Top Cloud Executives to Watch in 2025

Once a buzzword, now the norm, cloud has become the standard for digital environments everywhere. As government agencies use this technology to modernize and transform, IT leaders drive the push to adopt and maintain secure, cloud-based enterprises. We’ve identified those in industry and government ensuring the nation is equipped with the tools it needs to drive productivity and build a foundation for advanced technologies.

WashingtonExec’s Top Cloud Executives to Watch in 2025 highlights leaders constantly on the cutting edge of tech innovation. They’ve been working on cloud adoption throughout their careers and are dedicated to providing customers with the environments they need to safely and efficiently meet mission needs. Plus, they bring the expertise, vision and problem-solving spirit that helped the nation meet IT challenges.

Blake Nelson

Vice President Cloud and Data Center Practice Leader, Leidos

Blake Nelson recently established the Leidos Cloud and Data Center Practice, focusing on delivering repeatable multi-cloud solutions. These offerings encompass automation, operations, financial management and migration factories, empowering federal customers to achieve cost savings and accelerated value realization.

The focus will be on unlocking the full potential of hyperscale cloud platforms, ensuring seamless integrations across legacy and modern systems while prioritizing security, governance and cost optimization.

Paul Wilkinson, senior vice president, digital modernization practice leader at Leidos, said Nelson’s work drives impact in multiple areas.

“His work empowers organizations to seamlessly integrate modern technologies, unlocking the full potential of the cloud to accelerate mission success,” Wilkinson said.

Why Watch

Nelson’s team is driving innovation in multi-cloud and data center management using AI-powered managed services and operations and repeatable solutions that enhance security, reduce costs and accelerate mission-critical innovation.

Nelson spends his spare time taking his three kids on as many ski and mountain biking adventures as possible — because nothing says “quality bonding” like hurtling down a mountain together!

“Collaborating with customers, Leidos program managers and strategic partners to craft innovative cloud strategies is an incredible opportunity – and innovation, like skiing and mountain biking, is about reading the terrain, embracing the unknown, and finding the fastest line to progress — because the best paths aren’t always paved, they’re carved,” Nelson said.

At work, the team is using AI to enhance automation, predictive analytics and data-driven decision-making, streamlining the management of cloud environments. Plus, they are implementing robust data governance and privacy controls while unlocking the hyperscale cloud’s transformative potential.

“The team is poised to lead the charge, enabling agencies to harness AI-powered cloud ecosystems that drive agility, resilience and mission success,” Nelson said.

Fun fact: Nelson, a West Virginia University alum, serves on the board of directors and is a former president of the WVU Alumni DC Chapter (which means he’s hosted plenty of Mountaineer meetups and likely overused “Let’s go!”). He also advises the WVU Statler School of Engineering’s Lane Department of Computer Science, offering insight, guidance and the occasional bad dad joke.

Christian Apostolou

Senior Director of Federal Sales, Netskope

Driving Netskope’s federal market expansion following its FedRAMP High Authorization for Netskope GovCloud in early 2024 is a key company milestone. This certification confirmed what customers already knew: Netskope delivers secure, high-performance cloud solutions that help government agencies fulfill critical missions while protecting sensitive data. The authorization reinforces Netskope’s leadership in SASE, ensuring federal agencies have the security and networking capabilities they need.

“Christian’s leadership in the federal space comes at a pivotal time when agencies are fundamentally rethinking their security architectures,” said Wes Simons, senior vice president of sales at Netskope. “His proven ability to translate complex customer needs into effective solutions has already strengthened our federal partnerships. I’m excited to see how his strategic approach will further solidify Netskope’s leadership position in government cybersecurity.”

Why Watch

The Netskope federal team is focusing on continued growth and expansion this year.

Federal agencies quickly recognized Netskope’s proven industry leadership to deliver the very best in network security so they can meet mandated, federal requirements.

Netskope is demonstrating how its SASE framework serves as the foundation for securing federal systems, providing agencies with a modern security and networking platform they need to advance their digital transformation initiatives, while setting the standard for federal cybersecurity by delivering innovative solutions that address complex security challenges in government cloud environments.

“When selling security to the federal sector, I never lose sight of the bigger picture: Netskope isn’t just helping safeguard federal employees and data but also protecting the warfighters who rely on secure systems in the field,” Apostolou said. “Knowing Netskope’s technology is helping keep those who protect us safe from today’s ever-evolving threat landscape fills me with a sense of pride, purpose and citizenship.”

Fun fact: Apostolou spends his spare time rooting on his three children and their sports teams and is an avid fan of attending live music events.

