RSGS CEO Joseph Anderson Receives 2025 Wash100 Award for Promoting Tech Innovation in Global Defense
Executive Mosaic is honored to introduce Retired Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson, president and CEO of Rafael Systems Global Sustainment, or RSGS, as a 2025 Wash100 Award recipient for promoting technological innovation in global defense. His leadership and vision enabled RSGS to find significant success, expand its global reach, secure key contracts and establish its reputation in the defense and technology sectors.
Anderson is a first-time winner but you can vote for him as one of your 10 favorite government industry leaders at Wash100.com. The Popular Vote Competition of the 2024 Wash100 Award runs through April 30, 2024.
The prestigious Wash100 Award honors 100 exceptional executives in the government and government contracting sectors for their influence, vision, accomplishments and potential in the upcoming year. This forward-looking list highlights “executives of consequence” who have not only made significant strides in the past year but are also primed to drive positive results for federal missions and initiatives throughout 2025 and beyond.
“Retired Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson has taken the helm at Rafael Systems Global Sustainment with the same strategic focus and leadership that defined his military career. As a former deputy chief of staff of the Army, Lt. Gen. Anderson knows exactly what it takes to support warfighters, and now he’s ensuring they have access to Rafael’s cutting-edge defense systems,” said Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic and founder of the Wash100 Award.
“His experience and commitment to national security make him a powerhouse in this space, and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact the decorated and honorable veteran continues to make,” Garrettson added.
Leadership and Vision
Anderson brings over three decades of military and industry experience to RSGS, a subsidiary of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, a renowned Israeli defense contractor. He took on his role at RSGS with a clear mission: to enhance the company’s capabilities in providing advanced solutions in missile systems, air defense, cyber warfare, and sustainment operations for a global clientele. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, innovation and a commitment to mission success, principles he honed during his military career as a former lieutenant general in the U.S. Army.
Anderson’s leadership is built on fostering relationships and mentorship. In a 2024 interview with Radicl, he discussed the importance of mentorship in both professional and personal success, especially within the defense industrial base. He believes that strong mentorship helps develop the next generation of leaders, a value he applies in his approach at RSGS. This leadership philosophy has had a lasting impact on the company’s culture, which prioritizes the growth of its employees alongside its strategic objectives.
Driving Growth
During Anderson’s tenure, RSGS has expanded its capabilities and secured several high-profile contracts that underscore the company’s growing influence in the global defense landscape.
In April 2024, RSGS teamed up with Parsons to compete in a groundbreaking project to defend U.S. Marine Corps bases from small drone threats. The partnership highlights RSGS’s commitment to developing cutting-edge technologies for national defense.
Additionally, Anderson spearheaded RSGS’s involvement in the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Core Technology Demonstration, a critical project aimed at enhancing the security of military installations against drone threats.
In November 2022, the company received a recommendation from the Defense Department to provide a counter-small unmanned aerial system platform to military clients after it completed a test series for its Drone Dome at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona.
Through these deals, RSGS has showcased its expertise in defense innovation and its ability to address emerging security challenges.
Individual & Company Recognitions
In September 2024, the Association of the U.S. Army, or AUSA, awarded the retired lieutenant general with the General Creighton W. Abrams Medal for his exceptional service to the U.S. Army. He was nominated by Karen Lowe, executive vice president of AUSA’s George Washington chapter, who said Anderson has “seamlessly and continuously contributed to the advancement of the U.S. Army since his retirement” in June 2019.
Risk intelligence platform Sayari named Anderson as an adviser in June 2024 for his experience and strategic insight. Sayari COO and co-founder Benjamin Power said, “With Lieutenant General Anderson on board, Sayari is poised to strengthen its strategic initiatives and further support the evolving needs of defense programs worldwide. He will be an instrumental adviser as Sayari ramps up investments in supply chain resiliency for US, UK, and Australian defense programs.”
Under his leadership, RSGS received Business Honor’s “Best in Business Awards 2024” for its commitment to innovation and mission readiness. The company’s role in advancing defense technologies has made it a key player in both the defense and technology sectors. Its work on the Spike missile systems and other advanced technologies has been pivotal in shaping the future of defense strategy.
Anderson’s impact on the defense industry is undeniable. His focus on mentorship and his ability to navigate the complexities of global defense challenges ensure that RSGS will continue to thrive under his stewardship in the years to come.
Executive Mosaic congratulates Retired Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson and the entire RSGS team for their Wash100 recognition. Cast your vote for him at Wash100.com.