About
Leadership
Leading by Example
At SPA, you will work with leaders, not just managers. Our leaders take both a professional and personal interest in our clients and our employees, enabling them to reach their goals. They nurture teams, acknowledging that a high-functioning team is the only way we can innovate and progress towards our collective missions. We expect our leaders to be self-aware, see the possibilities and set an example in all they do – from the integrity of our analytic solutions to the professional development of our people. Only through this form of authentic leadership can our employees grow and consistently deliver inspired and impactful solutions to our clients.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Richard Sawchak
Chief Executive Officer
Rich Sawchak is the Chief Executive Officer of Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc., leading the company’s team of exceptionally skilled professionals working in the national defense, security, and advanced technologies communities. To continually enhance SPA’s reputation for quality and dedication to customer mission, Mr. Sawchak emphasizes teamwork, integrity, and diversity of thought. Bringing over 26 years of business acumen to the position, Mr. Sawchak’s commitment to excellence underpins strong corporate development and growth-oriented outcomes.
In previous roles, Mr. Sawchak served as Chief Financial Officer of Hypori, where he was responsible for finance, controllership, treasury, legal and business affairs, human resources, recruiting, and sales operations; he also served as the Corporate Secretary. Mr. Sawchak has a proven record of driving technology companies to succeed through financial scalability, operational excellence, and people-first culture.
Before joining Hypori, Mr. Sawchak was the CFO of Novetta for nine years until the successful sale of the company to Accenture Federal Services. He was previously employed by Schafer Corporation, where he served as Executive Vice President and CFO. Before that, Mr. Sawchak served as Senior Vice President and CFO of Paradigm Solutions until the successful sale of the company to CACI International. He has extensive experience in business operations, corporate finance, and the execution and integration of acquisitions for public and private equity-backed companies.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Mr. Sawchak also holds a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurial Finance and Strategic Cost Management from the Olin Graduate School of Management at Babson College.
Terry Benedict
President
Vice Admiral Terry Benedict, USN, Ret., is President of Systems Planning and Analysis, responsible for solution delivery to clients through SPA’s operating divisions. In addition, he oversees SPA’s Technical Fellows Program and the company’s Software Tools initiatives.
Since completing his Navy career, Vice Admiral (Ret.) Benedict served as Chief Operating Officer of Blue Origin and Operations Manager for the Nuclear Security and Operations Group at Bechtel. He also served on SPA’s Board of Directors from 2019–2021.
Vice Admiral (Ret.) Benedict was associated with the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs for thirty years, where he held ten different positions, ultimately serving as the Program’s Director for eight years (2010-2018). Before assuming command of Strategic Systems Programs, Vice Admiral (Ret.) Benedict served as Program Executive Officer for Integrated Warfare Systems, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
Vice Admiral (Ret.) Benedict graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He also holds a Master of Science in Engineering Science from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He is a graduate of the Advanced Program Management course at the Defense Acquisition University and the Executive Leadership Course at Carnegie Mellon. Vice Admiral (Ret.) Benedict serves on the Board of Directors at Draper Laboratories, the Board of Advisors of X-Bow, Livermore Laboratory’s External Advisory Board, and is a member of the STRATCOM Senior Advisory Group, Stockpile Assessment team.
John V. Quigley
Chief Operating Officer
John Quigley is the Chief Operating Officer of Systems Planning and Analysis. In this role he leads the Company’s acquisition, integration, and business operations functions, while also acting as the Company’s corporate secretary. In addition, Mr. Quigley leads the Information Technology, Contracts, Facilities, and Communications Departments. As a longstanding member of SPA’s executive leadership team, Mr. Quigley is integral in the development and implementation of SPA’s strategic vision, corporate values, and unique culture.
Since joining SPA in 1999, Mr. Quigley has served in multiple leadership positions within the line organization, including as a Division Director, where he led an operating division overseeing a broad portfolio of analytic capabilities to assist government customers with requirements, investment, strategy, and other significant decisions. He also guided the standup and led SPA’s international operations, driving the growth strategy across all defense domains of the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, SPA Australia Pty Ltd. SPA Australia’s office is located in Canberra.
Mr. Quigley has over 40 years of experience, beginning with a career as a U.S. Navy submarine officer. He retains in-depth knowledge of undersea capabilities and broad knowledge and understanding of military strategy and national security issues. Mr. Quigley holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master of Arts in Business and Information Systems from Webster University, and a Master of Science in National Security from the National War College.
Dan Muse
Chief Financial Officer
Dan Muse is the Chief Financial Officer of Systems Planning & Analysis and is responsible for finance, accounting, treasury, and tax functions. He has over 20 years of financial leadership experience in the government contracting industry.
Prior to joining SPA, Mr. Muse was the CFO of Iron Bow Technologies, where he was responsible for finance, accounting, treasury, tax, business operations, facilities, and M&A activities. He has also held CFO roles for Solerity (formerly Preferred Systems Solutions), FCI, and Sevatec. Mr. Muse began his career as a public accountant for Arthur Andersen and then transitioned to investment banking at Goldman Sachs before spending 11 years with Stifel as a Director in the Aerospace, Defense and Government Services Investment Banking Group, where he focused on capital raises and M&A transactions for government services companies.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Richmond and a Master of Business Administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Mr. Muse has also earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation.
Dave Hearding
Chief Growth Officer
David W. Hearding is Chief Growth Officer of Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. In this role, he is responsible for developing and implementing growth strategies for the company including marketing, capture, and proposal development, and also for supporting mergers and acquisitions. He has been in the government professional services industry for over 20 years.
Prior to joining SPA, he was with SRS Technologies starting in 2001, which was then acquired by ManTech International in 2007. He started as Program Manager and advanced to the position of Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager. As BUGM, he provided strategic and profit/loss leadership to 25 programs/contracts in five Divisions with combined annual revenue of $130M and developed branded solutions used successfully in federal bids/captures within new client and new technical domains.
In 2001, Mr. Hearding completed a successful Navy career retiring in the rank of Captain. During his career served on 5 nuclear submarines, commanded the nuclear attack submarine USS PARGO (SSN 650), commanded a nuclear submarine repair ship USS DIXON (AS 37), and served in shore assignments in Japan, Pearl Harbor, and the Pentagon. His final assignment was Director of Operations (N3) at the US Pacific Fleet, where he managed all operational aspects of the world’s largest deployed fleet comprising 188 ships and 1,400 aircraft.
Mr. Hearding holds degrees in Physics from the U.S. Naval Academy and advanced degrees in both Nuclear and Environmental Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Michelle Howell
Chief Human Resources Officer
Michelle Howell leads SPA’s Human Resources department with nearly three decades of experience across all functions of human resource management in the government contracting space. Her expertise includes human capital development, talent acquisition, leadership development, training, benefits, and diversity and inclusion. She has also led efforts in merger and acquisition planning, project management, due diligence, and full company integration for several acquisitions.
Ms. Howell previously served as Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at ASRC Federal for 7 years, where she accelerated acquisition of high-quality talent for new and challenging programs and led all HR functions for thousands of multi-located employees. Prior to that position, she spent 15 years at BAE Systems, rising to Senior Director of Human Resources. Well regarded as a team player, Ms. Howell is known for coaching and mentoring professionals to continue learning, growing, and driving innovation.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Wittenberg University and has participated in Executive Leadership programs for Change Management, Cultural Integration, Executive Coaching, and Innovation in Business.
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