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Ex-Marine Frank Brady took his IT savvy to Booz Allen Hamilton
Brady is a senior associate. He works with government clients: Marine and Navy CIO offices and the Marine Corps logistics modernization project
 After serving twenty-two years in the Marine Corps, Frank Brady retired in 2004 and joined strategy and technology consultants Booz Allen Hamilton (McLean, VA). The work he did in his last assignment at Marine HQ is similar to what he’s doing now as a senior associate.
“Many of the problems and solutions I see at Booz Allen are like what I saw in the service,” he says. “But at Booz Allen I’ve focused a lot more on the analytical framework that should be in place before making these decisions. I think that’s what allows Booz Allen to provide better solutions to its clients.”
Brady works with government clients like Marine and Navy CIO offices, and the Marine Corps logistics modernization program. “We do a lot of work in the area of IT strategy,” Brady explains. “We design information architecture to support business and war-fighting processes, and help clients make well-informed decisions about investing in IT and providing the most capability to the warfighter.”
Brady has a 1982 degree in history from Minnesota State University and a 2002 MIS from Webster University (St. Louis, MO).
Translating to the civilian world
He oversees about thirty people in his civilian job. In the military he led teams of various sizes, sometimes as many as 150 marines at a time. He spent three years as an infantry officer before he was assigned to communications and IT.
“I believe there is very little difference between leading marines and leading civilians,” he says. “There are some fundamental leadership principles that apply universally: integrity, taking care of people, knowing your people and the strengths they bring, and setting a personal example. People in or out of the military respond well to these principles.”
As a manager at Booz Allen, “In general I like to remain relatively low key,” he says.
“I think it is critical for a good leader to be continually planning, developing ideas and clearly communicating them. Nothing happens without excellent communication and cooperation.”
As a manager, he thinks it’s important to let people contribute at all levels so they feel invested in the planning. “I also think it’s critical for the leader to set high standards and hold people accountable for meeting them.”
Veteran perspective is valued at Booz
Military veterans at Booz Allen are valued for their specific skills, of course, but also for their understanding of the company’s government clients. About thirty percent of company employees are veterans; the company’s vets’ affinity group, the Armed Services Forum, has more than 1,500 members.
The group maintains contact with veterans’ organizations, and also helps current National Guard members and reservists who are working at Booz Allen. It makes sure they have the support they need as they transition on and off active duty. “Much of the work we do is very technical and requires hard skills that many veterans may not have,” Brady notes. “I think we work best with a very diverse team, including vets and non-vets and technical people from many backgrounds.”
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