SPA President Terry Benedict wins WashingtonExec executive honor

Systems Planning & Analysis President Terry Benedict was named WashingtonExec’s 2026 Private and Public Company DOW Executive of the Year after a year of expansion at the defense analytics firm. The award highlights SPA’s recent acquisition activity and its growing reach across national security missions. Why it matters: - Terry Benedict’s recognition signals that SPA’s leadership and expansion strategy are gaining attention in the defense and national security market. - The award comes as SPA broadens capabilities that support defense, intelligence, and homeland security customers. What happened: - Systems Planning & Analysis said President Terry Benedict was named WashingtonExec’s 2026 Private and Public Company DOW Executive of the Year. - Benedict is a retired vice admiral. - WashingtonExec gave the award after a year of growth and expansion at SPA. The details: - SPA integrated four acquisitions over the past year. - One of those deals was SPA’s first international acquisition. - The additions expanded SPA’s work in modeling and simulation, wargaming, digital engineering, enterprise modernization, and counter-unmanned aircraft systems. - SPA said the expanded capabilities improve its ability to meet changing mission needs across defense, intelligence, and homeland security. - CEO Rich Sawchak said Benedict’s leadership has been central to integrating new capabilities and supporting complex national security work. - Benedict said the award reflects the expertise and commitment of SPA’s professionals. - The WashingtonExec Chief Officer Awards honor executives driving innovation, growth, and mission impact across government and industry. Between the lines: - The award follows a period in which SPA used acquisitions to deepen its technical footprint rather than rely on organic growth alone. - The first international deal suggests SPA is pushing beyond its domestic base as national security work becomes more global and more technically integrated. What’s next: - SPA is likely to keep folding in the new acquisitions and using the expanded platform to compete for broader national security work. - WashingtonExec’s recognition may help reinforce Benedict’s profile with government and industry decision-makers. The bottom line: - Benedict’s award underscores SPA’s momentum as a national security analytics firm building scale through acquisitions and capability expansion.