LOCATIONS
MARITIME
09 Oct 24. HII launches first Flight II San Antonio-class ship.
The transition of Harrisburg from land to water was facilitated using translation railcars.
Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has announced the launch of the first Flight II San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, named Harrisburg (LPD 30).
The San Antonio-class is said to be a key component of the Navy’s amphibious assault force for the 21st century.
The future USS Harrisburg is the Navy’s 14th San Antonio-class vessel.
The fabrication of the vessel began in 2020, indicating the commencement of construction with the cutting of the first 100 tonnes (t) of steel.
In 2022, Ingalls Shipbuilding celebrated the keel-laying ceremony for Harrisburg, marking the start of the ship’s construction.
The ceremony involved welding the initials of the ship’s sponsor onto a steel plate.
Currently, the transition of Harrisburg from land to water was facilitated using translation railcars to support the movement of the ship across the pier.
While in the dry dock, the Ingalls team completed the preparations for the ship’s launch into the water.
Ingalls Shipbuilding president Kari Wilkinson said: “We view this launch as a significant step toward fielding capability to our US Navy and Marine Corps partners, and a reminder of the importance of supporting national security.
“As shipbuilders, we are dedicated to this mission.”
The launch comes after the announcement of a contract worth $9.8bn for the construction of three San Antonio-class ships, LPD 33-35, last month.
The LPD Flight II is the replacement for the ageing Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) dock landing ships.
Currently, Ingalls Shipbuilding is constructing two Flight II LPDs, including Harrisburg and Pittsburgh (LPD 31).
In addition, preparations are underway for Philadelphia (LPD 32), which will be the 16th San Antonio-class ship.
The San Antonio-class will be used to transport and disembark Marines along with their equipment and supplies. (Source: naval-technology.com)
10 Oct 24. United States donates two Defender boats to Ghana. The boats were delivered in a ceremony at the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) on 27 September, attended by US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, and other dignitaries.
“This ceremony is more than just a handover; it symbolizes our joint efforts to ensure the Ghana Navy is well-equipped to safeguard its waters,” Palmer said.
Yakubu highlighted that the donation is part of a series of contributions from the US Government to enhance the Ghana Navy’s Special Boats Squadron’s capabilities. He noted that the US has provided four 38-foot boats, maintenance spares, communication equipment, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) gear, weapons, ammunition, and other essential support over the past two years.
Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi, the Flag Officer Commanding NAVTRAC, expressed the command’s deep appreciation to the US Navy for their professionalism and strong collaboration during the construction of the storage facility.
The two Defender-class boats have been named GNS Issah Yakubu and GNS David Hansen in honour of the current CNS and the first CNS, respectively. The boats and storage facility are worth over GHC24 m ($1.5 m).
The boat storage facility was constructed by Seabees from the United States’ 22nd Naval Construction Regiment and their 1st, 11th and 133rd battalions working alongside Marines from the Hershel Woody Williams Marine Detachment Engineer Platoon.
Palmer said the contribution is the latest stemming from a robust US-Ghana security partnership. “This year alone, our security support to Ghana will surpass 438 m Ghanaian cedis – or over $28 m —underscoring our dedication to Ghana’s leadership in West Africa. Together, we are addressing regional security challenges, investing in long-term development, protecting democratic values, and fostering mutual economic growth.”
“As you may know, the United States is Ghana’s largest bilateral development partner. In 2023, our bilateral support through USAID totalled over $140 m. In the area of fishing, USAID is investing $24 m over five years (2021-2026) to support sustainable fisheries management in Ghana. The Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity collaborates with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development to advance fisheries science, management, and enforcement.
“These boats will enable the Ghanaian Navy to better secure its territorial waters and in turn to protect commercial activity, such as fishing and its critical role in Ghana’s food security. It’s all connected. Ghana’s Navy is protecting their waters form international crime, from terrorist threats and from illegal and unregulated fishing which robs Ghanaians of their livelihoods,” Palmer said.
