“Our Good Name: A Company’s Fight to Defend Its Honor and Get the Truth Told About Abu Ghraib,” opens appropriately with the Victorian poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley. Experts have interpreted the work as a powerful expression of stoicism; that one must rely on his own resources and remain true to his convictions through the darkest of hours.

J. Phillip “Jack” London and the CACI team faced more than a few hours of darkness watching the Abu Ghraib prison scandal play out mercilessly on the front pages. Those who know Dr. London were likely not surprised by the choice of poems, and those who read the book - unveiled during a book signing hosted by ExecutiveBiz on behalf of Dr. London and the CACI authors last week at the Tower Club - will find a man whose conviction refused to waver during a crisis that threatened to unravel a company built over 40 years ago in a matter of weeks.

In brief but spirited remarks at the book signing, London relayed that the CACI team drew from the 1982 Tylenol scare (hence my cryptic title) in preparing its aggressive crisis response strategy - part of which included the book. During the Tylenol crisis, product tampering with Extra Strength Tylenol in Chicago led to several deaths, dropping Tylenol’s market share from 35% to 8%. But Johnson & Johnson was lauded for its quick and aggressive response to the crisis, and in short order Tylenol was dominating the market.

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On Thursday, May 22nd, ExecutiveBiz will host a cocktail hour and book signing for CACI Chairman Jack London, who will be on hand to discuss and sign copies of “Our Good Name,” a book London co-wrote with members of the CACI team about the company’s effort to defend its honor against accusations surrounding employee conduct at Abu Ghraib.

The book offers unique perspective from a number of different fronts, not only a fact-based response to Abu Ghraib accusations, but also must-read insight on a crisis communications case study unlike any other. What was the decision making process in deciding if and how to fight back against the allegations, rather than let the media coverage determine a verdict in the court of public opinion?

Attendees will have the chance to meet and mingle with Dr. London (a former ExecutiveBiz “Been There Done That” speaker) - and others - at this special ExecutiveBiz event. Those interested in registering can do so here, and your admission will include a copy of the book. Event details below:

When: May 22, 2008 - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm (PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE)

Where: Tower Club - Tysons Corner

Plenty of books have spawned from the Iraq war – authored by reporters on the ground, former State Department officials and, of course, legions of critics to name a few. The most recent publishing effort may be one of the most surprising, that is unless you know Dr. J. Phillip (Jack) London, chairman of CACI.

This past September London spoke at the ExecutiveBiz “Been There Done That” lunch event series. As he chronicled his professional and personal life and the challenges he faced, I was struck that he was willing to address head on the events at Abu Ghraib and subsequent allegations against CACI employees for their interrogation practices.

It would have been perfectly understandable for London to pass over the controversy, and it is doubtful any of the audience members would have brought it up during Q&A. But one of London’s most enduring marks on the CACI culture is a commitment to honor and integrity – traits carried with him from time serving in the U.S. Navy.

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When CACI President and CEO Paul Cofoni was named as a Federal 100 Awards winner last week, there might have been an individual who took even more pride in the distinction than Cofoni - Jack London. After all, CACI’s Chairman - and former CEO - worked closely with Cofoni after the executive arrived from CSC in 2005 in order to ensure that the company’s next leader would continue CACI’s traditional for innovation and excellence.

The Fed 100 Award winners - historically not announced until the March 24 Awards Gala - were selected for being “agents of change” and contributions to the Federal IT market over the past year. London’s tenure as CEO was personified by an executive who often saw industry changes before others did (he notched a Fed 100 Award himself in 2004), and effectively adjusted his business accordingly. In the company press release, London hinted that seeing his successor recognized as an “agent of change” was gratifying at a professional and personal level.

“Paul Cofoni’s exceptional skills in leading and inspiring people help all of the company’s 11,600-plus employees focus on maintaining CACI as a national asset for national missions. His recognition confirms the strength of CACI’s contributions to our nation’s greatest challenges.”

The 19th Annual Federal Awards Gala will recognize Cofoni - and 99 other recipients - will be recognized March 24th at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner.

ExecutiveBiz, the Washington DC area’s premier executive group and eMagazine, has compiled a listing of our top ten new at the top government contracting executives. We’ve chosen these 10 individuals because they have a demonstrated track record of success, arrive at a time when their current employers are in the midst of aggressive growth and expansion efforts, or will be succeeding some of the most well-known and respected names in the business.