Dave Stepp

Cloud & Engineering Lead, Accenture Federal Services

Dave Stepp’s best work highlights the impact better technology experiences can create. His top recent achievement was innovating how Accenture Federal Services provides a unified command and control center for secure, efficient multi-cloud operations for federal agencies. The company’s Cloud Application Lifecycle Manager, or CALM, combines generative AI-enabled assets and accelerators to provide IT organizations with a single pane of glass for controlling workloads across multiple disparate environments.

One of Stepp’s favorite quotes is from The Lorax: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Why Watch

In 2025, his team is heavily focused on transitioning from DevOps to modern platform engineering. Platform engineering provides development teams with exponential productivity gains by promoting standardized tooling and reusable templates for deployments, in addition to consolidating security, operations and observability.

Accenture Federal Services CEO Ron Ash had high praise for Stepp.

“With his extensive experience supporting the federal government, Dave delivers innovative ideas and modern efficiencies precisely when they’re needed most,” he said.

Fun fact: Stepp was a swimmer growing up and raced Michael Phelps their entire childhood, although Stepp confesses he never beat him. “I did set my mark in music,” Stepp said. “I was once named the best saxophone player in Maryland.”

Douglas Steil

General Manager and Senior Director of Cybersecurity Products, BAE Systems

Douglas Steil leads the cybersecurity products team at the forefront of developing accredited cross-domain solutions for their defense and intelligence customers. With today’s evolving and complex cybersecurity challenges, a holistic approach across the entire IT infrastructure environment is required – from endpoints and networks to applications and the cloud.

Steil’s team recently brought hardware-based CDS products to the U.S. market to provide an even higher level of security with the speed of field programmable gate arrays. They’ve developed small form factor and tactical CDS to support missions outside of the wire with all the benefits of connecting back to the cloud for the warfighter.

“It’s not just about detecting and defending threats, it’s also about anticipating them,” Steil said. “CDS provide multi-layered security and help ensure that our customers’ data and information are safe. Our solutions utilize deep content inspection and sanitization techniques to allow only what is necessary for the mission to cross over the network boundaries.”

CDS provide customers with a high level of assurance when connecting to different security levels within the cloud. Whether onsite at a data center or in the field, these unique solutions secure information flow in both multi and unidirectional – reducing the risk of exfiltration or infiltration.

“Doug has a people-first mindset and collaborates with our customers to understand their goals and challenges,” said Meg Redlin, product line director for Advanced Mission Solutions at BAE Systems. “He works with them to customize solutions that meet their evolving mission requirements in both traditional data center and portable cloud implementations.”

Why Watch

In 2025, Steil’s team is heavily focused on providing current and future customers with both interim authority to operate and authority to operate support to include accreditation documentation and associated artifacts.

“We help our customers navigate the path from procurement to full operating capability for cross domain solutions,” he said. “Our products enable the sharing and managing of battlefield and intelligence data from all sources and domains to carry out critical missions across the globe.”

With a people-first approach, Steil is a strong advocate for mentorship, believing in a pay-it-forward mentality that leaves a profound impact. “I have carried lessons and guidance with me from my own mentors over the years. Now even as I mentor many colleagues myself, I continue to learn and grow,” he said.

Fun fact: When Steil isn’t working, he finds time to enjoy the outdoors and paddle board with his dog.

Jenn Bergstrom

Vice President, Cloud and Data Solutions, Parsons Corp.

Jenn Bergstrom launched Parsons’ Bright Sky Federal Cloud Strategy, established Parsons’ Cloud Center of Excellence and rolled out a cloud certification initiative across the federal segment that more than doubled the number of cloud-certified individuals in nine months.

This upskilling initiative was powered by a blend of tactics to enable it to reach employees across every discipline and is deepening Parsons’ cloud expertise and culture of innovation. The CCoE team has provided subject matter expertise and support to more than 20 programs, research and development efforts and business pursuits in 2024.

“Balancing internal cloud expertise with strategic partnerships and deep human, mission and customer understanding helps us lead the field in delivering cloud-enabled technology and capabilities,” Bergstrom said. “Parsons’ investment in the Cloud Center of Excellence demonstrates our dedication to bringing our customers optimized, agile solutions for their most critical needs.”

Why Watch

In 2025, Bergstrom’s team is focused on continuing to grow Parsons’ Cloud Center of Excellence staff and services, further enhancing Parsons’ capability to provide secure, efficient, maintainable and resilient AI systems across multiple cloud service providers and security levels for customers.

The demand for data-driven, performant, secure, sustainable and ethical AI technologies and models is built into Parsons’ cloud strategy and delivered ahead of mission need. Bergstrom’s team will continue to expand its cloud-enabled business, transforming the battlespace across land, sea, air, space and cyber domains.

