Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023

Start Slideshow

Serving the Defense Department requires deep knowledge of its mission, providing secure innovative solutions and being a trusted, strategic partner for the nation’s top line of defense. As technology and the defense landscape evolve, so do the needs of agencies and service members to continue protecting the nation effectively, efficiently and strategically.

For WashingtonExec’s Top DOD Executives to Watch in 2023, we identified the best of the best providing the tools, strategies and systems to do so, based not only on their accomplishments but on their impact on the defense community and their vision for the near-term future. These leaders, some having served the country themselves, bring the experience, knowledge and expertise the Pentagon needs to stay on the cutting edge.

Leigh Palmer

Vice President, Google Public Sector

As vice president of Google Public Sector, Leigh Palmer supported the launch of Google Distributed Cloud Hosted, an air-gapped private cloud solution built on open source standards with flexible scale to meet government customers where they are.

GDC Hosted delivers integrated cloud services, including many of Google’s leading data and machine learning technologies. Customers can use Google’s built-AI solutions, such as Translation API, Speech-to-Text to support the unique needs of the mission.

“Leigh’s well-respected and tenured leadership and experience in technology for the public sector positions Google to bring its full power to the mission of government,” said Karen Dahut, CEO of Google Public Sector. “She’s already had a tremendous impact at Google, and she and her team will play a critical role for our country to ensure the department has access to the best technology with our network, data and artificial intelligence, security and the cloud.”

Why Watch

In 2023, Palmer and her team are mainly working on technology strategy for the public sector. This includes establishing a foundation for sensitive and classified services to meet accreditation standards, so defense agencies can use Google’s full power. They’re also making more cloud services available at both unclassified and classified levels.

“I’m excited about the future of government transformation, and the promising role Google Public Sector will play in helping agencies accelerate mission impact. I’ve spent my career supporting the advancement of federal government IT,” Palmer said “It’s inspiring for me to see the DOD embracing multi cloud to provide agencies with more choice in cloud providers and access to best-in-class cloud capabilities to best serve their missions.”

Stephen Finney

Senior Vice President, D&I Growth, Parsons Corp.

Stephen Finney joined Parsons Corp. in June 2018 as a result of the Polaris Alpha acquisition. With over 23 years of specialized experience, he has delivered capabilities in three core areas to the Defense Department and intelligence community. These areas are cyber technology solutions, application development and advanced data analytics.

As senior vice president of defense and intelligence ⏤ supporting business development and growth for the company’s High Consequence Missions sector ⏤ he has led his teams in winning over $1 billion in awards.

Finney has a successful track record in business and cultural transformation, leadership, growth, execution and finance management. He has also won large government programs of record, driving profitable growth. He is focused on creating a culture of innovation, rapid prototyping and mission advancement, leading to increased engagement and collaboration.

“Through our ability to efficiently collaborate across the company, Parsons operates in every aspect of the multidomain battlespace,” he said. “We are developing capabilities against emerging threats by fusing technologies across warfighting domains and incorporating information operations, intelligence, data analytics, electronic warfare, command and control, and kinetic operations.”

Why Watch

Finney and his team aim to converge cyber, electronic warfare and information operations for growth. They have delivered industry-leading capabilities in HCM sector and plan to expand across the digital landscape, including full-spectrum cyber, information operations, electronic warfare, multi-domain operations, mission support and national to tactical operations.

“We are rapidly establishing ourselves as the premier digital integrator for the Department of Defense and intelligence community, combining decades of mission orientation and experience with next-generation electronic warfare solutions, networking, cyber, advanced software development, and state-of-the-art AI/ML experience,” said Paul Decker, president of D&I. “Steve’s leadership and industry expertise is accelerating this transformation for Parsons and will help us continue growing in the marketspace.”

Liz Martin

Director of the Department of Defense Business, Amazon Web Services

In December 2022, AWS was chosen to support the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability contract. JWCC enables DOD to acquire cloud capabilities and services from cloud service providers, covering all security domains and classification levels from enterprise to tactical edge. The contract allows DOD to use cloud capabilities to meet both current and future mission initiatives.

AWS is honored to be selected for the JWCC contract and to continue supporting DOD. As DOD advances with JWCC, AWS is committed to providing top-notch cloud services to help the department achieve its critical mission.

“As the U.S. government continues to modernize the way it conducts business and serves the warfighter, AWS is committed to be a part of that mission by providing the most innovative, efficient and effective cloud solutions,” Liz Martin said.

Why Watch

Martin’s team is committed to providing cloud services that enable customers to build and deploy critical mission systems, enhance security, increase agility and reduce costs. Today, AWS offers a comprehensive services portfolio to help defense customers address their unique requirements and is continually innovating on their behalf to help advance their mission.

AWS also understands the critical need for capabilities to be available wherever the mission demands and offers highly secure, scalable and ruggedized cloud solutions that are field-tested for the most extreme conditions.

“Our defense customers are migrating more and more workloads to the cloud, taking advantage of new technologies, such as machine learning, AI and edge computing to address their critical mission,” said Dave Levy, vice president of U.S. government, nonprofit and healthcare at AWS. “It’s exciting to see how Liz and her team are helping these customers leverage the cloud and these new technologies to generate insights, drive innovation, reduce costs, and protect their most critical workloads.”

Horace Blackman

Senior Vice President, Defense, Intelligence, and Space Business Unit, CGI Federal

Heading CGI Federal’s Defense, Intelligence, and Space Business Unit, Horace Blackman leads a team of professionals who provide mission-critical support for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Space Force and other defense agencies.

Blackman leverages his 20 years of federal organization experience to support agencies’ missions through business and IT solutions, now focused on fortifying the nation’s defense posture in evolving components for C5 ISR, combatant commands in logistics, force readiness, and data accessibility. He is an innovative leader in digital transformation initiatives, implementing system modernization and defense logistics capabilities that enable mission readiness and secure mission success.

