Juan Ramírez Earns 1st Wash100 for Pioneering 5G Integration at DOD
Executive Mosaic is proud to honor Juan Ramírez, director of the 5G Cross-Functional Team at the Department of Defense, as a 2025 Wash100 Award recipient. This marks Ramírez’s first inclusion in the prestigious Wash100 list, which celebrates the top influencers in the government and government contracting community for reshaping the industry and driving innovation through remarkable leadership.
“Juan has been at the forefront of the Department of Defense’s push to harness 5G for mission success, making him a natural fit for this year’s Wash100. As director of the 5G Cross-Functional Team, he’s leading efforts to accelerate adoption, enhance security and integrate emerging tech into warfighter operations,” commented Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic and founder of the Wash100 Award.
“A returning Potomac Officers Club speaker, he’ll take the stage again on Feb. 27 to keynote the 2025 5G Summit—bringing his insights to one of the most critical conversations in defense technology today,” noted Garrettson.
Don’t miss Ramírez at the 5G Summit, where he’ll deliver the opening keynote address and effectively set in motion a day of exciting GovCon networking, informative talks about acquisition and innovation, and a great chance to connect with peers and competitors alike. Register before it’s too late!
Pioneering 5G Connectivity for a Modernized DOD
Ramírez earned his place among the Wash100 winners for his groundbreaking work in spearheading 5G integration within the DOD. Since taking on his role in early 2023, Ramírez has designed and executed a strategic framework that ensures the Pentagon’s adoption of 5G is both secure and scalable. His work paves the way for key initiatives such as Joint All-Domain Command and Control, an ongoing lift meant to enable seamless communication and operational synchronization across military platforms.
At the helm of the 5G Cross-Functional Team, Ramírez’s leadership has revolutionized the department’s telecommunications infrastructure. His vision includes deploying private 5G networks, which reportedly deliver enhanced performance and resilience critical to mission success in contested environments, as well as supporting advancements like automated port operations and remote telemedicine capabilities. By 2028, Ramírez aims for 5G to be deployed across all U.S. military installations, enhancing mission-critical operations and positioning the DOD for long-term competitiveness.
Fostering Connections With Industry
The Wash100 Award honors individuals whose contributions redefine the government contracting landscape, and Ramírez’s efforts exemplify this mission. His push for strategic integration of 5G and open radio access networks, a.k.a. ORAN, fosters greater flexibility, interoperability and collaboration between the DOD and leading industry players. This integration not only strengthens the operational capabilities of the U.S. military but also catalyzes collaboration within the GovCon ecosystem, ensuring the DOD remains a leader in cutting-edge technology.
If you want to get connected with Ramírez, there’s no better place to do so than the 2025 5G Summit, where he’ll be taking audience questions as he lays out his future plans for 5G implementation at the Pentagon. Save your spot at the event now!
Impact in Practice and Vision for the Future
Ramírez’s impact is already evident at the department’s installations, where 5G is redefining connectivity for applications like field hospital deployment and enhanced combat readiness through edge computing solutions. His work aligns with the Pentagon’s broader Fulcrum strategy, modernizing DOD networks to support future technologies while ensuring security and scalability.
His focus also extends to enabling mobile enterprise capabilities and ensuring resilience in communication infrastructure. Under his guidance, the DOD is enhancing its ability to operate efficiently in demanding environments, bolstering preparedness for global contingencies.
Ramírez’s Wash100 Debut
Ramírez’s Wash100 win highlights the pivotal role of leaders who champion technological innovation and drive meaningful change in the government. His expertise and forward-thinking approach ensure the DOD remains well-equipped to tackle the challenges of an evolving global landscape.
“Thank you Executive Mosaic for recognizing me this year,” Ramírez wrote on LinkedIn. “It is truly an honor to represent the Office of the DoD Chief Information Officer and lead the 5G/Open RAN vision for the Department. I could not have achieved this without my amazing 5G CFT Team – this award is as much mine as yours! Thank you again! I’m truly blessed!”
Congratulations to Juan Ramírez on this well-deserved recognition. The Pentagon official’s achievements continue to inspire advancements in GovCon and defense technology.
This is only the beginning for a bold leader reshaping the future of defense communications.