Ryan Gabriele, senior vice president of defense and intelligence for Parsons, said Bergstrom’s cloud leadership is internationally recognized. Having completed all AWS certifications, Bergstrom is an AWS Ambassador who delivers keynote talks and presentations.

“Jenn is involved in every facet of Parsons’ cloud strategy, including responsibilities ranging from partnership management, employee upskilling campaigns, direct customer support as well as the solutioning of new cloud-based capabilities within Parsons,” he said. “She is an incredible exemplar for the type of technical excellence we look for in our senior leaders, and we’re grateful to have her on the team at Parsons.”

Fun fact: When Bergstrom was choosing what degree to pursue for her undergraduate education, she was torn between graphic art and electrical engineering. “I ended up choosing electrical engineering and got the best of both worlds in my career path,” she said. “Cloud technologies require a fundamentally creative approach to solutioning, and an exquisitely architected cloud strategy is a work of art.”

John Nemoto

Vice President, CGI Federal

As a senior cloud and cybersecurity expert, John Nemoto provides innovative cloud-based solutions for clients in the national security sector, including the Department of Homeland Security.

Nemoto spent the past several years developing cloud-based cybersecurity services, partnering with leading commercial cloud providers to deliver cybersecurity solutions to over 65 federal agencies through the $7 billion Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. 

In 2024, building on the foundation he laid earlier, he oversaw the expansion of cloud-based managed security services, doubling the number of cloud-based cybersecurity capabilities made available to U.S. federal agencies. Leveraging best-of-breed cybersecurity tools and governance models delivered via the cloud enables agencies to protect the nation’s assets, he said.

Why Watch

In 2025, Nemoto is working to increase efficiencies through standardizing on managed services through the cloud, which enhances security measures and can reduce costs to make them more available to smaller agencies. Delivering needed services to agencies at every size is important for the government’s overall security, and Nemoto believes the cloud is the key mechanism for making that possible.

Another priority for the year is the security of the cloud itself.  As part of this work, Nemoto is prioritizing the implementation and adoption of zero-trust network access and cloud security tools into CGI Federal’s managed services offerings to ensure only authorized individuals or systems can gain access to restricted resources in and adjacent to the cloud.

He’s also developing use cases for incorporating artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies, all to make cloud-based cybersecurity ever more powerful and versatile. Endpoint detection and response tools, for example, can rapidly evolve into AI-powered extended and cloud detection and response, carrying out advanced correlation and threat detection across massive data sets. 

Nemoto sees AI as a potentially dramatic force multiplier in cybersecurity, accelerating and sharpening the accuracy of detecting and mitigating threats in real time.

“The cloud gives small agencies access to powerful cybersecurity via managed services,” Nemoto said. “As a provider of those services, I believe it’s incumbent on us to ensure we’re equipping federal agencies with the best software and technology — including AI — that we can. It gives them the maximum return on investment while securing our nation’s sensitive information.” 

Fun fact: Nemoto is a dedicated craft cocktail maker who spends hours or even days perfecting each drink. From making tinctures to fat-washing spirits for new flavors and textures, he takes pride in his precision —though he admits most people don’t see the point of the effort.

Luis Ibarra

Chief Technology Officer, PingWind Inc.

In a boost to PingWind’s status as a trusted partner, the company obtained ISO 9001, 20000 and 27001 certifications under Luis Ibarra’s leadership, plus CMMI Level 3 for Service and Development appraisals, while simultaneously driving efforts towards CMMC Level 2 certification.

“These accomplishments demonstrate our commitment to delivering high-quality cloud services, managing IT effectively, and protecting sensitive information in both on-premises and cloud environments,” he said. “Additionally, achieving NIST 800-171 compliance has enhanced our ability to work with sensitive federal information in the cloud, further solidifying our position as a trusted partner for secure cloud solutions in the government contracting space.”

But he cautions that technology is not just about technical expertise but rather how to use that expertise to make a positive impact.

“As leaders, we must strive for excellence in our work while also contributing to society and empowering the next generation of diverse tech talent,” he said.

Why Watch

In 2025, Ibarra and his team are focused on driving innovation in cloud-native artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum technologies to enhance cybersecurity and IT solutions for federal agencies. They are committed to developing cutting-edge cloud solutions that address the evolving challenges in national security and healthcare domains, leveraging the scalability and flexibility of cloud computing.

“Our goal is to harness these advanced cloud technologies to create more efficient, secure and transformative solutions for our government clients, enabling them to modernize their infrastructure and operations seamlessly,” Ibarra said.

