The finalists for WashingtonExec’s 2024 Pinnacle Awards were announced Sept. 20, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person Nov. 21.
Next is Barbara Supplee, executive vice president of the Navy Business Group at SAIC, and finalist in the DoD Executive of the Year, Public Company, category. Here, she talks about recent achievements, shares career advice and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2024?
I leveraged our SAIC Navy Business team to harness their expertise and experiences in complex system integration solutions to deliver innovative and cutting-edge technologies into mission-oriented, open-architecture solutions. Most notably, we applied those skills to the U.S. Navy Tactical Networks (“TACNET”) Afloat program where we delivered Project Overmatch capabilities through an accelerated fleet deployment by installing and integrating Project Overmatch’s emerging technologies onto a live hyper-converged network system on afloat platforms worldwide ahead of program schedule.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
SAIC’s Navy Business Group is a trusted partner for delivering mission integration to include production of the MK48 Heavyweight torpedo after body tail cones (ABTC), digital engineering, system engineering services and AI/ML capabilities that streamline systems and enable the Navy to make critical decisions. In the coming months we will look to expand our brand by leveraging that expertise and integrating emerging, innovative technologies into mission-oriented solutions to transform the way the Navy and Marine Corps operate their networks and modernize and sustain the Fleet.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
Look for experiences that broaden your skill set and embrace those opportunities as they arise. Success isn’t only a vertical movement. The horizontal rotations ensure that you are resilient and well-rounded with a rich background of experiences that will help you reach even higher.
Fun Fact: What is something about you that most people do not know?
My husband and I own a large farm on the Northern Neck of Virginia