EXECUTIVE TRANSITIONS | It’s been a little over a month since Larry Prior was named president and COO of ManTech International Corporation, and it’s already clear which title he prefers. “I am first and foremost an operator,” says Prior. “The chief operating officer cares a lot about top line growth, taking care of people, and executing programs for

Larry Prior

customers.” That singular focus on execution is matched by Prior’s other great passion: cybersecurity. “I love the depth of our capability in cybersecurity,” says Prior. “When it comes to supporting our national security customers, there’s no hesitancy, no doubt in any ‘climb or place,’ as we used to say in the Marines.” In his first interview since assuming his new role, Prior speaks to ExecutiveBiz about his top priorities, and how he’s furthering ManTech as an “essential teammate” in cyber and national security.

ExecutiveBiz: ManTech recently established ManTech Cyber Solutions International, Inc. How does this subsidiary fit with the Obama administration’s cybersecurity goals?

Larry Prior: First, you have to applaud the Obama Administration on continuity. The leadership of Vice Admiral Mike McConnell under the Bush administration now has great continuity with Adm. Dennis Blair and Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander. That continuity is important, the recognition of the threat is important. Our core ManTech team will provide deep domain cyber expertise to support and build on this continuity. Meanwhile, the creation of our new business, ManTech CSI, is designed for us to manage the marketing, sales, and support of our product line to our core intelligence customers: the Intelligence Community, the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and other members of the national security team. To be good at cyber and forensics, you need tools. One of those tools is Crowbar, which we just announced. Crowbar is a unique forensic solution that allows government authorities to recover data from memory cards used in cell phones, PDAs and other devices. As this market evolves, we will showcase an even broader ability to put tools out there in the marketplace.

Larry Prior: There are aspects of it I completely agree with, such as the government building an acquisition workforce and other “nearly inherently governmental” tasks such as audit and contract management. Government needs to re-badge. It needs to bring talent in that does planning, budgeting, source selection, and acquisition management. They need to make sure, however, they can also execute on missions across every agency. Systems engineering and technical assistance as well as mission support, for example, require lots of experience and core technical talent. That’s a great opportunity for industry.

ExecutiveBiz: What specific areas will you be focusing on in national security?

Larry Prior: Out of the gate you’re going to see greater emphasis on smart power. We deploy globally and we have the valuable resources to support state and federal agencies in smart power. Beyond that, the appointment of Alan Bersin as assistant secretary [for International Affairs and Special Representative for Border Affairs] at DHS showcases this administration’s concerns over border security, specifically what’s happening in Latin America with counternarcotics. That’s a great mission for the ManTech team to support. President Obama will champion arms control and the ManTech team has great technical talent to help with threat reduction across the globe. Lastly, my fundamental belief is that Iraq will grind down slower than people think, and Afghanistan will accelerate faster than people think. It’s still a dangerous world out there. So we are going to maintain a core business there.

ExecutiveBiz: Turning to cybersecurity, specifically. What new conversations are you having?

Larry Prior: Cyber is a wonderful opportunity for us to expand our business as the network has. So, we’re focused on several questions: How do we help defend networks that aren’t in our typical space? How do we help improve network resiliency everywhere we go? There is a lot that we can do to help federal civilian customers with technical support. The Department of Agriculture is an entry-level place for us. We also recently won a contract with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

ExecutiveBiz: What do you want to accomplish over the next 12 to 18 months?

Larry Prior: Sustainable, profitable growth is the goal. We’ve got great leadership and energy with [ManTech Founder, Chairman and CEO] George [Pedersen]. And we’ve got a solid team that can execute well.

ExecutiveBiz: What’s it like working with George Pedersen?

Larry Prior: Frankly, fun. The day to day interaction with him – I like the energy level. We’ve got our lanes; he’s very good on the Hill, very good with investors, very good with the board. But we’re a true team; we interact all the time. Beyond that, when you think of the uncertain market our industry will be facing in 2011, you’ve got to be adaptable, you’ve got to be agile, and you’ve got to be aggressive. By God, that is George Pedersen. Whether it’s how we think about supporting our troops overseas by going outside the wire or exercising the day to day cash discipline to have no debt on your balance sheet — those are George Pedersen’s traits as founder and they will serve us well in the future.

ExecutiveBiz: You’ve mentioned that managing execution is a great passion of yours as a leader. What’s another?

Larry Prior: Recruiting and nurturing talent. When you fuel growth it’s a nonstop job. I like to find people with more energy and who are smarter than me, who have great domain expertise, and turn them loose.

ExecutiveBiz: Lastly, with your new role comes a new move. How has your daily life changed coming to DC?

Larry Prior: I have all the challenges of starting a new job and growing a business while moving from the West Coast. But it’s exciting! It’s clearly a buyer’s market across the DC metropolitan area, and we bought a house in Old Town Alexandria. DC and Old Town have played an important part a lot of times in my life. My wife and I dated in Old Town, our first home was south of Alexandria, and our girls were baptized at St. Mary’s. So now we’re empty nesters and we’re moving back to Old Town. We’re really excited about this next chapter.

