- Roger Krone remembers Mike Daniels as a technologist and industry leader
- Krone contrasts his operator background at Leidos with Heller’s innovation focus
- The Good Scout Award is rooted in the Scout Oath and Law
Roger Krone, president and CEO of Scouting America, discussed the legacy of the late Mike Daniels and why Amentum CEO John Heller, a 10-time Wash100 Award recipient, is a fitting honoree for the 2026 Mike Daniels Technology Good Scout Award in a recent video interview with Executive Mosaic.
Krone, former chairman and CEO of Leidos and a 10-time Wash100 awardee, spoke with Executive Mosaic Senior Content Manager Charles Lyons-Burt. Scouting America’s National Capital Area Council will present the award to Heller during a luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 5.
What Did Roger Krone Say About Mike Daniels?
Krone said Daniels’ work extended across the GovCon sector and beyond. He noted that Daniels served as an SAIC executive before the company split into Leidos and SAIC in 2013, and later became known for his board roles, including at CACI, as well as his private equity and venture work.
The former Leidos chief explained that he got to know Daniels during his time at SAIC and Leidos, adding that the two often met and discussed deals and investments at length.
“I think what a lot of people don’t pause to reflect about is how many of today’s executives in this space worked with, for, or around Mike,” Krone said.
He added that, like many others in the industry, he has his own stories about Daniels.
“We all have our Mike Daniels stories. And he was just a super leader in our industry and really a great person,” the Scouting America executive remarked.
What Values Does the Good Scout Award Recognize?
The Technology Good Scout Award recognizes leaders in the Greater Washington area and the technology industry. The National Capital Area Council named Daniels a lifetime honoree in 2017 and renamed the award in his memory in 2025 following his death.
According to Krone, Scouting America runs its program on the Scout Oath and Scout Law, which members recite at every meeting. He explained that the oath emphasizes duty to community, country and God, while the program encourages young people to be ethical and to prioritize their personal fitness and mental health.
“Young people today need to be value-based. They need to think about character and leadership, and they need to stand for something. I think what scouting does is it puts forth the concept of, as an individual, you should have a clear understanding of what you stand for,” he noted.
The 2026 Mike Daniels Technology Good Scout Awards Luncheon at Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia, will honor Heller as this year’s award recipient. Named for Mike Daniels, the late former CACI board chairman, the award recognizes Greater Washington, D.C., technology leaders who reflect the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Why Is John Heller a Deserving Recipient of the Good Scout Award?
The Scouting America CEO said Heller has served in government, written books and represents leadership in the GovCon industry. He contrasted his own role at Leidos as an operator focused on production, code and installations with Heller’s focus on innovation and technology.
“I like to think John is a thought leader. And every time I talk to John, he causes me to think outside the box. And I think he does that for the companies that he has been associated with,” Krone stated.
He also pointed to Heller’s focus on the future and his role as a mentor and developer of people.
“He is always thinking about what’s next and what does the future look like and what should companies be doing today to invest in people and technologies that will provide our customers capabilities in the future,” Krone explained.
Who Is Roger Krone?
Krone is an Eagle Scout and aerospace engineer who now serves as president and CEO of Scouting America. Before joining the organization, he served as chairman and CEO of Leidos, retiring from the company in 2023.
He previously worked at Boeing, McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics. He is a trustee of the Georgia Tech Foundation and serves on the boards of automotive technology company Lear, the National Air and Space Museum, and public broadcaster WETA.
