Leadership changes across national security aren’t slowing down, and this week’s moves include some familiar names taking on new responsibilities.
At General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), the wait for a permanent president is over. Thales Defense & Security has tapped a veteran government contracting executive as its new CEO, while another federal technology contractor is making a change at the top.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon is seeing another senior military departure, and new appointments across government and defense technology are putting fresh attention on space, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and acquisition.
Some of these moves are straightforward succession planning. Others could have broader implications for how agencies and contractors approach modernization, growth, and mission delivery.
Here’s who’s moving up, moving out, and taking on new responsibilities across the national security community.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Leadership movement across the federal government is touching military strategy, space operations, and the acquisition of emerging technologies. The latest changes are worth watching as agencies balance operational requirements with efforts to modernize their capabilities.
Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, Joint Chiefs of Staff
New status: Removed as Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy (J5)
Previously: Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy, Joint Staff
Another senior military leader is departing a key Pentagon position.
According to the Associated Press, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia from his position as director for strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff.
Sylvia previously commanded the Army’s 101st Airborne Division and held one of the military’s most influential planning positions. The J5 directorate supports strategic planning, policy development, and coordination of military strategy.
The Pentagon has not publicly provided a reason for Sylvia’s removal or announced a replacement.
The departure comes amid broader changes in senior military leadership and an effort to reduce the number of general and flag officer positions.
For the national security community, the J5 position matters because it connects military strategy with operational planning and long-term defense priorities. Whoever takes over will inherit a substantial portfolio.
Courtney Reinhard, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
New role: Chief, Space Bureau
Previously: Counsel, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
The FCC has selected Courtney Reinhard to lead its Space Bureau, according to an October 30 report from ExecutiveGov.
Reinhard returns to the commission after serving as counsel for the Senate Commerce Committee. She succeeds Jay Schwarz, who departed the bureau in August.
The Space Bureau oversees regulatory matters involving satellite communications, licensing, and the expanding commercial space sector.
While the FCC isn’t typically the first agency that comes to mind when discussing national security leadership, its decisions have significant implications for satellite operators, communications providers, and companies supporting space-based infrastructure.
With commercial satellite networks becoming increasingly important to defense and intelligence missions, the leadership of the Space Bureau is worth keeping on the radar.
Troy Asher, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center
New role: Director, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center
Previously: Acting Director, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center
NASA has selected Troy Asher to lead its Armstrong Flight Research Center after he served in the position on an acting basis beginning in March.
The appointment, reported November 2, gives the center permanent leadership as it continues research involving experimental aircraft, aviation technology, and advanced flight systems.
Asher is a former Air Force test pilot with experience on the B-1B bomber.
NASA Armstrong plays an important role in aerospace research and flight testing, work that can apply to both civilian aviation and national security.
His appointment brings continuity to an organization where technical expertise, operational experience, and research partnerships are central to the mission.
NATSEC CONTRACTORS
Several government contractors are making changes at the top, including a major follow-up to one of the leadership stories we covered in October. The latest appointments bring experienced executives into roles overseeing federal IT, defense technology, and mission support.
Amy Johnson, General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)
New role: President, effective November 3
Previously: Vice President and General Manager, Space, Cyber and Intelligence, General Dynamics Mission Systems
That didn’t take long.
Just two weeks after reporting that GDIT was operating under interim leadership following Amy Gilliland’s departure, General Dynamics has named a permanent replacement.
On October 23, General Dynamics announced that Amy Johnson would become president of GDIT, effective November 3.
Johnson is a 27-year veteran of General Dynamics Mission Systems, where she held leadership positions spanning engineering, cybersecurity, defense electronics, space, and intelligence systems.
Most recently, she served as vice president and general manager for Space, Cyber and Intelligence.
Johnson takes over a major federal technology business supporting defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies with cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software development, and digital modernization.
The appointment also keeps GDIT’s leadership within the broader General Dynamics organization. Rather than bringing in an outside executive, the company selected someone with decades of experience across its defense technology portfolio.
With General Dynamics preparing for its own CEO transition in January 2027, Johnson’s appointment adds another important piece to the company’s leadership picture.
David Zolet, Thales Defense & Security
New role: Chief Executive Officer
Previously: CEO, Astrion
Thales Defense & Security has a new CEO, and he’s certainly no stranger to the government contracting world.
On November 2, the company announced that David Zolet had been appointed CEO, succeeding Michael Sheehan, who is retiring after more than 16 years leading the organization.
Zolet brings more than 30 years of experience across national security, technology, and government services. He previously served as CEO of Astrion, CentralSquare Technologies, and LMI, and held senior leadership positions at Northrop Grumman, IBM, and DXC Technology.
Thales Defense & Security supports U.S. military and government customers across tactical communications, electronic warfare, cybersecurity, undersea sensing, and avionics.
