Speakers

In 1982, Chuck Harrington joined Parsons as an engineer. After advancing through technical work, project management, and business development, Chuck was named executive vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer in 2006. In 2008, he became CEO and then chairman.

Throughout his time at Parsons, Chuck has championed the use and development of technology as a differentiator. Before taking on the CFO role, he was the founding president of Parsons Commercial Technology Group. During his tenure as CEO, Chuck has led Parsons’ evolution into a leading technology provider driving the future of defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure. He also spearheaded the efforts to make Parsons a publicly traded company, leading to the firm’s IPO on the New York Stock Exchange in May of 2019.

In 2020 Chuck received Executive Mosaic’s prestigious Wash100 Award. He is a member of the Aerospace Industries Association and has served on the US President’s Council for Modernizing Government. Chuck earned his bachelor’s degree from California Polytechnic State University and his MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has also been presented with an honorary doctorate degree from California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo for his accomplishments in the field of engineering. Chuck is a frequent speaker and has authored articles on leadership, integrity in the workplace, mobility and transport technology, and critical infrastructure protection.

Carey Smith is responsible for Parsons’ global profit and loss, operations, and growth.

In 2016, Carey joined Parsons as president of the firm’s Federal Solutions business. She was promoted to chief operating officer in 2018, when the company merged its federal and critical infrastructure business segments. During this time, Carey shaped Parsons’ portfolio, grew the business organically, acquired four companies, expanded margins, and played a key role in taking the company public. In 2019 Carey assumed further responsibility when she accepted the additional role of president. Before joining Parsons, she held a series of leadership roles within the defense and aerospace industry.

Carey was named by WashingtonExec as one of the “Top 25 Execs to Watch” in 2018 and 2019 and was a 2019 finalist for Washington Government Contract Awards Executive of the Year. She holds a Master of Science from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Science from Ohio Northern University. In 2018, she received an honorary doctorate from Ohio Northern University for her outstanding contributions to the university and the field of engineering.

George Ball joined Parsons in 1995, following the company’s acquisition of Gilbert/Commonwealth, Inc., a power-oriented engineering and consulting firm where he served as vice president of finance and administration. Since joining Parsons, George has served in a variety of financial and operational positions, assuming the role of CFO in 2008.

Throughout his time as CFO, George has played a key role in the acquisitions that have helped Parsons evolve as a company, and, in 2019, he was integral in the firm’s IPO. In addition to his responsibilities at Parsons, George serves on the board of directors of Cornerstone Building Brands (NYSE:CNR).

A finalist for the 2019 Los Angeles Business Journal Chief Financial Officer of the Year, George holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Drexel University, in Philadelphia, PA.

With more than 20 years leading investor relations (IR) programs for several software and government services companies, Dave Spille has extensive IPO, financial modeling, M&A, and crisis communications experience. He has initiated IR programs for four separate companies, been responsible for internal, external, and marketing communications activities, and is a former senior analyst for the Nasdaq Stock Market.

During his tenure at various companies, Dave has lead IR programs that were ranked second in Institutional Investor magazine’s best US IR programs and recognized with honorable mention for best use of technology by Investor Relations magazine. He also participated in one of the most successful initial public offerings in stock market history. Dave received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Radford University and an MBA from the George Washington University.

Chris Alexander leads a team responsible for the design and delivery of complex infrastructure, environmental, energy, and life science products and services to US government customers across five continents. Before assuming his current role, Chris was the group executive vice president, global business development, for Parsons Government Services. In this position, he was responsible for actualizing the growth strategy, managing accounts, and developing strategic pursuits for all of Parsons’ US government–related activities, including the development and capture of federal business opportunities in the homeland security and defense, intelligence, and warfighter support markets.

Chris has authored Tier 1 and Tier 2 health assessment documents for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office and was a principal chemist on a 10-year National Science Foundation–led program to assess tributary effluent impacts to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. He holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental chemistry from Long Island University, in New York.

