Leadership movement across the national security sector picked up again this week, with new faces stepping into roles tied to naval research, federal technology, munitions production, advanced communications, and autonomous aviation.
The common thread is execution. Several organizations are turning to leaders with experience managing complex programs, scaling technical operations, and translating government priorities into capabilities that can reach the field.
Here is who is in, who is moving up, and who is worth watching.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
This week’s federal leadership moves put technology delivery at the center. The Navy elevated a longtime research leader, while TSA promoted an executive with more than two decades of experience supporting the agency’s technology operations.
Dr. Thomas C. Fu , Office of Naval Research
New role: Performing the duties of Chief of Naval Research
Previously: Executive Director and Chief Scientist, Office of Naval Research
The Navy has selected Dr. Thomas C. Fu to lead the Office of Naval Research, where he will oversee science and technology programs supporting the Navy and Marine Corps. He succeeds Dr. Rachel Riley, who is moving to another position within the Department of the Navy.
Fu brings continuity to the organization at a time when the military services are under pressure to move promising technologies from research into operational use more quickly. His background includes work in undersea weapons, ship-platform technology, acoustic stealth, propulsion efficiency, autonomy, and platform survivability.
Fu previously served as ONR’s executive director and chief scientist, making this an internal elevation of someone already familiar with the organization’s research portfolio and technology-transition challenges.
David Earle, Transportation Security Administration
New role: Deputy Chief Information Officer
Previously: Executive Director of IT Operations, TSA
David Earle has been promoted to deputy chief information officer at the Transportation Security Administration, continuing a federal career that began at the agency in 2002.
Earle has held several technology leadership positions at TSA, including responsibility for end-user services, IT business management, field support, and technology operations. That institutional knowledge will matter as TSA modernizes the systems supporting airport security, identity management, employee operations, and passenger screening.
NATSEC CONTRACTORS
Contractors are putting seasoned operators in charge of growth, program delivery, and production. The moves range from a major North American CEO transition to new leadership for facilities responsible for producing critical military munitions.
Barbara Supplee, Serco North America
New role: Chief Executive Officer
Previously: Executive Vice President, Army Navy Business Group at SAIC
Serco has named Barbara Supplee CEO of its North American business, effective September 28. She succeeds Michael LaRouche and will oversee an organization with approximately 10,000 employees, more than 700 active contracts, and over $2 billion in annual revenue.
Supplee most recently led SAIC’s Army Navy Business Group, overseeing programs supporting the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. She previously held senior positions at GDIT, CACI, and BAE Systems, and earlier served at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and as a Navy intelligence specialist.
Her appointment gives Serco a leader with experience spanning intelligence, engineering, business development, and large defense portfolios. That mix aligns with Serco’s work in autonomy, command and control, systems integration, and modernization.
Joshua “Josh” Walsh, American Ordnance
New role: President
Previously: Aerospace and defense operations executive
Day & Zimmermann has selected Joshua “Josh” Walsh to lead American Ordnance and its operations at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant and Milan Army Ammunition Plant in Tennessee.
Walsh brings more than 30 years of military and defense-industry leadership. His private-sector experience includes responsibility for engineering, manufacturing, program execution, business development, and profit-and-loss performance. He also served more than 21 years as an Army officer, including assignments in the Army Acquisition Corps.
The appointment is notable because American Ordnance operates government-owned facilities that produce mortars, artillery projectiles, grenades, propellant systems, and other energetic components. Walsh is stepping into the role as the Army continues working to strengthen and expand the munitions industrial base.
Ryan Rohr, Lentech
New role: Chief Growth Officer
Previously: Chief Strategy Officer, Thomson Reuters Special Services
Lentech has appointed Ryan Rohr as its chief growth officer, giving him responsibility for the employee-owned contractor’s broader federal growth strategy, customer relationships, and strategic partnerships.
Rohr brings 19 years of experience in business development, capture, operations, and strategy across defense, intelligence, and civilian markets. He previously held leadership positions at Empower AI and ASRC Federal in addition to his most recent role at Thomson Reuters Special Services.
Lentech provides IT, cloud, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and space-systems services to federal customers. The addition of a dedicated growth chief follows the company’s selection for the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD contract vehicle and its efforts to expand across defense and intelligence markets.
DEFENSE TECH
Defense technology companies are also adding executives with experience scaling aerospace, space, and communications businesses. These appointments reflect growing demand for leaders who understand both advanced engineering and the realities of government procurement.
Bill Gattle, Antenna Research Associates
New role: President and Chief Executive Officer
Previously: Chairman, Trident Solutions; former CEO, LightRidge Solutions
Antenna Research Associates has named Bill Gattle president and CEO. He succeeds Logen Thiran, who led the company from 2012 to 2026.
Gattle brings nearly four decades of defense and space experience. He previously led LightRidge Solutions and spent 35 years at Harris and L3Harris Technologies, most recently serving as president of Space and Intelligence Systems.
ARA develops antennas, tactical radio-frequency products, and radar-related subsystems for aerospace and defense missions. The company said Gattle will help scale its existing capabilities and expand its integrated RF portfolio as demand grows for resilient communications, airborne sensing, unmanned systems, and satellite infrastructure.
Fabrice Brégier, Vertical Aerospace
New role: Chair of the Board
Previously: CEO, Airbus Commercial Aircraft; President, Palantir Technologies France
Vertical Aerospace has appointed Fabrice Brégier chair of its board as the electric-aircraft company expands its commercial, autonomous, and defense strategy.
Brégier has led major organizations across commercial aviation and defense. His previous positions include CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, president and CEO of Eurocopter, CEO of MBDA, and president of Palantir Technologies France.
Vertical is developing electric and hybrid-electric aircraft, including autonomous capabilities with potential defense applications. The company has also cited interest from the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence. Brégier’s combination of aircraft-program, missile-industry, and artificial-intelligence experience makes his appointment especially relevant as Vertical works to turn flight-testing progress into a scalable aerospace business.
PEOPLE TO WATCH
These leaders were not featured elsewhere in this week’s roundup, but their new roles put them in positions worth following.
Michael Imbrenda
The State Department has appointed Michael Imbrenda deputy assistant secretary for emerging threats. The department’s newer Bureau of Emerging Threats covers areas including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, space, critical infrastructure, undersea security, and quantum technology.
Anupriyo Chakravarti
TechnoMile has named Anupriyo Chakravarti chief product and technology officer. He will oversee product development, technology, and engineering for a software platform used by companies working in the government market. His background includes enterprise software and AI-enabled platforms, with previous leadership roles at Verisma and McKesson.
Jason Lamb
Lantronix has nominated Jason Lamb for election as an independent director at its November annual meeting. Lamb is a former Navy SEAL officer and defense technology executive whose experience includes autonomous systems, maritime technology, intelligence, and private-equity investment. If elected, he would join the board as Lantronix expands its Edge AI and unmanned-systems business.
THE MOVE BEHIND THE MOVEs
This week’s appointments point to a renewed emphasis on leaders who know how to scale.
Serco is placing a longtime defense operator over a multibillion-dollar North American portfolio. American Ordnance is bringing military, acquisition, and manufacturing experience together at two Army ammunition plants. ARA is handing its top job to an executive who has already led space and defense businesses through periods of expansion and consolidation.
Even the federal moves follow that pattern. The Navy selected an established research leader who understands how its science and technology organization operates, while TSA promoted an executive with more than 20 years of experience inside the agency.
The titles are different, but the assignment is similar: turn strategy into delivery, production, and usable capability.
