CACI chairman Daniels dies

Reston-based Fortune 500 government contractor CACI International announced Tuesday that its chairman of the board, Michael A. Daniels, has passed away.

Daniels had served on CACI’s board since 2013 and was elected chairman in January 2021, following the passing of previous CACI Chairman J. Philip “Jack” London. CACI’s board of directors elected Lisa S. Disbrow to succeed Daniels as board chair.

“The entire CACI family is deeply saddened by Mr. Daniels’ passing,” CACI President and CEO John Mengucci said in a statement. “Mike was a keen business leader who demonstrated respect and support for all who worked with him. He was always focused, not only on where the company was heading, but on ensuring that integrity and ethics remained front and center.”

In the announcement, CACI described Daniels as “a steadfast leader and mentor” whose vision, experience and dedication enriched both the company and the broader technology and government communities.

Daniels grew up in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He initially worked as a janitor and then a truck driver in his father’s business before advancing to a range of leadership roles for technology and government contracting firms. He previously served as chairman and CEO of Network Solutions and held several executive roles at Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC). He was also a former senior White House adviser on international technology and a senior adviser to the National Security Council.

Daniels used his positions to advance cybersecurity, data analytics, digital solutions, and other technologies essential to protecting national security, the company said.

Last year, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce honored Daniels for his career with a lifetime achievement award, celebrating “a career dedicated to positioning the commonwealth as a technology leader and promoting a thriving economy supported by a world-class workforce.”

“From a personal standpoint, I can’t begin to express what it meant to have a partner like Mike during the last four-and-a-half years,” Mengucci said. “His commitment to CACI was proven and steadfast, and we are grateful that he so generously shared his time and talent with us for decades.”

Disbrow, the new chair, has more than 32 years of experience in national security. She joined the U.S. Air Force in 1985 and retired in 2008 as a colonel from the U.S. Air Force Reserve. CACI states that throughout her career, she held senior civilian positions on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Reconnaissance Office, and on the National Security Council.

She retired as the Under Secretary of the United States Air Force in June 2017, after serving in the role since January 2015. From January 2017 through May 2017, she served as the acting secretary of the United States Air Force. And from 2014 to 2016, she was the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller.

She also serves on the board of directors of Mercury Systems and BlackBerry.

Founded in 1962, CACI serves intelligence and defense agencies, utilizing its technology and expertise to boost national security. It has more than 25,000 employees and reported $7.66 billion in fiscal 2024 revenue.