MANAGEMENT |
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Michael Moody
CEO, President and Chairman
Michael Moody was appointed President of Force Protection, Inc. in September 2007, the Interim Chief Executive Officer on January 30, 2008 and appointed as the Chief Executive Officer on February 29, 2008. Mr. Moody has more than thirty years of senior management experience in operational management, reorganizations, acquisitions and business transformations. From 2005 - 2007 he provided business and financial advisory services to privately held businesses. Mr. Moody was the Chief Operating Officer at the London American General Agency and Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for Magna Carta Companies, a mutual insurance company, where he also served on the Board of Directors. Mr. Moody is a CPA (Australia) and an associate with the Australian Society of Accountants, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.
Prior to his appointment as CEO, President and Chairman, he served as an independent member of the Board of Directors at Force Protection. He continues to serve as a board member.
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Damon Walsh
Executive Vice President, Force Dynamics Managing Director
Before joining Force Protection, Damon Walsh was a career officer in the U.S. Army serving in a wide variety of
staff and command positions including operational assignments as an airborne Infantry officer and Special Forces
officer. Mr. Walsh also served for over a decade in the Army Acquisition Corps. This culminated in his assignment
as the Commanding Officer of the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center at Lima overseeing the manufacture of Abrams
Main Battle Tanks, Stryker vehicles, and Marine Corps Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles. Retiring as a Lieutenant
Colonel, Mr. Walsh is a Level III Certified Acquisition Professional as well as a Certified Professional Contracts
Manager and has over 25 years experience in both the operational Army and the Acquisition community.
Mr. Walsh holds a Master's Degree in Management from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and is a graduate of the Army
Command & General Staff College. He is also a veteran of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Provide Comfort,
Uphold Democracy, and Iraqi Freedom.
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Robert DeFazio
Vice President, Materials
Robert DeFazio has 25 years of progressive experience in Supply Chain Management, Logistics and Materials Management in the Defense, Aerospace, Electronics and Heavy Truck Industries. Prior to joining Force Protection in November of 2007 he was the Vice President of Supply Chain for American LaFrance. He previously directed Global Supply Chain and Materials Organizations for Solectron, Honeywell and Lockheed Martin where he earned designations including Performance Team of the Year, Employee of the Year, and winner of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
Mr. DeFazio holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from The Ohio State University, and a Masters in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University. He is certified by the American Production and Inventory Control Society, and a trained six-sigma facilitator.
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Craig A. Whitt
Senior Vice President, Operations
Bringing more than 25 years of International Operational experience in the automotive and steel industry Craig Whitt joined Force Protection in May of 2005. He previously held leadership positions with Ford Motor Company, where he had responsibilities in North America, Canada and Mexico. He also held operational responsibilities in Southeast Asia, Europe, and Brazil. His previous experience includes management positions in Quality, Product Development, Design, Manufacturing (Assembly & Stamping) and Manufacturing Engineering divisions. Mr. Whitt was also instrumental in the launch of the Econoline Van, Mustang, Escort/Tracer, Focus, Windstar/Freestar Minivan, Ford 500 and Freestyle vehicle series during his tenure with Ford.
Retired from the U.S. Army Reserves in 1997, Mr. Whitt served in several command and operational positions with the Army Rangers, Army Special Operations Command and the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He holds a Bachelors Degree from Eastern Michigan University, Masters in Business Administration from Campbell University (with distinction), and a Masters of Science in Engineering - Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Michigan (with distinction). He is a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Instructor.
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Kirk Daniel
Vice President, Quality Processes
Mr. Daniel brings 29 years of manufacturing experience in application engineering, quality engineering,
program management, and senior management positions in three different plants for Copeland Corporation
and DaimlerChrysler. He has worked in the fields of commercial air conditioning and refrigeration
design, injection molding, light stamping, brazing, welding, automated assembly, precision machining,
and power train testing.
Mr. Daniel has an Associates Degree and a BSMET from California Polytechnic State University, as well
as an MBA from Baker College. His service experience includes assignments with the U.S. Army as a lead
Fire Control Mechanic for Hawk Missile Systems while serving at Fort Bliss, Texas and Camp Casey, Korea.
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John Wall
Vice President & Assistant General Counsel
John Wall, III is a seasoned attorney with more than 24 years of legal experience holding various in-house counsel positions with increasing levels of responsibility with a privately held construction company and with publicly traded engineering and construction companies serving the defense, commercial, and industrial markets. Prior to his position with Force Protection, he served as Associate General Counsel for Washington Group International, Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama, serving clients within the Federal Government including the Defense Department, State Department, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Agency for International Development as well as state agencies and private clientele.
Mr. Wall holds a Bachelor's of Science degree from the College of Charleston, a Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law and a Master of Law in Taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law.