“The federal government requires the deployment of resources and capabilities where they make the most difference,” Blackman said. “Our team creates agile and efficient processes that reduce the cost for support and IT components so that critical missions in the defense sector are executed successfully to protect the nation and citizens it serves.” 

Why Watch 

With emerging hybrid space architecture, Blackman’s team pioneers the new space domain in reconciling the demanding challenges of space traffic management: using blockchain technology to protect military and commercial systems from bad actors while maintaining accessible, interoperable and trackable information. Most of all, Blackman is promoting continued discovery by giving clients insights they can act on. 

As a dedicated member of the community, Blackman serves as rector of his alma mater, George Mason University. A believer in the innovative power of young minds, Blackman creates an ecosystem of opportunities for students to pursue STEM careers as up-and-coming thought leaders.  

Tim Spadafore

Chief Operating Officer, Client Solution Architects

Within the first six months at CSA, Tim Spadafore and his team won the company’s first significant task order through their MyNavyHR work. The Training Delivery Services award was worth $36 million and lasted for two years. They retained over 80% of the incumbents.

Spadafore also visited key client sites in Florida, Tennessee, California, Italy and Germany within the first three months. That really helped him understand CSA’s client’s mission and focus on initiatives for 2023.

“In the brief time Tim has been at CSA, his positive influence on our culture has already transferred into achievement of key organizational targets,” said Amy Bleken, CSA CEO. “Tim has a natural people-centered business acumen that is grounded in inclusivity, trust and appreciation. He has created an environment where effective leadership, transparent communication, and respectful accountability has resulted in talent retention, outstanding delivery ratings, and engaged, collaborative employees.”

Why Watch

In 2023, CSA plans to grow organically and inorganically to expand its capabilities. Spadafore is optimistic about the positive returns from the company’s recent investments in people. CSA has a supportive board of directors and backing from Blue Delta Capital, which energizes Spadafore about the company’s future trajectory.

Spadafore said to be on the lookout for a big May 1 announcement from CSA.

“We have been working and building towards this moment for the past 18 months and couldn’t be more excited for the news!” he said.  

Scott Barnett

Vice President and General Manager, Department of Defense Practice, Lumen Technologies

Scott Barnett leads a growing global practice within the Lumen Technologies Public Sector group that provides network connectivity, edge cloud, cybersecurity and collaboration solutions to the Defense Department.

His biggest recent accomplishment is helping Lumen win a $1.5 billion contract from the Defense Information Systems Agency to provide essential network transport and communication services to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. This contract win came after a 3-year pursuit and capture process that included an in-depth study of DISA’s network design and culminated in an exclusive award to Lumen instead of the incumbent.

“I believe people do their best work when they know their efforts will have an impact,” Barnett said. “Lumen and my team are committed to serving as DISA’s trusted mission partner helping keep those who serve safe from harm.”

The 10-year contract calls for Lumen to provide high-capacity, end-to-end communications services that enable DOD to achieve U.S. national security objectives in the 36-nation Asia Pacific region. 

Why Watch

Lumen Technologies’ new CEO Kate Johnson and Executive Vice President of Enterprise Sales and Public Sector Jay Barrows are both committed to obsessing about and delighting customers. Government agencies know Lumen offers an IT modernization platform that provides the necessary security and reliability for carrying out their essential missions.

In 2023, the Lumen team is keenly focused on supporting DOD initiatives to deliver innovative, impactful approaches to agile and redundant networking solutions, cybersecurity protections, force readiness and joint all-domain command-and-control systems that support today’s warfighter.  

“Lumen is focused on helping civilian and military agencies modernize and transform their networks by bringing capabilities that enable improved speed, latency, availability, affordability and security,” said Zain Ahmed, senior vice president of Lumen Public Sector. “Scott Barnett and his team do a fantastic job delivering secure, always-on connectivity solutions that let the Department of Defense focus on its mission.”

Cara Sindir

Chief Operating Officer, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense

After spending a decade working for Airbus abroad, Cara Sindir came home in 2019 to launch the revamped U.S. Space & Defense company, merging European technologies with the highest American security requirements to benefit the U.S. warfighter.

Sindir’s biggest recent achievement is recruiting a talented team to work with her. She has navigated through the post-COVID workplace realities with a team of geographically dispersed and largely remote workers.

“Cara has been an incredible asset in the growth and development not only of her operations team, but for Airbus U.S. Space & Defense as a whole,” said Robert Geckle, chairman and CEO of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. “As she shepherds the company through the execution of critical contracts, she does so with honesty and agility. Cara is a sterling example of an efficient, effective leadership style and I am proud to have her on my executive team.”

Sindir is proud to take a leadership role in building the “workplace of the future,” which to her means increased flexibility and opportunities for employees to realize their full potential in the workplace, regardless of their personal constraints.

“It’s a challenging environment as a manager because we are realizing there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to work, as many people need the structure and interaction of the in-person environment while others thrive in independent settings,” she said. “Striking the right balance to foster success for all can be challenging and it’s one of my top priorities.”

Why Watch

In 2023, Sindir and her team are heavily focused on the rapid growth in Airbus’ Space line of business. Airbus U.S. Space & Defense designed a new satellite, the ARROW450, and they’ve experienced great interest in the new platform.

Overall, the entire Airbus U.S. Space & Defense team is focused on growth. Whether building new satellites or launching a new optical communications terminal subsidiary company, they aim to bring European technology to America and build the highest-quality products to solve the nation’s toughest challenges.