While some of the names may be recognized from previous positions, the current roles represent new challenges. For example, BAE Systems kicks off 2008 by absorbing MTC Technologies Inc. in a recently announced $450 million acquisition; SAIC will be assisting the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command of San Diego with program management services under a new contract worth as much as $70 million over five years.; and SRA International will be looking to remain a desired spot for top talent after being named by Fortune Magazine as one of the 100 best companies to work for in 2007.

We hope you will join us in the coming year in watching these elite executives perform in one of the world’s most competitive arenas: Government Contracting.

John Hillen – President, Global Strategies Group LLC
Assumed Role: February 2007

With a career that has put him in just about every global hot spot on the map, few enter the executive hot seat with as many tried and tested skills as Hillen. From his time in the Army as a paratrooper and with Special Ops; to his role as head of the defense and intelligence business at AMS; and most recently a stint as Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, Hillen is poised to make Global Strategies Group a name to watch in 2008.

Global Strategies is already turning heads as a unique breed offering high end, integrated national security solutions designed to strengthen national defenses, stabilize critical environments and assure worldwide commerce. The firm has played a key role in some of the most high profile international hot spots, for example laying the foundations for Afghanistan’s first national elections and managing security and operations at Baghdad International Airport.

Dr. Stanton “Stan” D. Sloane – President & CEO, SRA International
Assumed Role: April 2007

When an executive assumes the position from a man known around town by a single name – Renny – you know that you are following a true institution. Dr. Renato DiPentima spent 12 years at SRA, growing it past the $1 billion mark and establishing the company as a top area government contractor.

Now past the $1 billion revenue threshold, SRA is looking for even more growth, and Sloane’s deep and balanced military and private industry experience - most recently as EVP at Lockheed Martin - makes him ideally suited to drive it.

Dennis Stolkey – Vice President and General Manager, U.S. Government at EDS
Assumed Role: August 2007

The $20 billion technology services industry leader started modestly with a $1,000 investment 44 years ago, (try and match that ROI Google!) and even today considers itself a company of “ordinary people, extraordinary achievements.”

In taking over the helm of EDS’ public sector business from Jim Duffy, Dennis Stolkey will look to preserve the firm’s everyman (and woman) approach while deepening and extending relationships with federal, state and local government clients, and senior military officers.

While Stolkey is new to his current post, he is no stranger to EDS employees after serving as Vice President in several strategic areas of the company. Stolkey joined the company over 20 years ago, and is now leading the charge for government business.

Lee Carrick – President, Perot Systems Government Services Unit
Assumed Role: December 2007

When Jim Ballard stepped down as president of Perot Systems Government Services last month after five years with the company, he could look back on a period of rapid growth for the Unit, which currently accounts for more than $550 million of annualized revenue and employs more than 3,300 associates.

But, as Ballard pointed out in the news release announcing his retirement, the Government Services Division is in highly capable hands with Eugene “Lee” Carrick taking over as president. While Carrick most recently served as EVP for National Security at Perot Systems, he brings plenty of Federal experience to bear after 26+ years working in the intelligence, defense and civilian markets.

Carrick can point to his success directing the $480 million federal IT division at Northrop Grumman as indication of the growth and financial results he expects to deliver in his new position.

Lawrence “Larry” B. Prior III – Chief Operating Officer, SAIC
Assumed Role: October 2007

With more than 11,000 employees, the Intelligence, Security and Technology Group that Prior led before becoming COO is not only the largest line organization at the San Diego-based company, but one of the largest support organizations in the entire intelligence community.

Now, as COO, Prior elevates to the company’s highest-ranking Washington, DC-area executive position, where he will focus on delivering top- and bottom-line growth and to fulfill the goals set out in the initial public offering. With a strong background in financial controls and functions, Prior will seek to extend the results he achieved for the Intelligence, Security and Technology Group across the entire 44,000-employee organization.

Duane Andrews – Chief Executive Officer, QinetiQ North America
Assumed Role: June 2006

While Prior is ascending the ranks at SAIC, the man who had previously occupied that very COO seat is now CEO of QinetiQ North America, an international defense and security technology company spawned in 2001 from the British government’s Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.

Since Andrews took over North America operations – which are run out of McLean, Virginia – QinetiQ has become an increasingly familiar name attached to large contract wins. The firm’s public sector business has grown both organically and through acquisition – most notably Apogen Technologies, Westar Aerospace & Defense Group and Foster-Miller, and former CIA Director George Tenet joined its Advisory Board in October 2006.

Paul Cofoni – Chief Executive Officer, CACI
Assumed Role: July 2007

One could argue that a successor’s ability to execute quickly and effectively is tied to the quality of the succession plan put in place. CACI Chairman and former CEO Jack London understood this better than most, which is why he devoted tremendous time and energy to identifying the right leader to carry CACI forward when he stopped down last year.

