The year 2023 signifies the 10th anniversary of the Wash100 award, a distinguished cohort of private and public sector leaders carefully handpicked by Executive Mosaic’s organizational and editorial leadership.
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What’s Wash100 Award?
The Wash100 is an annual award to noteworthy private and public sector leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in their respective fields. The award is organized by Executive Mosaic, a media and events company specializing in bringing together business and government leaders to share ideas and insights.
The Wash100 award is widely recognized as a prestigious honor in the industry. Who makes it to the list carries a combination of factors, including the executive’s vision and leadership, their company’s financial performance, and their contributions to their industry and community.
Here are some of the honorees that received the Wash100 award:
Craig Abod, President of Carahsoft
Craig P. Abod is the founder and current President of Carahsoft Technology Corporation, a leading provider of IT solutions for the government, education, and healthcare sectors. Abod has been leading Carahsoft since 2004.
Abod’s leadership style and business acumen have been recognized and lauded in the industry. In fact, he received his ninth Wash100 award in January 2023 for advancing Carahsoft’s growth by strengthening the company’s partnerships with other software contractors, and supporting the expansion of the government technology ecosystem.
Abod is a vocal advocate for the development of the government tech domain, supporting consulting partners, system integrators, and value-added resellers (VARs). His efforts have helped to create a robust and thriving ecosystem of technology providers that are able to deliver innovative solutions to government agencies.
Abod’s extensive experience in the industry spans over 30 years, during which he has honed his expertise in IT capabilities and providing solutions to various federal government agencies. His deep understanding of the government technology landscape has enabled him to develop and implement strategies that have driven Carahsoft’s remarkable success and growth in the technology industry.
Lou Von Thaer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Battelle
Von Thaer has over 20 years of experience leading contract research groups and fulfilling multiple federal missions, utilizing his expertise in science, engineering, and technology. He has a proven track record of driving innovation and delivering results, and he is highly respected in the industry for his exceptional leadership and strategic vision.
He currently serves as the President and CEO of Battelle Memorial Institute, a leading applied science and technology company headquartered in Ohio. Under his leadership, Battelle has become a prime contractor for government agencies and commercial clients, delivering cutting-edge research and technology solutions across a wide range of industries. Von Thaer has successfully doubled the company’s revenue to over $11 billion. His ability to identify and seize opportunities, and his talent for motivating and inspiring his team, have been key factors in Battelle’s growth and success.
Von Thaer’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision have been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious Wash100 award. This year, he has received his eighth Wash100 award, in recognition of spearheading Battelle’s environmental cleanup and energy research initiatives, which have helped to position the company as a leader in these critical areas.
Matthew J. Desch, Chief Executive Officer at Iridium Communications
Matthew J. Desch has over four decades of experience in the defense industry. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and a Director at Iridium Communications, a leading provider of global satellite communications services. Since Desch took over the CEO position, Iridium Corporation has become a major player in the commercial and government contracting space, delivering cutting-edge technology solutions to a wide range of clients across the globe.
Desch is a nine-time recipient of the Wash100 award, beginning in 2015, in recognition of revolutionizing the satellite industry by creating new partnerships with over $16 billion in annual investments, helping to position Iridium as a leader in this critical space. This year, in 2023, Desch was also recognized by Executive Mosaic for stewarding a blockbuster year, thanks to his ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities in the market.
Desch’s extensive experience in the defense industry has given him a deep understanding of the needs and challenges of government and commercial clients. He has leveraged this expertise to develop and implement strategies that have driven Iridium’s success and made it a trusted partner to many government agencies and commercial organizations.
Roger Krone, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Leidos
Roger Krone is a highly-regarded thought-leader in the government contracting, digital modernization, and research and development space. He currently serves as the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Leidos, a leading technology and engineering services company that specializes in defense, intelligence, and health markets.
With over four decades of experience in the industry, Krone is widely recognized as a leader in his field. He has been a Wash100 Hall of Famer for ten consecutive years, receiving his first recognition in 2014 while he was still with Boeing as the President of Network and Space Systems. This award recognizes his expertise in strategic direction to advance corporate growth, innovation, major wins, programs, and acquisitions.
Under Krone’s leadership, Leidos has become a major player in the government contracting space, delivering innovative technology solutions to a wide range of clients across the defense, intelligence, and health markets. Krone’s deep expertise in digital modernization and research and development has been critical to the company’s success.
DeEtte Gray, President of Business and Information Technology Solutions at CACI International
DeEtte Gray is a widely regarded thought leader with a proven track record of success in the technology and government contracting industries. She currently serves as the President of Business and Information Technology Solutions at CACI International, a leading provider of computer and technology solutions to government agencies and commercial organizations.
In her role at CACI, Gray is responsible for driving sustained organic growth, fostering a culture of innovation and teamwork, and leading the delivery of cutting-edge offerings to modernize and enable government agency operations. Throughout her career, Gray has been a champion of diversity and inclusion, and has worked tirelessly to promote STEM education and opportunities for women and underrepresented minorities in the technology industry.
Gray has been a Wash100 Award winner six times, including in 2023, when she was recognized for driving IT modernization and promoting STEM education. She has also been a Wash100 Award winner in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021, demonstrating her consistent commitment to excellence and innovation in the industry.
Dave Wajgras, CEO of Intelsat
Dave Wajsgras is a highly-revered name in the commercial, defense, and global communications industry. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Intelsat, a leading provider of trusted satellite telecom networks that is at the forefront of the global communications industry.
In his role at Intelsat, Wajsgras oversees the construction of the world’s first hybrid, multi-orbit, software-defined 5G network, which is poised to revolutionize global connectivity and communications. His deep expertise in operational, strategic, and financial leadership has been critical to Intelsat’s success.
Wajsgras has been a consecutive Wash100 Award winner from 2016 to 2020, and he received his seventh Wash100 Award in 2023 for taking on crucial roles in leading innovation of satellite communications and the development of seamless connectivity worldwide.
Kathy Warden, Chairman, CEO, and President at Northrop Grumman
Kathy Warden has a strong background in the commercial and defense industry. She has been the CEO and President of Northrop Grumman since January 2019, having previously served as the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Northrop Grumman, she held leadership positions at General Dynamics, Veridian Corporation, and General Electric Company. She is also known for leading the incorporation of Northrop Grumman’s Orbital ATK purchase, which was the company’s largest acquisition ever.
Warden’s leadership at Northrop Grumman has been recognized by the Wash100 list, which she has been included on since 2018. In 2023, she was recognized for her efforts to better align the company’s technology portfolio with customer needs. In addition to her Wash100 recognition, Warden was also one of the executives from top global corporations who received the 2023 Catalyst Award at the Annual DEI Conference & Dinner. The Catalyst Award is given to leaders who have made significant contributions to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in their organizations. Warden’s recognition is a testament to her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
