To those who worked with Dan Smith, he was more than a leader — he was a source of warmth and support, remembered as much for his character as his career.
Smith, 46, passed away Feb. 6 after battling dysautonomia, a disorder that affects autonomic body functions.
He served as vice president and general manager of the homeland security sector at General Dynamics Information Technology. Smith’s journey, shaped by faith and dedication, began at Tri-City Christian Academy in Tempe, Arizona, and led him to Purdue Global University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and computer information systems with highest honors.
Smith’s strong work ethic took root early, according to his obituary. As a teenager, he pedaled his bike for miles to paint houses and earn money. After stints at Best Buy and Circuit City, he transitioned to selling computers to the government.
“It wasn’t long before he was managing people twice his age at McBride & Associates in Phoenix, all while barely out of his teens,” the obituary notes.
Smith later built a career in government contracting, moving to Virginia to lead teams of consultants and engineers. His career included roles at ManTech, Looking Glass and ZeroFox, culminating in his position as vice president and general manager of the homeland security sector at GDIT.
Ryan Beauchemin, vice president of Department of Justice at ITC Federal, said Smith will be greatly missed, and his thoughts go out to Smith’s daughters and fiancée. Beauchemin worked with Smith for many years while both were at ManTech. At one point in his career, he worked for Smith.
“During our first meeting, we talked about our families, his love of all things Disney, and our passions outside of work,” Beauchemin said. “He cared about people, which was reflected in the excitement he showed when talking about his team and the work they were doing. He had the great ability to explain complex issues in simple terms without making you feel dumb.”
Sean DuGuay, chief growth officer at ARETUM, said he and Smith have tried to hire each other multiple times during the 10 years they have known one another.
“I have such a deep respect of Dan, and he will truly be missed,” DuGuay said. “He and I would get into deep conversations about health and the care of our bodies as we age. We would discuss the benefits of weight training versus cardio. We’d share articles we read and the ups and downs of cyclical fitness programs.”
DuGuay said Smith had a passion for fitness and worked hard to do everything he could to give his body “the best fighting chance it could have with the terrible battle he was facing.”
“What I will miss most about Dan isn’t his excellent work ethic, or his dedication to supporting national security or even his ability to win contracts,” DuGuay said. “It’s his demeanor and the way he carried himself. His genuineness he would bring to each conversation. You always felt he was present with you, and in a world of a thousand distractions, this was important to him.”
Richard Smith, vice president and division manager at ManTech, worked with Smith at multiple companies.
“He was a kind, smart leader that believed in working collaboratively to solve difficult problems,” Smith said. “Dan lives in the same town as me in western Loudoun and is a longstanding member of the community. He has done much for the industry and his community and will be greatly missed.”
John P. Woods, vice president and Department of Homeland Security client executive, government and industry relations at CACI, said he and Smith paneled a presentation for Washington Technology on doing business with DHS.
“I had not known him before GDIT, but several friends there spoke highly of him and last year we worked on recruiting him to our council,” Woods said.
Clay Goldwein, senior vice president at CGI Federal, said he knew Smith for years as they worked on adjacent projects at DHS and competed for contracts.
“I always found him to be kind, collaborative and smart,” Goldwein said. “Dan will be missed for sure.”
WashingtonExec named Smith among Top National Security Execs to Watch in 2024. At the time, Smith praised his team at GDIT, saying “we’re building the single best force of passionate technologists and leaders in the industry, and I can’t wait to get up every morning to work with them.”
He also told WashingtonExec he was passionate about learning.
“I learn so much more from failure than success; to the extent that I now embrace trials because I know they mean growth,” he said. “It’s essential to celebrate success as the result of our experiences and learn to appreciate every step of our journey. Learn and grow and constantly seek opportunities to use your journey in the service of others.”
A service will be held Feb. 15 at 11 a.m. at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Dysautonomia International, Inc., supporting research on the condition, or to the Spookstock Foundation, a charitable organization that supports the children of fallen intelligence officers and special operations personnel.