She added that US programmes in Ghana aim to empower communities, fortify military collaboration, and enhance the capabilities of Ghanaian security services, ensuring Ghana’s resilience against the growing threat of violent extremism. “However, the challenges in the Sahel, marked by security, humanitarian, and political crises, require our collective attention. The rise of violent extremism, human rights abuses, and displacement underscore the need for democratic governance as a solution to instability. Here, too, Ghana plays a critical role as a democratic leader and exporter of security.”
In July 2023 the US donated two Defender class boats to Ghana’s Special Boat Squadron. A month before, the Ghana Navy took delivery of two former US Coast Guard Marine Protector patrol boats (GNS Aflao and GNS Half Assini) supplied by the United States under its Excess Defence Articles (EDA) programme.
Ghana’s Navy has been expanding in recent years, notably with the acquisition of four Flex Fighter offshore patrol vessels that were built in Singapore by Penguin Shipyard. They were commissioned in February 2022. These four vessels were bought to provide dedicated security to the country’s offshore oil and gas installations.
In October 2017 Ghana commissioned into service four Chinese-made patrol boats (985Y), which have a maximum displacement of 8.6 tons, a maximum speed of 38 knots and range of 220 nautical miles. Previously, Ghana has bought Chinese military hardware that includes two 46 metre patrol vessels ordered from Poly Technologies in 2008. The two were commissioned in 2011. New naval infrastructure is also being added, including multiple forward operating bases across the coastline. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
09 Oct 24. Babcock cuts steel on third Type 31 Inspiration Class frigate, HMS Formidable. Babcock, the international defence company, has formally cut steel on HMS Formidable, the third ship of five Inspiration class frigates being built for the Royal Navy at its Rosyth facility in Scotland, marking the official start of the ship’s build programme.
Coming only 20 months after the steel cut ceremony for the second ship, HMS Active, this highlights the rapid progress being made on the Type 31 programme and the important sovereign defence capability being delivered by Babcock at this world-class facility.
The first Type 31 Frigate, HMS Venturer is nearing structural completion, with the final unit now added to the vessel within the Rosyth assembly hall alongside HMS Active.
Babcock colleagues, including representatives from the latest apprentice and graduate intake, shared this important occasion with senior guests from the UK Government and Royal Navy, alongside Trades Unions representatives and guests from international industry and Armed Forces.
Babcock’s Chief Executive Officer, David Lockwood said:
“Today, we are proud to mark yet another milestone in this important defence programme for the Royal Navy. These frigates will play a significant role in protecting the UK and supporting international partnered defence operations.
“This programme is a real demonstration of UK sovereign shipbuilding capability and is delivering positive economic impact within Scotland and in communities across the UK. It is a privilege for our teams across Babcock to be delivering these platforms for the nation.”
Themed Formidable Engineering, the day was a celebration of engineering ingenuity, with guests experiencing the build programme first hand, while enjoying a STEM-focused event with local school children, supported by colleagues and partners from across the Type 31 team.
Underpinning its commitment to developing the skills required to support defence programmes now and, in the future, Babcock is creating 1000 new roles at Rosyth over the next four years, including 400 apprenticeships, 350 production support operatives, skilled engineers, tradespeople, and graduates. The majority of these new roles, including over 100 new apprentices and graduates who joined the company this year, will support the Type 31 programme over the lifetime of the project, benefitting the UK economy and local communities alike.
Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said:
“This government is committed to making Britain secure at home and strong abroad. These frigates will be at the heart of the Royal Navy fleet, deterring aggression and supporting our military.”
“Today’s significant milestone is backing the government’s mission to grow the economy by supporting thousands of jobs in Scotland and across the UK.”
07 Oct 24. Japan launches fifth Taigei-class submarine. Japan has launched another Taigei-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK).
The vessel took to the water at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Kobe Shipyard on 4 October, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) disclosed on the same day. It will be in service as JS Chogei once commissioned.
Chogei is the fifth of eight Taigei-class submarines that have either been commissioned, contracted, or approved for acquisition.
