GovExec CEO Tim Hartman Stepped Down After 12 Years
The media firm has appointed former Atheneum and Dodge Construction Network CEO Dan McCarthy to lead its next growth phase.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Does a change in CEO make you less confident in a company's future direction?
Tim Hartman has concluded his 12-year tenure as CEO of GovExec, capping a 25-year career with the company and its former parent, Atlantic Media. Dan McCarthy, a former journalist who previously led Atheneum and Dodge Construction Network, has been appointed as his successor.
Why it matters
Hartman leaves behind a firm that experienced a fivefold increase in growth under his leadership, driven by a strategy of aggressive consolidation. The change signals a potential shift in focus as the company moves into its next expansion phase following its 2020 spinoff from Atlantic Media.
Hartman led 14 acquisitions during his 12-year tenure as CEO, contributing to a fivefold increase in total growth. His departure follows a 25-year career split between GovExec and its former parent organization, Atlantic Media.
The players
Tim Hartman
The outgoing CEO who led the firm for 12 years and presided over 14 acquisitions.
Dan McCarthy
The incoming CEO who previously served as the chief executive of Atheneum and Dodge Construction Network.
GovExec
A media and data company focused on the government sector that spun off from Atlantic Media in 2020.
The details
Hartman successfully guided the company through a significant structural evolution, including its 2020 separation from Atlantic Media to operate as an independent entity. Following his resignation, he will transition into a senior advisory role to assist with the leadership handoff. McCarthy steps into the CEO role with experience leading data and information businesses, including his recent tenures at Atheneum and Dodge Construction Network.
Timeline
2020: GovExec spun off from Atlantic Media.
October 13, 2026: Tim Hartman stepped down as CEO.
Market Landscape
This leadership change marks the first major executive transition for the firm since the 2020 GovExec spinoff from Atlantic Media. The move signifies a shift for the company as it looks to build upon the fivefold growth achieved under its previous decade-long management cycle.
Owners should monitor whether the incoming leadership maintains the aggressive acquisition-led growth strategy that defined the previous 12-year period. Operators should evaluate whether their existing vendor relationships with the firm require re-engagement as the new CEO settles into the role.
The takeaway
Large-scale organizational growth through M&A often necessitates a leadership shift once the integration phase matures. Operators planning similar expansion cycles should prepare their succession plans to ensure continuity when the growth strategy moves into its next iteration.
Further reading
For more on shifts in the local executive landscape, visit People.
Live Poll
Does a change in CEO make you less confident in a company's future direction?
