Management Team

John Hillen - President and Chief Executive Officer

President and Chief Executive Officer

John Hillen has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc., formerly Global Defense Technology & Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:GTEC), since 2008 and is Chairman of the Board of Directors.  Prior to joining the company and then taking it public in 2009, Dr. Hillen served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs. Prior to that, Dr. Hillen was President of what is now CGI Federal Inc., a federal IT services company that is a subsidiary of CGI Inc (NYSE: GIB), a Canadian IT services firm. Prior to that Dr. Hillen led the defense and intelligence business at American Management Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMSY), which was sold to CACI International, Inc. in 2004.  

From 2000 to 2002, Dr. Hillen served as a Vice President and then Chief Operating Officer of Island ECN Inc., a capital markets firm in New York City. Prior to that., Dr. Hillen spent 12 years as an officer in the U.S. Army in both conventional and special operations units and has been decorated for his actions in combat. He has held positions in several public policy research institutes and is the author/co-author of several books and numerous journal articles on international security affairs that have been published in Foreign Affairs, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and elsewhere.  Dr. Hillen currently serves as a trustee at several non-profit institutions and is a member of the board of directors of Applied Communications Sciences.  He also serves on the federal advisory commission for the U.S. Navy, having been appointed to that position by the Secretary of Defense in 2007.  A government contracting industry leader, Dr. Hillen is a member of the executive committee of the board of the Professional Services Council and is a 2011 recipient of the “Fed 100” award from Federal Computer Week magazine.

Dr. Hillen received a B.A. in Policy Studies/History from Duke University, an M.A. degree in Defense Studies from King’s College, London University, a D.Phil. in International Relations from Oxford University and an M.B.A. from Cornell University.

Joseph M. Cormier - EVP and Chief Financial Officer

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Joe Cormier is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc. (Sotera). He joined the company in January 2010 and oversaw the Company’s - formerly Global Defense Technology & Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:GTEC) - financial operations. Mr. Cormier is responsible for directing the fiscal functions of the company in accordance with its strategic objectives, generally accepted accounting principles issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, other regulatory and advisory organizations(including the Securities and Exchange Commission) and in accordance with financial management techniques and practices appropriate within the government contracting industry. In addition, Mr. Cormier is charged with advancing Sotera’s corporate strategy and enhancing shareholder value through the delivery of industry-leading financial management techniques and practices. In this role, Mr. Cormier is responsible for the Company’s merger and acquisition (M&A) program, leadingthe execution of capital markets transactionsand is an integral participant in developing Sotera’s corporate strategy.

Prior to joining Sotera, Mr. Cormier was Senior Vice President, Corporate Development for ManTech International Corporation. He joined ManTech in 2005 where he was the corporate officer who led and executed ManTech’s M&A, capital structure and investor relations programs. Before ManTech, Mr. Cormier was the Vice President, Corporate Development for DigitalNet, which was sold to BAE Systems, North America in 2004 following its IPO in 2003. Prior to DigitalNet, Mr. Cormier was an investment banker in the Technology Group at Banc of America Securities, LLC.

Mr. Cormier currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) National Capital Chapter, a global community for business leaders, middle market M&A dealmakers and capital providers focused on driving growth. The National Capital Chapter serves the fourth largest economic region in the country.

Mr. Cormier has a B.A. in Economics/Political Science from Columbia University, N.Y.

Ronald C. Jones - EVP, Corporate Strategy & Development

Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Development and Member of the Board of Directors

Ron Jones is responsible for driving the strategy and accelerating the growth and corporate development of Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc. (Sotera) and is a member of Sotera’s Board of Directors.  Mr. Jones is the primary visionary, architect and energy behind Sotera's establishment, growth and transformation, starting with the acquisition of SFA, Inc. in February 2007. Mr. Jones initiated, led and closed the SFA transaction, and then singlehandedly set out to establish and recruit a high caliber Board of Directors while attracting and hiring key talent to strengthen the company’s senior leadership and business development teams. In 2009, Mr. Jones was the driving force behind the IPO of SFA, Inc.  - who changed it’s name to Global Defense Technology & Systems, Inc (NASDAQ: GTEC) -  in November , and managed the follow on acquisitions closed by GTEC in the Intelligence Community, before the strategic sale of GTEC to Ares Management, that created Sotera. Mr. Jones continues to champion the growth and evolution of Sotera as a leading agile, innovative, mid-tier force in the national security community.

