John Gioia dies at 76

John Gioia, 76, founder and former chairman, president and chief executive officer of Robbins-Gioia Inc., died Friday, Dec. 26. The cause of death was cancer.

Gioia, a retired Air Force colonel, and Jack Robbins, a retired Air Force major general, founded the Alexandria, Va., program management and contracting company in 1980. Gioia used his financial resources to start the company, even mortgaging his home to make early payroll.

He stepped down as president in 1997, turning over operations management to longtime employee Tony Baggiano.

Gioia retired as CEO in December 2002. During his tenure, Robbins-Gioia’s revenue grew to $100 million annually.

“He was a spirited industry pioneer and a resolute business leader who built a firm of enduring value for this country,” said CEO John Marselle, in a statement issued Monday. “His remarkable deeds and accomplishments have touched all of our lives. We are truly saddened by his loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to Patty Gioia and all the Gioia family.”

“The federal IT community suffered a great loss with the passing of one of the most impactful leaders in the federal world of program management,” said Bob Guerra, partner at Guerra Kiviat Inc., a government contracting advisory firm.

Graveside services with full military honors will be held Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery.