Sonny Bhagowalia, assistant commissioner for information and technology and chief information officer at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, has received the 2026 Wash100 Award — his second induction into Executive Mosaic’s annual list recognizing the top 100 influential figures in the government contracting sector, following his initial selection in 2024.
The award was presented by Jim Garrettson, Executive Mosaic CEO and founder of the Wash100 Award, during a visit to CBP’s office in Ashburn, Virginia.
Bhagowalia welcomed Garrettson and the EM team warmly and shared insights into the scale and complexity of defending federal systems. During the visit, the CBP CIO also presented Garrettson and co. with a CBP challenge coin, explaining that the recognition is reserved for select individuals.
Bhagowalia discussed the staggering volume of cyberthreats facing the United States each day, noting that the Department of Homeland Security works continuously to deflect roughly 150 million cyberattack attempts daily — a reminder of the scale of the cybersecurity mission supporting national infrastructure and border operations.
Why Did Sonny Bhagowalia Win the 2026 Wash100 Award?
Bhagowalia earned the 2026 Wash100 Award for his long-standing leadership in modernizing government technology environments and advancing secure, mission-focused IT systems across federal agencies.
As CBP CIO, he oversees approximately 2,000 federal employees and a roughly $2 billion IT portfolio, helping support the agency’s around-the-clock mission protecting U.S. borders and facilitating lawful trade and travel.
One major area of focus under Bhagowalia has been cybersecurity modernization, including efforts to prepare CBP for the future risks posed by quantum computing. CBP became one of the first federal agencies exploring post-quantum cryptography to strengthen the protection of communications, infrastructure and software systems.
Bhagowalia has also emphasized the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, to improve mission support and situational awareness.
At a prior Potomac Officers Club event, Bhagowalia stressed that AI systems used in law enforcement must meet significantly higher standards of accuracy before they can be relied upon for operational decision-making.
Another defining element of his leadership has been fostering a culture that encourages innovation within government teams.
“You’ve got to give them a safe zone so that when they come up with these ideas…they feel like there is some support and leadership behind them,” Bhagowalia said.
A Career Spanning Federal, State & Industry Leadership
Bhagowalia brings more than four decades of experience spanning government and private sector technology leadership.
Before joining CBP, he served in senior CIO roles at the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Departments of the Interior, the Treasury and Homeland Security. He also became Hawaii’s first CIO and led a major overhaul of the state’s technology infrastructure.
Earlier in his career, Bhagowalia spent 14 years at Boeing, including leadership roles supporting NASA programs and large-scale systems engineering efforts.
What Is the Wash100 Award?
The Wash100 Award recognizes executives and officials whose leadership, innovation and strategic direction are shaping federal priorities and driving measurable mission impact.
Each year, the selection highlights leaders influencing government modernization, national security, technology advancement and the future of the GovCon landscape.
Widely regarded as one of the sector’s most prestigious recognitions, the Wash100 Award honors individuals making lasting contributions across public and private sector missions.
Bhagowalia’s second Wash100 recognition reflects the growing importance of resilient cybersecurity, modernized infrastructure and responsible emerging technology adoption across federal operations. As cyberthreats continue to evolve in scale and sophistication, his leadership remains central to CBP’s ability to operate securely and effectively.
Executive Mosaic congratulates Sonny Bhagowalia on his 2026 Wash100 Award.
