Adjunct Faculty, Management
Additional Roles:聽Chairman of the Center for Government Contracting Advisory Board; Professor of Practice
Contact Information
Email: jhillen@gmu.edu
Phone: (703) 993-8657
Office Location: Enterprise Hall
Office Hours: By appointment
Biography
The Honorable Dr. John Hillen is a highly accomplished CEO in the government contracting space and a former high ranking U.S. government official. A decorated combat veteran and noted national security scholar, he has led four defense and intelligence technology firms in Northern Virginia, most recently as President and CEO of Sotera Defense Solutions - awarded the 2012 GovCon Contractor of the Year award in the large company category. Hillen took Sotera public in 2009, one of the few successful IPOs in the American economy that year. He was confirmed by the Senate as the US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs in 2005 and served in that role until 2007.
In the MBA program at 性视界传媒, Hillen teaches courses in leadership, strategy, international business strategy, and the general government contracting industry. In 2017-18 he was voted the Outstanding Professor in the MBA program by the students. A , he also writes a column on leadership and strategy issues in Washington Technology magazine. The author of several books, his latest work is (Select Books, 2018).
A recognized industry leader in the technology contacting space, Hillen served in 2012 and 2013 as the chairman of the Professional Services Council and currently sits on the boards of SOS International LLC, Software AG Government Solutions Inc., Cygnacom Solutions Inc., IAP Global Services LLC, Govini, Inc., and Atkins Nuclear Solutions. He previously served as President of CGI Federal. He has led several other companies in both the government contracting and financial services space.
Hillen received the Fed100 award twice - in 2011 and 2017 - has been the subject of cover stories in Smart CEO Magazine, Government Computer News, and Washington Technology. An experienced director of both public and private companies, he has served on the boards of over half a dozen federal contracting firms.
Education
- PhD - International Relations, University of Oxford
- MBA, Cornell University
- MA - War Studies, King's College London
- BA -聽Public Policy Studies and History, Duke University聽
Research and Awards
- 2017-18 Outstanding Professor Award, MBA Program, 性视界传媒 School of Business
- 2017 FCW Fed 100 Award Recipient
Teaching Interests
- Strategy
- Leadership
- International business strategy
- Entrepreneurship
- Business issues in national security
- Government contracting industry
Media Clippings
- Latest Book: , Select Books, NY, NY 2018
- January 22, 2019 - Washington Technology
Can the Shutdown Lead to Better Government - May 18, 2018 - Washington Technology聽
Not just a job: 7 tips for new grads with new jobs聽 - May 3, 2018 - Market Watch
- August 15, 2017 - Washington Technology
How to lead a business through non-business challenges - May 1, 2017 - Washington Technology
Trump and the GovCon Market - February 12, 2017 - Washington Technology
2017 Fed 100 Winners Include John Hillen, Other GovCon Leaders - November 10, 2016 - Washington Technology
New GMU center puts special focus on the GovCon industry - October 17, 2016 - Washington Technology
What I've Learned Teaching Leadership During the 2016 Presidential Campaign Season - August 16, 2016 - Washington Technology
Are you a strategic thinker or just a planner? - July 13, 2016 - Washington Technology
Do you know who your most dangerous employee is? - June 06, 2016 - Washington Technology
Leading change and the CEO's role as chief explaining officer - March 31, 2016 - Washington Technology
Why climate matters when you make a career transition - February 16, 2016 - Washington Technology
Why you need to know the source of your authority - January 27, 2016 - Washington Technology
Leadership or Management? - January 22, 2015 - GovConExec
- November 19, 2014 - Washington Technology
Don't overlook boring business opportunities - November 19, 2014 - Washington Technology
Are we headed for more budget uncertainty? - November 10, 2014 - Washington Technology
GOP in charge: What changes, what doesn鈥檛? - June 12, 2014 - WashingtonExec
Dr. John Hillen Traces GovCon Market鈥檚 Maturation in Three Columns on Washington Technology - June 4, 2014 - Washington Technology
Is the GovCon market a 'real' market? - May 27, 2014 - Washington Technology
What stands in the way of a more mature GovCon market? - May 20, 2014 - Washington Technology
How mature is the GovCon market?