Kevin McAleenan, CEO of BigBear.ai, has accepted the 2026 Wash100 Award, marking his third recognition on Executive Mosaic’s annual list of influential leaders across government and the government contracting sector.
Jim Garrettson, Executive Mosaic CEO and founder of the Wash100 Award, presented the honor on March 18 during the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit.
Why Did Kevin McAleenan Win the 2026 Wash100 Award?
Executive Mosaic selected McAleenan for the 2026 Wash100 class in recognition of his role in advancing national security through artificial intelligence and strategic growth. By aligning the company’s AI-driven capabilities with mission priorities across defense, homeland security and intelligence, he has guided the organization through a period of expanded technical capacity and increased operational relevance.
Since assuming the CEO role, he has sharpened BigBear.ai’s focus on national security, travel and trade, positioning the company as a provider of AI-powered decision intelligence for operational and mission planning. These tools enhance situational awareness, facilitate force management and support decision-making in complex environments.
A key element of McAleenan’s strategy has been expanding capabilities through acquisitions. In 2025, BigBear.ai acquired Ask Sage, a generative AI platform authorized for use across highly secure government environments, including top secret domains. The company followed this move with the acquisition of CargoSeer in early 2026, strengthening its capabilities in cargo inspection and trade risk management.
BigBear.ai has also broadened its international footprint, establishing partnerships in the United Arab Emirates with organizations such as EDGE and AD Ports Group, opening new opportunities for AI-enabled security and logistics solutions.
According to Garrettson, McAleenan’s leadership has been instrumental in advancing mission-focused innovation within a rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Who Is Kevin McAleenan?
Kevin McAleenan is a seasoned national security leader who also serves on BigBear.ai’s board of directors.
Before assuming the CEO role in January 2025, McAleenan served as the company’s president, overseeing teams delivering technologies such as computer vision, modeling and simulation, and digital identity tools to support critical government missions.
Before joining BigBear.ai, he co-founded the biometric and AI-based security provider Pangiam, which BigBear.ai later acquired. His career includes nearly two decades of federal service, notably as the commissioner of Customs and Border Protection and as the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
His public service contributions have been recognized with the Presidential Rank Award and the Service to America Medal.
What Is the Wash100 Award?
Each year, Executive Mosaic recognizes an elite group of 100 leaders whose contributions are central to the evolution of the government and contracting industries. Honorees are selected based on both their achievements over the past year and their expected influence moving forward.
Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in GovCon, the Wash100 Award spotlights leaders driving modernization, national security innovation and public sector transformation.
McAleenan’s third Wash100 recognition reflects his role in positioning BigBear.ai at the intersection of artificial intelligence and national security. As demand grows for operational AI capabilities across defense and homeland security missions, his leadership continues to guide the company’s expansion in both domestic and international markets.
Executive Mosaic congratulates Kevin McAleenan on his 2026 Wash100 Award.
Cast your vote for McAleenan in the 2026 Wash100 popular vote competition.
