WATCH: Driving Innovation in Defense IT with CGI Federal’s Horace Blackman & DOD’s George Lamb
In this virtual video panel series, WashingtonExec interviews industry and public sector leaders to explore the challenges, innovations and initiatives shaping the government IT landscape. This video was originally recorded Sept. 30, 2025. In this segment, WashingtonExec’s Amanda Ziadeh sits down with Horace Blackman, senior vice president leading the Defense, Intelligence and Space Business Unit
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2025
Serving the Defense Department requires deep knowledge of its mission, the provision of secure and 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.
Pentagon Launches SWFT to Cut Through Red Tape, Deliver Secure Code Faster
Goodbye, lengthy software processes. The Pentagon wants secure code — and it wants it fast. On April 24, Katie Arrington, performing the duties of Defense Department chief information officer, signed a memo that launches the Software Fast Track, or SWFT, Initiative. The goal is to radically speed up how DOD acquires, tests and approves secure
WATCH: Angela Cough, Joe Rohner on Building an AI Workforce for Government Needs
In this virtual video panel series, WashingtonExec sits down with industry and public sector leaders to discuss current challenges, innovations and initiatives top of mind across the government IT landscape. WashingtonExec’s Amanda Ziadeh sits down with Angela Cough and Joe Rohner to discuss the makings and evolution of an artificial intelligence workforce best suited for
SAIC Wins Prime Spot on DOD’s $1.8B PRISM Contract
SAIC has secured a prime position on the Defense Department’s $1.8 billion PRISM contract. The contract supports the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, enabling faster access to critical services through streamlined task order procedures. These procedures shorten acquisition lead times and improve flexibility across the process. The award includes one
2024 Pinnacle Awards Winner: DOD’s John M. Tenaglia
John M. Tenaglia, principal director of defense pricing and contracting at the Defense Department, has won WashingtonExec’s Pinnacle Award for Contracts Executive of the Year (Government). On Nov. 21, WashingtonExec announced the Pinnacle Awards winners during an annual event showcasing government and industry executives who notably spurred innovation for federal clients in the region. The
HII Wins $458M Contract to Modernize DOD IT Architecture
HII Mission Technologies division won a $458 million contract to modernize federal communications and IT networks for rapid decision-making in the battlespace. HII was awarded the 5-year task order under the Defense Department’s Information Analysis Center Multiple Award Contract vehicle. “We are honored by the customer’s trust in HII and our approach,” said Andy Green,
Leidos Wins $823M DISA Contract to Modernize DOD Network
Leidos has secured an $823 million task order from the Defense Information Systems Agency to manage operations and sustainment for the Defense Enclave Services Network program. Under a $11.5 billion, 10-year single-award contract, Leidos will optimize network services for Fourth Estate defense agencies and field activities, transitioning them from legacy systems to the DoDNet. This
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2024: DOD’s Gabe Camarillo
Gabe Camarillo 35th Under Secretary of the Army, DOD Gabe Camarillo’s biggest recent achievement was managing a period of rapid transformation in the types of formations and warfighting capabilities the Army employs, and shifting how the Army buys and develops them, informed by industry best practices. Over the last year, the Army released a new
Top Cloud Execs to Watch in 2024: DOD’s Rob Vietmeyer
Rob Vietmeyer Chief Software Officer for DCIO Information Enterprise, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Defense Department Rob Vietmeyer worked to define and publish the groundbreaking criteria for the Continuous Authority to Operate process, a pivotal step in modernizing and securing software development within the Defense Department. “This work involved working with DOD cybersecurity leadership,
Lumen Wins $110M DISA Contract for Fiber, Network Services
Lumen Technologies has won a $110 million contract from the Defense Information Systems Agency to provide secure network services to the Defense Department. Under the contract, Lumen will operate and maintain DISA’s fiber backbone, which includes colocation facilities, dark fiber, diverse end-to-end network infrastructure, new fiber builds and system updates. These updates use new technologies
BAE Systems Wins $37M DOD Next-Gen Launcher Contract to Support Navy
BAE Systems won a $37 million Defense Department Ordnance Technology Consortium contract to design the Next Generation Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Launch System. Under this contract, BAE Systems will help the NATO SeaSparrow Program Office design and deliver prototype deck launching systems to the U.S. Navy and allied countries with the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile ship self-defense
Top Climate Change Execs to Watch in 2023: DOD’s Paul Farnan
Paul Farnan Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, DOD Paul Farnan’s biggest recent achievement was the 2022 publication of the Army Climate Strategy. The U.S. Army is the first U.S. military service to publish such a strategy, which set significant but obtainable goals that will reduce the Army’s emissions
Top Space Execs to Watch in 2023: DOD’s John F. Plumb
John F. Plumb Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, DOD John F. Plumb is the first assistant secretary of defense for space policy, confirmed in March 2022. He is responsible for overseeing DOD policy for space warfighting. Plumb also serves as the principal cyber advisor to the secretary of defense. Plumb’s policy portfolio includes
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: DOD’s Shawn G. Skelly
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: DOD’s Heidi Shyu
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
DOD Small Business Strategy Aims to ‘Keep Our Military Forces Combat Ready’
A healthy pipeline of products and services supplied by small businesses is critical to defending the nation. But despite their importance, small businesses are dropping out of the running for contracts to the tune of 40% over the past decade, officials said. Acknowledging that small businesses are central to the economy and critical to national
Top Government Tech Leaders to Watch in 2023: DOD’s Dr. Kristen Alexander
Dr. Kristen Alexander Chief Learning and Artificial Intelligence Officer; Strategic Initiatives, Policy and Emerging Technologies; Director, Operational Test and Evaluation; Office of the Secretary of Defense; Defense Department Dr. Kristen Alexander’s assessments of Defense Department systems and services through the Defense Acquisition System helped make sound acquisition decisions. This led to the delivery of proven
LMI Wins DOD Contract to Support Warfighter Materiel Readiness Requirements
LMI was awarded a contract from the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Materiel Readiness to provide industrial base assessments, data analytics and policy and resource management services to help the Defense Department meet materiel readiness requirements. The ODASD(MR) provides DOD maintenance policy and materiel readiness management oversight for all weapon systems
Top 35 Execs to Watch in 2022: DOD’s Heidi Shyu
Heidi Shyu Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Defense Department Formerly the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, Heidi Shyu was confirmed as the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering USD in July 2021. She’s also dual-hatted as the chief technology officer. Before her government career, she spent over
WATCH: DOD’s Richard Kidd on Maintaining Military Readiness amid Climate Change
WashingtonExec’s Amanda Ziadeh is joined by Richard Kidd, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for environment and energy resilience, to discuss the major concerns and threats climate change poses to military readiness. Kidd provides a brief overview of the Defense Department’s Climate Adaptation Plan, and the current initiatives already underway.
Top 25 DOD Execs to Watch in 2021
Serving the Defense Department requires deep knowledge of its mission, the ability to provide secure innovative solutions, and a status as 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
GAO Reports DOD Electronic Health Records Progress, But Work Lies Ahead
The Defense Department is making progress to modernize its electronic health records system, but it still has some distance to go, according to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office. DOD relies on multiple electronic systems implemented over the last 30 years to maintain health records. In seeking to implement a more modern comprehensive
John Sherman Nominated for Permanent DOD CIO Role
President Joe Biden plans to nominate five individuals to serve in key roles. Among them is John Sherman, who will be tapped to serve as chief information officer for the Defense Department. Sherman has nearly 25 years of experience working in national security technology and innovation across the intelligence community and DOD. He served most
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