Parsons Names John Martinez as the Company’s Next Chief Legal Officer
Rhea-AI Summary
Parsons (NYSE:PSN) named John Martinez as its next chief legal officer, effective February 16, 2026. Martinez brings more than 25 years of legal and executive experience across public and private sectors, including prior roles as chief legal officer at Maximus, vice president and general counsel at GE Aerospace, and senior legal roles at Raytheon subsidiaries. He previously served in senior roles in the U.S. Intelligence Community and began as an assistant district attorney.
Current CLO Mike Kolloway notified the company of his intent to retire in Q2 2026 and will remain as an advisor to support a seamless transition; Kolloway has been with Parsons since 2016 and led the company through its IPO and 16 consecutive years on Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies list.
Positive
- New CLO effective Feb 16, 2026
- John Martinez brings >25 years legal experience
- Planned advisor overlap with outgoing CLO through Q2 2026
- Continuity from Kolloway who led IPO and 16-year Ethisphere recognition
Negative
- Leadership transition timing occurs during Q2 2026, creating near-term transition risk
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, PSN gained 1.37%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
While PSN was down 2.42%, most close peers like EPAM, KD, G, and EXLS showed modest gains between 0.38% and 1.48%, with only GDS notably lower at -3.36%. This points to stock-specific pressure rather than a broad sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 10 | Defense contract award | Positive | +2.9% | Award of $88M task order expanding ABAD contract value in 2025. |
| Dec 08 | Industry recognition | Positive | -5.2% | TraCSS program wins 2025 SpaceNews Icon Award for civil space. |
| Dec 05 | Infrastructure project win | Positive | -5.2% | Selected as lead designer for $441M I-70 reconstruction project. |
| Dec 05 | Transit MATOC selection | Positive | -5.2% | Secured position on Sound Transit MATOC with $1B ceiling. |
| Dec 05 | Conference appearance | Neutral | -21.1% | CEO scheduled for fireside chat at Raymond James TMT conference. |
Recent history shows PSN often trading lower after positive contract or award news, with only one of four clearly positive events followed by a gain.
Over the past months, Parsons reported several sizable wins and milestones, including an $88 million task order for Air Base Air Defense, expanding 2025 ABAD value to $192 million, and participation in a $1 billion Sound Transit MATOC tied to a $60 billion capital program. It was also chosen as lead designer for a $441 million I‑70 project and highlighted industry recognition for TraCSS. Despite these positives, share reactions were often negative, framing today’s CLO transition within a backdrop of contract momentum but weak stock performance.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details a planned transition in Parsons’ top legal role, with a new CLO effective February 16, 2026 and the current CLO advising through retirement in Q2 2026. The incoming executive brings more than 25 years of legal and C‑suite experience, while the outgoing CLO is credited with helping secure ethics recognition for 16 consecutive years. Investors may watch future disclosures and governance updates to gauge how this transition supports compliance and strategic execution.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
CHANTILLY, Va., Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parsons Corporation (NYSE:PSN) has named proven executive and legal expert John Martinez as the company’s next chief legal officer (CLO), effective February 16, 2026. The announcement follows the notification by current CLO Mike Kolloway to Parsons’ CEO and board of directors of his intent to retire in the second quarter of 2026; Kolloway will remain with the company as an advisor until his retirement to ensure a seamless transition.
“John Martinez is one of the most proven and skilled legal officers in our industry, bringing a unique depth of experience in the public and private sectors and a mission-focused approach to Parsons,” said Carey Smith, Parsons’ chair, president, and chief executive officer. “His focus on growth, understanding of our customers and operating environment, and public company experience will play a central role in the continued success of our legal and contracts organization and our company. I look forward to welcoming him to Parsons.”
