Large Contractor Executive of the Year (co-winner): J.P. "Jack" London

"Wow! Nice feeling," was how J.P. "Jack" London summed up his selection as one of two large-company executives of the year at the 2005 Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards banquet."The award gives me a great sense of pride in our company and our employees, and acknowledges the important work they do each day," London said.London, chairman, president and chief executive officer of CACI International Inc., shared the award with Ernst Volgenau, chairman of SRA International Inc.When one of Volgenau's friends congratulated him before the ceremony on being a finalist, Volgenau replied that if he were on the selection committee, he would have voted for London rather than himself."Jack has done a wonderful job building CACI over many years," Volgenau said when accepting his award.It was 1972 when London began his career at CACI as a project manager. He became president and CEO when he was 47; six years later, he was elected chairman of the board. He has guided the Arlington, Va., government contractor from a small services provider to an IT powerhouse that has served the federal government for more than four decades.London has spent half his life working for and building CACI because, he said, he is "passionate about serving the U.S. government and making a difference in securing our nation against those who would attack our land or our freedoms."London supports various educational and cultural initiatives. He serves on the dean's advisory council at George Washington University's School of Business and on the board of advisers at Marymount University. He established the American Patriot Fund to provide educational resources for children whose parents were victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the Pentagon.Those in the government contracting community know the emphasis London places on the ethical conduct of business. All CACI managers must follow guidelines he has set forth in his management manual, "How to Hire Heroes." London also is the author of "Making Business Happen the CACI Way" and "CACI's Culture, Our Guide to Success.""The goal of all these books is to ensure a common understanding of the fundamentals of our company, our business and our culture," London said.Under London's leadership, CACI, which employs 9,500 people, had annual revenue of more $1.6 billion for fiscal 2005. The company aims to double its revenue by 2009, London said. It ranks No. 17 on Washington Technology's 2005 Top 100 list of federal prime contractors.The company has expanded its customer base in defense and homeland security markets though acquisitions. In its latest deal, CACI in October acquired National Security Research Inc. of Arlington, Va., which offers professional and analytic services to the federal government and the aerospace and defense sectors.It is part of London's leadership style to engage regularly with employees and clients. It is evidence of his commitment to his leadership philosophy that he personally oversees an employee recognition program and tries to lead by example."Accountability starts at the top," London said.