For London, that leader was Paul Cofoni, and the two men worked hand in hand for the two years after Cofoni arrived from CSC in 2005. CACI – like many other contractors – aspires for the tier one status. And since arriving from CSC, Cofoni has led that charge, eschewing smaller deals in favor of $100m+ contracts and working to ensure that CACI assembles the resources and personnel required to service those large bids.

Walt Havenstein – COO, BAE Systems plc
President and CEO, BAE Systems, Inc.
Assumed Role: January 2007

In his role as CEO for the $27 billion global aerospace and defense company; in addition to serving as President and CEO for the Company’s wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary that employs 53,000 employees, there is little doubt that Havenstein taps into every bit of his 24 years of experience in the defense industry. As referenced, BAE Systems recently got even bigger with the acquisition of MTC Technologies, which allows the firm to expand its service lines and grow business in six core markets.

Stacy Mendler - Chief Operating Officer, Alion Science and Technology
Assumed Role: September 2006

In what can be the clubby, male-dominated world of government contracting, Stacy Mendler has stood out – not for her gender but for her genuine accomplishments. Mendler, the company’s first COO, has managed execution of corporate strategy for the company through tremendous growth achieved organically and through acquisitions of firms such as Anteon and LogConGroup.

Mendler – and Alion – moved front and center in 2007 with numerous awards and contract wins. The employee-owned technology solutions provider has grown significantly since its formation in 2002 when roughly 1,600 employees of the IIT Research Institute (IITRI) - founded in 1936 - purchased the majority of assets of IITRI, creating a 100% ESOP-owned company. By the end of 2006 the company registered over one-half billion in revenue and the employee head count totaled 3,500.

Ed Casey – Chairman and CEO, Serco Inc. (North America)
Assumed Role: January 2006

There are many roads that lead to the C-Suite of government contractors, and as Ed Casey has proven, not all take a long and winding path through the Defense, Federal and Intelligence communities. Casey joined Serco after 25 years as a growth-oriented business executive and entrepreneur. As a managing director with UBS Warburg and at a private equity fund, Casey brought in the financial chops to assemble a financially-sound, growth-oriented business plan – and he has been executing it ever since (no surprise that Serco ranked #10 in price-to-earnings ratio for the Washington Technology 2007 Top 100 List).

Serco provides IT services to civilian and defense agencies that often go beyond the traditional contractor work, and Casey’s focus has been on not only integrated previous acquisitions, but pushing the company’s revenues well beyond the roughly half-billion mark it stood at when he came aboard.

Based on the size of the companies they now lead and the executives they succeed, the ten individuals on this list are not ones to shy away from a challenge. While there are certainly a few viable candidates who didn’t make the list, these are our picks for the ten “New at the Top” executives who will be driving innovation and making news in 2008.

Somewhere along the line - as partisan mudslinging increased over the Iraq War - the concepts of patriotism and service to one’s country became contorted to fit the various political agendas. One pundit argues that it is unpatriotic to question the War, and a politician comes back and says it would be unpatriotic not to.

All of this political rhetoric faded - if only for an afternoon - when I listened to CACI Chairman Jack London speak of his 12 years of active duty in the U.S. Navy at the ExecutiveBiz “Been There Done That” lunch series event held last month. Mr. London cited and how traits and skills developed during military service – tenacity, integrity and commitment – contributed to his success in a corporate environment. These three traits overlap with the stated Navy Core Values Charter, under which the servicemen pledge honor, courage and commitment. It was evident that afternoon Mr. London’s passion for serving his country had nothing to do with politics, and instead was in many ways shaped by two centuries of ancestors who served in the U.S. military.

Interestingly enough, it turns out that Mr. London is not alone among government contractor executives when it comes to a Navy background. Cross checking Navy alumni with some of the largest and most respected government contractors in the DC region and you are left with a who’s who of local business leaders. While there is no shortage of executives who served time with other branches of the military, Naval experience seems top pop up frequently on their resumes.

Mr. London’s reflections on the Navy’s role in shaping his professional and personal development mirror those of Bill Hoover, President and CEO of American Systems. During his spotlight interview with ExecutiveBiz, Mr. Hoover, a veteran officer of the US Navy and US Naval Academy graduate, shared that time with the Navy taught him to set his goals high and help others believe they are capable of accomplishing anything.

