Parry Labs’ JD Parkes Earns 2nd Wash100 Award for
Developing Breakthrough Military Technologies
Executive Mosaic is proud to honor JD Parkes, Parry Labs co-founder, CEO and board member, as a two-time Wash100 Award winner for his work expanding the company into a trusted provider of next-generation military capabilities.
Parkes is an accomplished entrepreneur who developed Parry Labs into a respected provider of emerging technologies including electronic warfare, edge computing and cloud-based mission system emulation. He also serves as chief strategy officer and board member of Skydweller Aero, a pioneering autonomous and solar-powered aircraft company that he also co-founded. Skydweller Aero recently achieved a groundbreaking 72-hour solar-powered unmanned flight in partnership with the Navy.
The 2026 Wash100 Award popular vote competition is now open! Vote for JD Parkes and other top GovCon leaders today at Wash100.com.
Why Is JD Parkes Winning a 2026 Wash100 Award?
Track Record of Success in Both Government and Industry
Parkes has an extensive background in operational leadership and business development in government and commercial markets, with experience in some of the Pentagon’s most innovative programs. Before co-founding Parry Labs, he was airborne mission lead at the Department of War’s Strategic Capabilities Office, which develops new and transformative ways to shape and counter emerging threats across all warfighting domains.
Talent For Unique Collaborations
Parkes excels at strategic teaming arrangements that maximize the capabilities of both organizations. Parry Labs in June of last year entered into a partnership with Airbus U.S. Space and Defense for its MQ-72C Aerial Logistics Connector, an unmanned version of Airbus’ UH-72 Lakota helicopter. Parry is providing its STRATIA commercial off-the-shelf software application, edge computing hardware and ground control station in support of essential Marine Corps missions.
“JD is one of the most impressive young executives in GovCon, having co-founded Parry Labs and Skydweller Aero and built these firms into some of the Department of War’s most trusted and creative defense companies,” said Jim Garrettson, Executive Mosaic CEO and founder of the Wash100 Award. “Parkes, in 2025, entered into collaborations with both a leading prime in Airbus and ShieldAI, a well-respected drone supplier, positioning Parry Labs for significant revenue growth.
“JD has also guided Parry Labs to becoming an established source of artificial intelligence, epitomized by the company’s development of a new module for advanced signal processing with advanced AI acceleration.
JD’s second Wash100 Award is a celebration of the remarkable work he’s already accomplished in his career and a tribute to the lasting success and influence in front of him,” Garrettson continued.
Who Is JD Parkes?
JD Parkes is an accomplished defense technology executive with an extensive track record of developing revolutionary technologies in capabilities including software, small-form factor hardware and engineering. He co-founded Parry Labs to develop software infrastructure that allows military systems to rapidly integrate novel capabilities and become as versatile as a smartphone.
Parry Labs last year tested its Phantom network gateway prototype during the Marine Corps’ prestigious Northern Edge 2025 multi-domain exercise. Tests were performed on the Phantom’s ability to hide encryption signatures and disguise traffic as typical network activity.
The experiments involved a variety of data transport layers, such as commercial cellular, satellite communications and mesh radio networks to gauge the Phantom’s ability to provide strong connectivity.
Parkes has demonstrated leadership in advocating for innovative acquisition models that encourage flexibility and faster contracting. He’s a proponent of “characteristics of needs statements” that provide frameworks of operational challenges and desired outcomes without requiring specific products. This approach, he said in October of last year, pushes the government to allow the right ideas to flourish and begin dialogue with industry early, instead of being restricted or boxed-in.
What Are JD Parkes’ Recent Career Achievements?
Parkes achieved another significant collaboration in October of last year when Parry Labs teamed with General Dynamics Land Systems to refine digital integration and continuous software delivery for the Army’s fleet of ground combat platforms. This partnership combines Parry Labs’ edge computing and digital engineering expertise with GDLS’ combat vehicles to provide a more flexible, strong and resolute software ecosystem for combat systems.
“We are bringing commercial AI infrastructure and an end-to-end software delivery environment that ensures the Army’s leading ground combat systems maintain dominance through continuous software delivery,” Parkes said.
Parry Labs in September of last year unveiled its new Forge Boss mission-computing module. This application helps users upgrade defense-related technologies including radar, command and control, and electronic warfare. Forge Boss complies with military standards on sensor open systems architecture.
AeroVironment and Parry Labs in December of last year were awarded a three-year other transaction agreement with an initial value of $13 million to deliver the new P550 unmanned aircraft system for the Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance program. The P550 is a battery-powered platform that provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and munitions.
Parkes prepared Parry Labs for future growth by moving an existing facility in Iowa to a bigger building. This new location will allow for additional work in digital engineering, cyber innovation and integration mission systems.
What Does JD Parkes’ Success Mean for GovCon?
The government contracting industry can expect Parkes to continue investing in critical technologies like C2, software and AI as he further develops Parry Labs into a disruptive provider of next-generation open mission systems.
Congratulations to JD Parkes on his 2026 Wash100 Award!
Cast your vote for Parkes in the 2026 Wash100 popular vote competition.