SPA’s Terry Benedict Wins WashingtonExec’s 2026 Chief Officer Award for DOW Executive of the Year
Terry Benedict of Systems Planning & Analysis has won WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Award for DOW Executive of the Year (Private & Public Company). On June 2, WashingtonExec unveiled the winners of the 2026 Chief Officer Awards, its premier recognition of the executives shaping the future of government contracting. This annual can’t-miss event celebrates bold, innovative
WashingtonExec’s 2026 Chief Officer Award Winners Revealed
WashingtonExec on June 2 unveiled the winners of the 2026 Chief Officer Awards, its premier recognition of the executives shaping the future of government contracting. This annual can’t-miss event celebrates bold, innovative leaders across government and industry. The event took place at The Hilton in McLean, Virginia, where over 500 attendees came together for a
Chief Officer Awards Finalist Kyle Tuberson is Scaling AI for the Mission
Kyle Tuberson’s job is making AI work in environments where trust isn’t optional. As CTO at ICF, he turned the company’s AI efforts into a single enterprise platform, built for federal use, cleared to CMMC Level 2, and designed to go from contract to deployment in 48 hours. Tuberson was a finalist for the Chief
Chief Officer Awards Finalist Young Bang Wants Warfighter Tech Delivered in Days, Not Months
From helping advance a first-of-its-kind Army data center initiative to expanding non-kinetic technologies for warfighters, Young Bang leads teams delivering mission-focused capabilities for the Defense Department. As president of Two Six Technologies, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, Bang is a finalist for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards in the Private & Public Company DOD
Chief Officer Awards Finalist Julie Myers Wood Shunned Exotic Food Abroad. Now, ‘Eat the Sushi’ is Her Mantra.
Julie Myers Wood is CEO of Guidepost Solutions and a finalist in WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards in the Private Company CEO of the Year (annual revenue less than $100 million) category. The event takes place live June 2. But Wood didn’t get to her current role by staying safe. In the last two years, she’s
For Chief Officer Awards Finalist Pete Rodriguez, a NASA Win Was About More Than the Contract
As chief technology officer at Victory Solutions, Pete Rodriguez is especially proud of the company successfully winning a recompete that continues its work supporting Marshall Space Flight Center. It wasn’t just about winning a contract, he said. It was a statement about Victory Solutions’ ability to keep evolving, innovating and delivering value. Rodriguez is a
How Chief Officer Awards Finalist Shawn Gundrum Doubled CATHEXIS and What Comes Next
Shawn Gundrum has led CATHEXIS through a period of significant transformation, doubling the company’s size and expanding its capabilities. Following the integration of Paradyme, Gundrum has helped reposition CATHEXIS from a traditional services provider into a more solutions- and AI-driven organization, while prioritizing operational alignment, unifying teams and culture. Gundrum, CEO of CATHEXIS, is a
Chief Officer Awards Finalist Hilary Hageman on Guiding SAIC’s Growth with Strong Governance
Over the past year, Hilary Hageman played a critical role in guiding SAIC’s legal, governance and compliance strategy as the company expands its portfolio of advanced digital, cyber and AI-enabled capabilities to meet evolving national security demands. From overseeing complex regulatory frameworks to supporting strategic growth initiatives, Hageman helped ensure SAIC’s innovation efforts are grounded
Chief Officer Awards Finalist Eric Moore Wants Customers AI-First Before the Window Closes
Under Eric Moore, Leidos Digital Modernization Sector cut the time to get a system authorized to operate from as long as nine months to under 90 days through a framework called ARMOR. As senior vice president and chief technology officer of the sector, Moore is a finalist for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards in the Public Company
Chief Officer Awards Finalist Terry Benedict Guided SPA Through 4 Acquisitions While Expanding National Security Capabilities
As president of Systems Planning & Analysis, Terry Benedict spent the past year integrating four acquisitions while keeping the company growing through what he calls a “particularly dynamic period” in the industry. Benedict is a finalist for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards in the Private & Public Company DOD Executive of the Year category. The event
Chief Officer Awards Finalist Mike Cavalier Drives Growth Through Strategic Leadership
From leading pricing strategy on major contract pursuits to overseeing a 10-month acquisition process, Mike Cavalier has focused on building scalable systems and strong teams that position organizations for sustained success. Cavalier, chief financial officer at Victory Solutions, is a finalist for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards in the Private Company CFO of the Year (annual
Chief Officer Award Finalist Nancy Edwards on Leading Board Ops & a Landmark Acquisition
When AMERICAN SYSTEMS undertook the largest acquisition in its history, Nancy Edwards helped guide the transaction from boardroom approvals to closing and through post-deal integration. In her dual role supporting the CEO and serving as corporate secretary, she coordinated governance, managed critical documentation and helped ensure a seamless transition, all while advancing broader efforts to
