Parry Labs CEO JD Parkes Receives First Wash100 Award for Contributing to DOD Software Modernization
Executive Mosaic is proud to recognize John ‘JD’ Parkes, CEO, co-founder and board member at Parry Labs, with the 2025 Wash100 Award.
Support JD Parkes by visiting Wash100.com and voting for him in the 2025 Wash100 popular vote competition. Voting ends on April 30.
Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic and founder of the Wash100 Award, commented on Parkes’ achievement, saying, “JD’s vision and leadership have positioned Parry Labs for an exciting future. In just a year, he’s successfully raised $80M in growth capital and secured strategic partnerships with companies like AeroVironment and General Atomics. Parry Labs’ work on the Army’s Uncrewed Recon Aircraft System Program and the MQ-9A aircraft modernization are just a few steps within a victorious growth trajectory. What JD’s accomplished already is remarkable, and his Wash100 recognition is a testament to his hard work and ability to lead a growing force in the defense tech space.”
As the newest member of the prestigious list of Wash100 Award winners, Parkes joins the most influential figures who have shaped the government contracting industry.
“I’m honored to be recognized with this Wash100 Award alongside so many exceptional leaders shaping the future of national security,” said Parkes. “This recognition is a testament to the incredible work our team at Parry Labs is doing; solving the important challenge of scaling software delivery across weapons systems for our customers. I am truly grateful to work with so many talented individuals, partner companies, investors and committed national security professionals across this space.”
Championing DOD Software Modernization
Parry Labs was founded in 2016 primarily to help the Department of Defense with its software modernization initiatives. Since then, the defense technology company has collaborated with the DOD to enhance its operations.
Under Parkes’ leadership, Parry Labs has continued supporting the DOD’s modernization efforts. In an interview with GovCon Wire in 2024, Parkes noted that software has become a more significant factor in modern warfare.
“Software is becoming the core differentiating capability in the next phase of the battle space,” said Parkes. “While we may still have physical assets like tanks, planes and ships, their effectiveness will increasingly depend on software and so will their ability to add capability quickly.”
In line with its commitment to providing services to the DOD and its other clients, Parry Labs is expanding its operations by building a new 36,000-square-foot facility in Huntsville, Alabama. The company is investing $8.7 million for the project.
Vital Contract Awards and Partnerships
In line with the company’s commitment to enhancing DOD operations, Parry Labs secured multiple contracts in 2024. In March, they were awarded a $13 million subcontract to provide Intel server-class edge computing hardware, particularly Edge Compute Hyper and Edge Compute Autonomy systems, to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems that would be utilized for modernizing the U.S. Air Force’s MQ-9A aircraft.
“This work will enable the Air Force to expand operational reach to new mission sets for the MQ-9A,” said Parkes.
Parry Labs also partnered with AeroVironment to deliver software and mission system hardware for the P550 uncrewed aircraft system, which will be utilized for the U.S. Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance program.
The company collaborated with Shield AI in June to integrate its Edge Compute Micro with the latter’s Hivemind AI Pilot. During a demonstration flight, the AI’s autonomous piloting capabilities, via onboard computing, were able to operate a Kratos MQM-178 Firejet through different challenging maneuvers.
“We are thrilled to partner with Shield AI to demonstrate the delivery of autonomous flight technology with our open architecture digital infrastructure,” said Parkes. “This benchmark event combining Shield AI’s Hivemind and the Parry Labs EC Micro on a Kratos aircraft validates the feasibility and necessity of leveraging modular approaches to deliver autonomy solutions at the speed and relevance of technology innovation,” he added.
In August, Parry Labs received $80 million in funds from an investor group led by Capitol Meridian Partners and included True Ventures, 3Wire Partners and Teamworthy Ventures. The investment is intended for advancing core technologies and edge capabilities such as command and control, mission-critical software and artificial intelligence computing.
Parkes emphasized that the initiative aligns with the company’s commitment to providing advanced capabilities to warfighters by leveraging digital engineering and open systems.
Parry Labs, in collaboration with Concurrent, was also tasked in December with delivering integrated modular systems to customers across the Army, Air Force and Navy and enabling them to address emerging threats. The systems are designed to be interoperable and work with the Army’s C4ISR/EW modular open suite of standards, the Navy’s hardware open systems technologies and the Air Force’s sensor open systems architecture.
Aside from leading Parry Labs, Parkes also co-founded Skydweller Aero in 2018. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors for the autonomous, solar-powered aircraft manufacturer.
Parkes’ strong leadership has significantly enhanced Parry Labs’ position within the DOD sector. Notably, he played a crucial role in helping the agency pursue its modernization initiatives. Furthermore, his strategic vision has established key partnerships, expanding Parry Labs’ presence across the defense industry.
Executive Mosaic congratulates JD Parkes and the rest of the Parry Labs team on their Wash100 honor.
Don’t forget to vote for JD Parkes as your esteemed 2025 Wash100 awardee at Wash100.com!