“I love being part of a team that creates opportunities for people of many different backgrounds to succeed,” Sindir said. “One of the benefits of coming from a multi-national corporate background is that I’ve been able to see first-hand how diversity truly makes a company stronger and more effective. Corporate America has come such a long way and I’m proud to help lead a team at Airbus U.S. that lives these values.”

Adam Wieder

Defense & Intelligence Sales & Growth Lead, IBM

Adam Wieder leads defense and intelligence efforts at IBM, aligning them with the company’s values and goals. IBM, a powerhouse technology and consulting firm, has strengthened its position in defense and national security through the acquisition of Octo, enabling the application of modern software practices in these areas.

Wieder aims to promote unity within IBM’s teams and business units, ensuring collaboration and synergy both internally and externally. His goal is to enhance leadership and service quality, refine IBM’s growth model, and adjust solution offerings in line with the National Defense Strategy.

“This is a great fit for me in the IBM Federal Consulting Sales Practice — to contribute as a key decision maker in programs of global consequence,” Wieder said. “To set and implement strategic business and marketing goals that achieve growth objectives and help our customers accelerate operationalized capability, provide assured cybersecurity, and help rapidly adapt to changing mission needs.”

Recent successes in DLA DAI, Army, and Navy exceed $1 billion in new contract awards for ERP modernization, hybrid cloud, application modernization solutions that ensure the continued development and sustainment of capabilities critical to the national defense.

Why Watch

Wieder and his team bring key customer insights into the defense acquisition process, knowledge of key suppliers and how to leverage best practices that provide business value. They are continuously transforming and developing, through education and upskilling their workforce. They strategically invest in emerging technologies to implement and increase technical capacity to support customers’ highest-priority missions.

“Throughout all our pursuits, when IBM prepares an agency’s program bid, it assesses the ability to perform the work, no shortcuts, no games, just genuine evaluation of customer requirements, risks to performance, and our ability to execute the program,” Wieder said. “It is these candid assessments that give our service delivery teams the confidence that they deliver exceptional performance, and it validates our approach to the market.”

Duane J. Piper

Chief Administrative Officer, Aeyon

In the past year, Aeyon has grown from a 70-employee, $24 million DOD acquisition and data management company to a 720-employee, $210 million market leader in intelligent automation and data analytics. Its clients now include DOD, NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, and state and local education.

As Aeyon’s CAO, Duane Piper played a crucial role in the company’s rapid growth. He was involved in each acquisition and led parts of the integrations, creating a back-office platform ready for future expansion and able to withstand scrutiny as a middle-market player in the GovCon sector.

“Duane’s leadership as our CAO was a fundamental part of our executive team’s success as we worked through our numerous recent acquisitions and the challenges of our multi-company integrations into Aeyon, teeing us up as a middle market leader in automation and data analytics and positioning Aeyon for significant continued growth in the years to come,” said Sunny Singh, Aeyon CEO.

Why Watch

Having undergone significant transformation and becoming a well-rounded tech-enabled consulting firm, Aeyon is set to deliver innovative solutions with high impact. Aiming to improve customers’ efficiency in critical functions, Aeyon is poised as a leading mid-tier federal contractor to drive government automation. Piper said he is proud to be part of Aeyon and its growth plans, attention to professional integrity and customer service, and its focus on creating meaningful opportunity for employees and giving back to the communities in which they work and live.

“I’m excited to see where we take the company in the days ahead and fortunate to be a member of an executive team leading a highly talented and committed group of folks who make it all happen for Aeyon,” he said.

Josh Jackson

Senior Vice President, Army Business, Defense & Civilian Sector, SAIC

At SAIC, Josh Jackson recently led a team that transformed a portfolio of business based on a compelling mission-oriented vision. Two years ago, they laid the foundation for the transformation and this year they made tangible progress toward that vision, which involves helping a customer accelerate digital transformation.

“I’m proud of our team for achieving our audacious goals with focus and grit – and most importantly making a difference for our national security,” Jackson said.

Why Watch

In 2023, Jackson’s team aims to speed up modernization and digital transformation by using technology to quickly deliver capabilities to warfighters. Jackson believes in combining mission outcomes, technology, and human elements iteratively for holistic transformation. His focus is on fostering an environment where technology, missions, domains and people can collaboratively develop solutions for the Army’s crucial initiatives.

“I am super excited for Josh Jackson to lead our Army Business Unit,” said Bob Genter, president of the Defense and Civilian Sector of SAIC. “He is a great leader with a ton of future potential who has really deep knowledge of our horizontal business activity — which he previously ran — and from leading our Naval Business Unit before moving to the Army unit. I have high confidence in Josh and his skills in developing and delivering multiple technology and capability solutions to our customers.”

Matt Hostutler

Vice President & Director of Warfighting Systems Assessment, AMERICAN SYSTEMS

Since joining AMERICAN SYSTEMS in 2015, Matt Hostutler has provided various services and solutions to the federal government, including research, engineering and technology advisory. He has helped expand the company’s technology modernization portfolio into areas like quantum science, biotechnology, space, cyber, hypersonics, microelectronics, and artificial intelligence.

He said he takes pride in hiring diverse leaders for high-tech science and engineering positions. These jobs offer career growth, challenging work and good pay. He believes this diversified leadership will benefit both the company and its customers. By valuing each hire’s unique background, they enable individuals to produce innovative ideas and insights to tackle the toughest technical issues faced by DOD and DHS.

Why Watch

“Matt has done a great job building trust with his partners and customers by developing and leading complex and diversified teams to innovate and modernize the technology available to our warfighters and law enforcement agencies,” said Peter Smith, president and CEO of AMERICAN SYSTEMS.

Hostutler’s team is concentrating on strengthening relationships with new customers. He attributes his persistent attitude in pursuing new business and enjoying every moment to his daughter, Mya, who overcame brain and spine cancer and is now thriving in 10th grade and participating in various school and community theater productions.