Fun fact: Ibarra’s passion for technology was sparked by a Commodore 64 computer in his youth. “I spent countless hours tinkering with it, learning to code and discovering what felt like learning a secret language,” he said. “This early experience with the Commodore 64 set me on the path to becoming the ‘nerd’ I proudly am today, constantly pushing the boundaries of technology.”

Madison Bahmer

Senior Principal Enterprise Architect, Two Six Technologies

Madison Bahmer and his team have worked to standardize approaches, techniques and infrastructure related to Two Six Technologies applications.

“Our teams come from a variety of different backgrounds and skill sets, and being able to establish common ground to stand on makes interoperability across our product suite that much easier,” he said.

Bahmer said it is “incredible to feel like you are standing at the confluence of technology and operations.”

“The team, the leaders and the aspirations that we have at Two Six Technologies put the most innovative tech in the industry into the hands of people who can make a difference in this world,” he said. “I could not be more proud of the hard work everyone is doing to embody that idea and turn it into a reality.”

Why Watch

In 2025, Bahmer’s team is focused on delivering new mission critical capabilities that span the company’s tool suite in exciting new ways.

“On the surface, what seems like disjointed offerings can create a powerhouse of collaboration and innovation,” he said. “I think we’ll see the first parts of this surface this year, with plenty more to come.”

Peter Scott, vice president of products, said Bahmer is a “forward-thinking leader shaping the future of cloud technology with innovation, vision and a deep commitment to driving mission success.”

“His ability to bridge cutting-edge solutions with real-world challenges makes him a key force in the next generation of cloud executives to watch,” Scott said.

Fun fact: “I love to draw, paint and create art!” Bahmer said. “If you’ve ever spoken with me on a video call, my usual background was filled with a personally painted mural behind me. My goal in 2025 is to channel this artistic side and create a bigger and better mural in the house I just moved into.”

Stu Hammer

Senior Director of Digital Transformation and Cloud Services, Peraton

Stu Hammer leads the strategy for Peraton’s digital transformation portfolio, focusing on areas like hybrid multi-cloud transformation, application modernization, AI, cybersecurity and intelligent automation. His key recent achievement was leading the enhancement and deployment of Peraton’s Digital Transformation and Cloud Services portfolio, which includes cloud, AI, data, hybrid multi-cloud management, zero trust solutions, Agile DevSecOps transformation factory and DTX strategies. Collaborating with his team, they delivered tailored, innovative solutions that drove cloud adoption, optimized multi-cloud management and accelerated the migration of legacy applications to the cloud.

Mark Adams, vice president, technology and engineering, Peraton, said Hammer is a “true leader and innovator.”

“Working closely with him, I’ve seen firsthand how his expertise in cloud and digital transformation has shaped our strategy and driven real results for Peraton and our customers,” Adams said. “His ability to solve complex challenges through innovative approaches to digital engineering sets Stu apart in the industry. He’s a driving force behind our success.”

Why Watch

Hammer’s team successfully helped government customers consolidate agile development and cloud services into strategic delivery solutions, improving risk management, automation and agility.

They spearheaded the modernization of a legacy financial system to the cloud, delivering over 4,000 requirements and 1,600 test cases achieving customer objectives and replanned/prioritized critical customer objectives through a digital transformation roadmap to achieve their strategic goals.

In 2025, the Peraton team will continue to support government customers in transitioning from Cloud First to Cloud Smart, driving efficiency and agility with new capabilities and solutions.

Hammer embraces the mantra, “inspect what you expect, but always trust your gut.”

“You want to trust your team to complete the work,” he said. “At the same time, you want to do your due diligence while trusting your gut. If the proposal doesn’t make sense, it may not be right – for the business or in life.”

Fun fact: Hammer advises and speaks on digital transformation trends and served as industry chair and vice chair for ACT-IAC’s IT Management and Modernization committee from its launch in 2017 to 2023. Raised on a farm where delivering calves was routine, he later traveled over 1 million miles in 30 years across multiple locations and time zones. His most memorable trip was during a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that shook for 15 intense seconds.

Ravi Raghava

Chief Technology Officer, Civilian Business Group, SAIC

Ravi Raghava is driving innovation at the intersection of AI, cloud and cyber defense, tackling mission-critical challenges in the federal sector and beyond. With deep multi-cloud expertise, Raghava is shaping resilient, scalable solutions that enhance citizen experience, national security, mission health solutions and energy resilience. As a leader in cloud transformation, he is forging strategic partnerships to accelerate the adoption of cloud and AI-driven solutions in high-stakes environments.

