Executive Mosaic CEO Jim Garrettson presented the award, Brady’s seventh Wash100 win, at the GDMS office. Brady has been inducted into the Wash100 class each year since 2020, underscoring his sustained influence across the GovCon sector.
“Chris has a remarkable ability to blend innovation with execution, expanding capabilities and delivering cutting-edge technologies where they matter most. His continued influence not only elevates GDMS, but also sets a high standard for excellence across the industry,” said Garrettson.
Why Did Chris Brady Win the 2026 Wash100 Award?
Brady earned his seventh Wash100 Award for fostering innovation at GDMS and leading the company to secure major government contracts and strategic partnerships that enhance U.S. and allied defense capabilities.
In 2025, GDMS was selected as an awardee under the Missile Defense Agency’s Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense, or SHIELD, contract vehicle. With a potential value of $151 billion over 10 years, SHIELD is designed to support the Golden Dome architecture and accelerate the acquisition of technologies for layered homeland missile defense through task orders focused on open systems design, model-based systems engineering, and artificial intelligence.
The company was also named an awardee on a U.S. Army contract valued at up to $921.1 million over 10 years to extend the service life of tactical engagement simulation systems, with performance expected to run through March 5, 2035.
In the maritime domain, GDMS secured a U.S. Navy contract potentially worth $230 million for the development, maintenance and supply of common weapon launchers and multi-tube weapon simulators. The effort supports U.S. and Australian Navy submarines and aligns with the AUKUS trilateral security partnership. Work on the contract is being led by Progeny Systems, which GDMS acquired in 2022.
Additional 2025 awards included a potential $91 million Navy contract for hardware and software system development and installation, a separate Navy contract of similar value for submarine-tethered expendable buoy systems and a $49.9 million U.S. Army contract for Tactical Network Transport On-The-Move system sustainment.
Beyond contract awards, GDMS expanded its industry partnerships to advance defense priorities. In November, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with BAE Systems, Raytheon Australia and Thales to form the AUKUS Combat Systems Collaborative Team to design and integrate combat systems for Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS submarines.
GDMS also partnered with Locus Lock to integrate software-defined Global Navigation Satellite System technology into U.S. Army platforms, and collaborated with Sierra Space to demonstrate resilient GPS satellite technology under the U.S. Space Force’s Quick Start program.
Who Is Chris Brady?
Brady has served as president of General Dynamics Mission Systems since 2019, overseeing the business unit’s operational and financial performance.
Before his current role, he served as the company’s vice president of engineering from 2013 to 2018, leading thousands of engineering and technical employees worldwide. Earlier in his career, he held the role of vice president of assured communications from 2001 to 2012, during which he grew the business tenfold.
What Is the Wash100 Award?
Founded by Garrettson in 2014, the Wash100 Award is Executive Mosaic’s annual recognition of the 100 most influential leaders in government contracting and the federal sector.
Honorees are selected through a competitive review process based on leadership, innovation, vision and impact over the past year, as well as their potential to shape the GovCon landscape in the year ahead.
Executive Mosaic congratulates Chris Brady and his team on this milestone achievement.
Vote for Brady as one of your favorite 2026 Wash100 Award winners by visiting Wash100.com.
