2026 Operational Transformers

Defense News’ Operational Transformers is an annual list recognizing
leaders who turn defense innovation into deployed, operational capability.
This list emphasizes real-world fielding, integration into operational units,
acquisition execution, scale of adoption, and measurable impact on
readiness and warfighting effectiveness. Operational Transformers are
selected based on their demonstrated ability to move capability out of the
lab, through acquisition, and into the hands of warfighters often under
compressed timelines and real operational constraints.

PEO & Program/Acquisition Office Leaders

Name	Title	Organization
Lt. Gen. Robert Collins	Principal Military Deputy, ASA(ALT)	U.S. Army
Lt. Gen. Luke Cropsey	Military Deputy, Office of the ASAF (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics)	U.S. Air Force
Rear Adm. Thomas Dickinson	PEO, Integrated Warfare Systems	U.S. Navy
Dr. William Luebke	PEO, C4I	U.S. Navy
Col. Timothy Helfrich	PAE, Fighters & Advanced Aircraft	U.S. Air Force
Vice Adm. Stephen Tedford	Director, Defense Contract Management Agency	U.S. Navy
Brig. Gen. Troy Denomy	Capability Program Executive, Ground (CPE Ground)	U.S. Army

Service-Level Modernization & Capability Integration

Name	Title	Organization
Vice Adm. Douglas Williams	Director, PAE Strategic Systems Programs	U.S. Navy
Vice Adm. James Downey	Commander, NAVSEA / PAE Industrial Operations	U.S. Navy
Lt. Gen. Eric Austin	Deputy Commandant, Combat Development & Integration	U.S. Marine Corps
Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano	Portfolio Acquisition Executive, Fires (PAE Fires)	U.S. Army
Chris Manning	Capability Program Executive, Intelligence & Spectrum Warfare	U.S. Army
Melissa “Mojo” Johnson	Acquisition Executive, SOF AT&L	U.S. SOCOM

Rapid Capabilities, Experimentation & Transition

Name	Title	Organization
Brig. Gen. Christine Beeler	Capability Program Executive, Simulation, Training, Test & Threat (ST3)	U.S. Army
Brig. Gen. Doug Wickert	Commander, Air Force Research Laboratory	U.S. Air Force
William Bailey	Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics	U.S. Air Force
Stephen Winchell	Director, DARPA	DARPA
Dr. Aaron Lazarus	Director, Tactical Technology Office	DARPA

Industry Operational Delivery Leaders

Name	Title	Organization
Brian Schimpf	Co-Founder & CEO	Anduril Industries
Brandon Tseng	Co-Founder & President	Shield AI
Dino Mavrookas	Co-Founder & CEO	Saronic Technologies
Adam Bry	Co-Founder & CEO	Skydio
Akash “Aki” Jain	President & CTO, Palantir USG	Palantir
JoeBen Bevirt	Founder & CEO	Joby Aviation

Joint & Interagency Capability Fielders

Name	Title	Organization
Owen West	Director	Defense Innovation Unit
Dr. Amy Henninger	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation	U.S. DoD
Cameron Stanley	Chief Digital & AI Officer (CDAO)	U.S. DoD
Gen. Michael Guetlein	Direct Reporting Program Manager, Golden Dome	U.S. DoD
Brig. Gen. Matt Ross	Director, JIATF 401 (Counter-UAS)	U.S. DoD
David Lorch	Director, Office of Strategic Capital	U.S. DoD

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