Tip Underwood
Vice President & General Manager, Homeland & Diplomacy, CS&PS Sector, Peraton
This year’s biggest achievement has been raising the bar for customer delivery by aligning the right talent and capabilities to the mission. Tip Underwood and his team drove innovative, tech-forward solutions by engaging customers in thoughtful conversations and leveraging emerging technology through the company’s in-house research and development engine, Peraton Labs. He’s especially proud of how the company’s work with the Department of Homeland Security continues to strengthen national security.
Peraton delivers efficient as-a-service offerings that allow agencies to pay only for what they use. The company pairs these models with automation and AI to streamline operations, reduce overhead and accelerate mission outcomes, giving customers modern, secure solutions without unnecessary cost or complexity.
“Our impact goes beyond infrastructure and technology, it shapes the safety and stability Americans rely on every day,” said Amy Rall, Peraton sector president of Citizen Security & Public Services Sector. “Real leadership is about keeping teams aligned, navigating competing demands, and ensuring the mission stays strong no matter what. That’s the responsibility Tip carries, and one he takes seriously.”
Why Watch
In 2026, Underwood and his team are focused on integrating more automation and advanced technologies into every solution they deliver. They plan to continue modernizing legacy systems to provide the speed, resilience and efficiency today’s missions demand, while strengthening cyber defenses to stay ahead of evolving threats.
“When I look at the work we do, as a sector and as a company, I see national security missions that truly matter and where every decision counts,” Underwood said. “The challenges are real, but when you’re solving problems shoulder-to-shoulder with the customer, the energy comes naturally. After nearly 20 years supporting DHS, what drives me is helping them succeed and staying laser-focused on what’s mission-critical. We’re committed to our customers and their mission, and that’s what helps us get up every morning, energized and ready to support them.”
Fun fact: Underwood’s favorite book and movie is “The Count of Monte Cristo,” drawn to stories where perseverance and good ultimately prevail. He grew up in Texas, met his wife during their second week of college and they have been married 35 years with five grandchildren. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing with his sons and riding e-bikes on the trails with his wife.