Recently retired Dr. Renato A. DiPentima can point to an established track record of eyeing early opportunities to enter fast growing markets. As President and CEO of SRA International, Dr. DiPentima (Renny) helped to steer the federal systems integrator to explosive growth past the $1 billion milestone before handing the reigns over to Stan Sloane.

So ears perked up Monday when DiPentima joined the Board of Directors at Liquid Machines, Inc., a rising star within the fast growing Enterprise Rights Management (ERM) space. According to ABI Research, the ERM market is poised to hit annual revenues of $450 million in 2013, reflecting the growing need for organizations in both the public and private sector to more effectively safeguard sensitive information. Unlike other approaches to IT security, ERM operates at the document level by attaching rights and privileges to individual files.

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The ExecutiveBiz “Been There Done That” lunch events are always interesting because the audience never quite knows how the featured speaker will use his or her time to pack a lifetime’s worth of experience into 30 minutes. In some cases, the speaker will reflect back on a storied career, what they’ve learned and how they overcome challenges.

And other times, like yesterday, the speaker will apply what he has witnessed in the past to make bold yet sound predictions about the future. Recently-retired SRA International President and CEO Renato “Renny” DiPentima likely used his time to examine where the Federal contractor market is headed because of the heightened level of insecurity greeting 2008.

Between the teetering economy and upcoming Presidential election, DiPentima knew that the audience would find tremendous value in absorbing sage commentary from someone who has been there, done that, and seen the market rise and fall.

What Renny spoke of was an industry transitioning to a new climate after 12 years of tremendous growth and prosperity. DiPentima pointed to a Clinton White House (Bill’s, not Hillary’s that is) that - after unfulfilled promises of prior administrations - not only said they would reduce the size of government, but follow up with action. Slicing the Social Security Administration workforce by 26% was just one example DiPentima cited of how government contractors would have a tremendous opportunity to step in and help a leaner Federal government become more productive.

The shift - or “transition” as DiPentima points out - began roughly 18 months ago when Cong. Tom Davis (R-Va) spearheaded efforts to reform the GSA and improve its efficiency. DiPentima related that as this was occurring and the GSA began winding down, task orders took longer to move through the system and Agencies like the DoD began using their own contract vehicles. This has altered the contracting landscape and how contracts are being tasked and fulfilled.

DiPentima concluded by looking forward to the November election, and what he believes is a flawed assumption that the two political parties will be motivated to get a budget passed before the term ends. In fact, DiPentima says, it is just as likely that the parties will go home without passing a budget and blame the other guys if it doesn’t get done.

But within all of the election year uncertainty, DiPentima eyes opportunity. He views the fourth quarter of 2008 as one that will be filled with significant activity due to a mad dash to get contracts awarded before the Administration changes and transition teams enter the picture.

No matter what challenges 2008 brings, DiPentima - when answering a question from the audience - breaks down success to a more fundamental and personal level. He said that the key to success is “matching the right people to the right job.”

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.

If 60 is the new 40, then it is fair to say that $10 billion is the new $1 billion when it comes to the government contractor threshold for tier-one status. As massive, Agency-wide contracts such as Networx proliferate, the resources and staffing required to serve as a prime balloons along with them.

What this likely means is that the steady drumbeat of executives at midtier government contractors speaking of the challenges associated with contractor “no-man’s land” - as Washington Technology editor David Hubler so aptly puts it - will continue.

The “no-man’s land” that Hubler refers to is that painful period for government contractors when they have outgrown small business or minority status - and all of the benefits that come along with it - but are still too small for many prime contracts (especially the massive, multi-agency ones).

Contractors that find themselves in this position can pursue different paths: growth through acquisition, organic growth or, in the case of RS Information Systems (one of the area’s largest African-American government contractors with over $300 million in annual revenue), pursue a well-matched suitor to acquire them.

The more you read about the obstacles these midtier contractors face, the more you grow to appreciate those who have carved out a successful path to tier-one status - and the executives behind that growth. One of the most impressive case studies is SRA International, and the executive who played a giant role in growing the company from $135 in annual revenue past the $1 billion threshold.

Dr. Renato DiPentima - known to friends and acquaintances as Renny - served as president and chief executive officer of SRA from January 2005 through March 2007. Prior to assuming this position, he served as president and chief operating officer as part of his 12 years at the firm.

But DiPentima is one of those executives who transcends the company he is associated with; recognized as one of the region’s most significant and influential leaders within the contractor and Federal community: Government Computer News Industry Executive of the Year in 2000; Government Executive of the Year in 1993; Federal CIO Council 2003 Industry Executive of the Year by the Federal CIO Council; and the list goes on and on.

While DiPentima might have slowed down a tad after handing over the reigns in April to his successor Stan Sloane, SRA still has its foot firmly on the accelerator. Because when it comes to landing the juiciest contracting plums, companies like SRA must push on, past $1 billion, past $5 billion and on to the $10 billion range.

The good news for Sloane, SRA’s president and chief executive officer who has been on the job for nine months, is that DiPentima laid the foundation for this lofty goal to be met. Between 33 years in senior government posts and an additional dozen years with SRA, DiPentima has witnessed and played a major part in the contractor community’s transformation and evolution.

While Dr. DiPentima relishes the opportunity to travel with his wife - and spend more quality time with his children and grandchildren - he is still actively involved with SRA and the contractor community. And with so many midtier contractors looking to replicate the growth that he helped to usher for SRA, I have little doubt that there will be a packed house on hand to hear him speak at the ExecutiveBiz “Been There Done That” lunch series event on January 24, 2008 at the Westwood Country Club in Vienna, Virginia.