Army Under Secretary Michael Obadal Wins 1st Wash100 Award for Championing Digital Transformation and Acquisition Reform
Executive Mosaic is excited to honor Michael Obadal, Army under secretary, as a 2026 Wash100 Award winner for strengthening cybersecurity, modernizing legacy IT systems and championing digital transformation. Make your voice heard! Cast your vote for Under Secretary Obadal in the 2026 Wash100 Popular Vote and recognize his achievements at DOW.
Why is Michael Obadal Winning a 2026 Wash100 Award?
Michael Obadal, Under Secretary of the Army, has been named a first-time recipient of the Wash100 Award, recognizing his leadership at the Army in driving transformation, digital modernization and acquisition reform across the service.
“Under Secretary Obadal’s recognition as a first-time Wash100 Award winner is a tribute to his distinctive background of success in both industry and Army,” said Jim Garrettson, Executive Mosaic CEO and Wash100 Award founder. “He defined bravery and integrity during his 27 years in the Army by tallying more than 3,000 hours flight times as a master Army aviator and as a military freefall parachutist.”
“Under Secretary Obadal continued his success in the private sector by becoming senior director at Anduril, where he helped lead them to an impressive $100 million contract to develop a tactical data mesh system.”
Highlighting his return to government and his forward-looking leadership approach, Garrettson added: “Back with the Army, now in leadership, Under Secretary Obadal demonstrated innovation in business by directing commands to find opportunities for process automation and AI integration. We’re eager to see what Under Secretary Obadal has planned for GovCon business in 2026.”
Who Is Michael Obadal?
Obadal is the 36th under secretary of the Army, serving as the service’s chief management officer with responsibility for budget oversight, acquisition policy, digital transformation and enterprise operations.
A retired Army colonel, Obadal brings more than 27 years of military service, including as an attack helicopter officer and a leader within Army Special Operations Command and Joint Special Operations Command. Over the course of his career, he built deep operational expertise as a master Army aviator and military freefall parachutist.
Following his military retirement, Obadal moved into the private sector, where he served as a senior director at Anduril Industries, a defense technology company focused on advanced capabilities and autonomous systems. His industry experience added a commercial innovation perspective that now informs his approach to Army modernization and acquisition.
Obadal became the Under Secretary of the Army in September 2025, stepping into a role central to guiding the Army’s transformation initiatives, including software modernization, acquisition reform and industrial base readiness.
What Are Michael Obadal’s Recent Career Achievements?
Since assuming the role of Under Secretary of the Army, Obadal is a key driver of the service’s transformation agenda. He’s advancing major initiatives in software modernization, acquisition reform, automation and industrial base readiness while helping align Army priorities with the evolving demands of modern warfare and the GovCon landscape.
Leading Software Modernization and Digital Transformation
A central pillar of Obadal’s leadership has been reshaping how the Army develops, funds and deploys software. He has advocated for an updated software directive to help the Army keep pace with evolving operational needs and commercial best practices.
A key component of his push is support for a dedicated software funding category—Budget Activity 8, or BA-8—to better align appropriations with modern software development lifecycles. By moving beyond traditional “color of money” constraints, Obadal aims to give program managers greater flexibility to adopt DevSecOps practices, iterate faster and deliver capabilities more efficiently.
This effort aligns with broader Army initiatives to modernize IT systems, integrate cybersecurity into the software lifecycle and address longstanding challenges in digital infrastructure. Leaders have described this as the service’s “Achilles heel.”
Driving Acquisition Reform and Industrial Base Readiness
Obadal is also heavily involved with sweeping Army acquisition reforms designed to accelerate capability delivery and reduce bureaucratic friction. These efforts include the establishment of portfolio acquisition executives, the creation of new pathways for innovation and a shift toward capability-based acquisition models.
The Army’s restructuring of key organizations; such as its command, control, communications and network enterprise; reflects a broader push to deliver technology in iterative cycles and better integrate commercial innovation.
In parallel, Obadal has maintained a strong focus on the Army’s industrial base and readiness infrastructure. His visits to installations such as Red River Army Depot and Rock Island Arsenal highlight efforts to modernize facilities, explore future unmanned aircraft system production, and strengthen energy resilience and sustainment capabilities.
Advancing Automation, AI and Workforce Efficiency
Obadal is pursuing automation and artificial intelligence initiatives aimed at reducing administrative burden and increasing mission focus. By streamlining routine processes and integrating AI-enabled tools, the service is working to free soldiers and civilians to concentrate on higher-value operational tasks.
This emphasis on efficiency extends to procurement modernization efforts, including the development of more agile, digital marketplace approaches for IT purchasing and improved management of enterprise software and licensing.
What Does Michael Obadal’s Success Mean for GovCon?
Obadal’s leadership signals a shift in how the Army engages industry by creating new opportunities for GovCon firms focused on digital transformation and modern acquisition.
As under secretary, he is advancing efforts that directly impact contractors, including more flexible software funding, DevSecOps adoption and acquisition reforms to speed capability delivery. These changes are expected to make it easier for companies, especially commercial tech firms, to compete in the Army marketplace.
Obadal’sfocus on AI, automation and IT modernization is driving demand for innovative solutions, while his continued attention to the industrial base supports investment in readiness and infrastructure.
With experience in both special operations and defense technology, Obadal is well positioned to strengthen Army-industry collaboration. His growing influence makes him a key figure shaping GovCon opportunities as modernization efforts accelerate.
Congratulations to Army Under Secretary Obadal on his 2026 Wash100 Award!
Show your support for Michael Obadal—vote now in the 2026 Wash100 Popular Vote competition and help honor his impact!