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The Men and Women of Robbins-Gioia Mourn the Passing and Celebrate the Life of the Firm’s Co-founder, John Gioia
December 31, 2008, Alexandria, VA—It is with sadness that we inform you of the death of our firm’s co-founder, John Gioia. John died in New York on December 26 after battling cancer. He was 76. John leaves his wife, Patty; son, Eric, and daughter-in-law, Piper; and three grandchildren, as well as other family members and many friends.
When John and Jack Robbins founded R-G in 1980, a firm devoted entirely to outsourcing program management was unheard of. However, the two retired Air Force officers saw a need to bring increased efficiencies to government projects by pioneering a new concept today known as project and program management consulting. From humble beginnings with just 8 associates working out of John’s house, Robbins-Gioia grew to a peak of more than 700 associates supporting clients across North America and around the globe spanning the government and manufacturing, financial services, and telecommunications, as well as other industries.
John retired as R-G’s CEO in December 2002. His vision, which guides our company still, was to do everything possible to “Make Our Customers Successful.” He made this vision a reality by pioneering the development of program management structures, processes, tools, and training—and transferring this knowledge in the form of solid, repeatable processes that our clients could build on. During John’s tenure, R-G’s revenue grew to $100 million solely through internal growth. Under John’s leadership, the firm implemented major complex systems for customers on time, on budget, and on target. After his retirement, John served as chairman of Robbins-Gioia’s board of directors.
Before founding Robbins-Gioia, John served as deputy director of the Automated Data Processing Policy and Acquisition for Headquarters, U.S. Air Force. Prior to that position, he was program manager for the Air Force’s Phase IV program, the first U.S. government billion-dollar information technology program. In that capacity, he introduced and established innovative and effective management processes in the development of systems for the federal government. John devised the organizational structure, acquisition strategy, control processes, and test scenarios for the program. In previous assignments, John optimized a range of IT applications to build many successful process improvement systems. Before that, he was a command and instructor pilot in the U.S. Air Force, with more than 6,000 flying hours.
John held a graduate degree in mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh and was a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Defense Systems Management College. He retired as a colonel from the Air Force after 25 years of service. He received numerous awards from industry and government. In 1997, he had the singular honor of receiving the Eagle Award in industry for the Federal 100 Awards.
John was a trustee of Marymount University and chaired the university’s School Of Business advisory board. He was a member of the executive committee of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, formerly serving as president of its Washington chapter. John was vice chairman of the board of directors, USO of Metropolitan Washington, and chaired its dinner committee. He previously served as chairman of the Inter-Agency Committee for ADP; Chairman of the Joint Policy Committee for the Federal Computer Performance Evaluation/Simulation Center; associate member of the Science Board of Telecommunications and ADP, National Academy of Sciences; and member of the Governor’s Commission on Information Technology.
John Gioia’s legacy is part of the fabric of this company. He was a spirited industry pioneer and a resolute business leader who built a firm of enduring value for this country. Hence, it’s fitting that as we look back at John’s significant life, we consider the many virtues that he imbued in the firm—the power of ideas and initiative, integrity and honor, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Each of us honors John every day by continuing to deliver the exceptional service Robbins-Gioia is known for.
John Gioia’s larger-than-life personality was topped only by his big heart. His remarkable deeds and accomplishments have touched all of our lives. We are truly saddened by his loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to Patty Gioia and all the Gioia family.
Viewing and service dates, times, and locations
The viewing and chapel service for John Gioia will be held at the Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, Va., 703-549-0074.
Dates and times are:
Friday, January 2, 2009: Viewing, 6–8 pm
Saturday, January 3, 2009: Viewing, 10 am–noon.
A chapel service follows at noon at the same location.
Burial services and interment will be performed at the Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, January 26, at 11 am.
Donations
The Gioia family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to USO-Metro.
You can donate online at www.usometrodc.org by selecting Donate from the menu. You will be able to specify that your donation is in memory of John Gioia.
You can also mail your donation to:
USO-Metro
P.O. Box 1710
Fort Myer, VA 22211
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