Ray Williams, executive vice president of strategy and corporate development at RealmOne, is passionate about supporting the national security mission with innovation.
With 25 years of experience with Defense Department and intelligence community customers, his sights are set on executing merger and acquisition strategy, as well as company growth and service delivery.
“I have spent my career leading growth and operations across the government contracting industry and Commercial high-technology services market, with a focus on delivering measurable results in both revenue and profitability,” Williams told WashingtonExec.
His path has taken him to leadership positions with RealmOne, Maxar, Engility, Harris, Exodus and Cable & Wireless; as well as private equity portfolio management experience with Enlightenment Capital and Cerberus Capital.
“Over my career, I have led P&L operations, business development, corporate integrations, and market expansion in areas such as software development, network and cyber operations, cloud migration, data analytics, and IT modernization,” he said.
In his current role, Williams worked alongside the RealmOne team and its financial sponsor, Enlightenment Capital, to lead the integration of four acquisitions in a span of 18 months resulting in the unified RealmOne brand and operation. This strengthened the company’s position as a premier mid-tier technology services provider in the national security market.
In this Q&A, he shares how his GovCon and commercial experience shaped his leadership style, his personal connection to RealmOne’s mission, where he sees growth opportunities and more.
Why was this the path you chose, and how influential was it to your career?
I was drawn to this path because it offers the perfect combination of strategic thinking, operational execution, and the ability to directly impact mission outcomes in the national security space. Working at the intersection of government contracting and commercial industry has allowed me to apply private-sector innovation and agility to complex federal missions, creating sustainable growth while improving service delivery. This choice has shaped my career by continuously expanding my leadership capabilities, deepening my understanding of GovCon dynamics, and giving me the opportunity to help solve some of the most challenging problems in the industry.
Do you have a personal connection to the current mission you support? If so, please explain.
Yes — I have a strong personal connection to our mission because I deeply value the role we play in supporting national security. Many of the programs I’ve been involved in directly affect the safety and security of the country, from intelligence operations to flight safety to defense readiness. That sense of purpose is a motivating factor for me and drives my commitment to delivering on our promises to our customers and stakeholders. Out of high school, I signed with the U.S. Naval Academy to play football. While at the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS), I received a medical discharge. After college, when it came time pick a career field, I figured if I can’t beat them, I would join them. Here I am, 30 years later, extremely grateful for a career where I have the privilege of supporting the men and women of our U.S military and intelligence community.
What are your current top priorities and responsibilities? How do these relate to your company’s overall mission/growth strategy?
My primary responsibilities include leading corporate strategy, managing integration initiatives, and ensuring alignment between our growth objectives and operational execution. I work closely with the CEO, COO, CGO, CFO, and CHRO to support strategic planning, operational performance, and market expansion. These priorities directly support RealmOne’s growth strategy by ensuring we operate as a unified, agile organization capable of delivering high-value solutions to our customers while maintaining a strong culture and workforce engagement.
Where do you and your team see growth opportunities in your current field or portfolio you support, or what do you anticipate to be your customers’ top pain points?
We see growth opportunities in high-demand mission areas such as advanced cyber capabilities, AI/ML-enabled analytics, secure cloud solutions, and mission systems integration. Our customers’ top pain points often center around rapidly evolving threats, the need to modernize legacy systems without disrupting critical operations, and the challenge of attracting and retaining cleared technical talent.
How are you and your team planning to address/prepare for these opportunities?
We are investing in talent acquisition and retention, strategic partnerships, and differentiated solution offerings that align directly with customer needs. Our team is also leveraging lessons learned from our recent integrations to improve organizational agility and accelerate the delivery of mission-focused capabilities. Our mantra throughout the build of RealmOne is we want to continue to get better as a company and on behalf of our customers, not just bigger. We’re actively expanding our reach into adjacent markets and investing in innovation that will help customers meet emerging requirements faster.
How important is mentorship and networking in GovCon? Were they influential to your career?
Mentorship and networking are critical in GovCon. Relationships often open doors to opportunities and partnerships that can drive business success. Early in my career, I benefited from guidance provided by senior leaders, many who are still active in the industry, who helped me navigate complex business challenges and market dynamics. I have had wonderful and impactful mentors throughout my career. I consider myself an aspiring servant leader, trying my best to carry the lessons I have learned forward, while also giving back and mentoring emerging leaders across our industry.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
Outside of work, I’m highly competitive in both sports and personal challenges — that same drive translates into my professional life. I enjoy mentoring beyond the workplace, including working with the next generation of young GOVCON professionals and have volunteered for many years as a coach within my community youth athletic programs. Something most people don’t know about me is that in retirement, I want to be a high school football coach.