“Mya never takes a moment for granted, seizing every possible opportunity to build new networks and implement fresh ideas,” he said. “I’d like to think that I radiate much of that same spirit when I come to work each and every day.”

David Hathaway

Executive Vice President & General Manager of Defense Sector, ManTech

David Hathaway’s notable accomplishment is ManTech winning an $862 million contract for full lifecycle maintenance support for TACOM, the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command’s mission-critical systems and vehicles. This work will help maintain a technical advantage for U.S. warfighters and partners, crucial for success in various combat situations.

ManTech uses advanced solutions like predictive analytics to assess the lifespan of each component in military vehicles, enabling timely repairs or replacements. This approach enhances vehicle reliability, contributing to mission success and better performance of forces in combat.

“Dave’s deep knowledge of technology, his service in the military and his first-hand experience managing large, successful enterprises in our space have made him the perfect fit for ManTech and taking our Defense sector to the next level,” said Matt Tait, ManTech CEO and president.

Why Watch

In 2023, the Defense Sector team is heavily focused on AI, digital twinning and model-based systems engineering and machine learning, incorporating these advanced capabilities in their work.

For example, they use AI and analytics in cognitive cyber to quickly detect and fix network vulnerabilities, while intelligent systems engineering speeds up the development and deployment of the nation’s Missile Defense System. ManTech aims to integrate AI and ML into solutions that meet mission requirements and set industry and government standards.

“I am passionate about DOD missions and the people that make them happen every day,” Hathaway said. “As a company where nearly half of our employees are veterans, as am I, and subject matter experts in the latest technologies and capabilities in the industry, ManTech is ideally suited and equipped to bring a 3D view to our DOD customers’ needs — the best of technology, operations and mission know-how.”

Griff Harrison

Regional Vice President, Federal, DocuSign

Griff Harrison is on a mission to help reduce the administrative burden agencies carry when managing paper-based processes. His priorities include promoting growth through digital transformation in civilian and DOD markets. DocuSign leads federal agencies’ modernization by offering paperless workflows and speeding up form processing and contract lifecycle management.

“It’s exciting to work with agencies who want to transform how they interact with employees and citizens by using modern, forward-thinking cloud applications to process forms, automate workflows and shift towards digital,” he said.

DocuSign’s FedRAMP Moderate and IL-4 authorized solutions are popular across federal agencies for recruiting, HR onboarding, case management, and permit and application processing. Harrison assists agencies in providing secure, accurate and convenient mission-critical workflows, improving experiences for employees, constituents and service members.

Why Watch

DocuSign was named a leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Contract Lifecycle Management. Offering seamless document generation, collaboration and extensive embedded integrations, CLM remains a high-growth area for DocuSign within the federal sector.

Harrison notes that thanks to the growing demand for low-code automation, agencies seek a more efficient way to prepare, manage and execute forms and contracts, avoiding the delays and inefficiencies caused by manual processes.

“Within the public sector especially, where we’ve seen steady momentum, agency demand to securely digitize and streamline document creation and workflow management, has never been higher,” said Barton Phillips, DocuSign vice president of public sector. “We are committed to delivering advanced innovative solutions that can support the need for improved mission performance.”

Terry Thornton

Senior Vice President of Operations, Belcan Government Solutions

As senior vice president of operations, one of Terry Thornton’s most recent achievements is starting a new business unit within Belcan Government Solutions to support the modernization of U.S. Strategic Command and the nuclear enterprise, encompassing Command, Control, and Communications.

“Belcan is fortunate to have, in Terry, a seasoned executive able to make an immediate impact on our processes and business maturity,” said Wayne Lucernoni, president of Belcan Government Solutions. “His focus on a culture of accountability and leadership training has been critical to our success in building a disruptive, solution-oriented, growth model.”

Why Watch

In 2023, Thornton’s team is dedicated to applying Belcan’s top commercial expertise in digital engineering and DevSecOps to the U.S. Air Force and nuclear enterprise for modernization efforts. This will be achieved through the newly launched “Digital Foundry” in Omaha, Nebraska.

“Belcan Government Solutions is in a unique situation to bring Belcan commercial capabilities to our customer’s mission needs requiring Digital Twins and Digital Modernization,” Thornton said.

Joe Kehoe

Vice President, Defense Market Leader, Maximus

As an industry leader, Joe Kehoe has dedicated his career to driving innovative problem-solving solutions and delivering digital transformation to advance the missions of the Defense Department.

Since joining Maximus in late 2020, Kehoe has shaped the company’s strategy for DOD with an emphasis on integrating emerging technologies within IT environments, advancing cybersecurity efforts and delivering more information more rapidly to servicemen and servicewomen deployed around the world. He cites the missions of DOD customers as the driver for the company to produce the solutions with the necessary range and depth.

“Our business starts with our clients, their mission, and who they serve,” he said. “We’ve aligned our defense business with DOD’s priorities because we understand what’s needed and we have developed the strategic alliance partnerships that allow DOD to use technology to gain a competitive advantage.”

Maximus and Kehoe implemented their ideas through the development of the Deployment Readiness Education for Servicewomen virtual app. Created in collaboration with the Defense Health Agency, the app demonstrates how the military can use emerging technologies to significantly enhance readiness across service branches. The app covers three deployment phases for all women: preparation, activities during deployment, and post-deployment.

“What separates Maximus from competitors is our ability to innovate, deploy, and quickly scale programs that meet specific DOD challenges,” explained Kehoe. “We believe innovation starts with our people and Maximus’s ability to provide a platform for their continuous development. This approach allows us to stay in front of emerging trends, such as cloud, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. As a result, Maximus develops solutions in response to or in anticipation of our defense customer needs.”