First-of-class Taigei was commissioned by the JMSDF in March 2022, while funding for the eighth vessel was approved by the Japanese government in fiscal year (FY) 2024.
The Taigei-class programme seeks to equip the JMSDF with a fleet of SSKs that feature greater underwater endurance when compared with its predecessors.
This is achieved by incorporating the vessels with lithium ion batteries in place of lead-acid cells.
The Taigei class displaces about 3,000 tonnes when surfaced and has an overall length of about 84 m, an overall beam of 9.1 m, and a hull draught of about 8.5 m.
It can accommodate a crew complement of 70 and this includes a separate compartment for female crew members.
The SSK’s form factor incorporates an X-configuration stern rudder, which provides the submarine with better manoeuvring capabilities, especially when it is surfaced along shallower waters.
Powered by two Kawasaki 12V 25/25SB diesel engines, the SSK can attain top speeds in excess of 20 kt when dived.
While it has been equipped with bow- and flank-mounted sonars, the SSK is also able to deploy towed array sensors to better detect enemy boats across various thermal layers. (Source: Janes)
04 Oct 24. Damen milestone in Portuguese Navy’s Multi-Purpose Ship build.
Joint steel cutting and keel laying ceremony signals advancements in maritime defence and research capabilities for Portugal.
Damen Shipyards Group has marked a moment with the joint steel cutting and keel laying ceremony for the NRP Dom João II, classified as a Multi-Purpose Ship, and designed for the Portuguese Navy.
Damen Shipyards Group recently held a ceremony at its facility in Galati, Romania, unveiling two milestones in constructing the NRP Dom João II. The event was attended by dignitaries, including the Portuguese Minister of National Defence, Nuno Melo, and Admiral Gouveia e Melo, Chief of the Portuguese Naval Staff, who participated in the ceremonial steel cutting and keel laying.
The contract for this vessel was signed in November 2023, following a tender process, and is funded through the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) as part of the NextGenerationEU initiative aimed at bolstering the economies of EU member states affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Admiral Gouveia e Melo highlighted the concept behind the NRP Dom João II, noting its multi-domain capabilities across air, surface, and subsurface operations. “It can carry out numerous and varied missions, such as scientific research and experimentation related to drones and robotics, as well as support in emergency and disaster situations,” he stated.
The NRP Dom João II will serve as an asset in Damen’s Support Ship range, which encompasses vessels weighing 7,000 to 9,000 tons. This approach will enable the Portuguese Navy to operate the vessel across missions such as environmental monitoring, emergency response, and maritime safety.
Damen Shipyards Group is actively engaged in several naval projects. In collaboration with Alewijnse, Damen Naval is developing anti-submarine warfare frigates for the Netherlands and Belgium.
Concurrently, Damen has commenced construction on the F126 frigates, which will become the largest vessels in the German Navy. Furthermore, Damen has partnered with Saab to promote the Expeditionary C-71 submarines, targeting potential exports to Canada.
Features for operational capability
The Multi-Purpose Ship is designed to facilitate various operations, reflecting the increasing role of autonomous technologies in maritime defence. Equipped to deploy uncrewed underwater vessels (UUVs), uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), the ship features a 94 x 11-metre flight deck to support these missions.
Additionally, the 107-metre vessel includes 650 square metres of deck space, capable of transporting up to twelve TEUs, which can house mission-specific modular systems such as hospitals and hyperbaric chambers. These features are important for accommodating scientific research and operational needs.
Minister Melo emphasised the importance of the ship in safeguarding Portugal’s extensive maritime jurisdiction, which represents a significant portion of the Exclusive Economic Zones of the European Union. “Safeguarding this domain is essential, particularly as we face growing strategic competition in the North Atlantic,” he said.
A collaborative effort in European defence
Damen’s chief commercial Officer, Jan-Wim Dekker, expressed pride in the partnership with the Portuguese Navy, stating: “The cutting of steel and keel laying at Damen Shipyards Galati represent major steps forward in the construction of this Multi-Purpose Ship that will enable the Portuguese Navy to undertake the most demanding missions and at the same time the ability to perform research activities in the deepest areas of the ocean.”
