Cherokee Federal Names Terri Malone Chief Growth Officer

VeteranGovConexecutive brings extensive operating and growth leadership experience

TULSA, Okla., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cherokee Federal, the federal contracting division of Cherokee Nation Businesses, today announced that veteran federal contracting executive Terri Malone has been named Chief Growth Officer, effective Oct. 12. 

Malone's appointment follows the recent naming of Tom Watson as President of Cherokee Federal and reflects the company's continued focus on competitive growth. Watson and Malone previously worked together at Serco, where Watson served as CEO of the company's $2 billion North American business and Malone led its growth organization. 

"Terri understands growth from both sides of the business: what it takes to build a disciplined pipeline and what it takes to deliver once you win," Watson said. "I've seen firsthand how she combines customer focus, sound judgment and a direct operating style. She knows how to identify the right opportunities, bring teams together around them, and compete and win. I'm very excited to have her as part of the Cherokee Federal executive leadership team." 

Malone will lead Cherokee Federal's enterprise growth strategy, including market intelligence, business development, capture, proposals and strategic market expansion. She will work closely with business and functional leaders to align growth priorities with customer needs and Cherokee Federal's capabilities. 

"What attracted me to Cherokee Federal is the combination of talented people, strong capabilities and a purpose that goes beyond the business itself," Malone said. "There is tremendous opportunity to build on those strengths, deepen customer relationships and bring our capabilities to new markets and missions across the federal government. I'm excited to work with Tom again and get to know the teams and customers across Cherokee Federal." 

Malone brings more than 25 years of federal contracting experience spanning growth, strategy, program management and operations. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer for Serco North America, where she led corporate growth strategy, business development, capture and proposals, market intelligence and mergers and acquisitions. 

Before Serco, Malone spent two decades at Northrop Grumman in positions of increasing responsibility across business development, strategy and operations, including operating responsibility for a $700 million business and business-development leadership across a $4 billion portfolio. 

Malone holds a Master of Business Administration from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Engineering from Southern Methodist University. 

Cherokee Federal is a top 100 federal contractor with more than 5,000 employees supporting over 60 federal agencies. Its success contributes directly to the economic strength of the Cherokee Nation and helps support essential services and long-term opportunity for more than 470,000 Cherokee citizens. 

About Cherokee Federal 
Cherokee Federal is the federal contracting division of Cherokee Nation Businesses — the economic engine of Cherokee Nation, the largest Native American tribe in the U.S. The mission of Cherokee Federal is to build a talented team that provides innovative solutions that solve America's greatest challenges and serves the Cherokee Nation with compassion and heart. For more information, please visit cherokee-federal.com or follow Cherokee Federal on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and YouTube. 

SOURCE Cherokee Federal