Sharon L. Hays, PhD, leads LMI’s innovation initiatives and corporate strategy, including technology and academic partnerships. Under the LMI Research Institute, she spearheads LMI’s independent research and development, devising strategies to leverage investments and LMI capabilities into new program opportunities and service offerings. She joined LMI from General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), where she managed several agency account portfolios and led the High Performance Computing Center of Excellence. She previously served as vice president for science and engineering at CSC (now GDIT), leading development of corporate strategy related to science, engineering, and sustainability.

Sharon performed more than a decade of public service in the executive and legislative branches, notably as associate director and deputy director for science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and as a professional staff member on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science.

Sharon is a former chair of the Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy at the American Association for the Advancement of Science; she also participated on the National Climate Assessment and Development Advisory Committee and the NASA Industry Forum. She holds a bachelor’s in molecular biology from the University of California-Berkeley and a doctorate in biochemistry from Stanford University.

Glenn Kurowski is the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for CACI International Inc, a global provider of expertise and technology serving enterprise and mission defense, intelligence, and federal civilian government customers. In this role, Mr. Kurowski is responsible for advancing critical technologies, driving technology investments, and recruiting and developing the company’s technical workforce to accelerate growth and innovatively address its mission and enterprise customers’ most challenging needs.

A veteran of the government contracting industry and a proven innovator and strategist, Mr. Kurowski joined CACI in 2014 and has been instrumental in shaping the company’s transition to a technology-powered national security leader. Additionally, Mr. Kurowski has worked across CACI to leverage its scientists, innovators, and technical talent to create innovative solutions and generate new intellectual property and product offerings. He was instrumental in CACI’s pivot to being market aligned; professionalized the solution architect profession; and guided numerous technical investments and academic partnerships.

Prior to joining CACI, Mr. Kurowski had been with Lockheed Martin for 29 years, progressing in engineering and leadership roles in support of defense and intelligence customers. He advanced to the position of vice president, leading the Health and Life Sciences business where he championed investments and innovations in genomics and rapid DNA sequencing. He was a recipient of Lockheed Martin’s highest honor for technical excellence.

His career started in acoustic signal processing and semiconductor design, followed by secure communications to replace antiquated Department of Defense/intel systems. He led Lockheed Martin into software-defined radios, including the capture and program management of the Airborne, Maritime, and Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System. Subsequently, Mr. Kurowski led a product development effort leveraging cellular and smart phones for tactical theater. In the last decade, Mr. Kurowski has pivoted to combining the application of analytics, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based technologies to CACI’s markets, including C4ISR and electronic warfare, as well as applying Agile and DevSecOps to revolutionizing software development.

Long a proponent of the next generation of talent, Mr. Kurowski is the technical champion of CACI’s enterprise intern program, the sponsor of CACI’s academic relationships, a board member of Virginia Tech’s HUME Center for National Security and Technology, and a proponent of reverse mentoring initiatives to accelerate adoption of digital native thinking and innovation.

Mr. Kurowski holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He’s also a certified program manager and certified architect.

Derrick Pledger, an 11-year veteran of Leidos, is responsible for leading the corporation’s Digital Modernization organization. Since joining Leidos, he has held multiple engineering and technical management positions of increasing scope and responsibility, including Enterprise Solution Architect, Chief Engineer, Program Manager, Chief Infrastructure Architect, and Lead Systems Integrator. He has also spent over two years deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa in support of Operation Iraqi & Enduring Freedom missions and counter-piracy operations. His expertise ranges from managing complex software programs and designing hybrid cloud environments to supporting development, systems integration, and data exploitation efforts for a number of Department of Defense (DOD) customers.

John Griffin, vice president of federal channels and system integrators for Dell Technologies, is an accomplished sales executive with experience leading teams across public sector and commercial markets. John is currently responsible for the federal go-to-market plan for the channel partner ecosystem.

John is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at WestPoint with B.S. in Engineering. He served in the U.S. Army as a Field Artillery Officer. He is a husband, father of four, and business mentor who lives in the Boston area.

Ira Entis is the Growth and Strategy Lead for Accenture Federal Services with responsibility for strategic corporate development, including growth-oriented investments and acquisitions. He leads the go-to-market strategy for high growth, differentiated offerings overseeing the AI, digital, cloud, and cyber programs along with emerging technology areas and the alliance ecosystem. He is a member of the Federal Leadership Team and Accenture’s Global Leadership Council.

Ira joined Accenture with the company’s acquisition of Agilex Technologies, which he cofounded in 2007. As Agilex’ Chief Growth Officer, he was responsible for strategic planning, market development and pipeline management. Agilex was recognized by the Washington Business Journal as one of the region’s fastest growing companies for five consecutive years under his leadership. Accenture’s acquisition of the company was also named a Top Deal for 2015 by Washington Technology.