“Innovation in cloud and AI is about transforming mission-critical operations with agility, intelligence and security,” Raghava said. “I believe the future belongs to those who can harness the power of the cloud to drive AI-driven breakthroughs that matter.”

Raghava is a distinguished leader in cloud and digital transformation, recognized for his outstanding contributions across civilian and defense agencies. He was the 2024 Pinnacle Award winner in the Cloud Executive category and has been honored for his impactful leadership in modernizing government operations. He also earned the prestigious Federal 100 Award, a testament to his exceptional service in the public sector.

Under his leadership, Raghava and his team at SAIC have spearheaded large-scale digital transformations, delivered mission-critical outcomes and driven significant efficiencies across multiple agencies. His visionary approach continues to shape the future of technology in government.

Why Watch

Raghava is excited to be a driving force at SAIC in digital transformation, pioneering AI and cloud solutions that redefine mission-critical operations.

As the chair of the Cloud Council at WashingtonExec, Raghava plays a pivotal role in shaping cloud strategy and innovation.

With a proven track record of leading large-scale innovation across federal agencies, Raghava is shaping the future of secure, scalable and intelligent cloud ecosystems. The leadership in multi-cloud strategies and AI-driven solutions is not only enhancing efficiencies but also strengthening national security and resilience. Raghava and his team at SAIC are excited to push the limits of what’s possible, pioneering new frontiers in innovation and transformation.

Fun fact: Raghava is a passionate traveler who thrives on exploring new destinations, immersing himself in diverse cultures and appreciating the beauty of nature. His love for travel fuels his curiosity, broadens his perspective and reinforces his belief in continuous learning and global connections. He has traveled to about 40 U.S. states and a dozen countries.

Rob Gordon

Chief Technology Officer, Omni Federal

Over the past year, Rob Gordon and his team worked with their Defense Department customers to deliver an accredited, AI-enabled, cloud-based data dissemination API system. These capabilities have led to direct and measurable improvements to mission efficiency while also improving the security posture of many mission-critical systems.

“Our team is passionate about supporting warfighters by providing them with easy and streamlined access to the data they need to accomplish their mission,” Gordon said.
 
Why Watch
 
In 2025, Gordon and his team look to continue their positive momentum by expanding the current platform so that it can solve even more complex problems. Upcoming initiatives include tactical/edge-based deployments, modernized modeling and simulation solution, native support for MLOps pipelines, and deeper integration with DoD ICAM and zero trust systems.

“Rob is a visionary CTO with remarkable foresight and strategic vision who possesses an innate ability to navigate intricate technological landscapes and identify lucrative opportunities amidst complexity,” said Parag Thakker, CEO of Omni Federal. “His exceptional problem-solving skills enable him to quickly discern critical issues, analyze their underlying causes, and formulate innovative, effective solutions that drive business growth (OMNI achieved 20% growth in 2024) and technological advancement.”

Fun fact: In his spare time, Gordon combines his passion for technology and data with his love for sports collectibles. He has created several applications that leverage AI and data fusion to track market trends in the sports collectibles world.

Roopangi Kadakia

Vice President, Onyx Point, LLC

Roopangi Kadakia led a team of security engineers continually enhancing cloud security and compliance posture for all three cloud platforms (Azure, GCP and AWS) while leading a new initiative to incorporate AI security and API security testing into the DevSecOps processes.

Kadakia is also establishing a cybersecurity cloud risk management practice for a large government agency to reduce the cloud attack surface, reduce supply chain and third-party risk, increase compliance and ultimately reduce cost and increase operational efficiency.

Why Watch

In 2025, Kadakia’s team is heavily focused on AI and API security and how to not only secure the use of AI models but to also use them for more effective and efficient cloud security.

Fun fact: Kadakia is a big fan of science fiction, leaning more Star Trek than Star Wars and is always looking for recommendations for good sci-fi reads.

Neil Kronimus

Senior Vice President, Maximus

For federal agencies, the cloud has been the catalyst for implementing new solutions and emerging technologies to better meet today’s needs.

Few know this space better than Neil Kronimus, a leader in federal IT and cloud technology for decades. In recent years, he has been recognized with several industry awards honoring his leadership and reputation in systems integration and cloud technology.

He joined Maximus in 2023, and his impact on the company has been felt across the wide range of cloud-enabled technology solutions and projects for federal agencies.

“We’ve reached a pivotal time of transformation for government agencies, and Maximus is at the forefront, driving efficiency by harnessing the power of the cloud and AI-powered technologies,” Kronimus said. “By integrating our unique strategies and processes with best-in-class AI and cloud technology, Maximus has achieved outstanding success in delivering stronger support for our agency partners.”