Before joining Sotera, Mr. Jones was the Senior Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development, and a member of the board of directors for Gray Hawk Systems, Inc. Mr. Jones was the primary force behind the  build and transformation of Gray Hawk as a national security technology company, improving organizational effectiveness, hiring key talent in the leadership ranks, and closing add on acquisitions. Finally Mr. Jones initiated, led, developed and closed the strategic sale of Gray Hawk Systems to ManTech (NASDAQ: MANT), helping to launch ManTech into the counterterrorism community.

Before Gray Hawk Systems, Mr. Jones was Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Development for Veridian (NYSE: VNX). He was the chief architect behind Veridian’s growth strategy and the leader and driver behind the highly-charged Veridian Mergers & Acquisitions program that, for over eight years, propelled the company through renewal, transformation, accelerated growth, an IPO and a highly valuated strategic sale to General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

Mr. Jones formerly served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and holds a B.S. in Engineering from the US Naval Academy and an M.B.A. from Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.

Kirk Herdman - SVP, Business Development

Senior Vice President, Business Development and Operations

Kirk is the Senior Vice President of Business Development and Operations for Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc. (Sotera) providing leadership and oversight to the company’s business development and operations functions.

Immediately prior to joining Sotera, Mr. Herdman was the Senior Vice President and General Manager for Defense and Science Programs at Wyle Information Systems where he was responsible for nearly 1000 employees supporting mission critical programs valued at over $150M in annual revenues for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA).

Before Wyle, Mr. Herdman spent over 15 years with General Dynamics (formerly Veridian) where he was Vice President for Defense Business Development within General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (GDAIS). While there, Mr. Herdman was responsible for defense agency business development activities for over a $1 Billion operation. Other positions Mr. Herdman held include Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Veridian Engineering’s Applied Technology Group (ATG) and Director of Veridian Engineering’s San Diego, C.A. office.

Mr. Herdman has a B.S in Applied Mathematics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; he is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Darden Business School Executive Training Program on Leadership Change; and he has attended numerous other senior management training courses.

William L. Cave III - SVP, Operations

SVP, Operations

William “Bill” Cave is Senior Vice President, Operations of Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc. (Sotera).  Mr. Cave works with Sotera’s leadership team to effectively execute the company’s business strategy by providing overall direction and guidance for company operations. Mr. Cave also provides day-to-day leadership and management across all company programs and customer-facing operations to ensure that Sotera delivers operational efficiency, superior performance, continues to exceed the expectations of its important national security customers and meets its growth and profitability goals.

Mr. Cave joined the Sotera team in June 2011. Before joining Sotera he was Senior Vice President and Program Development Director for SAIC’s Surveillance and Reconnaissance business unit responsible for business development, strategy, M&A and discretionary investments, including internal research and development, for high-technology solutions and products. Earlier leadership roles included Operations Manager for the Sensor Systems Operation and Division Manager for Advanced Systems and Technology division. Prior to SAIC, he worked at the Central Intelligence Agency and Naval Surface Warfare Center – Carderock Division.

Mr. Cave’s career with the U.S. Army Reserve was focused on special operations.  Mr. Cave has a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology and has received several professional awards, including the Exceptional National Human Intelligence Collector award issued by the Director for Central Intelligence.

Alexander Drew - President, Intelligence Solutions

President, Intelligence Solutions

Alex Drew has been President of The Analysis Corporation, the Intelligence Solutions business of Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc. (Sotera), since January 2009. Immediately prior to his appointment as President of The Analysis Corporation, Mr. Drew served as Vice President, Intelligence Operations with the organization.

Before joining The Analysis Corporation, Mr. Drew was a Senior Vice President and General Counsel of a technology company serving the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). He was previously an associate at the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld practicing in the fields of litigation and energy law.

Mr. Drew served nine years on active duty with the U.S. Navy. During his naval career he was qualified as Chief Engineer for navy nuclear reactors, served on the Navy’s Operations staff as the Strategic and Submarine Warfare Analyst for the Director of Naval Intelligence and as the Navy’s representative to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) working four crucial National Intelligence Estimates on nuclear matters. In 1991, Mr. Drew joined the Naval Reserve Intelligence Program and supported operational intelligence missions at the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI); served as the Acting General Counsel for the Director of Naval Intelligence; and eventually commanded the largest Naval Intelligence Reserve Unit overseen by a Commander.