Why Watch

As Kehoe and Maximus look to the future, there will be an added emphasis on bolstering the company’s already-robust cybersecurity offerings.

“It’s reality that our adversaries are becoming more sophisticated with their attacks, and we must maintain a resilient security posture,” Kehoe said. “They now have deeper insight into data, which means there are new pathways of vulnerabilities within endpoint systems, cloud environments, networks, and third-party tools.”

One way Maximus has pushed cybersecurity forward for DOD is through strategy and implementation of a zero trust environment that complies with the 2027 deadline for deployment.

Jon Baba

Senior Vice President, Defense Market, LMI

Jon Baba notes one of his recent achievements as being selected to lead LMI’s defense market.

“Jon’s passion and extensive experience in serving DOD and the defense industry is unmatched,” says Doug Wagoner, president and CEO of LMI. “It’s a pleasure to partner with him in expanding LMI’s defense market and delivering Innovation at the Pace of Need to our customers.”

LMI has a notable legacy as a trusted advisor and excels as a next-generation technology solution provider and innovator, which are essential for defense customers seeking rapid acquisition, data-driven decision-making, high-performing personnel and organizations, and asset availability as needed. Baba is proud to join a company with such a remarkable legacy and reputation, emphasizing mission success and innovation at the pace of need.

“At LMI, we prioritize mission success as we innovate at the speed of need,” he said. “I’m proud to have joined a company with such an impressive legacy and reputation.”

Why Watch

In 2023, Baba and his team concentrate on tackling the defense market’s most significant challenges, providing solutions rapidly and reducing time to value. In competitive environments, innovation is crucial for gaining an edge, whether in areas like space, nuclear propulsion, precision strike, hypersonics, or computing power. This principle holds true today as it did in the past.

“At LMI, we prioritize mission success as a next-generation technology solutions provider,” Baba said. “The realities of our customers’ missions, and the global environment in which they must execute, require the innovation and trusted advisory capacity that LMI uniquely offers. It’s a privilege to lead LMI’s defense market in support of our customers at this critical time.”

Scott Goldstein

Chief Scientist, Anduril

As Anduril’s chief scientist, Scott Goldstein oversees the development of cutting-edge development efforts for the company’s government partners. His most notable recent accomplishment involves building and leading a skilled team of technical and business development professionals dedicated to Anduril’s mission.

“We incubated three lines of effort including Space, EW, and Imaging over the past two years and recently launched them into their own business lines at Anduril,” Goldstein said.

Why Watch

In 2023, Goldstein is heavily focused on next-generation capabilities across Anduril, including Its Lattice software platform, force protection with counter-UAS and counterintrusion, and its unmanned air and underwater vehicles.

“Anduril is revolutionizing the way in which future defense companies interact and do business with the U.S. government and our allies,” Goldstein said.

Greg Clifton

General Manager, Defense & National Security Group, Intel

In 2020, Intel was awarded the second phase of the Defense Department’s State-of-the-Art Heterogeneous Integrated Packaging program to develop advanced prototypes for microelectronics designs.

Greg Clifton’s team’s research and engineering work will have a significant impact on warfighters’ abilities to accomplish their mission objectives, supporting various edge and data center workloads to provide troops with tactical and strategic advantages. As the program transitions to the Stimulating Transition for Advanced Microelectronics Packaging program, Clifton and his team look forward to seeing these designs move into production.

The program has been a remarkable accomplishment for the team as it demonstrated business discipline and innovation throughout the entire process.

“I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve assembled and the way we are making Intel’s purpose come to life,” Clifton said. “Our defense and national security team has quadrupled over the past year, and we’ve added a significant number of veterans. Every person has immediately and positively impacted Intel’s ability to add value to our DOD customers.”

Why Watch

Clifton and his team are working on two exciting projects: Intel’s 4th Generation Xeon Scalable Processor (code-named Sapphire Rapids) and foundry services that will benefit the Defense Department. The processor has numerous built-in accelerators and allows for easier workload optimization and AI processing. The team is also focusing on providing cutting-edge foundry services to DOD that will reshape and define future computing capabilities.

“Greg’s team is the gateway to the full capabilities that allow our government customers to achieve their mission objectives and is key to Intel’s company transformation and path to growth,” said Cameron Chehreh, vice president and general manager of Intel Public Sector. “They provide everything from information about products and partner programs to access to Intel’s vast team of experts and our domestic manufacturing capabilities. When it comes to Intel’s DOD customers, Greg and his team are Intel’s front door.”

Troy Smith

Director of Raytheon Blackbird Technologies

Over the last three years, Troy Smith has led the Raytheon Blackbird Technologies team through the challenging COVID-19 landscape to provide uninterrupted and continuous support for various mission-critical DOD programs while prioritizing employee safety.

“Troy is a dynamic leader with a passion for what he does for our customers and the company,” said Jon Check, executive director of Cyber Protection Solutions for Raytheon Technologies. “His leadership and vision have guided Raytheon Blackbird Technologies through some challenging times all while meeting and exceeding customer expectations. No matter what obstacles get thrown his direction he meets them with grace and resolve and I am grateful to have him on our team.”

As a multidisciplined leader and mentor, Smith guided the entire RBT organization and encouraged it to maintain focus on operational excellence. His leadership led to pursuing and winning an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for providing communication field service representatives services to support DOD. The contract win not only expanded RBT’s capabilities and offerings but also laid the foundation for future parallel growth.

Why Watch

Smith, a former colonel in the U.S. Army, is leading RBT with an innovative approach that offers products and services based on DOD’s evolving needs. His team developed a first-of-its-kind product providing situational awareness for DOD employees on global missions, ensuring personnel safety and accountability.

