Tulsa, Okla. – October 06, 2026 -- Cherokee Federal, the federal contracting division of Cherokee Nation Businesses, has appointed veteran federal contracting executive Terri Malone as Chief Growth Officer, effective Oct. 12.

Malone joins a top 100 federal contractor with more than 5,000 employees and 60-plus agency clients

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

Malone reunites with President Tom Watson after prior leadership roles at Serco's $2 billion North American unit

Her appointment follows the recent naming of Tom Watson as President of Cherokee Federal. The two previously worked together at Serco, where Watson served as CEO of the company's $2 billion North American business while Malone led its growth organization as Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer, managing corporate growth strategy, business development, capture, proposals, market intelligence and mergers and acquisitions.

Malone's 25-year track record includes operating responsibility for a $700 million Northrop Grumman business unit

Before Serco, Malone spent two decades at Northrop Grumman, holding positions across business development, strategy and operations, including operating responsibility for a $700 million business and business-development leadership across a $4 billion portfolio. She holds an MBA from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Engineering from Southern Methodist University.

Watson said Malone combines customer focus, sound judgment and a direct operating style, noting her ability to identify opportunities and build teams to compete and win.