Immediately following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Mr. Drew was recalled to active duty for four years and spearheaded the Crisis Operations Division for the Joint Staff J2. He then served as a Senior Watch Officer for the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) and was the representative from the DIA’s Joint Intelligence Task Force for Combating Terrorism (JITF-CT) that helped establish the NCTC’s Operations Center. He later oversaw the production of over 400 HUMINT reserve analysts deployed worldwide. Mr. Drew recently retired from the Navy at the rank of Captain.

Mr. Drew holds a B.S. in Physics from Miami University of Ohio and a J.D. from the Catholic University, Columbus School of Law, United States.

Timothy Jones - SVP and General Manager, Engineered Solutions

Senior Vice President and General Manager

Timothy Jones has served as  the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Sotera Engineered Solutions, Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc. (Sotera) since 2009.  The engineering services and systems integration business of Sotera, Engineered Solutions provides technical support and highly engineered,  integratedmobile solutionsto support of the critical missions of defense and homeland security customers.  Mr. Jones joined the company in 2005 as Senior Program Manager and Director of Finance, where he developed an independent finance department, including all staffing, policies, procedures and reporting systems. As Senior Program Manager he transformed a product line with lackluster performance into one of Sotera EngineeredSolutions’ capstone programs, repositioning Sotera as the preferred vendor.

Prior to joining Sotera, Mr. Jones served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for the Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care, Inc.   Delmarva, now a division of Quality Health Strategies, is a not-for-profit organization charged with improving the quality of health care and support services to the elderly, poor and developmentally disabled across the U.S.  As Senior Vice President, he was responsible for the daily operations of multiple state and regional health care and human services programs.   A national leader in quality improvement, Delmarva was the first organization to champion large scale, outcomes based quality improvement  initiatives for individuals with developmental disabilities, a feat that achieved national recognition.

Outside of the company, Mr. Jones serves as a Director for  the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board.  Previously, he has served on the Leadership Council of the Maryland Patient Safety Center and has been a presenter at national conferences for developmental disabilities and health care quality improvement.   Between 1998 and 2004, he served on the Executive Committee of Finance & Human Resources Network for the National Trade Association and was elected as Chairman for a two year term. 

Mr. Jones holds a B.S. in Economics and an M.B.A. from Virginia Tech. He is also trained in ISO 9001, completed Motorola University’s Six Sigma Greenbelt program and has undertaken the Enhancing Leadership Performance, Leader as a Teacher program from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

John Stolberg - SVP, Assured IT

Senior Vice President, Assured IT

John Stolberg is the Senior Vice President, Assured IT, for Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc. (Sotera). Mr. Stolberg is responsible for managing the operations and growth of the part of Sotera’s business that delivers sophisticated enterprise architecture and systems engineering, IT and network security, network engineering and intelligence analysis in support of the critical missions of our Intelligence Community, Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security and Law Enforcement clients.

Mr. Stolberg began his career in the IT consulting business in 1994 as an Account Executive. He joined Signature Consultants, LLC as Director of Branch Operations in Fort Lauderdale when the company was in its start-up phase in 1997. Mr. Stolberg successfully guided the business to profitability within its first year of operations, which today utilizes the same basic operating structure that John helped establish. In January of 1999, Mr. Stolberg created a new operating division supporting Central, Northern and Western, Florida, once again achieving profitability within the first year.

As a Senior Vice President, Mr. Stolberg established Signature Government Solutions, the Federal practice of Signature Consultants’ enterprise IT business in the Fall of 2003, based in Reston, Virginia. In December 2010, Signature Government Solutions became the Assured IT business of Sotera. During his time at Signature Consultants’, Mr. Stolberg was responsible for building three successful start-up businesses that have generated over $350 million since inception.

Mr. Stolberg received a B.A. in Communications from Boston College and is a current member of the Executive Management council for Signature Consultants, LLC.

Greg Hofstrand - VP, Cyber Solutions

Vice President, Cyber Solutions

Greg Hofstrand is Vice President of Sotera’s Cyber Solutions business, responsible for managing the operations and growth of this critical business that supports the cyber intelligence and cyber warfare priorities of our national security clients.

