The Wash100 Award, Executive Mosaic’s premier annual recognition of the most influential leaders in the government contracting sector and federal landscape, has consistently highlighted high-ranking officials leading the future of naval operations, maritime superiority, defense technology and military readiness. From senior Navy leadership driving modernization efforts to technology and industry executives supporting critical naval missions, the Navy community has maintained a strong presence among Wash100 honorees.
Leaders driving the future of naval power will take center stage at the 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27, where government and industry executives will gather to discuss the technologies, acquisition strategies and operational priorities driving maritime superiority. Headlined by a keynote address from Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, the event will offer attendees direct insight into the Navy’s modernization agenda, readiness initiatives and evolving partnership opportunities with industry. Register today to connect with senior decision-makers and gain a firsthand look at the future of the sea service.
Here’s a look at the Navy leaders and executives who earned Wash100 recognition from 2024 through 2026 and the accomplishments that earned them a place among GovCon’s most influential leaders.
Who Are Recent Wash100 Award Winners From the Navy?
Hung Cao
Under Secretary of the Navy, 2025
Hung Cao was recently named acting secretary of the Navy in April of 2026. Cao received his inaugural Wash100 Award in early 2026, while serving as under secretary of the Navy, for strengthening warfighter readiness and advancing enterprise-wide reform across the Department of the Navy. As under secretary, Cao championed initiatives focused on personnel readiness, quality-of-service improvements, acquisition reform and infrastructure modernization. He also led efforts to strengthen Guam’s role as a strategic power-projection platform in the Indo-Pacific region.
In addition to his first Wash100 Award win, the GovCon community named Cao winner of the 2026 Wash100 Popular Vote competition this Spring.
Wash100 Founder and Executive Mosaic CEO Jim Garrettson praised Cao for bringing “strong momentum and fresh leadership” to the Navy through modernization initiatives spanning information technology systems, operational service improvements and critical infrastructure readiness efforts.
The 2026 Navy Summit presents the highly coveted opportunity to hear directly from Hung Cao on August 27. Ensure you have a seat at the table—register today.
John Phelan
Secretary of the Navy, 2025
Former Secretary of the Navy John Phelan earned his first Wash100 Award in recognition of his leadership in naval modernization, readiness enhancement and efforts to revitalize the U.S. maritime industrial base. While in his office, Phelan prioritized shipbuilding capacity expansion, workforce development and the adoption of autonomous and unmanned systems across the fleet.
Under his leadership, the Navy invested heavily in artificial intelligence, autonomous capabilities and industrial modernization while pursuing organizational reforms designed to improve efficiency and accelerate capability delivery to sailors and Marines.
Phelan left this position in April of 2026.
Justin Fanelli
Chief Technology Officer, Department of the Navy, 2023
Department of the Navy CTO Justin Fanelli secured his first Wash100 Award for driving technology modernization and accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies across the naval enterprise. Fanelli has helped influence Navy investment priorities in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cyber capabilities and advanced communications systems while fostering stronger partnerships between government and industry.
His leadership has also supported major enterprise IT transformation efforts, including ERP modernization initiatives and zero trust implementation programs designed to strengthen cyber resilience and operational effectiveness.
Admiral Samuel Paparo
Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, 2024
Admiral Samuel Paparo was recognized with a 2026 Wash100 Award for advancing critical emerging technologies and helping develop future warfighting concepts across the Indo-Pacific theater. As commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Paparo has emphasized rapid experimentation, autonomous systems, information operations and advanced deterrence strategies to address growing regional security challenges.
Paparo’s Wash100 win highlighted his advocacy for large autonomous systems and his efforts to strengthen alliances and partnerships throughout the Indo-Pacific as key factors behind his selection.
Jane Rathbun
Chief Information Officer, Department of the Navy, 2023
Jane Rathbun earned her second consecutive Wash100 Award in 2025 for leadership in information technology modernization, cybersecurity and digital transformation across the Department of the Navy. As DON CIO, Rathbun oversaw major advances in zero trust implementation, cloud adoption and enterprise identity management initiatives.
Among the department’s notable accomplishments under her leadership were the expansion of Naval Identity Services, continued maturation of the Flank Speed cloud environment and the release of Information Superiority Vision 2.0, which emphasized resilient infrastructure, data-driven decision-making and secure information sharing across the naval enterprise.
Garrettson at the time noted that Rathbun influenced the Navy’s information superiority strategy while modernizing enterprise IT systems critical to mission success in an increasingly contested digital environment.
After retiring from public service in 2025, Rathbun moved into the private sector where she now serves as director and deputy program manager at Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
Carlos Del Toro
Secretary of the Navy, 2021
Carlos Del Toro secured his second Wash100 Award in 2024 for his efforts to strengthen U.S. maritime dominance through expanded shipbuilding capacity, industrial base investment and the integration of autonomous systems into naval operations. Sworn in as the 78th Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps in August 2021, Del Toro led initiatives designed to ensure the service maintained a technologically advanced and combat-ready fleet capable of addressing evolving global threats.
His priorities included funding new battle force ships, supporting Ford-class aircraft carrier and Columbia-class submarine programs, strengthening domestic and international shipbuilding partnerships and accelerating development of unmanned maritime platforms. Del Toro also championed greater collaboration with industry to expand shipyard capacity and modernize the maritime industrial base.
He is now CEO of Del Toro Global Associates, Inc., where he supports commercial and government clients to manage and grow their portfolios.
A Three-Year Trend of Naval Modernization
The Navy-affiliated Wash100 winners recognized from 2024 through 2026 reflect several enduring priorities impacting the future of naval power: modernization of the maritime industrial base, adoption of emerging technologies, cyber and IT transformation, autonomous systems integration and enhanced warfighter readiness. From Carlos Del Toro’s focus on maritime dominance and shipbuilding to Hung Cao’s enterprise reforms, John Phelan’s modernization agenda, Justin Fanelli’s technology strategy, Jane Rathbun’s information superiority initiatives and Admiral Samuel Paparo’s emphasis on future warfighting concepts, these leaders have helped define the direction of the Navy during a period of rapid change.
Their recognition through the Wash100 Award underscores the growing importance of collaboration between government and industry in delivering the capabilities needed to maintain U.S. naval superiority in an increasingly complex global security environment.
The 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27 provides a unique opportunity to hear directly from the current Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao and other influential service leaders as they discuss the challenges and opportunities influencing the maritime domain. Don’t miss your chance to engage with the officials and executives driving the future fleet—register now to secure your place at the 2026 Navy Summit.