Scheduled for delivery in 2026, the NRP Dom João II will join two other Damen-built vessels. The Portuguese Navy also has two M-class frigates in its fleet, acquiring the ship from Damen between 2009 and 2010, as highlighted by GlobalData’s “Portugal Defense Market 2024-2029” report. (Source: naval-technology.com)
PLANT CLOSURES, STRIKES AND JOB LOSSES
06 Oct 24. Lord Bamford’s JCB has axed around 230 workers amid a global slump in manufacturing. It is understood the construction giant has slashed its headcount since the summer, as bosses prepare for a protracted downturn across the sector. Those affected by the cuts are agency workers across different parts of the business, all of whom are drafted in from outsourcing specialist Guidant Global. The decision to scale back its workforce comes ahead of the Government’s bid to strengthen workers’ rights, which will include awarding basic entitlements from day one of employment. (Source: Daily Telegraph)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
07 Oct 24. Ms Libby Green has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Ecuador in succession to Mr Christopher Campbell who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Green will take up her appointment during August 2025.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
04 Oct 24. Gen. Robert Skinner today formally passed his responsibilities as director of the Defense Information Systems Agency and Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Networks (JFHQ-DoDIN) to Army Gen. Paul Stanton. Skinner is retiring after a 40-year military career in which he started as an administrative supervisor for the Office of the Secretary of the Navy. He later worked his way up to an Air Force general and in 2015 became the chief of staff at DISA and deputy commander of the JFHQ-DoDIN. In 2021 he took over the post of director of DISA and JFHQ-DoDIN. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
07 Oct 24. Hadean, a spatial computing and AI company, is building its presence in the US with the appointment of prominent technology expert Dawn Meyerriecks as a senior advisor. Dawn will join alongside the recently appointed Lt. Gen (ret.) Scott Howell in shaping the company’s strategic direction as it expands further into the US. Dawn brings a breadth of experience within the technology sector, with an extensive background in delivering entrepreneurial technical capabilities and processes to international markets. Dawn has held prominent roles in high profile organisations such as the US Defense Information Agency (DISA), the CIA, and AOL where she worked across multiple stakeholder groups to integrate and deliver technology solutions for complex and high-consequence problem sets. Dawn’s technological expertise makes her an excellent fit for Hadean, a company which seamlessly orchestrates simulators, data sources, and systems on its platform to bridge the physical and virtual worlds. Across Dawn’s government service, she led large and diverse teams to provide the technical, programmatic, operational and policy oversight of multi-bn-dollar capabilities. Her work in leading transformation programmes, whilst pioneering new products and services, played an instrumental role in meeting strategic national security objectives. At Hadean, Dawn will offer senior level support and strategic guidance to expand the company’s offering across the US national security and enterprise sectors, as well as broader international collaboration.
10 Oct 24. An Italian space company offering Ground Segment as a Service (GSaaS) for the global space industry has announced the reinforcement of its senior leadership team, with a view to positioning itself for further growth. The news comes hot on the heels of a series of major milestone achievements over recent months and is accompanied by a revitalisation of the company’s brand identity. Leaf Space, who employ 50 staff from their headquarters in Italy and operate close to 30 ground stations in 16 locations worldwide, successfully closed its Series B fundraise last year with more than €30m of total investment. Meanwhile, just last month, the company recorded more than 15,000 tracked passes of satellites in orbit during a single calendar month – an increase of 50% over the past year and a new high for the firm that was set up in a garage in Milan ten years ago. The news broke during LeafCon, an event organised by the Leaf Space team to cultivate close relationships with the company’s valued customers, and focuses on the expansion of their network and new senior leadership appointments to join the company’s founding partners. Cristina Zanchi was unveiled as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following an extensive recruitment process led by Co-Founders Jonata Puglia and Giovanni Pandolfi Bortoletto. Ms. Zanchi boasts a wealth of experience in senior leadership roles within the telecommunications industry, as well as previous positions at household name companies such as Orange, KLM and Shell. Her proven track record for defining and executing strategic planning, with an emphasis on elevating customer experience and operational excellence, was seen as a major asset for the firm as it seeks to deliver upon its vision for product innovation and further expansion as part of the dynamic, fast-paced, ‘new space’ economy. A further personnel addition saw the arrival of a new Chief Financial Officer, Gian Luca Ottino, to the Leaf Space team. Mr Ottino brings with him strong international management experience in fast paced growth companies in the telecommunication and SaaS environment. Both appointments will be in attendance together with the wider Leaf Space team at next week’s 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), taking place between the 14th – 18th October. The major annual space industry event is being hosted in Milan following recent stops in cities such as Baku, Washington and Paris, and will see over 8000 experts from the space industry descend on the city, with the next IAC scheduled to take place in Sydney, Australia.
