I’m a passionate leader who likes to take a step back to solve a complex client problem in a new way—or, better yet, uncover a problem the client didn’t even know it had.
I do this by analyzing data and leveraging it for good, surrounding myself with a strong group of leaders, and using Booz Allen’s consulting heritage to take a step back and find new opportunities.
We are leaders who respond to what our clients need, and wherever the market takes us, I believe we will adjust and lead.
Dennis Gibson leads the firm’s business in the Pacific Rim. Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, Dennis serves U.S. government clients in defense and civil agencies throughout the region including Guam, Singapore, Korea, Japan, and Alaska. He is responsible for providing clients with a wide range of services across all of the firm's capabilities including technology, analytics, strategy and organization, and engineering and operations.
Prior to his career at the firm, Dennis served 24 years in the U.S. military. He then took on the role of vice president for program management and government business development for a small IT company. He has served as a consultant to the Army Science Board, participating in several key summer studies. He currently serves as a board member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association international.
Dennis also served on the National Guard Bureau Wargame Team, National Guard Pathways to the Future, and Revolution in Military Affairs. Additionally, he served on the United States Military Academy Selection Committee for U.S. Senator Rick Santorum from 1999-2004.
Dennis holds a B.S. in business management from Thomas Edison State College.
What makes you passionate about your work at Booz Allen? I like solving clients’ problems and identifying what they need. In our approach we ask questions and learn what they might need that they didn’t even realize. My passion is using the whole firm, those 26,300 people, who can solve a foundational challenge the client faces. We do that differently than other organizations.
Why is Booz Allen a great place for you to work? I love Booz Allen because of the people. We have some of the best people in this industry. They are not only passionate about what they do, but they are also excited about solving client issues in a different way. The culture and the leadership here encourage us to build as a firm, instead of separate set of groups that compete. We have a team culture.
Where do you see Booz Allen in next 100 years? Even though we are different than 100 years ago, the thread of Booz Allen is the culture that exists now. We engage with our clients; it’s about them. Even with products and services evolving, the engagement with clients is different because we understand their needs. Our consulting history gives us that foundation.
What are the most pressing needs of clients? Our clients have access to a huge amount of data, just like we do in our personal lives through our phones, TVs, and social media. Through all these electronic sources, we will need to make the transition as a society to leverage that data for good. Booz Allen is at the top of the game for understanding this data, including using, controlling, and understanding the risks of data. We can help our clients exploit data for positive perspectives and communicating. We can also help them understand the safety and risk issues of data; those issues will not go away.
How do you motivate your team? I try to be an inspiring leader. We have a lot of great people, doing great things, for great clients. I try to push both our clients and our team to step back and think differently. It drive us tactically to approach a day-to-day problem different. Stepping back can help you realize what you want to do and what you don’t want to do. It shows us opportunities. Booz Allen gives us the opportunity to move around and find what inspires us. I try to use the culture to inspire people to see the big picture and think about themselves and how they fit in. You can change and evolve here.
What’s the best business advice you’ve received? Build a strong second team of leaders, don’t try to do everything myself.
What advice would you give yourself as a young professional? I would have cultivated more mentors to help me learn as a young professional. I would have stepped back to reflect on where I am and what I’m doing with my leadership style and my choices. I would have gained perspective and searched for advice instead of pushing forward. Reflection is important.
What was your first job? I worked on a farm in the northeast.
What is something you feel nostalgic for? I spent a lot of time outside as a child in the country. I feel nostalgic about Mother Nature.
What are your strongest character traits? I try to inspire and build effective teams.
What is an invention you wish you’d thought of? I wish I had invented the device that mounts your phone in your car, before wireless Bluetooth.
What can we do to be happier in life? Embrace your passion. Actually engage in it and make it part of your life. Music, family, poetry, whatever your passion is—make it a part of your life.
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