Leadership changes can tell you quite a bit in the national security world about where the industry is headed. And over the past few weeks, familiar names have landed new titles, longtime executives have stepped aside, and a few former leaders are making their way back into the spotlight.
One of the biggest announcements comes from General Dynamics, where a major CEO transition is now on the calendar for 2027. Meanwhile, the company’s IT business is navigating its own leadership change, and the Pentagon is bringing additional technology expertise into its CIO office.
Across the defense industrial base, companies are also adding executives with experience in aerospace manufacturing, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and national security operations.
Here’s who’s moving up, moving on, and taking on new responsibilities across the national security community.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The Pentagon continues to build out its technology leadership team, bringing in experience from the intelligence community, military operations, and the private sector. The latest appointments come as defense officials work through modernization priorities involving cybersecurity, software acquisition, and emerging technologies.
Jon Steinbach, Department of War
New role: Strategic Technical Advisor to the Chief Information Officer
Previously: National security and private-sector technology executive
The Pentagon has added Jon Steinbach as strategic technical advisor to Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies, according to an October 19 report from DefenseScoop.
Steinbach brings more than three decades of experience spanning the CIA, U.S. Special Operations Command, the Marine Corps, and private-sector technology leadership. His new responsibilities include advising on emerging technologies and the intersection of national security, business, and digital modernization.
The appointment comes as the Pentagon looks to modernize its IT infrastructure, improve software acquisition, and strengthen cybersecurity across the department.
For defense contractors, adding another leader with both government and industry experience is worth watching. The CIO’s office plays a key role in technology priorities that directly affect companies supporting defense networks, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT.
Kenneth Nienhuser, Department of War
New role: Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief Information Officer
Previously: Industry outreach role within the Pentagon CIO organization
Kenneth Nienhuser is also taking on a new role within the Pentagon’s CIO office as deputy chief of staff.
His appointment was announced October 16 and follows previous work supporting the office’s engagement with industry.
That background could be particularly relevant as defense officials continue working with commercial technology providers on modernization initiatives. The CIO organization has been adding personnel with expertise in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and operational technology, making its leadership team worth watching.
NATSEC CONTRACTORS
Some of the industry’s largest contractors are making major leadership changes, including one of the year’s most notable CEO succession announcements.
Danny Deep, General Dynamics
New role: Incoming Chairman? No. Incoming Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2027
Previously: President, General Dynamics
General Dynamics is preparing for a major leadership transition. On October 7, the Reston-based defense contractor announced that Danny Deep will become CEO on January 1, 2027, succeeding Phebe Novakovic, who will transition to executive chairman.
Novakovic has led General Dynamics since 2013, overseeing operations spanning shipbuilding, combat systems, aerospace, and government technology services.
Deep is hardly a newcomer. He’s spent 25 years with General Dynamics, including leadership positions overseeing Global Operations, Combat Systems, and Land Systems before becoming company president in 2025.
The move represents a planned transition at one of the country’s largest defense contractors. With General Dynamics involved in major submarine, combat vehicle, munitions, and technology programs, its leadership decisions carry weight throughout the defense industrial base.
Paul Nedzbala, General Dynamics Information Technology
New role: Acting President, GDIT
Previously: Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer, GDIT
General Dynamics is also seeing changes within its federal technology business.
On October 2, the company announced that Paul Nedzbala had been appointed acting president of General Dynamics Information Technology, replacing Amy Gilliland, who had led GDIT since 2017.
The company confirmed that Gilliland is no longer with the organization but did not say why she left.
Nedzbala joined GDIT in 2018 following the acquisition of CSRA, where he had spent 19 years in leadership roles. His background includes federal IT services, business operations, and corporate leadership.
GDIT is a major player in federal cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital modernization. The company said Nedzbala will serve in an interim capacity until it names a permanent president.
For now, that’s another leadership announcement to watch, particularly given the company’s role in supporting military, intelligence, and civilian government customers.
New role: President, CGI Federal, effective October 1
Previously: Senior executive, CGI Federal
CGI Federal officially entered October with a new president, as Alisa Bearfield assumed leadership of the company’s U.S. federal business.
