PJ Sullivan Named New Chair of WashingtonExec’s Rising Stars of GovCon Committee

A business development executive and part-time personal trainer is taking the helm of WashingtonExec’s Rising Stars of GovCon Committee in hopes of inspiring up-and-coming GovCon professionals to cultivate new relationships with emerging leaders.

“I am so honored and excited to be named chair of the WashExec Rising Stars program,” said PJ Sullivan, deputy director of corporate business development at MAG Aerospace. “What makes our Rising Stars group so unique is the company-agnostic approach to mentor/protege relationships, professional guidance and exposure to new and exciting opportunities.”

The group, aimed at professionals aged 22-37, not only provides its members access to some of today’s top GovCon leaders; it allows them to also develop professional relationships with tomorrow’s executives, Sullivan said.

Since its 2015 launch, the committee has grown to over 50 members and provides the industry’s future leaders with a unique perspective of all aspects of the GovCon business, including contracts, finance, marketing and business development.

“The Rising Stars hope to disprove the scarcity mindset that exists within many industries — the idea that there is only so much success to go around,” Sullivan said. “We are a group of like-minded, driven, disciplined professionals who push each other to succeed. WashExec has laid the foundation for the next generation of leaders to excel within the GovCon industry, and I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of it.”

Sullivan joined MAG Aerospace eight months ago from NTT DATA Services, where he was a senior proposal manager. Prior to that, he served in the same role at QBE LLC, Peraton and NJVC. His career began as a proposal intern at Titan Corp. — at age 16.

“Having started in GovCon at such an early age, PJ knows more about the industry than most of his counterparts his age,” said JD Kathuria, WashingtonExec founder and CEO. “He has the right combination of ambition and talent and is the ideal person to lead this group. We’re excited to have PJ serve as chair for 2020 and look forward to seeing what he and the group will accomplish.”

WashingtonExec would like to thank past chair Lisa Shea Mundt for her work with the rising stars committee.