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Bill LaFontaine
Vice President, Program Management
Bill LaFontaine brings to Force Protection more than 22 years of experience in defense contracting having worked in the Department of Defense as part of the NAVAIR Systems Command and as a contractor for both Hughes Aircraft Company and Raytheon Company. Throughout his career, Bill has worked in all aspects of product life cycle including design, development, test and validation, production, and life cycle support. He has worked in quality, supplier development, product evaluation and held senior management positions in engineering, business development, and program management.
Mr. LaFontaine holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Rose-Hulman and is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
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Lenna Ruth Macdonald
Chief Strategy Officer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
Lenna Ruth Macdonald joined Force Protection, Inc. in November 2007 with over 19 years legal experience as in-house counsel and in private practice. She was promoted to her current position from Co-General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in March 2008. Ms. Macdonald has specialized experience in corporate governance, compliance, securities and transactional matters. Prior to joining the Company, she served as Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary of Commonwealth Industries, Inc. (a NASDAQ listed leading aluminum sheet manufacturer), as in-house counsel for Banc One Corporation and as Assistant General Counsel and Group Leader at BONHAM, a Banc One subsidiary. Ms. Macdonald was also an associate with the international law-firm McDermott, Will & Emery based in its Boston, Massachusetts office.
Ms. Macdonald received her J.D. from Emory University School of Law, attended the M.Sc. Program at the London School of Economics and Political Science in London, England and received her A.B. from Brown University.
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Shelia Boyd
Vice President, Human Resources
Shelia Boyd, a Senior Human Resource Professional brings a wealth of human resources experience to Force Protection. Before joining the Company, she served as Executive Director of Human Resources for Black Box Universal Solutions, a division of Black Box Network Services, a multi-million dollar manufacture of voice and data network systems where she was responsible for leading the design, delivery and implementation of human resources practices and procedures, employee benefits, payroll services and systems and tools. Prior to that, Shelia worked for AT&T Technical Marketing and AT&T Growth and Commercial Markets as one of the first Branch Resource Managers for AT&T Commercial Market Business Unit in Birmingham, AL.
Mrs. Boyd has extensive experience in human resources including HRIS systems, acquisitions and implementation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL. Bringing more than 20 years of Human Resource and Management experience, she joined Force Protection in March of 2006.
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Charles Mathis
Chief Financial Officer
Charles Mathis, CPA has over 20 years of experience in strategic finance and accounting for a number of manufacturing companies including two major defense contractors. Prior to joining Force Protection, Mr. Mathis was Chief Financial Officer of EFW, Inc. a US segment of Elbit Systems Ltd., a public Israeli defense conglomerate. At Elbit, Mr. Mathis was responsible for all areas of finance, contract accounting, government compliance, Sarbanes Oxley compliance, tax and the development of joint ventures. Prior to Elbit, Mr. Mathis was Vice President, Finance and IT, with Fairbank Morse Engine, a supplier of medium speed diesel engines to the US Navy and the engine segment of EnPro Industries.
Mr. Mathis received his MBA from the University of Chicago and completed his undergraduate studies at Wake Forest University. Mr. Mathis also served as a Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.
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Paul Kovarovic
Senior Vice President, Total Life Cycle Support
Paul Kovarovic is responsible for the company's Total Life Cycle operations which include Spares & Sustainment, Logistics Engineering, Technical Publications, and Field Service & Training. Mr. Kovarovic joins Force Protection with more than 23 years of experience within both the DOD and commercial life cycle support and supply chain service companies. He began his career as an Air Force logistics officer in support of the F-16 Fighting Falcon with deployments around the world. Since leaving the Air Force with 10 years of service, he has held various senior executive positions responsible for leading companies and divisions requiring solutions in life cycle support and sustainment, integrated logistics support, supply chain management, third-party logistics, service & logistics documentation & training, new product launch support, repair center operations, private and contract warehousing operations, and designing for supportability.
Mr. Kovarovic has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Georgia. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Logistics Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
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Amy Justis
Vice President, Financial Operations
As Vice President of Financial Operations for Force Protection, Amy Justis brings with her more than 20 years of financial experience. Previously serving as the Vice President of Operations - Finance for Windstream Communications, formerly CT Communications, Ms. Justis' focus was on finance and building all financial operational functions with a heavy emphasis on profitability and operational improvements. Prior to joining Force Protection in 2008, she was the Director of Finance for Bellsouth Telecommunications where she oversaw multi-billion dollar business plans, managed resources serving over 10 million access lines and focused on the development of management reporting systems.
Ms. Justis holds a Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from the University of Virginia, as well as her Oracle Financials Masters Certificate.
