CAE's defense group lead to depart, interim exec named

CAE’s defense and security group president will leave the Montreal-based simulation technology provider to take up a new job and an interim lead has been named.

Todd Probert, who joined CAE in late January after nearly 10 years at Raytheon, will step down from his position on June 26 for a new unspecified role in the U.S. national security community, the company said in a release Tuesday.

Stepping in on an acting basis is Heidi Wood, who was appointed executive vice president of business development and growth initiatives in April. She will act as interim leader as CAE conducts a search for Probert’s successor.

"Todd's first passion is for the U.S. national security community and he has decided to step down from his role at CAE to pursue a job opportunity in that domain. We wish him success in his new role," CAE President and CEO Marc Parent said in the release.

Before Wood joined CAE, she was senior vice president of corporate strategy and technology at the former L3 Technologies and helped lead that company through last year’s merger with Harris Corp. to create what is now L3 Harris Technologies.

Probert started as CAE’s defense segment head in January and succeeded Gene Colabatistto, who retired from the company at the end of last year.