Defense technology
10 CIOs in Defense Technology
These ten people have served as chief information officers of defense technology companies and of defense business units within larger aerospace groups. Readers can learn how technology leaders in this sector approach enterprise IT, security and digital transformation in regulated defense environments.
Professionals to explore
01—10Aaron Weis
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Chief Information Officer at Boeing Defense, Space & Security since June 2025. Former Chief Information Officer at the United States Department of the Navy (2019–2023), Senior Advisor to the DoD CIO at the Office of the Secretary of Defense (2018–2019) and Managing Director at Google (2023–2025).
Brandon Tyson
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Boeing Intelligence & Analytics
Chief Information Officer at Boeing Intelligence & Analytics since December 2024; the profile describes the company as a defense and space manufacturer focused on analytics and intelligence solutions. Also Sr. IT Manager, Intelligent Systems & Subsidiary Engagements at Boeing since 2023, and former Chief of Staff - BDS IT Business Success at Boeing (2020–2023).
David C. Whitaker
LinkedInExperience: VP Chief Information Officer · General Atomics
VP Chief Information Officer at General Atomics since January 2023; the profile describes General Atomics as a defense and space manufacturing company. Former Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Sierra Space (2021–2022) and CIO at General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (2019–2021), where the profile also lists a Director ERP role in 2018.
Martin Jones
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group
Chief Information Officer at Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group since June 2024, a C-level role per the profile. Former VP IT CIO roles at CSL from 2016 to 2023, including I&T Integration for M&A and Digital Experiences & Plasma IT, and Group IT Director at Ricardo (2012–2016).
Massimo De Marchis
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · T-Defence
Chief Information Officer at T-Defence since March 2019, alongside an IT Manager role there since 2015; the profile describes the company as specializing in cybersecurity and technology. Also CEO - IT Manager at Mediadynamic srl since 2011, and former Software consultant - developer at Leonardo (2008–2017).
Melanie Smith
LinkedInExperience: Vice President & Chief Information Officer · Textron Systems
Vice President & Chief Information Officer at Textron Systems since July 2025; the profile describes Textron Systems as a defense and space manufacturing company. Former Executive Director - Corporate Systems & IT Strategy at Textron INC (2020–2025) and Director of Information Technology at Textron Systems Hunt Valley (2016–2020), after Textron Systems roles in enterprise solutions and business intelligence from 2013.
Patrick Vo
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Thales
Chief Information Officer at Thales since May 2023, with a profile headline of CIO for Thales Defence Mission Systems (France & GBU). Previous Thales roles include Global IS IT M&A Carve-Out Stream Leader (2021–2023) and IS IT Global Vendor Management Office Director (2020–2023); before Thales, Head of IT Sourcing and Deputy CIO Europe at Rexel (2015–2016).
Phillip Rice
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Thales Defense & Security, Inc.
Chief Information Officer at Thales Defense & Security, Inc., a role the profile dates from June 1994 and lists as current; the profile summary also names him as the company's CIO. The profile additionally lists a Director of Information Technology role at Racal Communications, Inc. from 1994 to 2000.
William Cox
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Fairlead
Chief Information Officer at Fairlead since November 2025; the profile describes Fairlead as a defense and space company supplying integrated electrical and mechanical solutions. Former Director of Business Systems (2024–2025) and Director of Process Improvement (2022–2024) at Fairlead, and Director of Business Operations at Huntington Ingalls Unmanned Maritime Systems Inc (2019–2023).
Yuval Bargill
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Elbit Systems
Chief Information Officer at Elbit Systems since January 2023; the profile describes Elbit as a defense and space manufacturer delivering defense technology across air, land, sea, cyber and space. Former Deputy CIO (2017–2022) and Head of Office of CIO (2016–2017) at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, after business analyst management roles there from 2007.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's company type to yours, since a defense business unit inside a large group runs IT differently from a mid-size defense supplier. Check whether their CIO role is current and how long they have held it.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you balance IT modernization and cloud adoption with the security and compliance rules that apply to defense programs?
- 02How did you structure IT across business units, subsidiaries or acquired companies, and what would you centralize or keep separate next time?
- 03Which investments in engineering, manufacturing or program-management systems gave the biggest return, and how did you measure it?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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