farritor, a former intern at SpaceX, where he contributed to the development of software for fueling rockets, has a background in computer science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Farritor is a Thiel Fellow, having received $100,000 to focus on a project involving ancient Greek scrolls. His deep ties to the tech world, particularly Musk’s ventures, extend to his role as an executive engineer in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Farritor has also gained access to USAID systems and has been involved in efforts to integrate Musk’s technology into federal systems, including requests for access to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ payment systems. His growing influence in government tech initiatives signals his role in Musk’s push for modernization.
Edward Coristine
Edward Coristine, a young tech entrepreneur with a brief tenure at Musk’s Neuralink, is listed as an expert at OPM. Coristine, who reportedly graduated from high school and attended Northeastern University, has already founded several tech companies, including one called Tesla.Sexy LLC, and has contributed to Neuralink’s code base. His business ventures are based out of New Canaan, Connecticut, and he has been involved in cutting-edge tech projects. Despite his brief experience, Coristine’s entrepreneurial background and involvement with Musk’s initiatives reflect the kind of fresh, non-traditional talent Musk is bringing to government functions.
Together, these engineers reflect Musk’s strategy of relying on highly skilled, non-governmental experts to drive innovation and shake up bureaucratic processes in the U.S. federal government.