One of the government contracting industry’s most celebrated and renowned executives has been elevated as chair of Science Applications International Corp.’s board of directors. Donna Morea, the former president of CGI and a widely respected figure in this business, has served as a director since 2013.
Morea succeeds Edward “Sandy” Sanderson, Jr., who has been serving as board chair since the company’s separation from its parent company in September 2013.
Morea’s appointment will be effective following the January 2019 closing of SAIC’s planned acquisition of Engility Holdings, Inc. Sanderson will remain as an independent member of the board.
“It’s been an honor to serve as board chair over the last five years, and I’m confident in our future and in Donna’s leadership as we continue to grow and deliver strong value to our customers, employees and shareholders,” Sanderson said. “I have no doubt that Donna’s deep knowledge of the company, coupled with her recognized leadership in the industry, will help realize SAIC’s full potential as it accelerates its strategy.”
From 2004 until her retirement in 2011, Morea served as president of Technology and Solutions, Inc. She now is an independent director of SunTrust Banks and as a trustee of the Inova Health System.
Earlier this fall, WashingtonExec inducted Morea into its Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural Pinnacle Awards, which recognize exemplary businesses and leaders in the GovCon industry. As the first inductee into the Hall of Fame, Morea was honored for her lifetime achievement. At the Nov. 1 ceremony, SAIC CEO Tony Moraco and Attain Chairman and CEO Greg Baroni spoke about her long-lasting contributions as a GovCon titan.
“On the heels of Donna’s induction as the first member of WashingtonExec’s Pinnacle Awards Hall of Fame, I am thrilled to see Donna appointed to this distinguished position, and am so grateful for her many contributions as a trailblazer in the GovCon community,” Baroni said. “I look forward to seeing SAIC’s continued growth under her leadership in this next chapter of the company’s history.”
Anne K. Altman, co-founder of Everyone Matters Inc., and one of Pinnacle Award judges, called Morea “one of the most innovative, smart and compassionate leaders that I know.”
“She is an outstanding choice to chair SAIC,” Altman added. Congratulations.”
Speaking of her new endeavor, Morea looked to the future and highlighted SAIC’s success.
“I am excited to lead SAIC’s board of directors and work closely with SAIC’s senior leadership to further execute our mission-driven long-term strategy, Ingenuity 2025,” she said. “I am also very pleased to welcome Engility directors David Kerko and Katharina McFarland to the SAIC board following the closing of the planned acquisition. Under Sandy’s leadership, SAIC has emerged as a leading technology integrator, and we are grateful for his enormous impact. SAIC has a very bright future, and I look forward to leveraging our greater strength, exceptional talent and breadth of solutions and services to lead the markets we serve and help our customers solve some of our nation’s most pressing problems.”
SAIC’s Moraco praised Sanderson’s part in the company’s success and thanked him for his contributions.
“Sandy has been instrumental to our success the past five years, particularly as we separated from our parent company and launched the new SAIC,” Moraco said. “On behalf of the board and the management team, I thank Sandy for his dedication and contributions. As we look to the future and expand through both organic growth and acquisition, we are fortunate to benefit from the caliber of proven industry and leadership experience Donna provides. Now well-positioned to be a stronger company with a greater range of capabilities and depth of talent, I am confident in Donna’s leadership as we accelerate our work to be the leading provider of integrated technology solutions.”
Morea’s industry peers also welcome the news of her new appointment. Sudhakar Kesavan, chairman and CEO of ICF, said SAIC couldn’t have picked a better person for the role.
“Donna is exceptionally qualified to do this job because of her vast and varied experience on governance issues at the board level at a number of large organizations including SunTrust Bank, Inova Health System, Wesleyan University and certain Carlyle Group companies,” Kesavan said. “In her previous role at CGI, she was responsible for a large professional services business that catered to clients and customers not only in the U.S. but also in Europe and Asia. Her operating experience gives her valuable insights that will help SAIC as it grows. Donna will be an excellent guide and mentor to SAIC management.”
Todd Stottlemyer, newly appointed CEO of CNSI, pointed to Morea’s technical savvy and leadership as the perfect fit for the board assignment.
“Donna Morea is one of the very best technology executives and leaders I know,” he said. “She is strategic and visionary and is exceptionally well respected in industry and government. SAIC could not have made a better choice for its board chair.”
President and CEO of Northern Virginia Technology Council Bobbie Kilberg echoed her peers in praising Morea’s leadership.
“Donna Morea has tremendous technology leadership experience and her strategic vision and management expertise will provide tremendous value to SAIC in her new role as board chair,” she said.