What’s coming next? The key government contracting leaders aren’t just asking the question, they’re shaping the conversation. In WashingtonExec’s inaugural list of Top 30 Executives to Watch, we turn the spotlight on industry leaders who are positioning their companies for greater growth and relevance ahead. Selected by industry colleagues, these leaders hail from a diverse range of companies, where they’re fueling new ways of thinking and responding to the many challenges faced by their government customers. From cybersecurity to national defense, healthcare IT to big data, the needs will only grow as we settle into this Presidential election year and beyond. Throughout this alphabetized list, we’re placing our bets that these industry leaders will continue to drive value and exceed expectations across all levels of government.
Top 30 Execs to Watch Spotlight:
The best leaders don’t just react, they anticipate – just as Lou Von Thaer did in January 2013. At the time, Von Thaer was serving as co-chairman of a 33-member task force tapped by the Defense Science Board federal advisory committee to gauge the nation’s military preparedness for a full-scale cyber-conflict. The ensuing 138-page report concluded the Defense Department was far from ready. A year later, the OPM hack exposed the state of federal cybersecurity, leaving government contracting voices like Von Thaer’s more relevant than ever.
These days, Von Thaer is bringing his “unrelenting strategic awareness,” as one industry colleague puts it, to DynCorp International, Inc. In June 2015, the 30-year industry veteran, who previously served as president of the National Security Sector at Leidos, was named CEO of DynCorp International (DI) following a 10-month search. Since then, Von Thaer has overseen key contract wins by the private military contractor, including a $45.5 million contract to provide support services to the Iraqi Army, as well as a Saudi Arabia National Guard aviation contract.
Reason to watch: With the rapid drawdown of American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, Von Thaer is equally focused on adjacent markets that build on DI’s core competencies. If his track record is any indication, Von Thaer will be busy anticipating critical needs ahead.
Read the full top 30 list on WashingtonExec.com.
