Stu Shea

Stu Shea
Shea in June 2015
Born	(1957-01-09) January 9, 1957 Hollis, New York, U.S.
Alma mater	George Mason University (Honorary Doctorate in Human Letters, 2022) University of Kansas (M.A in Geography, 1983) SUNY Albany (B.S. in Geological Sciences, 1979)
Known for	Separating Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) into two publicly traded companies, Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) and SAIC (NYSE: SAIC) Founder of USGIF and GEOINT Symposium Growing Peraton into a Next Generation National Security Company from $1Bn to $7Bn
Awards	Intelligence Community Seal Medallion, NGA GEOINT Hall of Fame, Lundahl-Finnie Lifetime Achievement Award

Stu Shea (born January 9, 1957) is an American business executive and intelligence professional. He has held leadership roles in public and private companies and served as an advisor to government agencies, private equity investors, and academic institutions.

Shea is the former chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Peraton, a national security technology company. He is also the former president and chief operating officer of Leidos, chief operating officer of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and founder and emeritus chairman of the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation.

Early life and education

Shea was born in New York to Katherine Rea (née Hahn) and Kenneth Francis Shea. He attended Mineola High School, where he captained the rifle team.

Shea received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from George Mason University in 2022, a Master of Arts degree in geography from the University of Kansas in 1983, and a Bachelor of Science in geological sciences from the State University of New York at Albany in 1979. He has also attended executive development programs at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, Harvard Business School, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and George Washington University School of Business.

Career

Shea began his career in national security in 1982 at Rome Research Corporation as a software engineer, developing early computer mapping applications for the Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, US Air Force, and Defense Mapping Agency. From 1982 to 1987, Shea served as senior staff member and technical director for digital cartography at PAR Government Systems Corporation, leading research in computer mapping. He joined The Analytic Sciences Corporation (TASC, Inc.) in 1987, holding positions as a member of the technical staff, section manager, department manager, and program manager until TASC was acquired by Primark Corporation in 1991. From 1991 to 1998, he served as director for imagery and geospatial systems. Following Litton Industries' acquisition of TASC, he became senior vice president and strategic business unit director for information management. After Northrop Grumman acquired Litton in 2001, Shea served as vice president and general manager of the Space and Intelligence Business Unit.

In 2005, Shea joined Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) and led the National Security Space Business Unit and the Space & Geospatial Intelligence Business Unit. In 2007, he was named president of the Intelligence, Security and Technology Group, which was renamed the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group in 2010. This group provided technology services and products for national security programs.

In 2012, Shea was named chief operating officer of SAIC. During his tenure, Science Applications International Corporation split into two companies, Leidos and SAIC.

After the separation, Shea became president and chief operating officer of Leidos. In the fall of 2012, Shea was considered a potential successor to Leidos chief executive officer John P. Jumper. He resigned as COO in the spring of 2014.

After leaving Leidos, Shea served as chief executive officer of Shea Strategies, LLC, providing advisory services to companies, government agencies, private equity investors, and academic institutions. In June 2017, Veritas Capital appointed Shea CEO of MHVC Acquisition Corp, formerly Harris Corp.'s Government Services business. In August 2017, MHVC was rebranded by Shea as Peraton.

During his leadership until 2021, the company grew through acquisitions, including the mission support and IT solutions business of Northrop Grumman, Perspecta, and the as-a-service business of ViON.

Honors and awards

Shea has received several awards and recognitions throughout his career:

• * In 2024 and 2023, named a recipient of the Virginia Business Power 50 and Virginia Business Heavy Hitters Award from Virginia Business, recognized among the "50 most powerful and influential executives in Virginia."
• * In 2023, recognized with the Stu Shea Scholarship in National Security by the George Mason University (GMU) Honors Program.
• * In 2023 and 2022, named a recipient of the Virginia Business Virginia 500 Award for leaders in business, government, politics, and education in Virginia.
• * Named a recipient of the Executive Mosaic Wash100 Award in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2013.
• * In 2018, recognized by the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) as a Tech100 Award winner.
• * In 2018, received the GEOINT Hall of Fame from Robert Cardillo, Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).
• * In 2017, received the K. Stuart Shea Endowed Academic Scholarship from the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF), presented by Chairman Jeffrey K. Harris.
• * In 2016, received the Intelligence Community Seal Medallion from Director of National Intelligence, Lt Gen James R. Clapper, Jr., USAF (Ret.).
• * In 2014, recognized with the Outstanding Director Award by the Washington Business Journal in association with the National Association of Corporate Directors.
• * In 2014, recognized by the CEO of Leidos with the Leidos Courage Award in Honor of K. Stuart Shea.
• * In 2009, awarded the Fed100 Award (Federal Computer Week award).
• * In 2003, named as one of 12 members of the National Commission for the Review of the Research and Development Programs of the United States Intelligence Community.
• * In 1997, named a Fellow by the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping.

Board service

Shea has served on numerous industry, government, and academic advisory boards. His board affiliations include:

• * 2017–2024 Chairman of the board, Peraton
• * 2023–present Member, advisory board, AFCEA Intelligence Committee (AFCEA)
• * 2013–present Member, advisory board, National Intelligence University Foundation (NIUF)
• * 2015–present Member, board of trustees, Riverside Research]
• * 2019–2020 Chairman, Senior Advisory Group (SAG), Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) (under Joseph Maguire (Acting DNI) and Andrew P. Hallman (Principal Executive))
• * 2017–2019 Chairman, Senior Advisory Group (SAG), Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) (under Dan Coats (DNI) and Susan M. Gordon (PDDNI))
• * 2014–2017 Member, Senior Advisory Group (SAG), Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) (under Jim Clapper (DNI) and Stephanie O'Sullivan (PDDNI))
• * 2017–2021 Member, board of directors, Fornetix
• * 2016–2017 Member, board of directors, Applied Research Solutions
• * 2004–2014 Chairman of the board, United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF)
• * 2013–2014 Member, board of trustees, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• * 2012–2013 Member, advisory board, Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA)
• * 2003 Member, National Commission for the Review of the Research and Development Programs of the United States Intelligence Community
• * 1996 Member, National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council (United States), Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, Marine Board
• * 2012–2015 Member, advisory board, University of Kansas, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
• * 2003–2005 Member, advisory board, University of Virginia (UVA) Department of Systems and Information Engineering
• * 1990–2000 Member, editorial board, Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA)
• * 1997–1999 Director (non-Federal), Cartography and Geographic Information Society (CaGIS)