Eight weeks have now passed since the announcement of the Wash100 Award class of 2023 and with it, the beginning of this year’s popular vote contest. For two whole months, the 100 executives — company leaders, technology experts, government agency directors — who Executive Mosaic’s election committee deemed the best and brightest in government contracting have been duking it out for the number one spot. They’re being supported by you, the readers and their loyal followers.
Jim Garrettson founded the Wash100 Award in 2014 to provide a way to recognize who he and his team see as the most likely change-makers for the next year in GovCon, based on those who display exceptional leadership, vision, innovation and reliability, among other qualities. It serves as a yearly guide and prediction for who is going to make the biggest impact in the industry, and has proved correct with remarkable precision.
Every person gets 10 votes to submit for their favorite awardees. Help elevate your preferred winners to the top of the ranking by visiting Wash100.com today!
This week, the top five — a veritable stronghold — has remained fairly similar to the last several weeks, yet some notable movement has occurred. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reclaimed his early race position at number three, rising one spot from number four, where he has been stationed for some time now. Could Austin go all the way to number one?
First-time awardee Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland has ridden a wave of momentum over the last several weeks that continued this week, with the Defense Health Agency director charting her highest position yet. She entered the top five and currently holds the number five spot. Carahsoft CEO Craig Abod appears again at number one, with Microsoft Federal President Rick Wagner close behind at number two and the latter company’s Vice President of Defense Wes Anderson at number four. It remains to be seen who can muster a proper challenge to these heavyweights.
Two of the biggest gains this week were Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, who skyrocketed from number 19 to number 13, and Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu, who climbed from number 20 to number 15. Both Hicks and Shyu are three-time recipients of the award.
Keep your eye as well on Guidehouse CEO Scott McIntyre, a seven-time Wash100 recipient who entered the top 30 vote rankings just last week but soared from number 27 to number 21 during the last week alone.
This is going to be a close race right up until the end, when voting closes on April 28. Make sure you let your voice be heard: vote right now at Wash100.com! You’re doing yourself a favor by participating in one of the most vital traditions in GovCon.
