For Maximus Managing Director of Defense Technology Services Joe Kehoe, supporting the Defense mission isn’t just a career — it’s a calling.
Over 27 years, he has helped shape how technology, talent and strategy come together to give warfighters an edge. From consulting on early IT modernization efforts to leading large-scale defense programs, Kehoe has built a reputation for connecting operational excellence with forward-looking innovation.
In this Q&A, Kehoe shares how mentorship, mission focus and a relentless drive for results fuel his approach to leadership and how Maximus is preparing the next generation of talent to deliver faster, smarter and more secure solutions for national defense.
Can you provide a brief overview of your professional background and career progression? Please include what ultimately landed you in your current role.
I have dedicated my career to supporting the Defense mission. For over 27 years, I have had the opportunity to lead several aspects of our business in support of my Defense clients. I started my career as a consultant, managing projects and working side by side with my clients to advance their technology challenges. Over the years, I’ve led service lines in developing innovative solutions, sales organizations in leading growth initiatives and currently, I’m accountable for running Maximus’ Defense practice which includes all client delivery, P&L, and workforce management.
What landed me in my current role was the ability to bridge operational leadership with strategic growth experience. I’ve been able to balance workforce development, client delivery, and business commitments, weaving those together to support both mission success and corporate growth. Today, I focus on advancing defense and cybersecurity missions, with a constant eye toward delivering measurable impact for our customers.
Why was this the path you chose, and how influential was it to your career?
Everything starts with our client’s mission and the people they serve. I believe what we do matters, and tightening the bond between government and industry in support of our warfighters to gain a competitive advantage over our adversaries is a mission I’m proud to support. Our adversaries are aggressive and determined; I believe that through technology and innovation industry can help the Department gain a competitive edge.
Working in defense has grounded me with a higher purpose of protecting the interests of the U.S. and the American people. Whether through system development, cloud and infrastructure, AI / analytics, or cybersecurity, my career has been about accelerating the IT mission. The passion I have to advance the mission has served as the bedrock of every role I have had the privilege of taking on.
Do you have a personal connection to the current mission you support? If so, please explain.
Yes, the mission is deeply personal. Every program I’ve supported has been tied to the larger National Defense Strategy, whether defending the homeland, deterring strategic attacks or building resilience across the joint force. What drives me is knowing that the solutions my teams deliver have a direct impact on those in uniform.
Over my career, I have supported the Armed Services, Defense Agencies, and Intelligence Community and it has reinforced my belief that strong industry-government partnerships are vital to national security.
What are your current top priorities and responsibilities? How do these relate to your company’s overall mission/growth strategy?
My top priorities center on client delivery, the workforce, and growth. We’re cultivating a mission-ready workforce that advances the business of our customers, investing in training and certifications to keep our people’s skills sharp, and being prepared to make an impact to support our clients’ mission Day One. I focus on ensuring our Defense programs not only meet contract obligations but deliver mission outcomes. Our growth over the years has been a result of placing our clients’ success at the center of everything we do and continually driving technology innovations.
Together these priorities strengthen our role as a trusted government partner, aligning people, performance, and innovation to advance national security.
Where do you and your team see growth opportunities in your current field, or what do you anticipate to be your customers’ top pain points?
It starts with our clients. They set the mission priority, establish a budget, and that provides industry a roadmap of where we need to invest to advance the mission. Our ability to quickly get solutions into the hands of the end users is critical. At Maximus, we prioritize upskilling our people and building a technology workforce that understands how to address our clients’ priorities.
I often hear from our customers that one of the greatest pain points is the time it takes to adopt and implement new capabilities. Whether it’s cybersecurity, IT modernization, or advanced analytics, the challenge is delivering faster without compromising security or reliability. Having a workforce that is ready to meet the demands of our clients is critical to both our clients and Maximus’ future success.
Over the past few years, we’ve also seen rising needs in AI, edge, and high-performance computing—all of which are poised to increase decision-making across domains and provide a competitive advantage over our adversaries.
How are you and your team planning to address/prepare for these opportunities?
We’re tackling these opportunities head on. Our Centers of Excellence in AI and advanced analytics are broadening how data is synthesized to give decision-makers the answers they need faster.
Recently, we partnered with the Navy to create a joint experimental lab to support technology innovation, testing, refining, and scaling of new IT solutions. This includes collaboration with industry partners because no one innovates in isolation. Our mission is clear, to bring forward the right solutions, faster, and in ways that directly advance the mission.
How important is mentorship & networking in GovCon? Were they influential to your career?
Mentorship and networking are essential in our business. I’ve benefited from being a mentee in having great leaders support me over the years and I believe it’s important to pay that forward in serving as a mentor to our next round of leaders. Anyone looking to sustain a career in GovCon needs both. This industry is relatively fluid, as people move in and out of government and between companies, so maintaining relationships is essential.
Some of the people I met early in my career are now in senior positions across government and industry and we’ve kept in touch for nearly three decades. That network not only influences career growth but also strengthens collaboration on shared missions.
What is something most people don’t know about you personally?
I’m a competitor at heart. From playing college football, to being a 4x Ironman triathlon finisher, I’ve always pushed myself to go further. That drive carries into my leadership, pursuing progress, setting ambitious goals, and encouraging teams to push boundaries. Whether it’s in my personal life, business, or serving my clients, my north star has always been to keep moving forward and believing there is always more that can be done.