“We’re redefining the common operating picture with cutting edge, interoperable technical solutions that enable our customers to securely communicate, and safely connect across all domains,” Smith said. “In recent conversations with our customers they have indicated that the direct support from our team has saved lives.”

John Saad

Defense & Security Segment Leader, Guidehouse

With over 25 years of consulting experience and a deep understanding of the defense and national security landscape, John Saad leads a team of almost 2,000 consultants who resolve mission and operational challenges for the departments of Defense, Justice, Homeland Security and State; the FBI and the intelligence community.

Saad played a key role in integrating Guidehouse’s Defense and National Security segments, as well as the acquisition of Grant Thornton’s Public Sector practice carveout, to create a unified business unit of almost 2,000 consultants focused on collaboration and using a range of capabilities to better serve clients with complex missions.

This team is the largest advisory unit within Guidehouse globally, and it prioritizes teamwork and collaboration to better serve clients and their complex missions. Saad is proud of how the team has come together as a unified unit while maintaining its commitment to client satisfaction.

Why Watch 

In 2023, Saad’s team is heavily focused on digital transformation and the continued support of assisting clients to leverage their data to improve mission efficiency and effectiveness. Some of the biggest challenges clients bring to Guidehouse are supporting them on their digital transformation journeys and identifying better ways to make use of their data to drive improved mission and business outcomes.

Additionally, there is significant demand for consulting-led digital and engineering transformations.

“My team and I wake up every day asking ourselves how we can make a positive impact on our clients’ missions,” Saad said. “We are more than consultants; we are patriots and citizens that are passionate about guiding our Defense and Security clients to safeguard our nation. I’m honored and humbled by the trust that our clients put in us, and grateful to our people who dedicate their talents and hard work to those missions.”

Curtis Puckett

Vice President of DISA Enterprise IT Services, General Dynamics Information Technology

As vice president of DISA Enterprise IT services, Curtis Puckett noted a recent GDIT success in developing and deploying the enterprise Identity, Credential and Access Management solution for the agency.

ICAM is a foundational building block to advancing DOD’s zero trust goals of creating secure access to critical information and sharing data safely amongst agencies. ICAM is at the heart of achieving zero trust environments ⏤ an imperative in today’s changing cyber landscape. As Puckett’s team onboards an increasing number of organizations’ applications onto ICAM, they are witnessing firsthand the advantage that secure access to information gives the warfighter.

Puckett’s team also continued the delivery of enhanced capabilities through the Defense Enterprise Office Solution program ⏤ in particular, his team’s innovation in enabling a suite of cloud-based collaborative tools and getting ready to deliver a single classified (IL-6) cloud environment for DOD mission partners.

“Curtis’ leadership in both the ICAM and DEOS efforts underscore a critical requirement for our mission partners ⏤ the need to enable collaboration and advance the vision for a connected joint force,” said Brian Sheridan, GDIT senior vice president for the defense division.

Lastly, since taking on his current role, Puckett is exceedingly proud of the team GDIT has built. They’ve been successful at ensuring they have the right people with the right skills to support defense customers, and this is the catalyst that elevates GDIT’s sustained delivery of innovative mission solutions.

Why Watch

Puckett and his team are working on helping mission partners migrate to the cloud for better capability and cost efficiency. They’re also focused on delivering zero trust capabilities for customers through their cyber innovation ecosystem, which includes partnerships with emerging technology companies, a Cyber Center of Excellence and over 3,000 cyber professionals.

Additionally, Puckett prioritizes empowering GDIT employees to grow their careers, seek upskilling opportunities and connect with meaningful work.

“With our great people, we can accelerate the mission,” he said. “Our team has the distinct privilege of delivering groundbreaking capabilities to protect the warfighter in cyberspace. Best in class technology is increasingly important to each new mission but ultimately, our approach begins and ends with our people.”

Peter Capwell

Senior Vice President & General Manager, Valiant

Peter Capwell joined Valiant in May 2022 and he has since led the Mission Support business to achieve strong organic growth, resulting in over $2 billion in contract awards.

“When Peter joined the team last year, he quickly proved he’s a leader in this industry by displaying a level of dedication, innovation, and expertise that sets him apart,” said Dan Corbett, Valiant CEO. “Valiant’s success as a company is a direct reflection of our employees’ commitment and hard work, and Pete is a perfect example of that, continuously improving how we empower our customers’ missions across the globe.”

Capwell attributes Valiant’s success to the diversity of capabilities developed over its more than 60-year history and a record of exceeding customer expectations, all made possible by the unmatched dedication and experience of its employees.

“Our team understands that our success is predicated on the success of our customers, and this principle guides the actions we take each and every day,” Capwell said. “When exceptional customer service is your top priority, growth occurs naturally.”

Why Watch

In 2023, Capwell and the Valiant leadership team are focused on enhancing organizational support for their customer-facing employees and continuing to drive organic growth in language services, global supply chain operations and Valiant’s newly formed Intelligence & Analysis business.

“Our initiatives to elevate support for our employees at the tip of the spear will positively impact their ability to meet the needs of our customers through increased productivity and efficiency,” Capwell said. “As a services company, our employees are the cornerstone of everything we do, and Valiant is committed to continually investing in their development. These investments in our people will enable us to achieve our growth objectives in 2023 and beyond.”

Steve Hogan

Senior Vice President Operational Excellence and Partnerships, CAES

Steve Hogan achieved a major success at CAES by restructuring the contracting strategy for the U.S. Surface Fleet’s SPY-6 Radar acquisition program, in collaboration with prime contractors and suppliers. By adopting a multiyear contract approach, they achieved significant cost reductions and saved time without requiring congressional approval for the multiyear contract.

“I love complex problem solving,” he said. “My passion is to make complex mission challenges simple, so that the team can get behind the strategy and implement innovative and timely solutions for our warfighters.”

