Tech to Watch That Isn’t AI: Platform Engineering and the Next Wave of Modernization
Steven Hernandez is a DevSecOps and Cloud fellow at Systems Planning & Analysis, supporting U.S. Space Force command-and-control missions. Walk into any defense technology event this year, and the conversation is artificial intelligence, start to finish. AI is real and it matters. But that focus has crowded out a quieter shift that will do more
Zero Trust in Practice: What Organizations Get Wrong About Implementation
Raj Badhwar is chief information officer at Systems Planning & Analysis. He has over 30 years of leadership experience in cybersecurity, information technology and enterprise risk management. Let’s be honest about Zero Trust (ZT). Everyone loves theory, but the reality on the ground is a completely different story. Having written extensively on this topic, including
SPA Names Robert Richards to Board of Directors
Robert Richards has joined Systems Planning & Analysis’s board of directors as the company continues to grow its technology-enabled capabilities and expand its impact across critical national security missions. “SPA has built an outstanding reputation for technical excellence and mission impact,” Richards said. “I am honored to join the board and support the company’s continued
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
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
Breaking the Code: How Aimee Dalton Built a Career in GovCon Starting with a Spiral Notebook
Aimee Dalton didn’t picture herself in defense. She came in as a junior analyst with a fresh MBA, a spiral notebook and zero clue what GovCon acronyms meant. Promotions didn’t silence the doubt — every new role started with I can’t do this and ended a week later with actually, I can crush this. Fast forward 22
SPA Tapped to Support OUSD(R&E) under $100+M Contract
Systems Planning & Analysis has been awarded a contract with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering with a potential value of over $100 million over five years. SPA will deliver integrated business operations, communications and public affairs, stakeholder engagement and technical subject matter expertise to advance coordination, transparency and
SPA Names Douglas Coleman Chief Legal Officer
Systems Planning & Analysis has appointed Doug Coleman as chief legal officer, bringing over 25 years of legal leadership experience supporting aerospace, defense and advanced technology organizations. Coleman has advised executive leadership teams and boards of directors on legal strategy, governance, compliance, litigation management and commercial and government contracting in highly regulated environments. “Doug brings
SPA Taps Raj Badhwar as CIO
Raj Badhwar has joined Systems Planning & Analysis as chief information officer, serving on the executive leadership team and reporting to CEO Rich Sawchak. As CIO, Badhwar leads SPA’s enterprise IT organization, overseeing digital strategy, architecture, engineering, operations, data management and business intelligence, the company said. He is responsible for delivering secure, resilient and scalable
SPA Names Mark Adams Chief Capability Officer as Workforce & Tech Investments Grow
On the heels of Systems Planning & Analysis surpassing 3,000 personnel worldwide and expanding its investments in advanced technologies, including the integration of AI across its portfolio, the company has tapped Mark Adams as chief capability officer. “I’m thrilled to join SPA as CCO, where our experienced team will continue to lead the charge in
Top CFOs to Watch in 2025: SPA’s Dan Muse
Dan Muse CFO, SPA In 2025, SPA acquired four companies, expanding its capabilities across all domains. The company also purchased its headquarters building in Alexandria and announced a major investment to expand the facility and create new jobs in partnership with the governor of Virginia. In addition, Dan Muse’s team, working with HR, implemented a
Top HR Execs to Watch in 2025: SPA’s Michelle Howell
Michelle Howell Chief People Officer, SPA Michelle Howell’s biggest recent achievement was launching a best-in-class HRIS system that integrates with SPA’s business processes and strengthens the company’s ability to automate and streamline operations. The initiative brings together a cross-functional team delivering a phased approach that will improve data management, reporting, process alignment and workflow efficiency.
