De Lune Corp President Gaddafi Ismail Named 2025 GovCon Leader of the Year by Washington Business Journal
De Lune Corp is proud to announce that its Founder and President, Gaddafi Ismail, has been named the 2025 GovCon Leader of the Year by the Washington Business Journal (WBJ). Selected from a highly competitive pool of nominees by the WBJ newsroom, the award honors Ismail’s outstanding leadership and strategic vision in a year that has tested even the most seasoned government contractors.
The award will be presented on December 4, 2025, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., during the Journal’s annual CEO of the Year Awards, which celebrates the region’s most accomplished business leaders.
Defining Leadership in a Challenging Year
The year 2025 has been one of the most challenging in recent memory for the federal contracting community. Sweeping policy changes and agency restructuring have brought federal procurement to a near standstill, creating uncertainty across the industry. Nowhere has this impact been felt more than in the Washington metropolitan region, home to some of the biggest and brightest in the government contracting ecosystem, where billions of federal dollars are fiercely contested each year.
In this high-stakes environment, Ismail’s leadership has stood apart. Rather than scaling back in the face of contracting freezes and agency disruptions, he chose a different path: Maintaining his full workforce, sustaining capture and proposal operations, and even helping federal partners move forward by drafting white papers and proposed solicitations to accelerate stalled processes. His approach reflected a philosophy deeply rooted in service—a belief that leadership is about showing up for partners even when the system pauses.
“This recognition is not about me. It’s about the people who continue to believe in our mission when it would be easier to give up,” said Ismail. “This year has tested every contractor’s strength and creativity. Our team stayed committed, agile, and driven by purpose, and that’s what makes this recognition truly meaningful.”
Navigating Complexity with Tenacity and Vision
Under Ismail’s guidance, De Lune Corp has not only weathered the turbulence of 2025 but continued to grow and evolve. Recognizing the volatility of the federal landscape, Ismail led the company in repositioning its solutions to meet emerging national priorities. The company’s joint ventures, including Cyber Intelligence Alliance (CIA) and DLSA Tech, have enabled it to deliver mission-critical solutions in IT, security, and data-driven innovation.
Meanwhile, the company’s Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) vertical, in partnership with AdvancedMD, has expanded into a full-service offering that integrates electronic health records (EHR) and billing solutions, supporting healthcare providers across the United States. De Lune Corp’s Agribusiness and Logistics divisions have remained equally robust, continuing to deliver food aid, support U.S. producers, and advocate for American supply chains even as international trade pressures and tariff changes challenge the sector.
“What makes Gaddafi an exceptional leader is his ability to turn disruption into direction,” said Shahina Zahir Ismail, Vice President/Chief Legal Officer at De Lune Corp. “In a year where so many companies were forced to retreat, he advanced—exploring new markets, innovating across verticals, and keeping every member of our team motivated and informed. He doesn’t just talk about resilience; he lives it.”
A Culture of Resilience, Responsibility, and Care
From its humble beginnings in the basement of Ismail’s Virginia home in 2016 to becoming one of the region’s most trusted and agile 8(a)-certified contractors, De Lune Corp’s growth story reflects his unwavering belief in mission-driven business. The company has executed over 300 prime contracts, all while staying true to its founding values of excellence, agility, and community impact. The company earned ISO 9001, ISO 20000, and ISO 27001 certifications and obtained Secret Facility Clearance.
Guided by Ismail, De Lune Corp continues to integrate social responsibility into its operations through its flagship initiative, Sharing the Love, which supported 1,000 food-insecure families across the DMV region in 2024 and continues to grow annually. Internationally, Ismail’s philanthropic work includes the Riaz Ismail Scholarship Fund and the Faika & Hamdoon Endowment for the Restoration of Sight, which provides financial scholarships to high school students in need and funds cataract surgeries and free eye camps, respectively, in Sri Lanka.
“The strength of a company lies not only in its contracts, but in its conscience,” said Ismail. “We’re proud of what we build, but even prouder of the people we uplift, from farmers and truckers here in the U.S. to families and communities abroad.”
Washington Business Journal announces 2025 CEO of the Year awards - Washington Business Journal
https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/event/171411/2025/2025-ceo-of-the-year-awards