Gen. John “Jay” Raymond is chief of space operations in the U.S. Space Force. Prior to this role, he spearheaded the re-establishment of U.S. Space Command as a combatant command. Raymond, a three-time Wash100 awardee, started his military career in 1984 and served as head of Joint Force Space Component Command, commander of Air Force Space Command and deputy chief of staff for operations at the Air Force headquarters.
Aaron Weis is chief information officer at the Department of the Navy. In this role, he serves as principal staff assistant to the secretary of the Navy with regard to information management, cyber, data and digital strategy. He previously served as a senior adviser to the Department of Defense’s CIO. Weiss, a three-time Wash100 Award recipient, held leadership roles at Axalta Coating Systems, Sensata Technologies, Tyco International and Siemens.
Robert Silvers is undersecretary for strategy, policy and plans at the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to rejoining DHS, he was a partner at law firm Paul Hastings, where he advised clients on cybersecurity, government security assessment of foreign investments and data privacy, among other areas. Silvers, a 2021 Wash100 awardee, previously served as assistant secretary for cyber policy and deputy chief of staff at DHS.
John “Mike” Murray is a retired U.S. Army general and former head of Army Futures Command. As first commanding general of AFC, he led efforts to integrate insights from innovators to advance Army modernization. His nearly four decades of military service included time as deputy chief of staff, G-8, and director of force management at the Department of Defense. Murray is a two-time Wash100 Award winner.
Jim Reagan is former executive vice president and chief financial officer of Leidos. He retired in July 2021 after serving for six years as CFO. He is a senior finance executive and held CFO roles at several companies, including Vencore, PAE, Vangent, Deltek, Aspect Communications and American Management Systems. Reagan, a certified public accountant and a five-time Wash100 Award recipient, started his career at PwC.
James “Hondo” Geurts is former assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. He performed the duties of the undersecretary of the Navy prior to his retirement in August 2021. He served as an acquisition executive within the Air Force and USSOCOM. Geurts, a 2020 Wash100 awardee, is executive chairman of Sarcos Technology and Robotics and serves on the advisory boards of Epirus and Silicon Valley Defense Group.
Lauren Knausenberger is chief Information officer for the Department of the Air Force. In this role, she oversees the U.S. Air Force’s IT portfolio and cybersecurity initiatives. She previously served as chief transformation officer and director of cyberspace innovation at USAF. She was the founder and president of Accellint and venture partner with NextGen Angels. Knausenberger, a two-time Wash100 awardee, held leadership roles at CACI International and American Management Systems.
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael Groen is director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center. Prior to leading JAIC, he was deputy chief of computer network operations at the National Security Agency. He previously served as director for intelligence, Joint Staff (J2); director of Marine Corps Intelligence; and chief of intelligence planning with U.S. European Command. Groen, a two-time Wash100 awardee, has served as a combat development, requirements and acquisition officer.
Susan Penfield is an executive vice president and chief innovation officer at Booz Allen Hamilton. In this role, she is responsible for scaling the company’s innovation initiatives across cyber, digital transformation and artificial intelligence areas. Prior to this role, she led the firm’s digital business spanning the civilian, defense and national security sectors. Penfield, a three-time Wash100 awardee, is supporting STEM programs and the advancement of women in technology.
Christopher Scolese is director of the National Reconnaissance Office. He joined NRO from NASA, where he served as director of Goddard Space Flight Center. He held various leadership roles at NASA, including acting administrator, associate administrator and chief engineer. Scolese, a three-time Wash100 awardee, started his government career as a naval officer, backing various naval nuclear propulsion programs for the U.S. Navy and the Department of Energy.
John “Jack” Shanahan is a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant general who served as the first director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center. Prior to leading JAIC, he was director for defense intelligence for warfighter support and director of algorithmic warfare cross-functional team (Project Maven). Shanahan, a two-time Wash100 awardee, is an adjunct senior fellow with the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security.
Julian Setian is president and CEO of SOS International. He joined SOSi in 1995 and has served as CEO of the technology services contractor since 2001. He is the founder of data analytics firm Exovera and mining company Sodevco. Setian, a two-time Wash100 awardee, serves on the Professional Services Council’s executive committee and is a member of the Association of the United States Army and the National Defense Industrial Association.
GovCon Wire