The transition was announced in June and became effective October 1, placing Bearfield in charge of nearly 8,000 professionals supporting government customers across defense, intelligence, healthcare, justice, and civilian agencies.
Bearfield brings nearly 30 years of federal technology experience to the position. She succeeds Stephanie Mango, who is moving into a global executive vice president and chief administrative officer role with CGI.
The transition comes as federal agencies continue investing in digital modernization and secure technology infrastructure, areas where CGI Federal has an established presence.
DEFENSE TECH
Defense technology companies are making leadership changes as they expand production, pursue new contracts, and move emerging capabilities into operational use.
Dave Webb, GALT Aerospace
New role: President and CEO
Previously: President and Chief Operating Officer, GALT Aerospace
San Diego-based GALT Aerospace is reshuffling its executive leadership team as the defense technology company prepares for its next stage of growth.
On October 13, GALT announced that Dave Webb had been named president and CEO, while Paul Shew was appointed chief operating officer. Company founder John Kohut is transitioning from CEO to executive chairman.
Webb joined GALT in January 2025 and brings more than 30 years of aerospace and defense experience, including leadership positions at Cobham, CAES, Honeywell, and Raytheon.
The changes follow a strategic investment from Godspeed Capital earlier this year and come as GALT expands its defense programs, production capabilities, and customer relationships.
For a company working to scale its operations in the defense market, adding experienced aerospace executives to its leadership team could help support that next phase of growth.
New role: Chairman of the Board of Directors
Previously: Security technology and product commercialization executive
Liberty Defense, a developer of AI-enabled security screening technology, has appointed John R. Percival chairman of its board of directors.
The October 12 announcement follows the departure of executive chairman Jason Burinescu, who left to pursue other business opportunities.
Percival brings experience in security equipment, imaging technologies, engineering, product development, and operations. His background includes helping companies move advanced technologies from development into commercial markets.
Liberty Defense develops detection systems designed to identify concealed weapons and other threats. The appointment adds leadership experience in commercializing security technology as the company works to expand product deployment.
Allan Evans, XTI Aerospace
New role: Chairman of the Board of Directors
Previously: CEO, Unusual Machines
XTI Aerospace has appointed Allan Evans chairman of its board, bringing another executive with domestic drone industry experience into a leadership role.
The October 14 announcement places Evans at the head of XTI’s board, which owns Drone Nerds, a provider of drone solutions for commercial, enterprise, and government customers.
Evans brings experience in engineering, corporate strategy, business development, and the drone supply chain. As part of the leadership changes, Jonathan Ornstein moved into the vice chairman position.
With growing interest in unmanned systems and domestic drone manufacturing, executives who understand both technology development and the supply chain are increasingly relevant to the defense market.
THE MOVE BEHIND THE MOVE
This week’s leadership announcements point to a few themes worth watching across the national security industry.
First, succession planning is becoming a major storyline among established defense contractors. General Dynamics is preparing for a CEO transition after more than a decade under Phebe Novakovic, while its federal IT business is searching for a permanent leader following Amy Gilliland’s departure.
Second, the Pentagon continues adding technology and industry experience to its leadership ranks. The latest CIO appointments reflect the growing overlap between national security missions, commercial technology, cybersecurity, and digital modernization.
And finally, defense technology companies are adding executives who know how to scale operations. GALT Aerospace, Liberty Defense, and XTI Aerospace are all bringing leadership experience in manufacturing, engineering, commercialization, or supply chain development into their organizations.
The common thread? The national security sector needs leaders who can connect technology development with operational requirements and deliver capabilities at scale.
PEOPLE TO WATCH
A few additional leadership announcements are worth keeping on the radar.
Mike Petters, HII: The former president and CEO of HII is returning to the company’s board of directors. Announced October 20, his appointment brings decades of shipbuilding experience back into the boardroom as the company works to expand production capacity and meet Navy requirements.
Stephanie Mango, CGI: After leading CGI Federal, Mango is transitioning into the role of executive vice president and chief administrative officer for CGI’s global operations. Her move accompanies Alisa Bearfield’s appointment as president of CGI Federal, effective October 1.
