The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Pinnacle Awards were announced Oct. 13, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place virtually Dec. 8.
Next is Cybersecurity Industry Executive of the Year (Private Company) finalist John Hammes, who’s chief strategy office at Intelligent Waves LLC. Here, he talks achievements, learning from failure, proud career moments and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2020 / 2021?
As part of my responsibilities at Intelligent Waves, I led the rollout of GRAYPATH, the next-generation solution for expeditionary communications. GP utilizes its patented IP Spread Spectrum technology to simultaneously distribute message packets using multiple transport paths and encrypted channels. In this way, GP dramatically reduces the risk of detection and interception and is nearly impervious to disruptions. This innovation has been embraced by the defense and intelligence communities, which is an excellent source of pride and accomplishment.
I was promoted to the position of chief strategy officer of Intelligent Waves, LLC. As chief strategy officer, I will widen IW’s expertise and experience, and innovative road mapping to support its clients in the defense, special operations, and intelligence community through asymmetrical leading-edge solutions that accomplish mission-critical operations in cybersecurity systems integration and C5ISR.
I have just finished my MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School after a long two years. In terms of career and life skills teaching, there are no words to describe how great the program was.
What has made you successful in your current role?
Bottom line: Being tenacious and inventive when solving customer challenges within the special operations community. A key part of my success has been my ability to listen and then execute innovative ideas.
What was a turning point or inflection point in your career?
Joining Intelligent Waves is, without a doubt, the best decision I’ve made. CEO Jared Shepard recruited me to take on the challenge of developing disruptive innovation while learning on the fly how to be a leading executive in an organization. My background in the military helped, but the great mentors I met along the way helped me make the transition from a director level to IW’s chief strategy officer a genuine and seamless one where I can have a greater impact on our product and solution roadmap.
What are you most proud of having been a part of in your current organization?
Everyone wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Aside from being a top employer of veterans, which creates a culture of trust and camaraderie, IW can disrupt technology with innovation and has the leeway to do so. Together, we share a greater mission that combines an open culture and a winning attitude to help me achieve a higher calling.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those critical to the nation’s future?
Because the threat of bad actors in cybersecurity is increasing exponentially, protecting our most demanding government customers in the defense and intelligence communities means what we do saves lives and protects ultra-classified information. In addition, our mission of finding new ways to outsmart the cyber actors of rogue nations and their minions keeps us focused on the task of innovation in service of our national security interests.
How do you help shape the next generation of government leaders/industry leaders?
At Intelligent Waves, I have been helping to mentor and recruit recently retired veterans who can leverage their knowledge and learn new skills to make the most productive and dedicated employees. Developing the next generation of IT leaders begins with mentoring and supporting them, striving to reach growth stretch goals. That’s how IW does it.
What’s one key thing you learned from a failure you had?
There is no such thing as failure. It will take some bumps in the road to achieving perfection, so you must be willing to learn and listen along the way. However, you cannot reach your goals without taking stock of past mistakes.
Which rules do you think you should break more as an industry leader?
When it comes to technological innovation, every leader faces the challenge of the difference between leadership, process and disruption. In my experience, achieving the mission outcomes is the most important part of the journey. So don’t get snared by yesterday’s dogmas.
Looking back at your career, what are you most proud of?
The success of transitioning from serving our country with the Army Special Operations Command for over 12 years as a member of the 112th Signal Battalion and the First Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta to the forefront of corporate innovation and doing so without losing my values and integrity.