Dr. Ernst Volgenau, chairman, founder and former CEO of Fairfax, Va.-based SRA International, will receive a Hall of Fame award at the Greater Washington Government Contracting Awards, set to take place November 7 in Tysons, Va.

He stepped down from his chief executive role in 2005 after founding the company in 1978 and serving in its top leadership spot for 26 years.

In 2011, SRA was sold to private Equity firm Providence Equity Partners for $1.88 billion.

“We believe in the merits of this transaction, which serves the best interests of our shareholders, as well as those of our 7,300 employees and more than 1,400 contracts with customers,” Dr. Volgenau said after the deal.

Dr. Volgenau still serves as chairman of the company’s board of directors.

Before he became a successful businessman, Dr. Volgenau served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years where he helped develop satellites and space boosters.

His government roles includ being a team leader in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, a director of data automation for the Air Force Logistics Command and a director of inspection and enforcement for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Dr. Volgenau received a Ph.D. in engineering from UCLA and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.