In particular, Kronimus credited federal agencies for adopting cloud technologies that innovate and automate internal processes while developing better ways to meet mission objectives.

Why Watch

Kronimus and Maximus remain focused on the company’s core goals of efficiency and effectiveness for agencies, seeking to better serve constituents while streamlining activities. In pursuit of that goal, Kronimus puts emphasis on data, which should be the foundation of policymaking and leveraging it as a strategic asset.

“By automating tasks, from data collection and processing to data cleansing and labeling, agencies can use AI to improve the overall quality of data management,” Kronimus said. “As one example, AI can be used to identify outliers or anomalies and enrich the features in the toolsets to make sure data quality is better. It’s all about decision intelligence and using insights and data to make informed decisions.

Similarly, Kronimus believes simplifying government data sharing will improve the data exchange between departments and agencies, which has long been a significant challenge. Add in government-specific regulations and compliance requirements and information sharing becomes even more complicated, and technology progresses faster than policymaking.

“It makes adoption a little more challenging because sometimes it’s like putting a square peg in a round hole,” he said. “It’s about finding the right use cases and workloads that still follow compliance rules, but also help agencies move forward until those rules and regulations are updated.”

Janak Kalaria

Vice President of Digital Transformation, Analytics & Emerging Technologies, ICF

Janak Kalaria’s ICF team has crafted a multi-cloud, AI-enabled solution that accelerates legacy system modernization with a primary focus on automation and cost optimization. This modular, turnkey solution earned a stripe when it was battle-tested during the recent western wildfires.

“Now, we are implementing it to fortify areas against the wrath of natural disasters, thereby reducing future recovery costs,” Kalaria said.

Why Watch

In 2025, instead of chasing the latest bright shiny LLM, Kalaria’s team is heavily focused on getting the fundamentals right, like improving data quality that directly impacts GenAI quality and mission outcomes. They are also prioritizing rapid innovation and results evaluation (vs. the more traditional, risk-averse approach often seen in the public sector) with a primary focus on achieving tangible ROIs, measured by substantial reductions in time and cost.

“The real magic of delivering innovative products that drive immediate impacts happens when you build high performing teams with the right aptitude, attitude and the creative freedom to break the status-quo with cutting-edge technology,” Kalaria said.

Fun fact: Beyond work, Kalaria empowers underprivileged individuals to transition into IT or business careers through coaching and mentoring via organizations such as YearUp and Britepaths. Witnessing his mentees secure successful roles brings immense gratification.

Clark Spencer

Vice President of Digital Solutions, LMI

Clark Spencer’s top recent achievement was leading LMI’s digital solutions organization to double its growth over the past two years.

By anticipating the increasing demand for cloud, platform and agile solutions, the team has rapidly deployed secure, repeatable platform solutions at scale, he said. This proactive approach, which is fundamental to LMI’s ethos, has made it possible for federal agencies to respond to challenges in days, not months.

“Making a difference for the federal government isn’t about a single moment or tool — it’s about showing up, innovating and delivering impact every day,” he said. “I am fortunate to have been able to dedicate so much of my career to government efficiency and digital transformation.”

Why Watch

In 2025, Spencer’s team will continue focusing on accelerating time to value for customers by leveraging infrastructure as code and responsible generative AI throughout the software development lifecycle.

“We’re embedding these capabilities into lean, agile processes to deliver faster, more efficient outcomes,” he said. “By addressing agency pain points with speed and precision, we’re driving the next wave of growth and innovation, enabling federal agencies to meet their challenges head-on.”

Keith Rodgers, senior vice president of digital and analytic solutions at LMI, said Spencer’s work is a testament to his dedication and strategic vision.

“He anticipates market needs and drives growth through innovative cloud solutions and agile transformation, significantly enhancing our support to federal agencies in their missions,” Rodgers said. “In 2025, we are focused on leveraging cutting-edge technologies to deliver even greater value and efficiency to our customers.”

Fun fact: Spencer has an affinity for the mid-century modern aesthetic and collects vintage fly rods from the 1950s and 1960s. “Since decisions, deadlines and endless connectivity fill most days, when I can, I reset and refocus by spending time in nature, preferably a trout stream,” he said.

Delie Minaie

Senior Vice President, Digital and Cloud Solutions, Citizen Services, Booz Allen Hamilton

Delie Minaie works at the intersection of innovation, orchestration, and the critical infrastructure of national prosperity. As a leader within Booz Allen’s Citizen Services business, she’s helping move the U.S. government’s financial agencies to the cloud — swiftly, securely, and with an eye toward the future.

