- The Wash100 Award celebrates top executives in GovCon and officials in federal service for their innovation, success and vision
- Wash100 Award nominees regularly win the most prestigious accolade in GovCon
- Nominations close Friday–nominate a GovCon titan today at Wash100.com!
Executive Mosaic’s Wash100 Award honors the top GovCon executives and federal officials for their leadership, innovation, success and commitment to serving the U.S. Established in 2014 by Jim Garrettson, Executive Mosaic CEO, the Wash100 Award honors the 100 most influential individuals in the GovCon field. It highlights leaders from both public and private sectors whom Executive Mosaic and its esteemed voting committee believe will have the most influence in the upcoming year.
The nomination period for the 2026 season closes Friday (Jan. 9) evening—nominate a GovCon titan today!
Learn more about what it takes to win a Wash100 Award and the backgrounds of nominees who have won the prize.
What Are the Requirements to Be Nominated for the Wash100 Award?
- Demonstrated leadership in GovCon or the federal realm
- Proven achievement and impact—not just past performance, but how the potential nominee would continue his or her influence in 2026
- Reliability and innovation: nominees should shepherd progress through reliable delivery of results and creative thinking
- Coherent vision for the future of GovCon and the ability to articulate and implement that vision in a meaningful way
- The future. The Wash100 Award is about upcoming potential and ability, not just past accomplishments.
What Should I Focus On in a Wash100 Award Nomination?
Thinking about nominating a GovCon titan for the 2026 season? Make sure to highlight and clearly describe:
- The nominee’s successes: major programs, leadership roles and mission impacts
- Why the nominee’s leadership matters: their impact on the wider GovCon industry and influence on the federal government and the federal contracting industry
- How the nominee is shaping the future: creativity in processes, acquisition or technology, among others
- Credentials or background demonstrating the ability to provide results and create transformation
- Evidence of current or upcoming impact, not just historic achievements
Who Are Some Wash100 Award Winners Who Were Nominees?
Wash100 Award nominees regularly win the most prestigious accolade in GovCon. Let’s dive into the profiles of past winners who were nominees.
Ram Mattapalli
Zolon Tech
Matapalli, Zolon Tech chief executive officer, earned a Wash100 Award for the first time in 2025. He founded the Zolon Tech information technology firm in 1998 and built it from the ground up. It is now a leader in cloud, mobile device management and cybersecurity services to defense, national security and intelligence agencies.
Zolon Tech, with Mattapalli’s leadership, pioneered groundbreaking technologies such as advanced encryption, AI and fortified cyber defenses. Matapalli has positioned Zolon Tech at the forefront of AI-powered cybersecurity systems that mitigate threats proactively.
Juan Ramírez
Department of War
Ramírez made his Wash100 Award debut in 2025 for his work advancing 5G integration at the Pentagon. As the director of the DOW’s 5G Cross Functional Team, he has created and delivered on a strategy to make sure the department’s use of 5G is both scalable and secure.
Ramírez has revolutionized the Pentagon’s telecommunications backbone by deploying private 5G systems while contributing to advancements in remote telemedicine and automated port operations. He has an ambitious goal for 2028—having 5G installed in all Pentagon installations.
Wayne Wilkinson
Integral Federal
Wilkinson, Integral Federal president and CEO, joined the hallowed ranks of Wash100 Award winners in 2025 for his significant impact on GovCon. He led the acquisition of Pragmatics, an IT capabilities firm, which brought agile and cloud-based DevSecOpsexpertise to Integral Federal.
Wilkinson also created a new Office of Technology at Integral Federal to drive growth and operational success. It was part of his vision for the company: to become as an industry leader in advanced digital services and intelligence analysis supporting national security.
Susan Wedge
IBM Consulting
Wedge, managing partner for U.S. federal market at IBM Consulting, tallied her second of two Wash100 Awards in 2025 for her extended work laying the foundation for responsible AI use. She endorsed the Peters Bill, bipartisan legislation authored by Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, which called for the implementation of guardrails for the government to minimize risks from AI use while maximizing the potential.
IBM in 2023, with Wedge’s guidance, secured one of four spots on an Internal Revenue Services’ $2.6 billion IT modernization contract vehicle. This IRS Enterprise Development Operation Services effort includes advancements in taxpayer services systems, cybersecurity and advanced analytics.
Jon Rucker
Ultra I&C
Rucker, Ultra I&C CEO, brought home his second Wash100 Award in 2025 by delivering advanced technology services to the Pentagon through impressive contract awards. Ultra I&C in 2024, with Rucker’s guidance, won a $31 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to deliver services for the Joint Air Defense Systems Integrator effort, the main command and control gateway for DOW and allied forces.
Ultra I&C in 2024 also secured a $32 million other transaction authority award from the USAF for rekey and remote management systems. Ultra I&C, for this effort, is developing revolutionary encryptors to allow secure network distribution of keys and commands to various devices. It is also installing critical management infrastructure protocols to meet the demanding needs of national security operations.
These executives were nominated, often multiple times, for the Wash100 Award. If you know anyone who could be the next Wash100 Award winner, don’t wait! Nominations close Friday (Jan. 9) evening–nominate a GovCon leader today!
