Tom Vecchiolla

President and Chief Executive, QinetiQ US

Tom Vecchiolla serves as President and Chief Executive of QinetiQ US, leading the company's mission to deliver innovative defense and national security solutions to U.S. government customers.

A distinguished leader with extensive defense and security expertise, Tom brings over three decades of experience across military service, public sector, and industry leadership roles. He began his career as a U.S. Navy pilot and DoD acquisition professional, serving with distinction for 22 years. Tom also served in public service as a National Security and Military Affairs Advisor on the U.S. Senate staff.

In the private sector, Tom spent 15 years at Raytheon Technologies Corporation (RTX), where he rose to become President of Raytheon International Inc., overseeing the company's global operations. His leadership was instrumental in driving international growth and fostering strategic partnerships worldwide. He subsequently assumed responsibility as president and chief executive office of ST Engineering North America responsible for all US operations of a diverse industrial and technology portfolio.

Prior to assuming his current role, Tom served on the QinetiQ US Special Security Agreement (SSA) Board, providing strategic guidance and oversight to ensure compliance with national security requirements while advancing the company's mission.

Tom brings to QinetiQ US a proven track record of building high-performing teams and delivering innovative solutions to address complex national security challenges. His unique combination of military service, government experience, and industry leadership positions him to drive QinetiQ US's continued growth and technological advancement in support of our nation's defense and security priorities.

Tom earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Southern California. He maintains his certifications as a general aviation pilot and is a recipient of the prestigious Washington 100 Award, recognizing executives who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, innovation, and vision in the government contracting community.

Ronald LeClere

Chief Financial Officer

Ronald LeClere serves as Chief Financial Officer for QinetiQ US. In this role he leverages his experience interpreting financial performance and presenting insights to assist company leadership with operational decisions as well as providing detailed financial analysis, reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and business case analysis.

Ronald brings over 25 years of executive experience in financial planning and analysis (FP&A) and risk management for large government contractors. He led FP&A for a multi-billion-dollar organization at GDIT, where he improved forecasting accuracy and financial reporting, improved indirect rates management, and identified operational efficiencies to reduce costs.

Prior to joining QinetiQ, Ronald served as the Vice President of Finance for SAIC, where he led the SAIC/Halfaker post-merger integration of financial systems and processes. As the CFO at Halfaker, Ronald led all company financial operations and functions associated with the execution of the company’s strategic and annual operating plans.

Ronald holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the Metropolitan State College of Denver, CO, and an M.B.A and a Master of Science in Finance from Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, CO.

Bill King

General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer

Bill King serves as General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer for QinetiQ US, where he is responsible for managing all legal affairs of the organization, including litigation, investigations, and ordinary-course advice and counsel, as well as overseeing the company’s ethics and regulatory compliance efforts.

Bill has more than 20 years of legal experience, including as in-house counsel with large organizations such as IBM, Acuity International, and NISC Holdings. He has served as general counsel, corporate ethics and compliance officer, and legal advisor to executive teams, boards, and management. Bill brings with him significant experience in government contracting, both as an attorney and consultant. In his most recent role, Bill led the legal department at Acuity International, where he managed functional integration and provided mission-oriented legal advice to guide business leaders through practical, legally sound strategies to manage risk and thrive in challenging environments around the globe.

Prior to his business career, Bill served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, retiring from the Reserve after more than two decades of service. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech (B.A., English) and the Seattle University School of Law. He is a member of the DC Bar Association and a Virginia Bar Corporate Counsel registrant.

Eugene Chang

Chief Strategy Officer

Eugene Chang serves as Chief Strategy Officer for QinetiQ US and is responsible for partnering with the senior leadership to develop, articulate, and execute an integrated business strategy for QinetiQ US while providing strategic leadership to mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, partnerships, and investment activities.

Eugene has over 15 years of experience in strategy in the Aerospace and Defense market and previously served as the Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions for Airbus Americas, where he led the strategy and mergers and acquisitions functions in the US for Airbus. He has also served as a management consultant at Booz and Company in the Commercial Aerospace and Defense practice. In these roles, Eugene has been responsible for designing, leading, and executing organic and inorganic growth strategies and various operational improvement and integration initiatives.