Her most recent career milestones include SmartBASE, Booz Allen’s first bespoke multi-tenant cloud solution. Minaie sponsored the initiative through conceptualization, development, production, accreditation, and marketing. She’s also been hard at work with longtime Booz Allen partner AWS moving federal clients to outcomes-as-a-service cloud business models.

“Delie leads with a deep understanding of both mission needs and technological innovation,” said Jay MacMillian, executive vice president in Booz Allen’s Citizen Services Business. “Together with her team, she is driving real transformation at the intersection of AI, cyber, and cloud computing for our federal clients and strengthening the nation’s ability to adapt to future challenges.”

Why Watch

As the U.S. government intensifies its drive to work better and faster, this unique combination of deep mission understanding and industry-leading technology acumen further equips Booz Allen to accelerate positive outcomes for the U.S. government, according to Minaie.

“As an advanced technology company, Booz Allen has been trusted to build and operate the largest and most critical cloud platforms for the U.S. federal government,” Minaie said. “My team and I are committed to upholding this trust through mission experience, leading-edge innovation, and operational excellence.”

Specific to cloud, Booz Allen brings expertise in vital areas like FinOps, AI, centralized multi-cloud environments, reusable cloud services, extending capabilities out to the edge, and enhancing user experiences. This multifaceted acumen, combined with Booz Allen’s deep mission knowledge, drives speed to outcomes like time-saving automation, streamlined workflows, and lower maintenance costs.

Fun fact: When Minaie’s not leading cloud initiatives, she’s at the piano, a lifelong passion she learned from her mother and grandmother. “It’s no wonder the word ‘orchestration’ is used in technology,” Minaie said. “The best and most effective technology solutions are just like a great musical performance, with a skilled multidisciplinary team who both understand fundamental concepts and have the creative vision to innovate and explore new ideas.”

Marlon Hughes

Vice President, Public Sector Systems Engineering, Cohesity

Marlon Hughes recently led a multifaceted team to secure FedRAMP authorization for Cohesity, a critical milestone for the company. He successfully navigated complex coordination across internal teams — including legal, marketing, engineering, and executive leadership — while also managing consultants and government customers to ensure success.

Hughes values the power of clear communication in both his professional and personal life. He draws inspiration from Colin Powell’s perspective on leadership: “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.” Hughes strives to embody this philosophy in his daily problem-solving and decision-making.

Why Watch

Following its acquisition of Veritas, Cohesity has positioned itself as the leader in cyber resiliency. By merging Cohesity’s AI-driven security capabilities with Veritas’ extensive compatibility across IT systems, the company is enhancing its ability to provide comprehensive data protection. This minimizes risk while enabling businesses and government agencies to fully harness the value of their digital gold across any environment, regardless of where the data may live, whether on-premises or in the cloud.

With this integration, Cohesity has expanded its reach across the industry, strengthening its ability to safeguard vast amounts of data for some of the world’s largest enterprises. By combining expertise and technology, the company is now positioned to deliver unparalleled security. This ensures organizations can protect their critical assets, recover from cyber threats faster, and drive long-term success.

Fun Fact: Hughes’ passion for problem-solving traces back to his childhood. At just 10 years old, he became fascinated with anything he could take apart and examine. Radios, remote-controlled cars, computers, and video game consoles were all fair game. “I wanted to understand how things worked,” he said.

Ross Serino

Vice President, Cloud Operations, ECS

One of Ross Serino and his team’s biggest recent achievements has been helping drive the adoption of emerging technology at ECS to ensure it operates securely and efficiently in a production environment.

For example, Serino and his team developed and integrated ECS Atlas — an innovative solution using a visual search interface and generative AI features. This reflects their broader mission to connect and unify the tools and resources ECS employees rely on daily, with the goal of eliminating information silos and making workflows more seamless.

This work lays the foundation for a new generation of purpose-built, integrated solutions that empower ECS’ workforce and enhance operational efficiency.

“Ross brings an extraordinary combination of deep, multi-cloud expertise and broad technical depth in software development, analytics, and AI,” said Marshall Thames, senior vice president of Technology and Innovation at ECS. “His ability to deliver cutting-edge technology with a strategic and uncompromising focus on delivering real business value sets him apart as a leader in the industry.”

Why Watch 

In 2025, Serino and his team will continue to refine cloud integration and decision-support systems to boost ECS employees’ confidence and efficiency. That includes true integration for what, in the past, would’ve been “bolt on” solutions or resources — such as AI University or next-gen SOC capabilities — as well as automating routine tasks like form population and data retrieval, Serino said. Ultimately, their goal is to provide every ECS employee with the technology they need to make their workflows more efficient and intuitive.