11 Oct 24. Kusti Salm, the CEO of Frankenburg Technologies and former Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defence, will join the Supervisory Board of Milrem Robotics, a global leader in robotics and autonomous systems development.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
04 Oct 24. BigBear.ai (NYSE: BBAI) today announced the appointment of Carl Napoletano as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Napoletano, who has been with the company since 2020, will assume his new responsibilities effective immediately and will continue to report directly to CEO Mandy Long. Napoletano has held a number of senior leadership positions at BigBear.ai, most recently serving as Vice President of Special Projects, where he oversaw the strategic integration of major acquisitions, including Pangiam. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
09 Oct 24. C3 AI (NYSE: AI), the Enterprise AI application software company, today announced that General (Ret.) John E. Hyten has been appointed to its board of directors, effective immediately. As a board member, General Hyten will work with the board of directors and with C3 AI’s leadership team to shape strategic direction as the company continues to deliver innovative solutions across the federal, defense, and intelligence communities. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
08 Oct 24. Ken Peterman, former CEO of Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) (“Comtech” or the “Company”) and Chairman of the Board from July 2022 through March 2024, has publicly declared his personal endorsement for the full slate of director nominees proposed by Michael Porcelain for the Company’s upcoming 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Mr. Peterman’s endorsement comes after reading the open letter to stockholders that was issued by Fred Kornberg and Michael Porcelain on September 23, 2024. That letter detailed the urgent need for board and leadership changes necessary to restore Comtech’s shareholder value. Mr. Peterman is the third former CEO of Comtech calling for a fully reconstituted Board of Directors.
Mr. Peterman, who remains a large stockholder of Comtech and who succeeded both Fred Kornberg and Mike Porcelain as CEO, was a driving force behind the One Comtech initiative—a strategic transformation designed to accelerate Comtech’s long-term growth by unifying existing businesses into an integrated enterprise. The initiative aimed to cut operating costs, drive efficiencies, and create greater customer value through systems and services, rather than selling individual components.
Peterman stated: “The One Comtech strategy was built on the strong strategic and operational foundation Fred and Mike laid over decades. Their visionary leadership spurred Comtech’s growth through acquisitions and operational excellence, allowing these entities to operate independently. When I became CEO, Comtech was positioned for growth, and its operations were solid. When I departed, the One Comtech strategy was well on its way to driving long-term shareholder value. Unfortunately, the current Board’s collective actions have disrupted this progress, driving away talented executives, impacting customer relations, and impeding stockholder value.”
Peterman continued, “I have serious concerns about many decisions made by the current Board. For instance, the June 2024 financing deal may be one of the worst in recent memory. With a blended interest rate of 14.0%, augmented by the issuance of warrants to lenders, the effective interest rate appears to exceed 18.0%, which is similar to a credit card. The Board’s lack of critical domain expertise in Comtech’s core satellite and NG 911 markets, has and will jeopardize Comtech’s future. Comtech, its employees, and its stockholders deserve better.”
