NTT DATA Appoints Horace Blackman as President of Federal Business to Drive AI-Enabled Mission Modernisation
AI / Machine Learning | 3 min read
NTT DATA (a global leader in AI, digital business, and technology services), has announced the appointment of Horace Blackman as President of NTT DATA Federal. Based in Washington, DC, Blackman will lead strategy and growth across government sectors and manage a multi-billion-dollar P&L — with a mandate focused on strategic growth initiatives, client delivery excellence, secure cloud modernisation, AI-enabled mission solutions, and digital transformation capabilities for defence, civilian, and health agencies. Blackman brings more than 20 years of experience driving digital transformation, modernising mission-critical systems, and advancing strategic growth across the federal marketplace.
"Horace's deep expertise and mission-first mindset are exactly what agencies need as they modernise at speed. His proven ability to deliver innovative services across defence, civilian and health agencies strengthens our position as a trusted partner. We're confident that under his leadership, NTT DATA Federal will drive innovation, enhance client outcomes and continue delivering reliable solutions for government agencies."
— John Hillen, Chairman, NTT DATA Federal Board of Directors
Horace Blackman — From CGI Federal and the VA to Leading NTT DATA's Federal Practice
Most recently, Blackman served as Senior Vice President and Business Unit Leader at CGI Federal — spending six years leading the Defence, Intelligence, and Space Business Unit, overseeing strategy development and the delivery of advanced IT solutions to national security clients. Before that, he held leadership roles at Cognizant (VP), Leidos, and Lockheed Martin (VP) — as well as early career work at Edifecs. Critically, Blackman also held leadership roles at the US Department of Veterans Affairs, where he helped modernise healthcare and benefits delivery systems — giving him direct client-side experience of the very mission-critical modernisation challenges NTT DATA Federal's customers face. He is a Federal Computer Week Federal 100 Award recipient and a three-time FedHealthIT100 honoree. He serves on the George Mason University Board of Visitors, where he formerly served as Rector.
"I am honoured to join NTT DATA's Federal business at such a pivotal time for federal modernisation. Throughout my career, I've seen the profound impact that smart, secure, mission-aligned technology can have on agencies and the people they serve. I look forward to working with this exceptional team to deepen our partnerships, advance innovation and help our clients achieve meaningful mission outcomes."
— Horace Blackman, President, NTT DATA Federal
Key Takeaways
- • NTT DATA (global leader in AI, digital business and technology services; Chairman NTT DATA Federal Board of Directors: John Hillen) has appointed Horace Blackman as President of NTT DATA Federal — announced 21 April 2026. Washington, DC-based. Leads strategy and growth across government sectors and manages a multi-billion-dollar P&L. Mandate: strategic growth initiatives, client delivery excellence, secure cloud modernisation, AI-enabled mission solutions, and digital transformation capabilities for defence, civilian, and health agencies.
- • Horace Blackman's background: 20+ years driving digital transformation, modernising mission-critical systems, and advancing strategic growth across the federal marketplace. Most recently: SVP and Business Unit Leader at CGI Federal — six years leading the Defence, Intelligence, and Space Business Unit; strategy development and delivery of advanced IT solutions to national security clients. Prior leadership roles at Cognizant (VP), Leidos, Lockheed Martin (VP), and Edifecs. Early career at the US Department of Veterans Affairs — modernised healthcare and benefits delivery systems, providing direct client-side federal modernisation experience.
- • Recognition and governance: Federal Computer Week Federal 100 Award recipient. Three-time FedHealthIT100 honoree. George Mason University Board of Visitors member — formerly served as Rector. His career spans both public and private sectors, including early work advancing digital services and enterprise modernisation efforts. Widely recognised for his impact on federal IT transformation across defence, civilian, and health agency domains.
- • NTT DATA Federal mandate: Blackman will lead strategic growth initiatives with a focus on elevating client delivery excellence and ensuring agencies receive secure cloud modernisation, AI-enabled mission solutions, and digital transformation capabilities that drive proven mission results. As federal agencies continue to prioritise digital modernisation, Blackman's appointment is designed to position NTT DATA Federal as the trusted partner for mission-centred AI and cloud transformation across defence, civilian, and health agencies.
- • Strategic context: the appointment comes as US federal agencies face accelerating pressure to modernise legacy IT infrastructure, adopt cloud at scale, and integrate AI into mission-critical systems — while maintaining the security and compliance requirements that distinguish federal IT from commercial enterprise. Blackman's dual background — private sector (CGI Federal/Cognizant/Leidos/Lockheed Martin) and public sector (Department of Veterans Affairs) — gives him direct experience of both sides of the mission-technology relationship. His six years leading CGI Federal's Defence, Intelligence, and Space business unit directly maps to the complex, multi-stakeholder federal IT environment NTT DATA Federal serves.