Before he worked in public sector technology, Joe Perrino managed grocery stores in California. As the retail landscape shifted, he made the move into technology, beginning a career that would take him from technology sales and systems integration to enterprise software. Today, as vice president of public sector at UiPath, Perrino is helping government organizations navigate the rapid rise of automation and agentic technologies, even as adoption begins to outpace formal governance frameworks.
For Perrino, the mission is also personal. With two sons who have served in the U.S. Navy, he sees public sector technology as more than a career opportunity. In this Q&A, Perrino discusses his unconventional path into GovCon, the promise and challenges of agentic automation, why education will be critical to responsible adoption and more.
Can you provide a brief overview of your professional background and career progression?
My career began in grocery-store management in California—an experience that now feels like a lifetime ago. As larger big-box retailers began expanding into the grocery market, I recognized that the industry was changing and knew it was time to pivot.
I entered the technology sector with CompUSA, where I led the company’s B2B business in San Rafael, California. This was also my first experience in public-sector sales, with a focus on state, local, and education (SLED) customers. After CompUSA closed, I joined a small value-added reseller in Petaluma, California, where I led the systems-integration practice with an emphasis on Red Hat and open-source technologies. That opportunity eventually brought me to the Washington, D.C., area, where I led DLT’s open-source and cloud practice.
Approximately 10 years ago, I moved to the independent software vendor side of the industry, beginning with Hortonworks, which later merged with Cloudera. From there, I joined MongoDB and ultimately UiPath.
I chose to lead UiPath’s Public Sector practice because of the strong alignment between the company’s mission and the needs of public-sector organizations. When evaluating opportunities for my next role, UiPath stood out as a natural fit based on its values, market position, and commitment to supporting the public sector.
Why did you choose this career path, and how influential has it been in shaping your career?
Public-sector technology was a natural fit for me. Once I began working with government organizations, I could not see myself pursuing a different path. The opportunity to create value for government agencies and support missions that have a meaningful impact on our country is incredibly motivating. It is truly a force multiplier.
Do you have a personal connection to the mission you support?
Yes. I have a personal connection to the broader public-sector mission through my two sons, both of whom have served in the U.S. Navy. One separated from the Navy in early 2026, while the other remains on active duty.
More broadly, the work my team and I do at UiPath—helping public-sector organizations improve services and deliver better experiences for people across the country—is deeply personal to me. Supporting that mission is something I care about greatly.
What are your top priorities and responsibilities, and how do they align with your company’s overall mission and growth strategy?
I lead UiPath’s overall go-to-market strategy for the public sector, including the SLED market. My primary responsibility is ensuring that our go-to-market approach is aligned with the priorities of our public-sector customers and supports their success in achieving their mission objectives.
Where do you see growth opportunities in your field, and what do you anticipate your customers’ top pain points will be?
One of the greatest opportunities for my team is helping customers begin their journey toward agentic automation. The pace of adoption is accelerating quickly, and in some cases, technology is advancing faster than formal governance and oversight frameworks.
Helping customers navigate that transformation responsibly—while ensuring they have the right strategies, safeguards, and processes in place—will be critical.
How are you and your team preparing to address these opportunities?
Education and training are essential to any major transformation. We continuously train our own teams while also providing customers with hands-on workshops, enablement programs, and other forms of training and support.
Our goal is to help customers understand both the potential of agentic automation and the practical considerations involved in adopting it responsibly.
How important are mentorship and networking in government contracting, and how influential have they been in your career?
Mentorship and networking have been invaluable throughout my career. I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the best people in the industry. Maintaining those relationships has not only created professional opportunities, but has also led to some of the most meaningful friendships in my life.
What is something most people do not know about you personally?
Many people may not know that my wife and I have six children. Although we are a blended family, all six are mine, and I could not be prouder of each and every one of them.