Chief Officer Award Finalist Christina Payne on Building a People First Culture Amid Rapid Expansion at Precise Systems
As Precise Systems, Inc. continues to expand through acquisitions and mission growth, Christina Payne has been focused on a constant challenge: ensuring that people, culture and compliance evolve in step with the business. From guiding the people side of multiple integrations to strengthening HR’s partnership with operations, finance, contracts and program leadership, she has worked
Chief Officer Award Finalist Chris Townsend on Breaking Down Data Silos & Scaling AI Across Government
As federal agencies race to operationalize AI and secure siloed data environments, Chris Townsend has been focused on a parallel challenge: making that data accessible, actionable and secure without driving up cost or complexity. Under his leadership, Elastic has expanded access to its platform through the GSA OneGov contract, advanced a governmentwide SIEM-as-a-service effort with
For Chief Officer Award Finalist Alex Bender, Great MarCom Starts Before the Deliverable
Alex Bender built her career in digital communications, but at Core4ce she has increasingly pushed beyond traditional marketing roles — leading collaborative initiatives designed to accelerate innovation, sharpen proposal readiness and connect emerging technologies to mission needs. Bender, senior vice president of communications, marketing and brand development at Core4ce, is a finalist for WashingtonExec’s Chief
Chief Officer Award Finalist Debbie De La O: ‘I’m Always Thinking About Practical Solutions’
Whether she’s helping build better networks for soldiers around the world or writing out a business plan, Debbie De La O embraces her own curiosity with an eye toward making life better, easier or more meaningful. As vice president within Leidos Digital Modernization, De La O is a finalist for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards in
Chief Officer Award Finalist David Popelier: ‘We Never Lose Sight of What’s Important’
As CEO of a company dedicated to national security missions, David Popelier says it’s imperative to never lose sight of that mission and the employees who support it. Popelier leads ATS and is a finalist for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards in the Private Company (annual revenue greater than $100 million and less than $500 million)
Chief Officer Awards Finalist Jonathan Dalrymple: ‘We Have More Than Doubled Operating Profit’
When Jonathan Dalrymple became CEO of Chugach Alaska Corp. in 2025, he wasn’t content to continue with business as usual. Instead, Dalrymple reoriented Chugach toward long-term operational resilience, aligning leadership around a 5-year roadmap focused on unifying the enterprise and strengthening its future. Operating profit more than doubled over 24 months. In the spotlight below,
Chief Officer Awards Finalist Raj Badhwar on Going Public, Securing AI
He’s written seven books on IT security, holds over a dozen technology patents and leads teams in architecting secure infrastructures in an era defined by expanding attack surfaces. Raj Badhwar, chief information officer of Systems Planning & Analysis, is also a finalist for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards in the Private & Public Company CIO of
For Chief Officer Awards Finalist Dr. Curtis Arnold, Success is Measured in People, Not Projects
For Dr. Curtis Arnold, success is less about delivering projects and more about developing the next generation of leaders. Whether he’s grilling burgers for a crowd of students or mentoring interns at work, Arnold believes in applying both technical and people skills in ways that directly impact others for better. Arnold, vice president and chief
Chief Officer Awards Finalist Mark Drever: ‘If You Work With Me, I Need to Trust You With My Life’
As CEO of one of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies, Mark Drever says the mission is “straightforward but vital: helping to keep this country safe.” Drever leads Xcelerate Solutions and is a finalist for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards in the Private Company (annual revenue greater than $100 million and less than $500 million) CEO of
Chief Officer Awards Finalist Chad Kim: ‘Nothing is Hard. Just New.’
Chad Kim believes you learn who people really are when things get uncomfortable — whether riding 30 miles together before sunrise or navigating a 43-day government shutdown without furloughing employees. Kim is CEO of B/CORE and a finalist for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards in the Private Company (annual revenue less than $100 million) CEO of
Chief Officer Awards Finalist Dr. Rod Fontecilla on Embedding AI in Everything
A beginner’s mind and the capacity for accepting change are crucial to success in today’s AI-driven transformation landscape, according to Dr. Rod Fontecilla. Fontecilla, chief innovation and AI officer at Revolutional, is a finalist for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards in the Private & Public Company Artificial Intelligence Executive of the Year category. The event takes
2026 Chief Officer Awards Finalists Unveiled
We’re thrilled to unveil the finalists for the 2026 Chief Officer Awards — a premier recognition of the executives shaping the future of government contracting. From groundbreaking innovators to steadfast mission leaders, this year’s finalists represent the very best in federal leadership across industry and government. Join us June 2, 11:30 a.m. at The Hilton
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