Airbus U.S. Space & Defense Inc. Leaders, Founders, & Execs: Who Are They? Know who helped shaped the future of space exploration and defense since the 70s.
Airbus U.S. Space & Defense is a trusted U.S. government partner providing solutions to geospatial intelligence and cyber capabilities, secure communications, space exploration, and other missions. Its integrated systems and services protect critical infrastructure, coastlines, and borders. Based in Arlington, Virginia, Airbus U.S. is committed to expanding its presence in America, having served as a prime contractor for multiple government projects.
Airbus U.S. Space & Defense Inc. Leaders, Founders, & Execs: Who Are They?
Here’s a list of notable Airbus U.S. Space & Defense leadership and the people responsible of bringing Airbus to existence.
Robert A. Geckle, Chief Executive Officer
Robert A. Geckle, Jr. has been the Chief Executive Officer for Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. since October 2021. He oversees all Airbus U.S. companies’ operations, activities and strategy in this role. Before becoming the CEO, Geckle was a Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Geckle effectively managed the company’s business and functional operations of the U.S. government facing the business of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. His expertise in legal, compliance, and leadership skills to support the growth and operational success of aerospace companies throughout his career have not gone unnoticed.
In 2023, Robert Geckle was honored as a Wash100 winner for his strategic vision and efforts in expanding the company’s presence in the national security market and other key government sectors. Thanks to his leadership, Airbus in the U.S. has grown in government program areas such as communications, intelligence, surveillance, and satellites.
Mohamed Denden, Chief Financial Officer
Mohamed Denden is the Chief Financial Officer for Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. In this role, he manages the financial decision-making process and ensures the company achieves its financial goals while sustaining corporate growth. He has been with Airbus in the U.S. and France for over 14 years.
Denden brings a wealth of knowledge in the aerospace and defense industry. This includes leadership roles in corporate finance, procurement, mergers and acquisitions, program control, internal audit, and investor relations. Before joining Airbus in 2013, he was a Senior Consultant at Deloitte.
Cara Sindir, Chief Operating Officer
Cara Sindir is the Chief Operating Officer for Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. In her role, she oversees daily operations and the development of the company strategy. One of Sindir’s biggest achievements is assembling a talented team to collaborate with her. Despite challenges posed by the post-COVID work environment, she effectively managed a geographically dispersed team and remote workers.
Sindir started her career in 2000 as an International Development Consultant and worked on projects involving women’s and children’s rights and migration issues. Before her current role, she was a Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy. She joined Airbus U.S. in October 2019 after spending ten years with Airbus Defence & Space and leading global strategy and marketing teams.
Gloria Sutton, Facility Security Officer
Gloria Sutton is the Chief Security and Facilities Management Officer for Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. She plays a role in overseeing various security and facilities management responsibilities at Airbus. These include Airbus’ industrial operations, information systems, physical premises, and personnel. She also manages risk management, day-to-day operations, policy implementation, panning, staff education, safety protocols, and more.
Additionally, Sutton handles budgeting and resource management planning. Gloria Sutton has served Airbus since March 2005, when she started as an Assistant Facility Security Officer. Before this role, she was a Junior Help Desk Engineer and Office Manager at Access Research Corporation.
Alex Veneziano, Chief Administrative Officer
Alex Veneziano is the Chief Administrative Officer for Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. He’s the go-to person for leading and managing multiple departments, including legal, ethics and compliance, information security, and human resources.
Veneziano joined Airbus in September 2020, starting as the Head of Business Operations and Human Resources. Before this role, he served as a Legal Counsel at Airbus Americas, Inc., supporting the Airbus commercial aviation business.
Armen Askijian, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Engineering
Armen Askijian is the Chief Technology Officer and Head of Engineering at Airbus U.S. Space & Defense. He is responsible for the company’s design solutions for commercial and U.S. Government customers. Askijian has a solid background in leading large corporations’ satellite programs and design teams, including Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Airbus OneWeb Satellites, Google, and OneWeb.
Add to that, he was one of the primary designers for the Airbus OneWeb Gen1 satellite and its underlying modular platform, Arrow. Mr. Askijian also led the design team for the OneWeb Generation 2 satellite constellation.
Russ Matijevich, Chief Innovation Officer
Russ Matijevich is the Chief Innovation Officer for Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. In this role, he leads various teams in strategy, business development, government relations, strategic communications, and marketing. Additionally, Matijevich co-curates the technical road map and partakes in investment decisions.
Previously, Matijevich was a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel for over 30 years, with experience in space, satellite, and aeronautics/aviation. After retiring from active duty in 2011, he held executive positions at Northrop Grumman, HawkEye, and BAE Systems. His expertise extended to the Office of the Secretary of Defense as the Deputy Director of Space Policy, where he leveraged his expertise in space systems and operations for national security.
Founders of Airbus
Roger Béteille was the founding father of Airbus and one of the industry’s pioneers during the second half of the 20th century. With his exceptional political and forward-thinking mindset, Béteille, together with Henri Ziegler, Bernard Lathière, and Felix Kracht established Airbus in 1969.
Béteille led the A300 program’s development in 1974, marking Airbus’ entry into commercial aviation. The A300 aircraft was the first of its kind, with only engines and improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Their efforts convinced governments and industrial partners to unite their resources and establish a robust and modern European aviation industry.
(Above Executive Photos from Airbus U.S. Space & Defense Official Website)
Airbus U.S. Board of Directors
- Franklin C. Miller
- William L. Shelton
- Kevin Sweeney
- Michael Schoellhorn
- Bruno Even
- Jeff Knittel
- Jean-Marc Nasr (Executive Vice President of Airbus Defence and Space – France, UK, Middle East and Africa regional activities)
Business Development Team
- Aubert Kimbrell, Government Relations
- Christopher Demi, Executive Director, Business Development
- Lavanson Coffey, Executive Director, Customer Engagement
Business Line Leaders
- Debra Facktor, Airbus U.S. Space
- Scott Tumpak, Airbus U.S. Military Helicopters (former Senior Director for the UH-72A Lakota program)
- Jose Antonio de la Fuente, Airbus U.S. Military Aircraft
- Didier Cormary, Airbus U.S. Connected Intelligence
Airbus Divisions
Here is a list of Airbus’ operational divisions.
Defence and Space
Airbus U.S. Space & Defense is a trusted partner to the U.S. government. It delivers industry-leading capabilities in satellite technology, geospatial intelligence, secure communications, space exploration missions, military helicopters, and more. The company’s 30 years of in-orbit operation enables it to cater to the needs of national security agencies and space-focused partners. Airbus Defence and Space launched its initial Earth observation satellite in 1986.
Commercial Aircraft
The Airbus commercial aircraft business meets market needs with its comprehensive product line boasting over 19,000 global orders. It includes aircraft families from 100 to 850 seats and serves airlines nationwide. Airbus manufactures world-class military aircraft, including A400M, C295, and C212, operated by air forces globally.
Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters is a leading helicopter manufacturer, offering the most comprehensive lineup of civilians for the company’s military rotorcraft operation and military helicopters worldwide. With a workforce of 20,000 and a portfolio comprising UH-72, MH-65, and AH-125 & MH-125, Airbus maintains a 45% market share.
*Know more about Top Government Contracts Won by Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc.