Phebe Novakovic
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
General Dynamics
Phebe Novakovic, General Dynamics Chairman & CEO, Named to 2020 Wash100 for Driving Company Growth; Supporting U.S. National Security
Executive Mosaic is honored to present Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO of General Dynamics, as an inductee into the 2020 Wash100 Award for driving company growth, expanding its senior management team and defending our nation’s national security interests.
This marks the sixth-time overall that Novakovic has received a Wash100 Award and her fifth consecutive year. She secured a 2019 Wash100 Award for helping to secure multiple contracts and supporting organic growth at the company. Novakovic has continued on those missions over the last year as well.
Under Novakovic’s leadership and vision, General Dynamics has achieved significant company growth with many significant contract awards of consequence, including a spot on a potential 10-year, $5.1 billion Global Tactical Advanced Communication Systems (GTACS) II contract vehicle from the U.S. Army back in Jan. 2020.
The work will cover information technology services and hardware to support the development of a tactical communications network for soldiers. The vehicle also includes software and hardware engineering, program management and analysis, systems engineering and supply chain management support.
General Dynamics received a position on a potential five-year, $990 million indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract on March 3rd, 2020 to provide data collection and management support services for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). In Feb. 2020, the company also secured a spot on a potential 10-year, $982 million contract to provide support services for the U.S. Navy’s unmanned surface vehicle family of systems through Feb. 2030.
Novakovic brought light to the troubles that are developing between some of the top companies in the tech industry, including Silicon Valley, and the federal government. She argued in June 2019 that the current refusal for the two sides to work together was “alarming” and that innovation, security and stability of our national interests can only be provided by the federal government.
“There are real opportunities for cooperation, and many of those companies do cooperate.” She also noted that GD has an office in the Silicon Valley area. “I think it’s our job as I was talking about earlier to canvas throughout the United States and take that rich body of research that we produce as a nation every year and figure out how we make that work to enhance our national security,” Novakovic said via DefenseNews.
In addition, Novakovic was hands-on in the development of General Dynamics’ programs and division, which included the finding and hiring of some of the top executives in the federal sector.
For instance, Robert Smith, former president of General Dynamics’ Jet Aviation subsidiary, was named executive vice president of its marine systems segment back in April 2019. “Rob Smith’s expertise in Navy submarine and surface ship programs will serve us well as we continue to grow our shipbuilding business,” said Novakovic.
John Stratton, former executive vice president and president of global operations at Verizon Communications, was also brought onto the company’s board of directors in Feb. 2020 to bring extensive insight into the opportunities and risks associated with rapidly developing new technologies and cybersecurity, according to Novakovic.
“His wealth of experience operating a global public company in a highly-regulated industry will be a valuable asset as a member of our board,” she added.
Executive Mosaic congratulates Phebe Novakovic and General Dynamics for her 2020 Wash100 Award. Her commitment to the development of the company’s growth, senior leadership team and role in defending U.S. national security have established Novakovic as a top executive in the government contracting (GovCon) sector.
About The Wash100
This year represents our sixth annual Wash100 Award selection. The Wash100 is the premier group of private and public sector leaders selected by Executive Mosaic’s organizational and editorial leadership as the most influential leaders in the GovCon sector. These leaders demonstrate skills in leadership, innovation, achievement, and vision.
Visit the Wash100 site to learn about the other 99 winners of the 2020 Wash100 Award. On the site, you can submit your 10 votes for the GovCon executives of consequence that you believe will have the most significant impact in 2020.