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Ed Wenz
Vice President, Financial Government Compliance
Ed Wenz joined Force Protection in February 2008 as Director of Financial Government Compliance and was named Vice President of Financial Government Compliance in February 2009. Previously, he served as vice president and general manager for the Asia-Pacific division of North Safety Product, one of the world's largest manufacturers and sellers of industrial safety products including chemical protective gloves for the US government. Mr. Wenz has more than 30 years of international business experience in finance, operations and business development with North Safety Products, Siebe Plc and Norton Company. He has extensive experience with government contract cost/price and compliance issues and has been responsible for developing and implementing accounting systems that comply with Government contracting requirements.
Mr. Wenz holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from Clemson University.
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Kevin Ferraro
Vice President, Engineering
As vice president of engineering, Kevin Ferraro brings to Force Protection an expertise in process and logistics development, functional architecture and product design. Before arriving at Force Protection, Kevin Ferraro spent more than a decade with General Dynamics Amphibious Systems, where he served in managerial and directorial roles in the areas of subsystems engineering, development, contract negotiations and more. Prior to that, he served as an engineer with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space Company. Ferraro holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, where he graduated magna cum laude.
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Kevin MacKinnon
Vice President, Research & Development
Kevin MacKinnon joined Force Protection in April, 2009. As vice president of research and development, Kevin MacKinnon brings more than 23 years experience working in the automotive, aerospace, and building products industries to Force Protection. Prior to joining the company, MacKinnon was director of process development for CertainTeed Corporation, where he was responsible for taking innovative new products from concept to commercialization.
Mr. MacKinnon earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in Chemical Engineering from Wayne State University.
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Randy Hutcherson
Executive Vice President, Programs, Global Sales and Business Development
Randy Hutcherson joined Force Protection as Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Business Development in April 2009. He has responsibility for Force Protection's global sales, program and contract management, as well as communications and legislative activities. Prior to serving in this newly formed position, Mr. Hutcherson was employed as Vice President of Tanker Programs for EADS North America as well as Vice President of Rotorcraft Programs. In addition to his vast experience in the private sector, Mr. Hutcherson served 26 years in the United States Marine Corps in a variety of capacities and retired as a Colonel in the Marine Corps Office of Legislative Affairs in 2002. He holds a bachelor of science in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, a master of science in Systems Management from Troy State University and a master of science in National Security Strategies from the National War College.
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Otis Byrd
Vice President, Contracts
As Force Protection's Vice President, Contracts, Otis Byrd establishes and implements the company's Joint Venture policies and procedures and assures customer contract compliance. He also serves on a team of senior leaders who define and set the overall strategic direction of the company. Prior to serving as Vice President of Contracts, Byrd held the position of Director of Contracts at Force Protection, where he developed and implemented contract infrastructure, negotiated and oversaw contract management of supply contracts and approved and executed bids, proposals and agreements on behalf of the company. Before joining Force Protection in May of 2006, Byrd spent more than twenty years with Honeywell International where he served as the Senior Manager of Contracts and was responsible for overseeing management activities for the division and developing and executing strategic business plans.
Byrd holds a bachelor of arts in Economics from Kent State University and a Juris Doctor from the C. Blake McDowell Law School in Ohio.
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Mark Garrell
Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Director of Washington Operations
As Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Director of Washington Operations, Mark Garrell established Force Protection's Washington, DC office and is responsible for all legislative communications with Capitol Hill and the company's primary liaison for the Pentagon. Mr. Garrell was most recently with DRS Technologies (A Finmeccanica Company), where he was Vice President of Government Affairs. Prior to DRS Technologies, Mark Garrell completed a 22 year career in military service with the United States Army achieving the rank of colonel and served as Senior Legislative Coordinator for Appropriations, Army Budget Congressional Liaison, in the Office of the Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller in his last Pentagon assignment. Prior to that post, he served as Battalion Commander for the US Army's Third Infantry Division in Iraq from 2002-2004. Mark is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and received a master of science from Central Michigan University and attended the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown as a congressional fellow.
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Jon Rudy
Vice President, International Business Development
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Jim Grazioplene
Executive Vice President, Total Life Cycle Support
As executive vice president, total lifecycle support, James Grazioplene is responsible for the oversight, development and management of Force Protection's growing business of providing total life cycle support to its fleet of fielded vehicles including service, spare parts and related logistics, maintenance and support through the Company's in-theatre field service representatives. In addition, he oversees Force Protection's 120 acre off-road training facility located in Roxboro, North Carolina.
Prior to joining Force Protection, Mr. Grazioplene served as vice president of global programs in the government and infrastructure division of KBR, Inc. Prior to that, he was employed by SYColeman, a subsidiary of L3 Communications Holdings as vice president, surveillance and security applications.
