Peraton Taps SAIC Vet Bob Genter as COO in Strategic Growth Play

RESTON, VA – February 12, 2026 – National security contractor Peraton has announced a significant addition to its executive leadership, appointing former SAIC heavyweight Robert “Bob” Genter as its new President and Chief Operating Officer. The move, effective February 17, 2026, signals a clear intent by the Veritas Capital-owned firm to harness Genter's formidable track record for driving large-scale growth and operational excellence as it navigates an increasingly complex global security landscape.

Genter will report directly to Chairman and CEO Steve Schorer, who took the helm in September 2024. His mandate is to oversee all operations and execution, a critical role for a company that has grown at a blistering pace through major acquisitions into a $7 billion behemoth.

"Bob is a transformational leader with deep expertise in the defense and federal markets," Schorer said in the official announcement. "His exceptional abilities to build high-performance teams, drive growth, and execute complex integrations make him the ideal president and COO for Peraton."

A Proven Growth Architect

Genter arrives at Peraton with a reputation forged over 25 years in the government contracting (GovCon) sector, most notably during his tenure as president of the Defense and Civilian Sector at rival SAIC. There, he managed a massive $4.8 billion portfolio and a workforce of approximately 16,000 people. His leadership was synonymous with securing landmark contracts that reshaped SAIC’s market position.

Among his most significant achievements were the capture of a $1.3 billion award for the Treasury’s T-Cloud transformation and the $1.2 billion Army Corps of Engineers Revolutionary Information Technology Services (RITS) program. These wins demonstrated an ability to compete for and win the largest and most complex digital modernization projects in the federal government.

Beyond organic growth, Genter proved his mettle in strategic expansion through mergers and acquisitions. He was a key figure in leading the successful acquisition and, crucially, the integration of both Unisys Federal and Halfaker. These two deals, valued at a combined total of nearly $1.5 billion, significantly expanded SAIC’s capabilities and customer base. This experience in post-merger integration is particularly relevant for Peraton, a company built largely through the consolidation of major assets.

His contributions to the industry have not gone unnoticed, earning him both the prestigious Fed100 and Wash100 awards, which recognize the most influential executives in the federal technology space.

Peraton’s Strategic Chessboard

Genter’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Peraton. Since its formation in 2017 from Harris Corporation's government IT services division, the company has pursued an aggressive growth strategy under its private equity owner, Veritas Capital. This culminated in 2021 with the back-to-back acquisitions of Northrop Grumman’s federal IT and mission support business for $3.4 billion and the blockbuster $7.1 billion purchase of Perspecta.

These moves catapulted Peraton into the top tier of government services providers, swelling its ranks to over 18,000 employees and creating a sprawling portfolio of contracts across every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and numerous federal agencies. The company now holds a significant backlog of high-value, long-term contracts, including a $2.69 billion award to optimize data centers for the Department of Homeland Security, a $2.25 billion contract for background investigation services for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), and a recent $889 million award to support U.S. Army Cyber Command.

Bringing in a COO with Genter’s specific skill set suggests Peraton is now entering a new phase. While the acquisition spree built scale, the focus now shifts to optimizing this vast enterprise, driving operational consistency, and ensuring the seamless execution of its mission-critical programs. Genter’s role will be to knit the disparate parts of this empire into a more cohesive and efficient whole, maximizing the value of its past investments.

“Peraton has a strong foundation of impressive capabilities, proven delivery models, and customer trust,” Genter stated. “I’m excited to continue building an exceptional leadership team, driving consistency in execution for our customers and across the enterprise, and leading Peraton to the next level of performance.”

Navigating a Hyper-Competitive Landscape

Genter is stepping into one of the most dynamic and competitive markets in the world. The national security and federal IT sector is being reshaped by rapid technological advancements and shifting geopolitical priorities. Key competitors like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Genter's former employer, SAIC, are all vying for dominance.

Market trends point toward a future defined by the integration of artificial intelligence into defense operations, the hardening of cybersecurity defenses under new frameworks like the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), and the increasing importance of space as a contested warfighting domain. Furthermore, the aerospace and defense M&A market is predicted to remain active, with companies pursuing strategic, technology-focused acquisitions to gain a competitive edge.

Peraton’s decision to hire an executive known for both operational discipline and strategic growth is a direct response to these market forces. His expertise will be vital as the company aims to not only deliver on its current promises but also to innovate and capture new opportunities in emerging fields like quantum computing, electronic warfare, and information analytics, which are central to the work done at its research arm, Peraton Labs.

This appointment is part of a broader leadership refresh under CEO Steve Schorer, who himself succeeded company founder Stu Shea less than two years ago. By installing a dedicated President and COO focused squarely on operations, Schorer is free to concentrate on long-term strategy, customer relationships, and the next major strategic moves for the company. As he steps into his new role, the industry will be watching to see how Genter's renowned operational discipline will steer the national security giant through its next chapter of integration and expansion.