Peterman, Kornberg, and Porcelain Praised by Current Board Members for Their Operational and Strategic Expertise and Commitment to Shareholder Value
Mr. Peterman stated, “In July 2022, when I assumed the role of Chairman of the Board, I was asked to help guide Comtech through its ongoing transformation. At that time, I publicly expressed my excitement about Comtech’s immense potential. Additionally, I was eager to collaborate with Mr. Porcelain to build upon the strong foundation in place. Together, we had extensive operational and strategic experience and the Board fully recognized and valued the leadership of Mike and Fred:
Mike Porcelain — In October 2021, three current Board members—Judy Chambers, Larry Waldman, and Yacov Shamash—acknowledged Mike’s instrumental role in executing Comtech’s business strategies. They specifically noted his leadership in expanding the Next-Generation 911 and satellite earth station product lines and overseeing acquisitions such as Solacom Technologies Inc. and UHP Networks. The Board publicly stated that Mike was instrumental in developing and executing business strategies, driving substantial shareholder value across all facets of the Company, and that he was highly valued for his exceptional management skills, technical acumen, and understanding of the business. In January 2022, current Board member Wendi Carpenter and current Chairman of the Board Mark Quinlan joined Ms. Chambers, Mr. Waldman and Mr. Shamash in reaffirming that Mike Porcelain had positioned Comtech for a bright future.
Fred Kornberg — When Fred decided to retire, the Board acknowledged that his nearly five-decade tenure as CEO earned him respect for establishing Comtech as a market leader in satellite communications and 911 public safety products. The Board noted: “When Fred took on the role of CEO, Comtech had less than $20 m in revenue and approximately $1 m in net income. Today, Comtech is a global leader with over 2,000 employees around the world.”
Mr. Peterman further added, “When I took on the role as Chairman of the Board, I told Fred that he was an amazing leader with a highly successful tenure that commanded my deepest respect and admiration. I was genuinely awed by how he navigated the many challenges posed by a multi-dimensional environment, continually changing market dynamics, competitive landscapes, and technology disruptions.”
Shareholder Status
Mr. Peterman stated: “As a large stockholder, I hope my endorsement highlights the growing recognition that Comtech’s future must be shaped by a Board of Directors with deep operational expertise and a proven track record of delivering long-term stockholder value. Both Fred and Mike have consistently demonstrated operational and strategic excellence, and with my endorsement, the case for electing Mr. Porcelain’s full slate of nominees is even stronger.”
Mr. Peterman concluded: “My endorsement is independent, is unrelated to my departure, and based solely on my personal assessment of what I believe is in the best interest of Comtech’s stockholders, customers, and its talented employees.”
About Ken Peterman
Ken Peterman is the Founder and CEO of the TheSpyGlass Group, a respected thought leader in emerging defense and aerospace market trends. Since 2012, The SpyGlass Group has worked with industry and government leaders to recognize and exploit market convergences and technology inflections to create advantage as well as with businesses to formulate effective strategies. Ken became a director of the Board of Directors of Comtech in May 2022, was elected to its Chairman in July 2022 and assumed the role of President and CEO in August 2022. Prior to that, Ken served as President of Viasat Government Systems from 2013 to 2021.
09 Oct 24. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) announced today Chauncey McIntosh has been named vice president and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program, effective Dec. 1. McIntosh succeeds Bridget Lauderdale, who will be retiring at the end of the year following a 38-year career with the company. McIntosh, who most recently served as the vice president and deputy of the F-35 program, is an exceptional leader with more than 20 years of business, program management, engineering and customer engagement experience. As the vice president and general manager for the F-35 program, McIntosh will be responsible for further strengthening positive customer experiences by reinforcing and continually growing the capability and reliability of the F-35; showcasing significant program progress; and ensuring the F-35 program meets the speed, agility, quality and affordability requirements deserved and expected by U.S. and international customers.
McIntosh previously led Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Warfare Systems & Sensors business, which is responsible for Aegis Weapon System software development. Under his leadership, McIntosh oversaw the successful transformation of Aegis software development. Prior to that role, he served as the vice president and general manager for Lockheed Martin’s Training and Logistics Solutions line of business, leading execution and strategic growth of mission readiness and sustainment programs including the F-35. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in business administration from American InterContinental University