A graduate of West Point and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Mr. Grazioplene served in the United States Army for 34 years, achieving the rank of Major General. At the time of his retirement from the Army he held the position of director of force development in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, US Army, Pentagon, where he supervised investment and fielding strategies for all programs to equip Army forces deployed worldwide and served as a liaison to the Office of the Secretary of Defense and members of Congress and their staffs.
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James Cooney
Vice President, Business Development, Washington, DC office
As vice president, business development for Force Protection's Washington, DC office, James Cooney is responsible for business development and project procurement efforts designed to strengthen the Company for sustainable and profitable growth.
Mr. Cooney joins Force Protection having previously served as director for the defense division of Professional Solutions, LLC. While at Professional Solutions, he was in charge of total business development, capture and contract management. Prior to that role, Mr. Cooney served as project manager/client manager for The Tatitlek Corporation, where he re-negotiated contracts, coordinated legislative affairs, directed the company's largest project at 29 Palms California, and was responsible for major performance improvements. As chief of staff to the Chief Information Officer/Director, Command, Control Communications, and Computers (C4) at Headquarters , U.S. Marine Corps he provided strategic advice, oversight, and management of specific projects deemed necessary for federal business and national security.
A former senior-level Marine Corps aviator, Mr. Cooney boasts a wealth of extensive executive leadership experience having served as commanding officer at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, vice director for operations for the U.S. Southern Command, Miami, FL, and commanding officer for a Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron.
A graduate of the Marine Corps War College with two degrees from Boston College, Mr. Cooney also currently holds a DoD Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
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Keith Weaver
Senior Vice President, Business Development, Communications and Program Capture
Keith Weaver serves as Senior Vice President, Business Development, Communications and Program Capture for Force Protection, where he oversees operational management, particularly in the areas of business development within the defense industry.
Prior to his position with Force Protection, Mr. Weaver served as Chief Operating Officer of Enterra Solutions, LLC, where he also held the position of Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Strategic Projects. While at Enterra Solutions, he worked directly with senior leadership to ensure program and contract deliverables were executed on time and in the most cost-effective manner possible. Mr. Weaver also served as Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer of the United Service Organizations' World Headquarters (USO), where he spearheaded global operations across Europe, the Pacific, Southwest Asia, and the United States.
In addition to his private sector experience, Mr. Weaver served 24 years in the United States Navy as a naval flight officer with duty stations that included special assistant for weapons systems acquisition policy within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense; Commander, Patrol Wing Eleven; Commanding Officer, Patrol Squadron Twenty-Three; and Deputy Executive Secretary in the Immediate Office of the Secretary of Defense.
A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Mr. Weaver holds an M.A. in International Relations from the United States Naval War College and an M.S. in Management from Salve Regina University.
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Tom Brown
Vice President, Finance and Estimating
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John Simon
Corporate Controller
John Simon joined Force Protection as Corporate Controller in September, 2009. Before joining Force Protection, he served as the Corporate Controller at GE Intelligent Platforms, a subsidiary of General Electric. Prior to that, Mr. Simon served as the Controller for Black and Decker’s domestic distribution operations. During his time with these two companies he gained substantial experience in acquisitions, joint venture systems implementations, cost reduction and process improvement initiatives. Mr. Simon began his career working in the assurance services practice at KPMG where he specialized in serving manufacturing and transportation clients.
Mr. Simon holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Iowa State University of Science and Technology and a Masters in Business Administration from Regent University. He is a CPA and a member of the AICPA and the SCACPA.
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Michael Moody CEO, President and Chairman*
Charles Mathis CFO*
Lenna Ruth Macdonald CSO, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary*
Jim Grazioplene Executive VP, Total Life Cycle Support*
Randy Hutcherson Executive VP, Programs, Global Sales & Business Development*
Keith Weaver Senior VP, Business Development, Communications and Program Capture
Craig A. Whitt Senior VP, Operations
Shelia Boyd VP, Human Resources
Tom Brown VP, Finance and Estimating
Otis Byrd VP, Contracts
James Cooney VP, Business Development, Washington, DC office
Kirk Daniel VP, Quality Processes
Robert DeFazio VP, Materials
Kevin Ferraro VP, Engineering
Mark Garrell SVP, Government Affairs & Director of Washington Operations
Amy Justis VP, Financial Operations
Paul Kovarovic SVP, Total Life Cycle Support Operations
Bill LaFontaine VP, Program Management
Kevin MacKinnon VP, Research & Development
Jon Rudy VP, International Business Development
John Wall VP & Assistant General Counsel
Damon Walsh Executive VP, Force Dynamics Managing Director
Ed Wenz VP, Financial Government Compliance
John Simon Corporate Controller
*Denotes Executive Committee Members
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