10 General Atomics operations leaders
Chief operating officer, vice president of manufacturing and operations and senior director of avionics manufacturing are among the roles held by these ten General Atomics operations leaders. A reader can learn how operations leaders work at General Atomics from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Alec Gordon
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · General Atomics
Alec Gordon has been Chief Operating Officer at General Atomics in San Diego, California, since January 2024, and the profile ties the role to General Atomics EMS. Alec Gordon was Managing Director at General Atomics from 2019 to 2024 and Director of Motor & Drive Sales from 2017 to 2018, and held marketing and project management roles at Solar Turbines.
David C. Pace, PhD, MBA
LinkedInExperience: Director, Operations Department, Magnetic Fusion Energy Division · General Atomics
David C. Pace has been Director, Operations Department, Magnetic Fusion Energy Division at General Atomics in San Diego, California, since May 2026, and has also held the title Deputy Director there since January 2021. David C. Pace was Program Manager (2020–2021), Sciences Manager (2017–2020) and Scientist (2011–2017) at General Atomics.
David Wakayama
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Production and Spares · General Atomics
David Wakayama has been Senior Director, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Production and Spares at General Atomics in San Diego, California, since December 2023, and was Director in the same area from 2021 to 2023. David Wakayama was Program Manager for Advanced Arresting Gear system development from 2015 to 2021 and a manufacturing engineering manager at the company from 2011 to 2015.
Donna Priddie
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director Business Operations · General Atomics
Donna Priddie has been Senior Director Business Operations at General Atomics in San Diego, California, since November 2024. Donna Priddie was Director Program Management Support Office - Energy Group from 2020 to 2024 and Project Manager & Program Control Manager from 2015 to 2020 at the company, and the profile describes aligning business strategy with execution across teams.
Jaime Walters
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Strategic Analysis and Operations · General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Jaime Walters has been Vice President Strategic Analysis and Operations at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in San Diego, California, since June 2026, and has also held the roles of Vice President - International Strategic Development since December 2022 and Senior Director, Strategic Development since July 2021. Jaime Walters was Senior Technical Director - MQ-9 Platform (2019–2021) and Technical Director - MQ-9 Platform (2014–2019) there.
Joseph E. Brenner
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Avionics Manufacturing · General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Joseph E. Brenner has been Senior Director, Avionics Manufacturing at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in Poway, California, since August 2024. Joseph E. Brenner was Senior Director of Manufacturing - Electronic Assembly, Aircraft Systems at the company from 2021 to 2023, Sr Director General Manager at Mercury Systems and Sr Director of Operations at L3Harris Technologies.
Owen Nucci
LinkedInExperience: Director of Field Operations · General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Owen Nucci has been Director of Field Operations at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in San Diego, California, since January 2025, and was a Program Manager at the company from 2022 to 2025. Owen Nucci was a senior principal engineer at Northrop Grumman from 2020 to 2022 and served in the US Marines from 1998 to 2019.
Pete Rinaldi
LinkedInExperience: VP of Manufacturing and Operations · General Atomics
Pete Rinaldi has been VP of Manufacturing and Operations at General Atomics in Shannon, Mississippi, since 2013, and was Plant Manager at the company from 2004 to 2013. Pete Rinaldi was an engineering manager at General Dynamics Electric Boat from 1987 to 2004 and a lieutenant in the US Navy, and the profile lists manufacturing, product development, systems engineering, quality management and Six Sigma.
Robert Khan
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Electromagnetic Systems · General Atomics
Robert Khan has been Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Electromagnetic Systems at General Atomics in San Diego County, California, since October 2014, and the profile headline names the Electromagnetic Systems Group (GA-EMS). Robert Khan was Chief Operating Officer at General Atomics, Energy Group from 2010 to 2014.
Sam Richardson
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Sustainment, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems · General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Sam Richardson has been Vice President, Sustainment, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in Del Mar, California, since February 2021. Sam Richardson was Vice President - Field Operations at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (2015–2021), and Senior Director, Field Operations (2013–2015) and Director, Field Operations (2009–2013) at GA-ASI.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's area, such as aircraft production, avionics manufacturing, launch and recovery systems, field sustainment, research facility operations or business operations, to the question you face. Weigh whether they run operations for a whole business group or a specific production line or site, since each sees different tradeoffs.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01Which operating measures matter most in the production or support work you lead?
- 02How do you plan capacity when orders and program schedules change?
- 03What have you learned about supporting systems once they are in the field?
Reaching General Atomics operations leaders
How can I contact one of these General Atomics operations leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 2 companies: General Atomics and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, based on profile data retrieved on October 18, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach General Atomics operations leaders?
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Can an AI agent ask one of these General Atomics operations leaders a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. Claude and ChatGPT can do the same through the Instant Expert connector: setup is at /docs/mcp for Claude and /docs/chatgpt for ChatGPT. x402 docs
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.
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