Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023
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.
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: Leidos’ Steve Hull
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: Air Force’s Eileen Vidrine
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: General Dynamics Mission Systems’ Dr. Laura Hooks
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: CACI’s Steve Tolbert
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,
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: Peraton’s Mike Danick
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: CAES’ Steve Hogan
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: Valiant’s Peter Capwell
Peter Capwell Senior Vice President & General Manager, Valiant Peter Capwell joined Valiant in May 2022 and 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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: Guidehouse’s John Saad
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: Intel’s Greg Clifton
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: Raytheon Blackbird Technologies’ Troy Smith
Troy Smith Director of Raytheon Blackbird Technologies Over the last three years, Troy Smith 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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: Anduril’s Scott Goldstein
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: LMI’s Jon Baba
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: Maximus’ Joe Kehoe
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: ManTech’s David Hathaway
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: Belcan Government Solutions’ Terry Thornton
Terry Thornton Senior Vice President of Operations, Belcan Government Solutions 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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: DocuSign’s Griff Harrison
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: Air Force’s Eileen Vidrine
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: Aeyon’s Duane J. Piper
Duane J. Piper Chief Administrative Officer, Aeyon In the past year, Aeyon grew 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,
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: SAIC’s Josh Jackson
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: AMERICAN SYSTEMS’ Matt Hostutler
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,
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
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2023: IBM’s Adam Wieder
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
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