Guidehouse appoints new CFO and chief transformation officer

McLean-based federal contractor and technology consulting firm Guidehouse on Wednesday named Kelly Hernandez chief financial officer and Stuart Brown chief transformation officer, a newly created executive role.

The company said the two will support the firm’s growth and investments in technology and artificial intelligence. Hernandez will oversee Guidehouse’s global finance organization and help manage the firm’s financial strategy as it pursues growth.

“Guidehouse has built a strong reputation for serving clients in some of the world’s most complex environments,” Hernandez said in a statement. “I’m excited to join the firm at a time of continued growth and investment, and I look forward to helping strengthen the financial foundation and operational discipline that will support the next phase of Guidehouse’s success.”

Former CFO Debbie Ricci assumed an expanded position as chief financial and administrative officer in December 2024. It was unclear if anyone filled the CFO position in the interim before Hernandez’s appointment, and Guidehouse did not immediately return requests for comment.

Hernandez joins Guidehouse from Clark Construction Group, where she also served as CFO. Before that, she held various senior leadership roles at Leidos, including Group CFO and senior vice president of investor relations.

“Kelly brings a unique combination of financial expertise, operational leadership, and strategic perspective,” Guidehouse CEO Scott McIntyre said in a statement. “Her experience leading organizations through growth and transformation will be invaluable as we continue investing in our business, expanding our capabilities and creating long-term value for our clients and stakeholders.”

As Guidehouse’s inaugural chief transformation officer, Brown will lead the company’s artificial intelligence strategy as it continues a $1.5 billion investment in AI.

Brown joined Guidehouse in January 2025. In his new role, he will lead the company’s artificial intelligence strategy and oversee efforts to integrate AI into its operations and client services.

Before Guidehouse, Brown spent more than 26 years in various executive roles at Accenture, including global technology lead, managing director and infrastructure services lead. Earlier in his career, he was a design engineer for Lockheed Martin.

“Everyone is racing to unlock AI’s potential, but in the industries we serve, success requires more than innovation alone,” Brown said in a statement. “It requires the ability to deliver outcomes in complex environments while keeping systems secure, governed and trusted. By combining deep industry expertise, engineering talent and independent oversight, Guidehouse is uniquely positioned to help clients move forward with confidence.”

Headquartered in Fairfax County, Guidehouse was acquired by a Bain Capital Private Equity affiliate for $5.3 billion in December 2023, after having been owned by Veritas Capital since 2018. The company employs about 18,000 people across the globe.