Eugene has a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Georgetown University.

Daniela Walrath

Chief People Officer

Daniela Walrath serves as Chief People Officer for QinetiQ US, where she is responsible for streamlining core business operations while delivering exceptional organizational results.

Daniela has more than 20 years of experience in Human Resources with large organizations such as Acuity International, Northrup Grumman, CSRA, and Lockheed Martin. She has expertise across a multitude of operational functions including human capital, compensation, change management, organizational design, mergers and acquisitions, and leadership development. Daniela has led several HR organizations in initiatives including compensation, benefits, performance management, HR business partner support, employee and labor relations, talent management and succession planning, talent acquisition, and workforce strategies.

Daniela holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Human Resources, and Labor Relations from the University of Maryland and is a member of the Society of Human Resources and the National Association of Professional Women.

David Harrison

Vice President, Operations & Enterprise Services

David Harrison serves as the Vice President of Operations & Enterprise Services. In this role he leads functional business operations - Information Technology, Security, Cyber, Environnmental Health & Safety, and Real Estate & Facilities.

David is a strategic Technology Executive with subject matter expertise in digital transformation, enterprise capability delivery, and enterprise service excellence. With more than 15 years of experience in leading functional organizations and programs, his delivers capabilities aligned to business needs to elevate organizational performance. In his most recent work with Northrop Grumman, David led large-scale digital initiatives / portfolios, and IT operational organizations that consistently delivered predictable business results.

David earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Delaware with a concentration in international business. He holds a certificate in project management from University of California, Irvine, a certificate in facility management from George Mason University, and a certificate in Executive Strategy from Chicago Booth.

Colleen Campbell

Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Colleen Campbell leads marketing and communications for QinetiQ US. She has more than 20 years of experience in strategic communication, integrated marketing, and reputation management.

Colleen most recently served as the Chief Marketing Officer of Maxar Technologies (Maxar), a leading space technology and intelligence company. She oversaw all global marketing and communications strategy to include executive communications, internal communications, media relations, marketing initiatives, digital strategy, and corporate reputation management. Her marketing and communications strategies focused on business growth, customer retention, new market development, employee engagement, and Maxar remaining an employer of choice for top talent.

Prior to Maxar, Colleen served as Vice President of Alion Science and Technology, a leading defense contractor specializing in AI, C5ISR, Electronic Warfare, Cyber and LVC Solutions. She oversaw all marketing, advertising, enterprise communications, talent acquisition communications, executive communications, sponsorships and events as well as media relations for all five of Alion’s business groups.

As Director of Digital Strategy and Integrated Communications at Northrop Grumman Corporation, she was responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of enterprise communications to include global advertising, marketing, digital strategy and talent acquisition communications. She developed messaging, advertising, social media and branding strategies as well as leveraged new technologies to ensure that key messages were communicated in immersive and compelling ways. She served on the Corporate Communications Council, providing issues management and digital transformation guidance to C-Suite executives.

Colleen also has a deep background in strategic communications consulting and public affairs. She worked at some of the world’s leading public relations and public affairs firms for 15 years prior to her in-house roles.

Colleen has a bachelor’s degree in Political Communications from George Washington University and a master’s degree in Communication, Culture and Technology from Georgetown University. She completed MIT’s Big Data and Social Analytics certification. She is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society and is a former advisory member for the Institute of Public Relations Measurement Commission, which aims to develop and promote standards and best practices for research, measurement, and analytics that contribute to ethical, strategic, and effective public relations.

Brendan Hess

Vice President, Operational Excellence

Brendan Hess joined the QinetiQ US leadership team to serve as the Vice President of Operational Excellence. Brendan is responsible for guiding Change Management, Program Excellence, and Process Improvement across the QinetiQ US enterprise.

Before joining QinetiQ US, Brendan served as a non-commissioned officer and Counterintelligence Special Agent in the US Army. After government service, he entered industry with Booz Allen Hamilton, where he held various positions spanning from client delivery to program management. Brendan ventured on to Far Ridgeline Engagements (FRLE) as their regional business manager and then Chief Executive Officer. He led corporate direction, strategic goal design, capability development and was responsible for organizing and enabling the company’s products, services, and workforce before leading FRLE through QinetiQ US’ acquisition in 2022. His experiences and passion revolve around strategy, mentorship, and process improvement; “Start from a position of do the right thing, then work on how to do it the right way”.