Previously, he served as Vice President for Global Marketing at BearingPoint, and held various leadership roles within Oracle’s federal business, where he began his career. Ira received his bachelor’s degree from The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Nyla Beth Gawel is senior vice president, responsible for corporate strategy, and acting chief marketing and communications officer for SAIC.

She is responsible for developing the company’s strategy to drive organic growth and strengthen its capabilities to deliver transformational solutions to federal government customers. She also works with leaders from across the organization to ensure strategic business plans are aligned and successfully executed.

As acting chief marketing and communications officer, Gawel is responsible for SAIC’s corporate reputation and brand management; external communications; public relations; digital and social media; thought leadership; events and trade shows; financial communications; and crisis management. Gawel is also responsible for advancing business strategy through the development of a highly successful and unified brand presence.

Gawel is a seasoned business leader and brings 20 years of broad consulting expertise to SAIC focused on technology and innovation advancement for public sector enterprises in federal, international, and commercial markets. Prior to joining SAIC in 2020, Gawel was the director of public sector strategy at Verizon Business Group starting in 2019, soon after the business group was created. In that role, she led strategy and development for the company’s Public Sector Business focused on providing networks, products, and services for federal, state, local, and education customers.

Gawel began her career in 2000 as a contracted program analyst for the National Institute of Justice, before moving into a homeland security director position at G&H International Services LLC and serving as Acting Chief of Staff in the stand up of state and local first responder programs in the Departnemt of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate.

In 2006, she was hired by Booz Allen Hamilton, where she rose to the position of vice president in the firm’s Strategic Innovation group. Under her leadership, the company launched its innovation center and solution group. In her last role with Booz Allen Hamilton she led the company’s strategy and development of new business opportunities for Platform-as-a-Service delivery of government citizen services.

At Booz Allen Hamilton and before, Gawel led the stand up of large programs addressing multi-billion dollar federal investments in broadband adoption, public safety communications, and homeland security research and development. As an active member of her community, Gawel is a member of the Playworks Mid-Atlantic Board of Directors, a Daisy Troop Leader for the Girl Scouts of America’s Natitonal Capital Region, and an elected deacon for the National Presbyterian Church.

Gawel graduated from Georgetown with bachelor’s degree in foreign service. She also holds certificates in Innovation Management from the International Association of Innovation Professionals, Federal Grants Management from Management Concepts, and Project Management from the Integrated Justice Information Systems.

Damon Griggs is the Chief Executive Officer at Dovel Technologies and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. He joined Dovel in 2016 as the Chief Operating Officer, before becoming President in 2018. Griggs brings more than two decades of executive leadership in the government technology space, including strategic planning, P&L stewardship, world-class service delivery for customer success, and development of high-performing, growth-oriented teams.

Griggs leads the overall corporate direction and strategy at Dovel, focused on expanding the company’s competencies and capabilities, enhancing relationships with current and prospective customers, and providing opportunities for employee growth. Through Dovel’s strong market presence in health IT, life sciences, public safety, and grants management, he is dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and an unparalleled commitment to customer success, while elevating Dovel’s position as an employer of choice. Under Griggs’ leadership, Dovel has more than doubled in employee size, has delivered exceptional revenue growth, and has solidified its infrastructure for the next phase of growth.

Previously, Griggs served as President and COO of InScope International, Inc. where he was responsible for operations, business development, and strategy to drive significant top and bottom-line growth. Prior to InScope, Griggs was Senior Vice President at Alion Science and Technology, an engineering, IT, and operational solutions firm.

Griggs received his Bachelor’s degree from Yale University and his Master of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University. He is a member of the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) Board of Directors, the Professional Services Council (PSC) Board of Directors, and the Washington, DC chapter of YPO.

Follow Damon Griggs on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/damon-griggs-843273/

As Chief Executive Officer, Stu leads the company’s strategic direction. His vision and guidance drive Peraton’s performance and culture.

Stu is the former President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Leidos, and was the principal architect in the creation of Leidos when he served as COO of SAIC. Prior to being named COO, Stu led SAIC’s support to the National Security Community as President, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group.

Stu is also a founder of the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) and the highly acclaimed GEOINT Symposium. He serves on several industry, government, and academic advisory boards. Stu was a member of the Director of National Intelligence’s Senior Advisory Group (SAG) and in 2016 he was presented the Intelligence Community Seal Medallion by Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper, Jr. for his service. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards for his leadership within the industry.

Stu has a Master of Arts from the University of Kansas, a Bachelor of Science from State University of New York at Albany, and executive education at the University of Virginia, Harvard Business School, Wharton, and The George Washington University.

Nick Wakeman is the editor-in-chief of Washington Technology. Follow him on Twitter: @nick_wakeman.