CAE's new defense president and more leadership moves across the market

CAE

Pascal Grenier has moved up to president of the defense and security segment at the training and simulation systems maker, where he has worked for close to 25 years.

Grenier’s new role also involves strategic oversight for CAE’s subsidiary in the U.S., which Srini Dixit is leading as interim vice president and general manager until a permanent leader is appointed. Dixit currently is chief financial officer for defense and security.

CAE announced these new roles in the wake of Merrill Stoddard’s departure from the company after having led the U.S. business for five years.

AEVEX

Nelson Erickson has joined the unmanned aircraft systems maker as senior vice president of strategy and corporate development, a role he brings two decades of experience to.

Erickson will work with AEVEX’s executive team on identifying, evaluating and carrying out growth opportunities such as mergers and acquisitions.

He most recently worked as an operating partner and senior adviser at Capitol Meridian Partners. Prior to that, he spent a decade in corporate development leadership roles at Mercury Systems and helped oversee 18 acquisitions during his tenure there.

Alpha Omega

Michael Bruce has joined the technology integrator as senior vice president for its national security portfolio, a role he brings two decades of public sector experience to.

Alpha Omega’s LinkedIn post on the hire cites his background as including work on programs in artificial intelligence, cloud modernization, cybersecurity, biometrics and enterprise transformation.

Bruce most recently worked as vice president of homeland solutions at Leidos. His career also includes leadership roles at Booz Allen Hamilton, General Dynamics Mission Systems and BAE Systems Inc.

Alpha Omega also announced its hires of Brittney Chappell as vice president of capture, as well as Srinivas “Sri” Kouthuri as VP of IT and solutions.

BigBear.ai

Nicolas Chaillan has stepped down from the chief technology officer post at the artificial intelligence integrator, which acquired his Ask Sage company in the fall for $250 million.

Chaillan will remain as an adviser to the BigBear team, he wrote in a LinkedIn post to announce his departure.

He served as chief software officer for the Air Force and Space Force prior to founding Ask Sage in 2023.

By Light Professional IT Services

Jeffrey Jones has joined the Sagewind Capital-backed systems engineering services provider as executive vice president of cyber, a role he brings three decades of defense and tech experience to.

By Light cites Jones’ background as including network defense, intelligence and secure communications in both civilian and uniformed leadership roles.

His career includes service as deputy to the commanding general of Army Cyber Command and vice director of the Joint Staff J6.

Draper

Brandi Vann has moved up to chief strategy officer at this nonprofit research-and-development firm, which she first joined in 2025 following service as a civilian leader in the Pentagon.

Vann’s new role at Draper involves leadership over its annual strategy and planning process, business intelligence functions, and legislative engagements. She also will lead Draper’s new business council and SPARX tech accelerator program.

Her roles at the Pentagon included assistant secretary for nuclear deterrence and chemical and biological defense policy and programs, as well as principal deputy assistant for NCB programs (nuclear, chemical and biological defense).

Epsilon3

Ryan Welch has joined the provider of procedure and resource management software as vice president of federal sales, a role he brings two decades of public sector experience to.

Epsilon3 touts a user base that includes NASA, Blue Origin, Sierra Space, Redwire, Shift4, AeroVironment and Commonwealth Fusion Systems.

Welch most recently worked as sales director for the defense business at Claroty, where he co-founded its public sector practice.

Intrepid Global Solutions

Brian Drzewiecki has joined the logistics and professional services provider as chief financial officer, a role he brings two decades of experience to.

Drzewiecki most recently worked as president and chief operating officer at C5MI, a role that involved oversight over its execution efforts in areas such as delivery and growth.

He is also a former chief operating and financial officer for Research Innovations Inc.

Netskope

Joseph Welsh has joined the network security software provider as vice president of sales for its U.S. public sector team, a role he brings three decades of tech industry experience to.

Netskope’s strategy for the government market centers around cyber support for organizations seeking to modernize their security postures as they adopt more cloud and artificial intelligence tools.

Welsh most recently worked as regional vice president for public sector sales at Tenable.

RealmOne

Kathy Daumer has moved up to chief strategy officer at this cyber and intelligence solutions provider, which she joined in 2025 as vice president of growth.

RealmOne is backed by Enlightenment Capital, the investment firm that stood up the company in 2024.

Daumer’s career in industry includes roles at Freedom Consulting Group, Engineering Solutions Inc. and Leidos.

SMX

Robert Longo has joined the technology and engineering services provider as senior vice president of capture and business development for its enterprise systems and solutions business unit.

SMX’s LinkedIn post on the hire sites Longo’s two-decade background as including modernization initiatives spanning efforts related to enterprise resource planning systems, payroll, cloud transformation, artificial intelligence, IT service management and other digital programs.

Longo most recently worked as vice president of strategic growth and product strategy at SOS International. His career also includes roles at General Dynamics IT, CGI Federal and American Management Systems.

Spry Methods

Amanda Rhames has joined the enterprise IT and cybersecurity services provider as vice president of strategy, a role she brings two decades of industry experience to.

She will lead Spry Methods’ work to identify emerging opportunities, iterate its pursuit and delivery processes, and evolve the company culture.

Rhames most recently worked as a program manager at MindPoint Group. Her career also includes roles at Peraton and Lockheed Martin.

Voyager Technologies

Shoshanna Mody has joined the defense and space technology company as chief administrative officer, a role she brings two decades of experience to primarily from other industries.

Voyager has tasked Mody with overseeing enterprise operations, human resources, regulatory compliance, facilities, risk management and corporate services.

She most recently was a fractional chief operating officer for early-stage companies. Her career also includes leadership roles at Instacart and Lyft.

Capital Solutions Group

Doreen Harwood has been appointed chair for the newly-stood up board of directors at this technology integrator focused on the defense and intelligence communities.

Harwood is currently president of her own consulting firm and before that worked as a senior vice president at Leidos, where she led its cybersecurity and signals intelligence portfolio.

She is also a three-decade veteran of the National Security Agency. She concluded her career there as program executive officer for collection, high-performance computing, and research.