Prior to Sotera, Mr. Hofstrand was the Senior Vice President of Zytel Corporation, a specialist provider of cyber solutions to the national security community, acquired by Sotera on October 1, 2010. In this role, he was responsible for growing Zytel’s business by 250% in just 2.5 years while managing all program operations, performance, recruitment and human resources.

Before Zytel, Mr. Hofstrand spent eight years working for L-3 Communications where he was responsible for managing major national security programs, becoming recognized as a leader in the management of large government contracts and projects in a diverse array of disciplines and functions. During his 34 years of experience working in the defense sector and intelligence community Mr. Hofstrand has held senior positions within Ford Aerospace Corporation, Harris Corporation and Sperry Support Services and has amassed significant experience in systems and software engineering.

Mr. Hofstrand studied architecture at the Washington State University, Pullman, Washington. Previously he was elected as Judge of Elections and Republican Committee Chairman for Hopewell Township in Pennsylvania.

Michael Weixel - SVP, Contracts and Administration

Senior Vice President, Contracts and Administration

Mike Weixel is the Senior Vice President of Contracts and Administration for Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc. (Sotera). Mr. Weixel is responsible for the establishment of the contractual and business operations plan across the company in support of all business units.

Prior to joining Sotera, Mr. Weixel was the Vice President of Contracts for ManTech IS&T with direct management and operational oversight for all contractual, subcontracting and pricing for the IS&T Business Unit with reporting responsibility to the Senior Corporate Vice President of Contracts at ManTech International. Mr. Weixel previously worked in key business operations management positions for Lockheed Martin IT, ACS Defense and Government Services and System Planning Corporation. In 1996, Mr. Weixel was recognized by the Secretary of Defense, William Perry, for his contribution to the Atlanta Centennial Olympics and the Atlanta Paralympics, and in 2004, he received the Lockheed Martin NOVA award.

Mr. Weixel received a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, V.A. and an M.B.A. from the George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Lisa Broome - SVP, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs

Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs

Lisa Broome is Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs for Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc. (Sotera).  Ms. Broome joined the Company in 1996 and she works closely with the executive leadership team to create a competitive advantage, enable growth and deliver maximum business results through the recruitment and retention of quality employees. She oversees all Human Resources functions including leadership development, training, employee relations, compensation, benefits, recruiting and security. 

Prior to joining Sotera, Ms. Broome directed the human resources department for an 8(a) government contracting company. She developed and implemented policies and programs regarding transition plans for the recruitment and hiring of 500+ employees. Ms. Broome has been responsible for training, supervising and the administration of multi-million dollar department budgets. She has a proven track record of providing cost-effective management solutions to numerous human resource issues.  Prior to her career in human resources, Ms. Broome was a production manager for a large industrial services corporation.

Ms. Broome earned both her M.S. degree in management and her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland.  She is a member of the HR Leadership Council, ExecutiveBiz 4x24 HR Group, Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Washington Technical Personnel Forum (WTPF).

Jesse Watters - SVP, General Counsel

Jesse Watters is the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc. (Sotera).  Mr. Watters’ oversees all of the legal affairs of Sotera and its subsidiaries, and advises the company on such matters as corporate governance, contracts, litigation, technology licensing, acquisitions and divestitures, real estate, intellectual property management, regulatory, compliance and employment issues.  He also serves as the company’s Chief Compliance Officer responsible for the day-to-day implementation, management and operation of the Ethics Compliance Program.

Prior to joining the company, Mr. Watters served as Corporate Vice President, Deputy General Counsel of Alion Science and Technology Corporation, a technology company servicing the U.S. Government.  In this position, Mr. Watters was responsible for all the business and operational legal issues of Alion to include responsibility as the Corporate Compliance Officer for Alion’s Ethics Compliance program.  Mr. Watters previously served as the Deputy General Counsel of the Coalition Provisional Authority, Office of the Inspector General and specialized in the areas of government contracts and compliance while at the law firms of Holland & Knight, LLP and Patton Boggs, LLP.  During his professional endeavors he also served as an Adjunct Professor at the Joint Military Intelligence College where he taught National Security Law.  Mr. Watters served on active duty and in the reserves from 1984-2009 first as non-commissioned officer and later as an officer in the U.S. Navy.  His tours of duty included the USCINCLANT, USSOUTHCOM, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense, Office of the Inspector General and the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division.

Mr. Watters received a B.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University and a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law.