Rising Star Ryan P. McCullough

McCullough created a procurement methodology, known as the Performance-Based Approach, that closely aligns a contractor’s measures of success with an agency’s objectives.

Ryan McCulloughName: Ryan P. McCullough

Age: 34

Organization: Govplace

Title: Vice president, Federal Division

Nominated for: Creating a procurement methodology, known as the Performance-Based Approach, that closely aligns a contractor’s measures of success with an agency’s objectives. Worked with the Homeland Security Department to transform a traditional contract to a performance-based one, saving the agency $1 million.

First IT mentor: Rob Guerra, who helped me to understand the value of industry organizations that truly make themselves accountable to the goals, objectives and outcomes of the agencies they serve. And Tom Ragland, who helped me to apply the proper perspective and priority to all of the important things in my life, including family, health and career.

Latest accomplishment: I joined Govplace to build and model a federal integrator that was focused on accountability to the mission goals and objectives of federal government agencies. In two years, Govplace has formed a strong federal business unit based upon the best principles of performance-based partnership with the government.

Career highlight: Entertaining industry and government attendees by singing "Howl at the Moon" during the DHS Security Conference in Baltimore. (Not everything needs to be work.… We should have fun, too).

Favorite bookmark: www.fcw.com

Dream non-IT-related job: Shortstop for the New York Yankees


The annual Rising Star awards are presented by the 1105 Government Information Group, publisher of Federal Computer Week, GCN and Washington Technology, to public and private sector employees in the federal IT community who have gone above and beyond their job descriptions to make a lasting impact in their organization. See all the 2009 Rising Star award winners.