Jerry B. Agee, Corporate VP and President, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, joined the company in 1987 following an extensive career as a U.S. Naval Intelligence officer. During his ExecutiveBiz interview, Agee credited his time with the Navy in providing the foundation for a leadership role. He added that the Navy was a uniquely dynamic environment requiring rapid but sound decisions, and that officers learned how to analyze the big operational picture.

While each man’s path was a little different, the final destination was the same. And the more you listen to these executives talk about their personal and professional experiences, the less coincidental it becomes. At a high level, you see a group of men who passionately served their country for years – in some cases decades. When their active tours of duty ended each looked for outlets where they could continue to serve in some way. Logically, each found himself with a company in some way responsible for arming the military and other agencies with the weapons, technology and expertise necessary to protect citizens.

But that could hold true for every branch of the military, so what is it about the Navy? Dig a little deeper and you find that these executives cite a powerful combination of leadership skills and marketable IT and technical skills that their active duty service in the Navy provided – skills that became readily transferable to the corporate environment.

The IT and technical skills are on full display when perusing the background of Jim Ballard, Perot Systems Government Services (PSGS) group. During his 24-year career in the United States Navy, his field assignments included: Repair Officer; USS McKee (AS-40); Nuclear Repair Officer; Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Planning Officer; and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. His naval headquarters assignments included: Deputy Program Manager and Technical Director for ocean engineering programs; Director of Submarine Safety and Quality Assurance; and Major Program Manager for Nuclear Attack Submarines.

Translation: if I were locked in a room with a ticking bomb that needed to be diffused in 30 seconds – and Jack Bauer was unavailable – Mr. Ballard would be my man.

Phil Nolan, Chairman, President and CEO of Stanley, Inc., was even more direct in addressing the dual set of skills he acquired during his time on active duty in the Navy. In a December 2006 ExecutiveBiz spotlight interview, Mr. Nolan spoke of how working on a daily basis with contractors provided an essential understanding of the government-contractor relationship and the ins and outs of the selection process. Those tangible skills, Mr. Nolan added, were supplemented with the Navy’s emphasis on teamwork and leadership that he took with him to the private sector.

Earlier I spoke of perspective, and how it is often hard for those with strong viewpoints to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. Perhaps the most valuable takeaway for these executives when it comes to providing services and support for men and women in the military is that they’ve been there. They understand the perspective of the soldier during both times of war and peace.

Brad Antle, CEO of SI International, hinted as much when he told ExecutiveBiz during his spotlight interview that serving in the Navy on both active duty and the Reserves offered an appreciation and sensitivity for what it means to be a soldier. It isn’t a bunch of suits making business decisions thousands of miles away from the front lines, but instead these former Navy servicemen have been there, and understand what it takes for those serving in the Navy - and other branches of the military - to do their jobs successfully.

While active duty service may have officially ended for each man, their employers, the region and the country benefit each day from their unwavering passion and commitment to the country they still serve.

–
Brian Lustig is co-founder of Lustig Communications, a Rockville, MD-based communications firm that works with growing technology and government IT firms. Lustig is also a contributor to local business and industry publications.

Paul Cofoni has been tapped to replaced Dr. J.P. “Jack” London as CEO of CACI. Dr. London will stay on board as Chairman.

A former Naval Officer, Dr. London’s leadership brought stunning growth to CACI, and led CACI’s rapid entrée into the information security and Intelligence Community arenas. Cofoni has big shoes to fill as he steps into the CEO role as CACI flourishes through its fourth decade of growth.

Dr. London turned CACI into a voracious buyer, making 35 deals since 1993, including acquisition of two firms just this year. “The most important thing to me,” Dr. London said when asked in a 2005 interivew about his acquisition strategy, “is the people and the business culture; their view of what they do in the market place and their attitude toward the government contracting arena. I am obviously interested in their skill sets and technology and customer relations, but I’m very keen on cultural attitudes of an organization.”

Prior to joining CACI, Cofoni was President, Federal Sector, of Computer Sciences Corporation. Federal Sector revenues under Cofoni exceeded $5B in 2005, according to CACI’s website. In a speech last November to shareholders, he was optimistic about CACI’s continued growth. “Congress is solidly behind strong funding for our clients,” Cofoni said to shareholders. “We are strategically positioned in our markets, and offer advanced and innovative solutions aligned with our customers’ highest priorities – defense, intelligence, homeland security, and government transformation.”

Click here for the full 2005 interivew with Dr. London, and here for full bios of Dr. Jack London and Paul Cofoni.

Dr. Jack London will be the speaker in our series: “Been There Done That“, Executive Biz’s newest members-only series focusing on bringing expert speakers to discuss strategies in successfully building and selling your business. Visit Executive Biz for more details and to register for the September event.