Interview conducted by JD Kathuria

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We called him a Beltway Game Changer to watch. Now, this just in: Larry Prior, who has served as chief operating officer of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) since October 2007, has just accepted the position of president and COO of ManTech International Corporation. The news was announced this morning by ManTech’s CEO and chairman of

Larry Prior joins ManTech

the board, George Pedersen, and signals a strategic new day for the national security and information technology company.

“[Larry's] extensive experience will be critical in helping us achieve our next stage growth goals over the next several years,” says Pedersen. “Larry brings exceptional attributes to the position and will be a key partner with me and our board of directors in making ManTech the premier mid-tier national security firm in the marketplace.”

The news comes just months after Bob Coleman announced he would step down as president and COO of ManTech to pursue other opportunities. (Coleman has partnered with the private equity firm GTCR to form Six3 Systems.) In accepting his new role, which is set to begin in early July, Prior says he was drawn to the company’s “mission critical” support of US national security. “ManTech’s cyber capability leads the market,” says Prior, adding, “George’s leadership, coupled with the board’s commitment to our deployed customers from State, Defense and Intelligence, is extraordinary and positions the company well to support the growing US strategy of smart power and threat reduction … I look forward to working with this very talented technical team.”

ManTech recently announced its acquisition of DDK Technology Group, Inc., a provider of cyber security to the Department of Defense, with particular focus on the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). Based in Lanham, Md., DDK is expected to generate approximately $14 million in revenue this year.

The acquisition comes at a time when defense companies are positioning themselves to meet growing demands on the cyber front. The Wall Street Journal reports U.S. losses from cyber breaches now run in the billions of dollars, with U.S. agencies from the Pentagon to the Department of Homeland Security having experienced major cyber-break-ins in recent years, including classified systems.

“This acquisition continues ManTech’s focus on the high-end intelligence arena and expands our footprint in cyber security to NCIS,” says George J. Pedersen, Chairman and CEO, ManTech International Corporation.

“Our company has grown around our excellent people and the critical mission requirements of our DoD customer base,” adds Jerry Donahoe, Managing Partner and Tim Donahoe, President of DDK. “Combining with ManTech allows DDK to offer broader solutions to our national security client base. Just as important, aligning our culture with ManTech will afford our professionals with expanded career development opportunities.”

ManTech continues to beef up its resources available to DoD agencies with today’s announced acquisition of EWA Services, Inc., a leading provider of information technology, threat analysis and test and evaluation for various Department of Defense agencies.

ManTech acquired Herndon, Va.-based EWA Services from its owner Electronic Warfare Associates. The firm projects that EWA Services, a longtime ManTech partner with 170 employees, will generate $20 million in revenue next year and builds upon ManTech’s acquisition this summer of Emerging Technologies Group Inc. (ETG), a provider of cyber security and mission critical services to the Intelligence Community and DoD. At the time of the announcement, ManTech said it expected ETG to generate 2009 revenues of approximately $20 million as well.

Both ETG and EWA Services have made significant inroads with DoD agencies, and in today’s press release ManTech’s Chairman and CEO George J. Pedersen addressed what EWA Services brings to the table.

“We welcome EWA Services to the ManTech team and look forward to continuing our long-term partnership. We are excited about their complementary skillsets and similar dedication to the DoD and Intelligence mission.”

ManTech President and COO Robert Coleman (left) spoke with ExecutiveBiz in May and hinted back then that the coming months might find the company looking for strategic acquisitions that would “…broaden our base in Intel and DoD.”

Jim Moran(D) Congressman for Virginia’s 8th District and serving his 9th term in office has shared with ExecutiveBiz his perspective on the upcoming elections and why he endorses Gerry Connolly(D) to sit beside him in Congress. The 8th district is a significant employer of government contracting jobs and Jim Moran has worked with employers and in congress to ensure the strength of the federal contracting market, particularly in Northern Virginia. 

 As he explains in his interview with ExecutiveBiz, his support of Gerry Connolly is aligned with his ongoing support of the business and government contracting sphere of Northern Virginia.  Click here to read more. 

Click here to read our interview with Gerry Connolly.
 

Gov. Tim Kaine Talks Technology on Oct 28th

Last Chance to Register for the Potomac Officers Club upcoming (members only) event about the technology that is impacting the presidential campaign. Governor Kaine will be joined by Julius Genachowski and Virginia Secretary of Technology Aneesh Chopra.

George Pedersen, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder of ManTech International Headlines ExecutiveBiz Event 

On October 15, 2008, ExecutiveBiz welcomed George Pedersen of ManTech International as our “Been There Done That” luncheon speaker.  Mr. Pedersen co-founded ManTech International and has watched the company grow from two people to $1.45 billion in top line revenue.  He spoke to a full house of executives on relevant topics, from acquisitions to regional growth.  Click here to read more. 

Do you know Rick Attilio of Apptis?

ExecutiveBiz recently had the opportunity to sit down with Apptis’ CFO, Rick Attilio, and hear his thoughts on what it takes to be a successful CFO in today’s challenging business environment.  Rick believes that a key ingredient in today’s CFO is the ability to be “more than just your textbook accountant and financial person.”  In the last 2 1/2 years, Rick has defined the strategic vision of Apptis.  Click here to read more.