Shawn Gundrum of CATHEXIS has won WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Award for CEO of the Year (Private Company, annual revenue less than $100 million).
On June 2, WashingtonExec unveiled the winners of the 2026 Chief Officer Awards, its premier recognition of the executives shaping the future of government contracting. This annual can’t-miss event celebrates bold, innovative leaders across government and industry.
The event took place at The Hilton in McLean, Virginia, where over 500 attendees came together for a memorable in-person luncheon.
In his finalist Q and A, Gundrum discussed how, following the integration of Paradyme, he helped reposition CATHEXIS from a traditional services provider into a more solutions- and AI-driven organization, while prioritizing operational alignment, unifying teams and culture.
“We brought together two companies with distinct brands, cultures and ways of working, and intentionally built one identity and set of values both teams could see themselves in,” he said. “That work has been critical to employee engagement, culture and how we operate as one company.”
Along with the government and industry winners, John G. Edwards, president of the CIA Officers Memorial Foundation, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes Edwards for his decades of exceptional service to the nation, marked by transformative leadership at the CIA and an enduring commitment to its people and mission.
WashingtonExec extends its gratitude to its silver sponsors, KippsDeSanto & Co. and Morgan Stanley; to its award sponsor, M&T Bank; and to its many table sponsors for their generous support.