Federal Contractors/Technology: DeETTE GRAY

Gray’s first job out of college was teaching math and science to middle schoolers in the 1990s. She integrated computers into the science curriculum to make learning more interactive and discovered a talent for writing code, leading her to become a software developer. Those experiences led her to CACI, where she works to modernize government operations.

The professional services and information technology company has more than 22,000 employees worldwide, including more than 7,000 workers in Virginia. CACI reported $6 billion in revenue in 2021.

In November 2021, CACI won a $785 million contract to provide integrated information and electronic warfare solutions to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

Gray started at Lockheed Martin Corp. in 1999 before moving to BAE Systems Inc. A graduate of North Carolina State and East Carolina universities, she joined CACI in 2017, serving as president of U.S. operations until landing her current role in 2019. Gray is the immediate past chair of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association International — she won its 2022 Women’s Appreciation Award. She also serves on the Children’s Science Center advisory board.