10 CIOs in Defense Technology
Where these defense technology CIOs work ranges from two Boeing defense units and two Thales entities to Elbit Systems, General Atomics and Textron Systems, and four of the ten are based in Israel, France, the UK or Italy. One was CIO of the US Department of the Navy. A contractor modernizing IT under government security rules, or a vendor selling into defense IT, can compare notes with ten sitting CIOs at these companies.
Professionals to explore
Aaron Weis
LinkedInExperience: Former Chief Information Officer · Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Aaron Weis was Chief Information Officer at the United States Department of the Navy (2019-2023) and Senior Advisor to DoD CIO at the Office of the Secretary of Defense (2018-2019). After Managing Director at Google (2023-2025), Aaron became Chief Information Officer at Boeing Defense, Space & Security in June 2025 and lists digital transformation and cyber as focus areas, the strongest fit here for the government customer's view.
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Brandon Tyson
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Boeing Intelligence & Analytics
Brandon Tyson has been Chief Information Officer at Boeing Intelligence & Analytics since December 2024 and Sr. IT Manager, Intelligent Systems & Subsidiary Engagements at Boeing since October 2023. Brandon was Chief of Staff - BDS IT Business Success (2020-2023) and Digital Strategy Sr. Portfolio Manager, IT & Data Analytics (2018-2020) at Boeing, relevant to subsidiary IT questions given the Subsidiary Engagements title.
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David C. Whitaker
LinkedInExperience: VP Chief Information Officer · General Atomics
David C. Whitaker's CIO roles span three companies: VP Chief Information Officer at General Atomics since January 2023, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Sierra Space (2021-2022) and CIO at General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (2019-2021). David was also Director ERP at General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in 2018, a fit for ERP questions.
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Martin Jones
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group
In the UK, Martin Jones has been Chief Information Officer at Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group since June 2024, a C-level role. Martin held VP IT CIO titles at CSL from 2016 to 2023, including I&T Integration - M&A (2022-2023) and Digital Experiences & Plasma IT (2021-2022), and was Group IT Director at Ricardo (2012-2016), bringing M&A integration experience from CSL.
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Massimo De Marchis
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · T-Defence
Massimo De Marchis, in Italy, has been Chief Information Officer at T-Defence since March 2019 and IT Manager there since 2015, a company specializing in cybersecurity and technology. Massimo has also been CEO - IT Manager at Mediadynamic srl since 2011 and was Software consultant - developer at Leonardo (2008-2017), useful for IT questions at T-Defence.
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Melanie Smith
LinkedInExperience: Vice President & Chief Information Officer · Textron Systems
At Textron Systems, Melanie Smith is Vice President & Chief Information Officer since July 2025, after Executive Director - Corporate Systems & IT Strategy at Textron INC (2020-2025). Melanie was also Director of Information Technology at Textron Systems Hunt Valley (2016-2020) and held Senior Manager - Enterprise Solutions (2015-2016) and Business Intelligence Lead (2013-2015) roles at Textron Systems, useful for how IT at Textron Systems relates to corporate systems at Textron INC.
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Patrick Vo
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Thales
Patrick Vo has been Chief Information Officer at Thales since May 2023, a role Patrick describes as CIO - Thales Defence Mission Systems (France & GBU). Patrick held Global IS IT M&A Carve-Out Stream Leader (2021-2023) and IS IT Global Vendor Management Office, Director (2020-2023) at Thales, and Head of IT Sourcing Deputy CIO Europe at Rexel (2015-2016), a fit for carve-out and IT sourcing questions.
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Phillip Rice
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Thales Defense & Security, Inc.
Phillip Rice has been Chief Information Officer at Thales Defense & Security, Inc. since June 1994. Phillip was also Director Of Information Technology at Racal Communications, Inc. (1994-2000), making Phillip a fit for questions on long-tenure CIO work at Thales Defense & Security, Inc.
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William Cox
LinkedInExperience: Former Chief Information Officer · Fairlead
Named Chief Information Officer at Fairlead in November 2025, William Cox had been Director of Business Systems (2024-2025) and Director of Process Improvement (2022-2024) there; Fairlead supplies integrated electrical and mechanical solutions in defense and space. William was also Director of Business Operations at Huntington Ingalls Unmanned Maritime Systems Inc (2019-2023), a fit for business systems and process questions at a defense supplier.
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Yuval Bargill
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Elbit Systems
Yuval Bargill has been Chief Information Officer at Elbit Systems since January 2023, a defense and space manufacturer working across air, land, sea, cyber and space. Every other role listed is at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems: Deputy CIO (2017-2022), Head of Office of CIO (2016-2017), Business Analyst Group Manager (2013-2016) and Business Analyst Team Manager (2007-2013), so Yuval can compare IT at Elbit Systems and Rafael.
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Choose the right perspective
Aaron Weis is the only one with a government CIO role, at the Navy, and is the pick for how defense buyers see contractor IT. For CIO jobs at units named with a parent company, ask Patrick Vo, Phillip Rice, Brandon Tyson or Melanie Smith; for ERP and business systems, David C. Whitaker or William Cox; and Patrick Vo or Martin Jones for carve-outs and M&A integration.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you meet CMMC and controlled unclassified information rules while still moving engineering and business systems to the cloud?
- 02How do you separate IT for a defense business unit from the rest of a commercial or multinational parent?
- 03What changes in IT planning when your largest customer is a defense ministry with its own security accreditation?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.