Picarelli leaves behind a legacy of caring

The 63-year-old Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. executive died Dec. 23 from cancer at his home in Annapolis, Md.

Described by many as a first-rate businessman, Picarelli will be remembered equally as well for his optimism, humor and the way he reached out to others.

"His reach extended beyond [Booz Allen] into the entire Northern Virginia technology community. Al had friends in all of the major SIs and technology provider firms in the country," said William Arzt of Accenture Ltd.

Howard Ulep, director of federal programs at Key Government Finance Inc., Annapolis, Md., met Picarelli in the 1980s when Picarelli was working with Grumman Corp., building that company's IT business. They worked together on a Navy contract.

"Al was humble ? he never flaunted his education, nor his business successes. ? He rarely spoke about himself, mostly about the positive side of others," Ulep said.

In an e-mail to employees, Booz Allen Chairman and CEO Ralph Shrader recalled Picarelli's "indomitable spirit, great wisdom and love for his family, friends and the firm ? in addition to his incredible talent for applying information technology to solve clients' problems."

Picarelli joined Booz Allen in 1994 as a vice president and rose to become a senior partner. He also was a member of Booz Allen's top management body, the firm's leadership team, and he led the company's global IT business.

"He was ever optimistic even after his diagnosis in the spring," Arzt said.