Why Watch

In 2023, Hogan’s team is heavily focused on improving operational excellence. This would include strategy, procurement, partnerships, manufacturing, quality and program execution activities that all need to be aligned so the CAES team can anticipate and meet customers’ expectations, deliver high-quality products and bring value to investors.

“Steve’s unwavering commitment to excellence and understanding of the aerospace and defense industry have been instrumental in driving growth and positive change at CAES,” said Dave Young, CAES senior vice president and chief technology officer.

Mike Danick

Vice President, Programs & Operations, Peraton

As the operations lead for Peraton’s newly formed Defense Mission and Health Solutions sector, Mike Danick stepped up to not only keep the train on the tracks but maintain the momentum generated from the previous year.

In 2022, Peraton combined two of its sectors to create the Defense Mission and Health Solutions sector. This change was to improve efficiency, optimize personnel and provide better solutions to customers’ challenges. The sector now covers public health support in the U.S. and globally, as well as defense programs across more than 300 contracts, ranging from sea to space.

Danick said the team’s biggest recent achievement was creating a high-performing organization dedicated to delivering services and solutions critical to customers’ missions.

Why Watch

In 2023, Danick and the team are heavily focused on operationalizing the strengths and discriminators inherent in this new function of the organization.

“Execution and growth are intrinsically connected. By aligning our actions and contractual obligations to our customer’s mission, we are able to establish a firm foundation for growth,” he said.

“Mike has been integral to Peraton’s success after the acquisitions over the past two years,” said Jeremy Wensinger, chief operations officer at Peraton. “His leadership and operational talents have led to the success of the company in many areas.  Mike is a proven industry executive, and I am honored to have Mike as part of Peraton and our success.”

Steve Tolbert

Executive Vice President, Business Systems, CACI International

Steve Tolbert’s team at CACI has achieved significant milestones in large IT modernization efforts for the Defense Department, specifically in the areas of human capital management, financial management, budget management and acquisition solutions. Additionally, they are helping DOD advance critical capabilities in agile development at scale, cloud migration, cybersecurity, business analytics, and process automation.

Tolbert never shies away from a data challenge, no matter how unprecedented, making him and his team the ideal partner for the Army in its effort to deploy the world’s largest, most complex, government PeopleSoft implementation.  

Earlier this year, Tolbert and his team supported the launch of the Integrated Personnel and Pay System for the Army (IPPS-A). This system consolidates nearly 30 different systems into a single, integrated web-based platform, providing personnel and pay management for over 1.1 million soldiers.

“CACI’s Business Systems group is proud of our strong partnership with the DOD and of the advancements we’ve consistently brought to bear for the department across dozens of major systems and initiatives,” Tolbert said. “Our expertise and technology enable DOD to make better-informed decisions about readiness.”   

Why Watch 

Every DOD budget request is processed through CACI-created systems. The Business Systems group provides acquisition support solutions that help DOD process over half a trillion dollars in contract payments each year.  

CACI is also working on the Defense Agencies Initiative, where the company implemented advanced financial management and accounting solutions for over 95,000 users across 29 DOD agencies. This solution streamlines work processes and improves the auditability of over $75 billion in transactions yearly.

“Our capabilities are modernizing and streamlining DOD’s business by providing them with the tools to manage complex budgets and finances across the enterprise,” said DeEtte Gray, CACI president of Business and Information Technology Solutions. “Steve’s business acumen and leadership prove to be defining characteristics that help the DOD to solve their toughest challenges.”  

Dr. Laura Hooks

Vice President and General Manager, Maritime & Strategic Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems

Dr. Laura Hooks believes the lessons learned during the pandemic have helped the company to grow its business by developing employees, strengthening its culture and ensuring successful customer missions.

Having to adapt to a new reality during an incredibly difficult time for not just the country, but the world highlighted the innovation and ingenuity that have been a hallmark of General Dynamics Mission Systems’ culture for years.

“There was no rule book, but as a leader, my team and I relied upon the successes of our past, as well as the agility and flexibility of our workforce to figure out new ways to work effectively through many constraints,” Hooks said. “The trust in our culture to continues to grow, allowing us to deliver technologies and capabilities that our sailors, marines and airmen need to keep our nation and our allies safe.”

Hooks ensured the right people were in the right positions and that the core business foundation was capable of executing and growing during a time of tremendous change and challenge. With the right team of people and the right leadership expectations, she truly believes anything is possible.

“Dr. Hooks is a brilliant and proven leader of our Maritime and Strategic Systems business,” said Chris Brady, president of General Dynamics Mission Systems. “Her strong technical acumen, commitment to the mission and ‘people first’ mindset have contributed to her track record of success in many leadership roles within General Dynamics. I’m confident she will continue to capably lead this vital business well into the future.”

Why Watch

Hooks believes people are the key to organizational excellence. Employees are the critical ingredient that makes it possible to accomplish amazing things and support customers’ missions. The success of the missions of strategic deterrence, unmanned operations, sensing and surveilling across multiple domains, and emergency medical ship capability depend on the dedication of thousands of employees.

Valuing every employee by practicing servant leadership and promoting diversity and inclusion is important for driving a culture of commitment and ensuring diverse perspectives are included in every solution the organization produces.

Steve Hull

Executive Vice President, Operations Manager of Enterprise & Cyber Solutions, Leidos

Steve Hull oversees the Defense Enclave Services program, a 10-year contract worth up to $11.5 billion and the largest win for Leidos. This program provides enterprise IT services to the Defense Information Systems Agency and aims to provide the necessary infrastructure and architecture to support combat operations.

Leidos took responsibility for the program in October and has since collaborated with the government to provide immediate value. Recently, the customer asked Leidos to finalize the migration of sites from DISANet to DoDNet, cutting the schedule from 6 months to just over a month.