Rich Aves leads a team of more than 1,000 staff members creating and delivering hardware and software solutions and providing engineering and integration services to clients across the intelligence community, DoD, and commercial sectors. These solutions include satellite launch integration, space situational awareness, information security, insider threat, space crypto engineering, cloud application development, DevSecOps engineering, satellite ground station capabilities, ISR products, and geospatial capability integration.

Rich came to Parsons as part of the company’s acquisition of OGSystems, in January 2019. He served in multiple roles for OGSystems, including chief growth officer.

Rich began his professional career as a Navy P-3C Naval Flight Officer flying anti-submarine warfare and ISR missions across Europe and the Caribbean. He also has a deep background in space systems, having served for 14 years (active and reserve) at the National Reconnaissance Office as a naval officer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering from Northwestern University, an MBA from George Mason University, and a Change Management Advanced Practitioner Certification from Georgetown University.

Hector Cuevas oversees the development, integration, and delivery of enterprise solutions and services to support joint and coalition operations around the world. With more than 1,600 employees, his team supports a wide range of missions for the US Department of Defense, including space, missile defense, intelligence, and multidomain command and control.

A decorated combat veteran with over 35 years of US Army and intelligence community service, Hector joined Parsons in January 2019 via the acquisition of OGSystems. During his military career, Hector supported US and allied special operations, including foreign internal defense, civil-military support, partner nation capacity building, and direct action.

He led geospatial intelligence and ISR support to over 100 special operations missions in West, Central, and the Horn of Africa with Special Operations Command-Africa before retiring in 2012. As branch chief, Hector is credited for originating an ISR system tailored to operations in Africa that optimized collection and increased operational efficiencies.

Hector graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.

Paul Decker leads Parsons’ Cyber and Intelligence Market, which focuses on full-spectrum cybersecurity solutions that protect critical national systems and support the nation’s information dominance. With approximately 1,500 employees, Paul’s group provides cyberspace software, engineering services, rapid hardware prototyping, RF/SIGINT products, and other technical assurance to commercial, Department of Defense, and intelligence community customers and is a premier supplier and integrator of net-centric, next-gen signal processing solutions for specialized customers.

Before this role, Paul was responsible for developing and delivering the company's overall corporate technical and growth strategy for the Cyber and Intelligence Market. He has an extensive background in the arena of cyberspace operations, and Paul’s operational leadership and technical experiences include supporting the United States Strategic Commands Computer Network Defense and Computer Network Warfare mission sets.

Paul proudly served his country in the US Marine Corps, supporting the White House Military Office (WHMO) and leading military planning efforts for worldwide deployed Continuity of Operations programs. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in security management as well as multiple security and technical certifications.

As the head of Parsons’ Mobility Solutions Market, Mark Fialkowski leads a group focused on using the latest technologies, including augmented and virtual reality, XD modeling, and drones, to deliver complex roads, bridges, tunnels, highways, and transit solutions. His group provides innovative and resilient solutions to a wide range of public and private infrastructure clients.

Before this role, as critical infrastructure operations director, Mark answered all challenges in managing risk, quality, safety, contracts, and project controls through a major restructuring, while also serving as point-of-contact for information technology, security, and facilities. Mark’s extensive international experience includes complex program delivery in Canada, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the Middle East, Mexico, and Indonesia.

Mark has been with Parsons for 27 years. He holds a Master of Science in transportation from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. Mark is a member of Parsons’ Critical Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Board and has also served on Parsons’ Inclusion and Diversity Task Force.

Tom Topolski has 36 years of industry experience, including 21 years of international experience. Responsible for Parsons’ Connected Communities Market, Tom leads the company’s aviation, rail and transit, smart vehicle solutions, and smart mobility efforts, including intelligent transportation systems and smart cities. His team prioritizes using technology and innovation to deliver disruptive, seamless, integrated, and secure solutions. By integrating new and emerging technologies with legacy infrastructure, Tom’s group is driving the digital transformation of infrastructure to better connect people and communities.

Tom earned his Bachelor of Science in urban regional analysis and planning at the State University College of New York at Buffalo and his Master of Urban Planning at New York University. He has also completed advanced management programs at the University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, and the Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business. Tom is vice chairman on the International Road Federation Board of Directors and is recognized as a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional and a Certified Planner by the American Planning Association.