SPA Buys Group W
Systems Planning & Analysis has acquired Group W, a data science and defense analytics company that focuses on modeling, simulation and wargaming capabilities to the Defense Department. SPA CEO Rich Sawchak noted the companies’ longstanding partnership, saying the merger brings together the Defense Department’s top providers and users of modeling and simulation tools spanning system,
SPA Achieves CMMC Level 2 Certification
Systems Planning & Analysis said it has been assessed at Final Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Level 2, underscoring the company’s commitment to information security and compliance in support of its clients. “In today’s landscape of increasing cyber threats, achieving CMMC Level 2 certification reflects our unwavering commitment to safeguarding sensitive information,” said SPA CIO Chad
2025 Chief Officer Awards Winner: SPA’s Dave Hearding
Dave Hearding, chief growth officer at Systems Planning & Analysis, has won WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Award for CGO or BD Executive of the Year (Private & Public Company, annual revenue greater than $500M). On June 4, WashingtonExec unveiled the winners of the 2025 Chief Officer Awards, its premier recognition of the executives shaping the future
SPA Buys Intrepid
Systems Planning & Analysis has acquired Intrepid, an engineering company supporting missiles and space, enterprise modernization, and aviation markets. Intrepid is based in Huntsville, Alabama, and connects SPA to two mission priorities for the U.S. Army: integrated battle management and enterprise modernization. Intrepid is also a systems engineering and technical assistance partner on the Integrated
SPA Buys Proximity; Expands Strategic Services in Australia
Systems Planning & Analysis acquired Proximity, an Australian consulting, legal and commercial services provider to government. Proximity joins SPA Australia, expanding SPA’s presence in the Australian market. Proximity brings key clients across government and major Commonwealth agencies, including Defence, Home Affairs, Health Services Australia and Social Services. “Proximity is a sought-after and highly respected multidisciplinary
SPA’s Richard Sawchak Shares Generations of ‘Humble Beginnings’: A Story of Mentorship, Giving Back & Family
In this episode of “Humble Beginnings,” Richard Sawchak, CEO of Systems Planning and Analysis, joins us to discuss his upbringing in Scranton, Pennsylvania, his first job as a paperboy and the mentors who influenced his life. He also recounts his father’s “humble beginning” as a banker without a college degree who ultimately retired as the
2024 Chief Officer Awards Winner: Systems Planning and Analysis’ Michelle Howell
Michelle Howell, chief human resources officer at Systems Planning and Analysis, has won WashingtonExec’s 2024 Chief Officer Award for Chief Human Resources Officer in the Public and Private Company category. WashingtonExec on May 10 unveiled the winners of the Chief Officer Awards, an annual program that celebrates influential and innovative executives in government and industry
SPA’s John Burton Celebrates 35 Years of Impact with Longevity Award from WashingtonExec
WashingtonExec has awarded Systems Planning and Analysis Senior Vice President and Strategic Division Director John Burton with the Longevity Award, which recognizes executives who made outstanding contributions to their companies throughout the years. Burton has been with SPA for 35 years. Below, he shares how he got started with the company, the impact he’s made,
SPA Buys Technical Advisory Services Programs from ManTech
Systems Planning & Analysis has acquired ManTech’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Office of the Secretary of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office and select National Reconnaissance Office technical advisory services programs. For over three decades, these programs have supported national security customers by delivering highly specialized, research and development-driven solutions to solve critical mission requirements, the
Top Space Execs to Watch in 2024: SPA’s Bruce Phillips
Bruce Phillips Senior Vice President of Space & Intelligence Division, Systems Planning & Analysis Bruce Phillips’ most significant achievement since joining the company in September 2022 was collaborating with leadership and staff to expand the Space and Intelligence Division. This growth has been both organic and through the acquisition of recent space companies. SPA is
Top CFOs to Watch in 2023: SPA’s Dan Muse
Dan Muse CFO, Systems Planning and Analysis Closing the PRKK acquisition in early September was Dan Muse’s biggest recent achievement since joining the Systems Planning and Analysis leadership team in March. It also aligns with the long-term strategic plan put in place earlier this year. “Winning in our market is team sport,” Muse said. “I
Systems Planning & Analysis Buys PRKK, Expands Space & Intel Division
Systems Planning & Analysis has acquired PRKK, LLC, expanding its commitment to the space and intelligence sectors. PRKK is focused on advancing space domain awareness and space superiority and works in cross-domain studies and analyses for clients like the Office of the Secretary of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office, U.S. Space Force, Space Security and Defense
Never miss a SPA story.
Our latest executive profiles, council news, and GovCon headlines — every morning.