When I interned with Booz Allen in college, I noticed something great about our firm.
I could just pick up the phone and call anyone within Booz Allen and leverage any resource for my client. No other contractor could do that.
The caliber of people on the other end of those calls has helped keep me at the firm for three decades, where I’ve served the Navy/Marine Corps market and helped improve their readiness and workforce.
Dottie Simeona is the senior leader of Booz Allen’s Navy and Marine Corps (NMC) team and serves as its digital solutions lead.
As the lead for the firm’s Naval Air and Naval Sea Warfare Center businesses, she’s responsible for a market strategy execution supported by over 400 professionals whose specializations include business analytics, engineering, program management, consulting, and software development.
Dottie’s 30 years with Booz Allen include 29 in program management, and two decades in information assurance (IA). Her efforts have been instrumental to the growth and development of the firm’s NAVAIR work, and the expansion of its NMC Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance business.
Since joining Booz Allen in 1987, she has provided leadership in a breadth of areas that include public key infrastructure disaster recovery, requirements management, configuration management, process improvement, unmanned systems development, and video analytics. Now she is concentrating the firm’s offerings in cyber warfare, unmanned aircraft systems full-motion video exploitation, and digital interoperability in the battle space.
Dottie was recognized by the Margaret Brent Chapter of Business and Professional Women as Woman of the Year in 2000 for her leadership and support of women in business. She has been president of the Southern Maryland chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association since 2005 and served on the AFCEA National Board of Directors.
Dottie’s long history of participation in firmwide initiatives includes leading the Lexington Park office’s associate forum, the women’s advisory board, and the IA working group, as well as chairing the senior associate leadership forum.
She holds a B.A. in economics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
It’s increasingly rare for people to stay with a company their whole career. Why have you stayed at Booz Allen instead of hopping around? I’ve had many opportunities to leave—people coming to me to recruit. When I balanced what was offered against what I already had, it was the people at Booz Allen. There is no place that can match the caliber of the people I get to work with on a regular basis.
What are a few of the highlights from your career? We lost a contract, and were able to keep every single person within Booz Allen; none of them wanted to leave to go to the other company. Several years later, we bid on the work and got it back. When we walked in the door, another contractor saw us and said, “Oh my God, I’m so glad Booz Allen’s back!” The client added that they will never be without Booz Allen again.
How do you help your clients prepare for the future? When the firm starts talking about innovation and investments, we start having those conversations with our clients and preparing them for taking the next step. What does the future look like for warfighters? How do they need to think differently? What kind of resources do they need?
How do you stay on top during a market downturn? Maintain the caliber of delivery. Forecast when you’re coming out of the downturn and develop a rebound.
What are your three tips for managing and motivating people? Be connected. Be open. Be genuine.
What keeps you awake at night? Our clients’ challenges.
What mentorship advice would you give someone who just took on a new leadership position? Be open to advice and seek suggestions from multiple sources.
What is the best business advice you’ve gotten in your career? Don’t worry about the stuff you cannot change.
What’s the best piece of general advice you’ve received? Use your network!
What were you like in high school? I was the girl next-door; I did extracurricular activities for the government association and participated in different clubs.
What was your very first job? I was a busboy, er, a busgirl. It was in a family restaurant owned and operated by my godfather.
What’s one thing you always have with you? Besides my phone? My Starbucks card!
If you could go back in time and give yourself advice as a young professional, what would you say? Be more aware of your surroundings. Notice the details. Never stop growing your network.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? A veterinarian.
What’s your favorite book? The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. It is phenomenal. I went through a whole box of tissues, but it was SO worth it. I also loved The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
What is your favorite vacation or travel spot? Sailing in the British Virgin Islands.
What would you say is your strongest character trait? Trustworthiness.
What motivates you? Wanting to prove myself; wanting to make sure I’m not stagnant. Being challenged.
What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far? The ability to lead the Lexington Park office and the NAVAIR business at Booz Allen. I’m very proud of that accomplishment.
What do you think people can do to be happier? Don’t sweat the small stuff, and have a little more faith in people.
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