Martinez has more than 25 years of legal experience and a track record of executive and C-suite leadership. He previously served as chief legal officer and corporate secretary for Maximus, Inc., as vice president and general counsel for GE Aerospace, and in successive legal roles with Raytheon Technologies subsidiaries, including serving as vice president and general counsel for Raytheon Intelligence and Space and vice president and general counsel for Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services. Prior to his corporate experience, Martinez served in senior executive roles in the U.S. Intelligence Community with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency. He began his legal career as an assistant district attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and as a litigator at Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
“I am thrilled and honored to be joining such a world-renowned team, which is mission-focused and well aligned with my prior public service and corporate experience,” said Martinez. “I look forward to supporting Parsons’ ethical culture and the continued success of the company.”
Martinez succeeds Mike Kolloway, who joined Parsons in 2016 as vice president and deputy general counsel – Americas, and was named CLO in 2017. Kolloway has played a lasting role in the success of the company, steadfastly guiding Parsons’ growth and transformation, including its initial public offering and leading the company to being named one of Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies for 16 consecutive years. Throughout his tenure, Kolloway continuously assumed more responsibility and evolved his organization into one that supports legal, contracts, ethics, trade compliance, and insurance.
“Mike Kolloway has made an outsized impact on Parsons Corporation over the last decade,” said Smith. “A strategic advisor, legal expert, and strategic business partner, Mike’s counsel has shaped who we are and how we operate. His leadership has underpinned our program execution, business growth, global legal operations, and our commitment to ethics, and his impact will continue to play a central role in our success for decades to come.”
About Parsons
Parsons (NYSE: PSN) is a leading disruptive technology provider in the national security and global infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cyber and electronic warfare, space and missile defense, transportation, water and environment, urban development, and critical infrastructure protection. Please visit Parsons.com and follow us on LinkedIn to learn how we’re making an impact.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs and assumptions, and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks, changes in circumstances, trends, and factors that are difficult to predict, many of which are outside of our control. Accordingly, actual performance, results, and events may vary materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, and you should not rely on the forward-looking statements as predictions of future performance, results, or events. Numerous factors could cause actual future performance, results and events to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, including, among others: any issue that compromises our relationships with the U.S. federal government or its agencies or other state, local, or foreign governments or agencies; any issues that damage our professional reputation; changes in governmental priorities that shift expenditures away from agencies or programs that we support; our dependence on long-term government contracts, which are subject to the government’s budgetary approval process; the size of our addressable markets and the amount of government spending on private contractors; failure by us or our employees to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances or certifications; failure to comply with numerous laws and regulations; changes in government procurement, contract or other practices or the adoption by governments of new laws, rules, regulations, and programs in a manner adverse to us; the termination or nonrenewal of our government contracts, particularly our contracts with the U.S. federal government; our ability to compete effectively in the competitive bidding process and delays, contract terminations, or cancellations caused by competitors’ protests of major contract awards received by us; our ability to generate revenue under certain of our contracts; any inability to attract, train, or retain employees with the requisite skills, experience, and security clearances; the loss of members of senior management or failure to develop new leaders; misconduct or other improper activities from our employees or subcontractors; our ability to realize the full value of our backlog and the timing of our receipt of revenue under contracts included in backlog; changes in the mix of our contracts and our ability to accurately estimate or otherwise recover expenses, time and resources for our contracts; changes in estimates used in recognizing revenue; internal system or service failures and security breaches; and inherent uncertainties and potential adverse developments in legal proceedings, including litigation, audits, reviews, and investigations, which may result in materially adverse judgments, settlements, or other unfavorable outcomes. These factors are not exhaustive and additional factors could adversely affect our business and financial performance. For a discussion of additional factors that could materially adversely affect our business and financial performance, see the factors included under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and speak only as of the date on which they are made. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement made in this presentation that becomes untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise, except to the extent we are required to do so in connection with our ongoing requirements under federal securities laws.
Media Contact:
Bryce McDevitt
+1.703.851.4425
Bryce.McDevitt@parsons.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Dave Spille
+ 1.571.655.8264
Dave.Spille@parsons.com
FAQ
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