Those capabilities are closely aligned with ongoing military modernization priorities, particularly the need for secure communications and integrated technologies across operational domains.
Zolet’s experience managing large government contracting organizations could be particularly valuable as Thales expands its U.S. defense business.
Peter Santighian, Aretum
New role: Chief Executive Officer
Previously: Executive Vice President, Defense, Intelligence and Health, Everforth ECS
Federal technology contractor Aretum has named Peter Santighian CEO, succeeding Rohit Gupta, who is moving to the company’s board of directors.
The October 29 announcement brings another experienced federal technology executive into a leadership position at a growing government contractor.
Santighian has nearly three decades of experience in the federal market. Most recently, he led defense, intelligence, and health operations at Everforth ECS, with responsibilities spanning cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, enterprise transformation, and acquisition support.
He previously served as chief strategy officer at Halvik and held leadership positions at CGI Federal, Stanley Associates, and Edgesource.
Aretum supports more than 100 contracts across approximately 30 federal agencies, providing digital transformation, cybersecurity, analytics, and mission support services.
The company has also expanded through acquisitions and investments in AI-enabled solutions.
For Santighian, the next challenge will be translating that experience into continued growth while maintaining delivery across an increasingly broad federal customer base.
DEFENSE TECH
Defense technology companies are also making leadership adjustments, particularly as they work to move advanced systems from development into broader operational use.
Keith Teichmann, Liberty Defense
New role: Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective October 31
Previously: Chief Operating Officer, Liberty Defense
Liberty Defense is making another leadership change, just weeks after announcing a new board chairman.
The company announced that CEO Bill Frain would resign effective October 31, with Chief Operating Officer Keith Teichmann stepping in as interim CEO.
Frain also stepped down from the company’s board as part of the transition.
Teichmann brings operational and engineering experience to a company developing AI-enabled security screening systems designed to identify concealed weapons and other threats.
Liberty Defense has been working to expand deployment of its HEXWAVE technology and other screening solutions in aviation, government, and commercial environments.
The leadership transition comes as the company continues pursuing growth opportunities in the security technology market.
With a new board chairman and interim CEO taking over within the same month, Liberty Defense will be one to watch as it works through its next phase of development.
Peter Schumacher, Singularity Defense
New role: Chief Operating Officer
Previously: Aerospace and defense investment executive, AE Industrial Partners
Singularity Defense has brought Peter Schumacher aboard as chief operating officer as the company works to scale its autonomous defense technology business.
Announced October 1, the appointment brings an executive with experience spanning aerospace manufacturing, investment, and company operations.
Schumacher previously spent more than a decade at AE Industrial Partners, working with aerospace, defense, and industrial technology businesses. He also served as interim CEO of Firefly Aerospace and held engineering and leadership roles at GE Aviation.
Singularity Defense emerged from stealth earlier this year and is focused on developing autonomous capabilities for defense customers.
For emerging defense technology companies, developing a promising system is only part of the challenge. Scaling production, managing operations, and delivering reliable capabilities to government customers can be just as difficult.
Schumacher’s background in aerospace operations and investment-backed growth gives Singularity additional experience as it expands.
THE MOVE BEHIND THE MOVE
This week’s leadership announcements offer a look at several different priorities across the national security sector.
First, established contractors continue to value executives who understand the federal customer and can manage complex organizations. Amy Johnson’s appointment at GDIT brings decades of technical and operational experience from General Dynamics, while David Zolet and Peter Santighian bring extensive backgrounds leading government contracting businesses.
Second, leadership changes in the federal government are affecting areas with direct implications for industry. Senior military strategy positions, satellite regulation, and aerospace research all influence how government agencies and private companies plan for future requirements.
Finally, defense technology companies face a familiar challenge: moving from promising technology to sustainable operations.
Whether it’s autonomous systems, security screening, or advanced aerospace capabilities, companies need leaders who can manage growth without losing sight of the mission.
The common thread? Experience matters, but so does the ability to turn that experience into results. In national security, a new title may make the announcement, but what happens next is what makes the move worth watching.
PEOPLE TO WATCH
A few additional leadership developments deserve attention.
Rohit Gupta, Aretum: The former CEO is moving to the company’s board of directors following Peter Santighian’s appointment. Gupta has led Aretum since May 2024 and will continue advising on long-term strategy and supporting the leadership transition.
Michael Sheehan, Thales Defense & Security: Sheehan is retiring after more than 16 years leading the company. His departure closes a lengthy chapter at the defense technology subsidiary as David Zolet takes over.
Bill Frain, Liberty Defense: Frain stepped down as CEO effective October 31 and resigned from the board. His departure follows the company’s recent board leadership transition, making its next permanent CEO appointment worth monitoring.