Brendan holds a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies from Liberty University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Florida.

Christopher Forrest

Executive Vice President and General Manager, Advanced Robotics & Mission Solutions

Christopher Forrest is the Executive Vice President and General Manager, Advanced Robotics & Mission Solutions for QinetiQ US. In this role, Chris is responsible for the general management of the business unit including setting the organization’s strategic direction and overseeing operations, product management, global support and business development.

Chris is a senior executive with progressive, broad-based experience in commercial aerospace and defense business development, strategic planning, international operations, and corporate finance. He has diverse functional expertise with proven ability to quickly analyze key business drivers and develop strategies to grow the business in multiple, complex markets.

Prior to QinetiQ, Chris held various leadership positions in Collins Aerospace, Rockwell Collins ARINC Europe, Middle East & Africa EMEA, and ARINC Research Corporation. These leadership roles covered U.S. DOD system integration solutions as well as information and communication technology products to the aviation industry, and airspace management for autonomous vehicles.

Chris has a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration from Towson University and an MBA in International Finance from Loyola College. He is a member of the ACI World IT Standing Committee and the World Trade Center Institute.

Charles Fielden

Executive Vice President and General Manager, Intelligence & Mission Services

As Executive Vice President and General Manager, Intelligence & Mission Services, Charles Fielden brings to QinetiQ US more than 25 years of experience and an impeccable track record of supporting the intelligence community customers, commercial industry and military partners around the globe.

Prior to joining QinetiQ US, Fielden was most recently the CEO of a proprietary LLC where he led a transformation of the company culture, leading to 90% positive responses in employee surveys while improving profitability. He also spent more than 15 years at Northrop Grumman Corporation, where he grew their cyber and intelligence portfolio, winning multiple $100+ million contracts and gaining deep knowledge and trust with customers.

Fielden earned his Bachelor of Science in Global Studies from University of Washington. He also holds an MBA from George Mason University, and an Associates in Korean Language.

Jonathan Riksen

Executive Vice President and General Manager, National & Global Security Solutions

Jonathan Riksen serves as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National & Global Security Solutions (NGSS) business unit for QinetiQ US. In this role he oversees financial management, delivery excellence, and provides strategic direction for NGSS. He is also responsible for developing, coaching, and retaining the division’s high-performing staff.

Jonathan has managed large P&Ls which oversee a diverse range of customer missions, from infrastructure and application modernization to intelligence and surveillance innovation. He excels at building enterprise strategies to support scaling mission capability. Jonathan’s primary focus has been Federal clients such as the Department of Homeland Security components and Federal Law Enforcement agencies, and he is a leader in the areas of customer strategy, technology innovation, hybrid cloud, automation, and analytics. Prior to joining QinetiQ, his focus was building and executing enterprise strategies for Avantus Federal and prior to that oversaw portions of IBM’s National Security portfolio.

Jonathan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics from Roanoke College and an MBA from George Mason University.

Buck Elton

Executive Vice President and General Manager of Defense Modernization

Buck Elton serves as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Defense Modernization Business Unit at QinetiQ US, where he is responsible for delivering mission focused results, leading continued growth, and integrating capabilities across business units. Buck previously served as the Senior Vice President of Defense Modernization Division with QinetiQ and Avantus Federal.

In 2020, Buck retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Major General after serving over 31 years and has extensive experience working at the senior levels of DoD, U.S. Government Agencies and with International Partners. He served as the J-3 Director of Operations at U.S. Special Operations Command, as the Commander of all U.S. and NATO Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan, the Deputy Director of Special Operations and Counterterrorism on the Joint Staff J-37, the Deputy Commanding General of Joint Special Operations Command and the Director of Resources and Requirements at Air Force Special Operations Command A5/8.

He was a Command Pilot with 4,300 flying hours in MC-130, C-130 and MQ-1 aircraft, commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels, and commanded joint special operations forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Haiti.

Buck holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle University.