Executive Mosaic, the government contracting industry’s premier media and events organization, is pleased to induct Tom Arseneault into the 2024 Wash100. As president and CEO of BAE Systems, Arseneault is recognized for his forward-thinking support of the U.S. defense effort through inspired new business combinations and aggressive contract pursuit.
Now it’s your turn — cast 10 votes for your favorite recipient(s) of the 2024 Wash100 Award now in our yearly popular contest!
Founded in 2014, the Wash100 Award annually endorses the top 100 most influential figures in GovCon, as voted by EM’s discerning committee. Candidates are evaluated on metrics of leadership, vision, innovation and reliability, among other qualities, and those who are at the peak of their career, or are close to reaching it, are given precedence. Needless to say, it is a highly competitive and distinguished honor.
“With BAE’s acquisition of Ball Aerospace and an influx of funding from the CHIPS Act, BAE is poised for exponential growth and expansion in the GovCon market, and Tom is just the strategic thinker and seasoned leader the enterprise needs as it enters this new transformative chapter,” commented Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic.
“Tom has more than two decades of senior leadership experience and expertise at BAE, and his deep knowledge of the organization and its mission will be essential in taking BAE to the next level. We’re proud to recognize Tom as a Wash100 winner for the third year,” Garrettson, who founded the Wash100 Award, declared.
As Garrettson mentions, BAE and Arseneault captured our attention with the notable acquisition announcement of Ball Aerospace, a major player in space domain provisions like vessels, payloads, antennas, optical systems and more. With the $5.5 billion deal, BAE adds significant capabilities such as missile and C4ISR technologies to its arsenal. The deal — which was announced in August and closed last month — is reflective of a vision of an even stronger and more market-dominating BAE.
“This marquee acquisition would advance our company’s position in some of the fastest growing segments of the defense market and further increase our alignment with enduring customer priorities in both the U.S. National Defense Strategy and U.S. Intelligence Strategy,” said Arseneault.
Beyond this impressive maneuver, BAE netted a dizzying amount of medium-to-large contract awards throughout 2023 and into the new year.
In September, the company landed a $797 million U.S. Army initial order to deliver the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle; the contract could total $1.6 billion if they opt for additional units.
It went on to receive a $418 million award from the Army in January of this year to produce self-propelled howitzers and carrier ammunition-tracked vehicles, a continuation of prior work.
Further still, under a $319 million Defense Information Systems Agency single-award contract made public in September, BAE is providing Military Code-capable GPS receivers to the Army.
BAE is frequently collaborative too — in September they handed over the first EC-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft in partnership with L3Harris Technologies. And June saw the establishment of a partner program called Mission Advantage, in which its intelligence and security arm will actively seek out organizations working on emerging technologies for national security and mission readiness to join forces and share expertise.
Based on the relentless pace of the company’s growth, and his well over 20-year commitment to rising its ranks and investing in its expansion, Tom Arseneault is an inarguable addition to the 2024 Wash100 class. Executive Mosaic applauds his efforts and looks forward to what the remainder of this year has in store for BAE Systems!
