Leidos names new SVP of government affairs

Leidos Holdings promoted Amy Smith to senior vice president of government affairs, the Reston-based Fortune 500 contractor announced Wednesday.

Smith’s previous position was vice president of government affairs, which she had held since joining Leidos in 2020. In her new role, she will manage the company’s government affairs operation and be its lead advocate in Washington, D.C.

“Amy’s impressive career in government and bipartisan reputation on Capitol Hill will continue to serve Leidos well as we enter our next decade as a leading provider of products and services to the military and federal government,” Debbie Opiekun, Leidos’ chief business development officer, said in a statement.

Before joining Leidos, Smith was chief of staff and senior director of international operations and policy at Boeing for seven years. She spent the first 17 years of her career as an adviser in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith served as policy analyst for appropriations under former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, then the majority whip, then served as floor director under former U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt when he was majority whip. She worked as policy director for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for six years.

Smith has a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Florida International University.

Leidos provides technology, engineering and science services to defense, intelligence, civil and health markets. The company employs 46,000 people and reported $14.4 billion in 2022 revenue. In May, Thomas Bell took over as CEO from Roger Krone, who had led the company since 2014.