“We’re not just harnessing the power of emerging technology — we’re empowering individuals to reach new heights of productivity, confidence, and innovation,” Serino said. “By putting people at the heart of everything we do, we’re designing solutions that are tailored to their unique needs and workflows, creating a more human-centered approach to technology that truly elevates our work and our impact.”

Fun fact: Serino is a musician who enjoys playing guitar, keyboard or bass whenever he can find the time.

Kent Cunningham

Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft US Civilian Government

Kent Cunningham’s biggest recent achievement, “outside of my amazing family,” he said, is the opportunity to drive meaningful impact across multiple industries by leveraging the world’s most advanced cloud and AI technologies to solve real-world challenges.

Through persistence, a wealth of good fortune and a drive to solve complex problems, Cunningham has been blessed to work alongside the brightest minds to tackle some of the most critical challenges for global leaders and Fortune 100 companies regarding energy, finance, healthcare and public services. From optimizing energy efficiency and fighting financial crimes to accelerating drug discovery and improving access to public benefits, Cunningham remains passionate about helping to transform mission-critical operations at scale and drive innovation that directly improves lives.

“Kent Cunningham’s dedication to advancing cloud computing and his unwavering commitment to government efficiency have been truly inspiring,” said Candice Ling, senior vice president of US Federal at Microsoft.

“His innovative approach and collaborative spirit have significantly contributed to our mission of modernizing and delivering automation effectively. We are incredibly fortunate to have Kent as a leader of our team, and this recognition is a testament to his unwavering commitment to our customers and market innovation.”

Why Watch 

In 2025, Cunningham and his team are driving AI-powered modernization across the public sector, helping agencies streamline operations, eliminate inefficiencies and fully harness their data to meet today’s evolving challenges. By leveraging agentic AI, cloud scalability and automation, his team is transforming critical sectors like healthcare, finance, research and national security. This work is redefining government operations, enabling smarter, more secure and more resilient public services for the future

“Growth comes from the willingness to learn, the courage to fail, and the wisdom to turn every challenge into an opportunity for impact,” Cunningham said.

Fun fact: Cunningham has a naturally competitive drive that extends beyond work into nearly every aspect of his life. What began as a childhood love for watersports has evolved into a full-fledged passion, pushing him to train with world-class professional waterskiers in Italy to refine his skills. Whether in technology or sports, Cunningham thrives on the relentless pursuit of improvement and knowledge sharing.

Renzo Rodriguez

Director – Federal Technology & Innovation, Amazon Web Services

Renzo Rodriguez’s biggest recent achievement is leading the development and launch of Mission Innovation powered by AWS, a transformative program that positions AWS as a trusted mission partner for government agencies.

His team successfully established critical mission solutions including the Tactical Edge Mission Framework for austere environment operations, Supply Chain Command Center for logistics resilience, Zero Trust Accelerator for comprehensive security, Document Workflow Automation for process transformation, and FraudSafe for AI-powered fraud prevention. This strategic initiative has transformed how AWS delivers mission-critical solutions while building a robust partner co-innovation ecosystem that directly addresses government priorities.

Why Watch 

Rodriguez’s team is driving mission innovation through strategic partnerships that co-build comprehensive solutions for U.S. federal agencies, addressing critical challenges across space operations, satellite communications, tactical edge deployments, supply chain resilience, zero trust security, document automation and fraud prevention.

They are collaborating with AWS partners to accelerate the adoption of secure AI/ML capabilities while enabling operations from ground to space, including solutions for aerospace missions and satellite systems that are vital to national interests.

They are also revolutionizing government operations through a robust partner co-innovation ecosystem that delivers mission-specific solutions, transforming how federal agencies serve and protect the nation, from supporting space exploration to enhancing national security capabilities across all domains.

“True innovation happens at the intersection of mission and possibility,” Rodriguez said. “As we bridge the gap between terrestrial and space technologies, partner with federal agencies, and harness the power of AI and quantum computing, we’re not just building solutions – we’re creating the infrastructure for humanity’s next frontier. The most exciting part isn’t where we are today, but the unlimited potential of where we’re heading together.”

Fun fact: Rodriguez is an unabashed space and telecommunications futurist who gets genuinely excited explaining how the convergence of satellite technology, 5G non-terrestrial networks and cloud computing will revolutionize global connectivity. At dinner parties, he is known for enthusiastically sketching out orbital data center concepts on napkins and speculating about how the combination of 6G, AI and quantum computing will transform everything from IoT to interplanetary communications. His colleagues joke that he lives simultaneously in 2025 and 2045 – one foot in executing today’s mission requirements and the other exploring tomorrow’s possibilities in space.

Elizabeth Moon

Managing Director, Customer Engineering, Google Public Sector