The finalists for WashingtonExec’s 2024 Pinnacle Awards were announced Sept. 20, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person Nov. 21.
Next is Horace Blackman, who leads the Defense, Intelligence and Space Business Unit at CGI Federal, and finalist in the DoD Executive of the Year, Public Company, category. Here, he talks about recent achievements, shares career advice and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2024?
In 2024, one of the biggest achievements I was involved with was completing the acquisition of Aeyon. This move has significantly strengthened our capabilities across several key areas. Aeyon has been instrumental in guiding federal agencies through digital transformation, ensuring seamless integration of new technologies. They’ve also leveraged AI to enhance decision-making, automate tasks, and improve operational efficiency.
Their data management solutions enabled federal agencies to harness big data for advanced analytics. In terms of intelligent automation, Aeyon has used robotic process automation to streamline workflows and increase accuracy. Their robust cybersecurity solutions protect sensitive information and critical infrastructure.
This acquisition has bolstered our relationships with critical U.S. national security clients, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense, various military branches, the FAA and NASA. By combining Aeyon’s capabilities with CGI’s strengths, we are better positioned to support our clients’ missions and drive innovation.
Additionally, CGI Federal has continued to innovate in military logistics and asset management. Our Total Asset Visibility solution automates inventory tracking through a centralized data hub, leveraging passive radio frequency identification (pRFID) tags and IoT sensors for real-time visibility and accountability. The TAV solution has significantly increased inventory efficiency and reduced reliance on disparate legacy systems.
The Marine Corps Platform Integration Center exemplifies our commitment to military preparedness by connecting warfighters to combat-ready equipment. Integrating Aeyon’s capabilities with our TAV solution has improved data quality, optimized operations, and provided tools for informed decision-making, ensuring both immediate mission support and long-term sustainability.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
Our primary focus areas going forward are defense readiness, logistics and IT modernization. These areas are crucial to our mission because they enable us to work with our clients in the defense community to inject technology as a force multiplier, supporting mission-critical operations more effectively. By reducing manual processes, we can streamline positioning and logistics management, modernize legacy systems, and centralize data from the intelligence community. This effort helps reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance overall mission readiness.
In the defense domain, these focus areas are particularly important. Readiness ensures that military forces are always prepared to respond to threats and carry out missions successfully.
This involves having the right equipment and supplies available at the right time and place. Leveraging technologies such as automated identification technology and IoT sensors allows for real-time visibility and accountability of assets, which is critical for maintaining operational readiness.
Logistics involves managing the supply chain to ensure all necessary resources are available and properly distributed. Efficient logistics management reduces delays and errors, enhancing mission effectiveness. Our Total Asset Visibility (TAV) solution automates inventory tracking through a centralized data hub, streamlining logistics processes and improving efficiency.
IT modernization focuses on optimizing technology and resources. By modernizing legacy systems and reducing manual processes, we increase productivity and operational output. This is crucial in the defense sector, where efficient resource use directly impacts mission success and enhances cybersecurity.
Plus, integrating Aeyon’s capabilities with our TAV solution has the potential to offer improved data quality, optimized operations, and provided tools for informed decision-making, ensuring both immediate mission support and long-term sustainability.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
My best career advice is to stretch yourself and focus on the mission. Often, the most impactful and interesting work lies beneath the surface of what might initially seem mundane or unglamorous. For example, logistics management may not appear exciting at first glance, but the complexities involved in ensuring that military assets are in the right place at the right time can be incredibly rewarding. Understanding and mastering these intricate processes, as well as the enabling technology, can provide a strong foundation for your career.
As an example, consider two ships that have to align to transfer 190,000 dozens of eggs within a 15-minute window while maintaining speeds of 20 knots. This task may seem simple, but it involves precise coordination and timing, as is the case with many logistical situations in the defense sector. Successfully managing such operations requires a deep understanding of logistics and the ability to leverage technology effectively.
Fun Fact: What is something about you that most people do not know about?
Back in college, I worked as a radio show host and producer for the on-campus radio station. This role taught me a lot about the media industry, from how records are produced and promoted to the intricacies of integrating news into entertainment. It was a unique job that required me to engage an audience and present information in an interesting and compelling way, skills that have been invaluable throughout my career. When I step in front of an audience today, I draw on the lessons I learned from my time in radio to capture and maintain interest.