Hull’s team used automation technology and worked with the government to speed up the migration of sites from DISANet to DoDNet, completing it in a shorter time period than originally planned. This was a significant achievement for the program.

Hull also oversees the Global Services Management – Operations II program, which has over 2,000 personnel tasked with operating and defending the Defense Information Systems Network and the core of DISA’s cybersecurity capability.

The GSM-O II program is tasked with modernizing the tools and methods DISA uses to command and control the DISN. To achieve this, they developed the Global Management System tool. GMS is a multilevel security cloud-based tool that uses AI/ML to make decisions on how to route issues much faster than current human-based workflows can operate. GMS helps DISA operate the DISN, which is the backbone network for all military missions.

Why Watch

In 2023, Hull and his team are focused on continuing to develop and deploy the GMS tool. They’re also focused on ramping up the next phase of the Defense Enclave Services contract.

“We have been entrusted with protecting, delivering, and transforming IT systems for the most mission-critical organization in the nation ⏤ the Department of Defense,” Hull said. “The talented team of engineers, programmers, and professionals of all stripes I have the privilege of working with is absolutely dedicated to the customer’s mission. I’m looking forward to seeing this team help deliver transformative IT services in 2023.”

Eileen Vidrine

Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer, Department of the Air Force

Eileen Vidrine is a powerhouse in the field of data and artificial intelligence. Previously the Air Force’s chief data officer, she took over as CDAO in January. She is tasked with developing and implementing innovative strategies that optimize performance and drive innovation across all missions and operations.

Last year, Vidrine was among WashingtonExec’s Top Government Chief Data Officers to Watch, recognized for releasing the Department of the Air Force’s implementation plan for the Pentagon data strategy, along with the first-ever data governance certification initiative. She and her team also spearheaded several other initiatives, including launching a quarterly datathon series and a monthly Innovation Connect series.

They’ve also been hard at work on DAF Data Fabric, which ensures interoperable data across military services. And in a world where artificial intelligence is increasingly common, responsible use of it has been a top priority for Vidrine’s team. The focus has been to address legal and ethical needs while maintaining the “integrity of intent” with best practices, cultural diversity and transparent design and decision-making around AI.

Why Watch

Vidrine’s dedication to innovation and efficiency has earned her and her team a reputation as true pioneers in the field of data and AI. Her exceptional leadership and expertise have been instrumental in driving groundbreaking initiatives that have transformed the Department of the Air Force’s approach to data management. Look for more of that in 2023 and beyond.

Heidi Shyu

Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering & Chief Technology Officer, Defense Department

President Joe Biden nominated Heidi Shyu as under secretary in April 2021, and she took on the role shortly after. As DOD CTO, Shyu has a big job. She’s in charge of making sure the U.S. military is technologically superior, while overseeing research, development and prototyping activities across the DOD enterprise.

Shyu also oversees the activities of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Missile Defense Agency, the Defense Innovation Unit, the DOD Laboratory and Engineering Center enterprise and the Under Secretariat staff focused on developing advanced technology.

This year, Shyu and DOD have focused on bolstering the nation’s manufacturing base. In recent talks, she spoke about doing so by funding startups, upskilling the manufacturing workforce, strengthening U.S. supply chains, considering climate change, preventing intellectual property theft, rebuilding America’s semiconductor industry and more, according to MIT News.  She also discusses the recently announced DOD Office of Strategic Capital, a cross-sector initiative to help drive prototypes to production.

Emerging tech is also top of mind, as Shyu’s team recently released the National Defense Science and Technology Strategy, focused on innovation and emerging tech to strengthen the military’s advantage.

Why Watch

Looking ahead, Shyu has her focus in many areas. She recently spoke at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, announcing a new DOD initiative to collaborate with private sector on commercial space capabilities for the U.S. military. C4ISRNET also hinted at the release of a “sweeping science and technology strategy,” citing recent comments from Shyu and a sneak peek at the document at a virtual National Defense Industrial Association event.

“Everything we’ve been doing is very much focused in on joint warfighting capabilities and what we need to do as a joint force,” C4ISRNET reported Shyu as saying. “The capability that we need to develop in that arena is what’s driving a lot of our focus, especially in prototyping [and]experimentation.”

Shawn G. Skelly

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness, Department of Defense

Shawn G. Skelly is a veteran in the DOD space. She spent 20 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy as a naval flight officer, retiring as commander. She joined the Obama administration in 2013, ultimately serving as commissioner on the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service.

In July 2021, she was confirmed by the Senate to be the assistant secretary of defense for readiness ⏤ the second openly trans federal official confirmed by Senate, and DOD’s highest-ranking openly transgender official, Skelly is also the principal advisor to the secretary of defense and the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

In her many roles, Skelly is tasked with developing the policies and plans for the Total Force Readiness programs, reporting and assessments of readiness, which ultimately lead to the National Defense Strategy. She also advises the secretary of defense on strategic and operational readiness of the Armed Forces.

Skelly is also a co-founder and former vice president of Out in National Security.

Why Watch

Skelly is dedicated to military readiness. In fact, in her first in-depth interview since taking on her current position, Politico reported Skelly said in speaking at the Pentagon, “If you want to be ready, then you have to ensure that everybody that is in your force can be their best selves and contribute as a member of a team and be seen as valuable.” This is in response to congressional discussions around transgender people serving in the military.

Skelly remains focused on ensuring the nation’s military readiness for peacetime contingencies, crises and warfighting. Keep an eye on her as she continues to advocate for diversity in DOD as it pertains to mission readiness, as well as the work she’s doing in areas of joint training and education in military service, training in systems and technologies, and as the DOD designated agency safety and health official.