Leidos’ recent contract win with the Defense Information Systems Agency provides another opportunity for the company to deliver efficiency and better performance to the Defense Department’s digital infrastructure – a current need.
That’s according to Leidos executive director of defense development and integration Daniel Voss, who oversaw the $11.5 billion takeover of DSEA’s Defense Enclave Services, which the company won earlier this year.
The multi-year contract consolidates DOD’s sprawling networks of multiple support agencies into one common service delivery network.
“There’s a lot of focus on migration, network modernization, and of course, operations and sustainability,” says Voss. At Leidos we have extensive experience in network migration.
Leidos recently migrated more than one million users to new networks, arming the company with new experience and learnings.
“We have an understanding of all the differences that can exist in different networks,” says Voss.
Leidos is purpose-built to scale, scale and reach programs like DES through strong program management practices, strong talent acquisition practices, and horizontal technology capabilities under the Leidos Technology Office. In addition, the company has executed large-scale digital transformation programs at DISA, the Navy, NASA and other federal agencies.
“DES provides a common way for IT to work within these defense agencies, and we apply the lessons learned to achieve those goals,” says Voss.
This win represents Leidos’ dedication and commitment to its mission, which flows from the corporate leadership level down.
“We remain steadfast in our mission and our corporation will not hesitate to deliver resources to support our programs and clients,” Voss said. “It’s not always a measurable value, but it’s very important to be the right partner.”
Victory and progress in people
This defensive and people-oriented mission is especially important to the Voss. In his current role, Voss is focused on growing Leidos’ defense business and ensuring that new business proposals are compelling and meet customer requirements. It is also focused on integration, ensuring existing programs meet customer expectations and supporting program managers to leverage the full potential of Leidos.
“Being able to help them see the full scope of the corporation that they don’t always see in the technology, the people, and the resources is really critical to our company as we begin to grow,” says Voss. .
Growth is one of Voss’ primary motivations. He is passionate about supporting the development of Leidos as well as the career development of people within the company. The DES contract meets both needs.
“There’s nothing better than growing the company and the missions we support, but nothing better than opening the door for hundreds of Leidos employees and partners to grow their skills and accelerate their careers,” said Voss.
And working around personal, motivated, driven people drives Voss in his position.
“I’ve seen a lot of great leaders come out of programs like DES,” he says. “There’s nothing like doing a big digital program like this.”
A soft spot for technology
Voss has always been interested in technical matters. He’s an engineer at heart, and when he moved into executive management, he says he didn’t have much time to dive into technology.
“It’s not my luxury anymore, but I work with engineers,” he said. “I have that focus. It’s really motivating for me,” he said.
His affinity for STEM-related fields began early. As an undergraduate, he studied computer science and mathematics at the College of the State University of New York in Potsdam. After graduation, he became a software developer at a large corporation, where he wrote embedded software for network controllers. Shortly thereafter, he pursued a graduate degree in mathematics and eventually received his doctorate from SUNY University at Albany.
He then took his academic and industry experience into the satellite field, developing algorithms for onboard satellites and ground-based systems. Shortly after starting his career, the company he worked for was acquired by Lockheed Martin, where he would spend the next 17 years in increasing roles, eventually becoming Lockheed’s Senior Associate and then Technical Director of Enterprise IT Solutions and Program Director for the DISA portfolio.
During his time at Lockheed, he started working with new business activities and proposals.
“I find this work very interesting and personally fulfilling,” says Voss. “It’s great to know you’re part of a hard-working team focused on growing the company and creating new jobs and career opportunities for people.”
Voice moved from technical to management at Lockheed, and eventually, the business unit at Lockheed was acquired by Leidos in 2016.
“It’s been a big transition since then,” he said.
That followed his previous role as Senior Vice President of Enterprise and Cyber Solutions at Leidos, leading program managers, engineers and analysts to help modernize, operate and defend global DOD networks and systems.
He and his team tripled the size of their business in five years, and created a backlog that would grow jobs for employees for decades to come.
“Having the ability to run and grow that business has been a great experience,” Voss said. “I am excited to see the next generation of Leidos executives come from these programs.”
Continued development direction
Leidos’ defense business has grown significantly over the past five years, but Voss sees an even greater opportunity to become the partner of choice for federal and international customers.
“There are great opportunities ahead of us in terms of how we organize our technologies and how we leverage them for our customers, and I’m excited to be involved in it and help lead the charge,” Voss said.
And given that he measures growth in terms of both business and personnel success, he defines personal growth as helping some of Leidos’ top executives lead the company forward.
“I think the future generation of Leidos leaders is at the company, and supporting and mentoring them is one of my top goals going forward,” Voss said.
