PERSONNEL
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
03 Mar 026. Averna, a global leader in test and quality solutions, today announced that it has partnered with Curtiss-Wright, to develop five custom aerospace test systems. This relationship reinforces Averna and Curtiss-Wright’s commitment to innovation, quality, and operational excellence. The solution is designed to meet stringent performance and safety requirements while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
As a trusted Tier 1 supplier to leading aerospace OEMs, Curtiss-Wright required multiple platforms to deliver precision dynamic load applications while prioritizing repeatability, scalability, and secure data handling. Averna’s expertise in high-performance automated test systems aligned with the specifications to meet these demands.
“This collaboration with Averna is critical to the success of developing our next generation of actuators while supporting our aggressive development timelines,” said Bret Sprague VP/General Manager Aerospace Actuation, Curtiss-Wright Sensors & Actuation. “These test systems provide our design and manufacturing team the tools needed to move from product concept to validation and ultimately a qualified product. Additionally, their integration with our data and safety protocols gives us confidence we have a partner providing a complete solution. It’s a strategic investment that strengthens our global competitiveness.”
Averna’s solution includes a customized framework, secure data management, and full integration with Curtiss-Wright’s manufacturing execution systems.
“We’re proud to support Curtiss-Wright in delivering mission-critical aerospace components,” said Brian Couch, Segment Manager – Aerospace & Defense at Averna. “Our 25+ years of aerospace test experience allowed us to tailor the system to their exact needs, while ensuring compliance with ITAR and other regulatory standards. This project is a great example of how intelligent test design can drive both technical and business value.”
About Curtiss-Wright
Curtiss-Wright is a global integrated business that provides highly engineered products, solutions and services mainly to Aerospace & Defense markets, as well as critical technologies in demanding Commercial Nuclear Power, Process and Industrial markets. We leverage a workforce of approximately 9,100 highly skilled employees who develop, design and build what we believe are the best engineered solutions to the markets we serve. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing innovative solutions through trusted customer relationships. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.
About Averna Powered by Spherea
As a global test & quality solution integrator, Averna partners with product designers, developers, and OEMs to help them achieve higher product quality, accelerate time to market and protect their brands. Founded in 1999, Averna offers specialized expertise and innovative test, vision inspection, precision assembly and automated solutions that deliver substantial technical, financial and market benefits for clients in the aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, energy, industrials, medical devices & life sciences, semiconductor, telecom and other industries. Averna has offices around the world and numerous industry certifications such as ISO 9001:2015 and ITAR registration. To see more of Averna’s test solutions for aerospace, please visit their website.(Source: PR Newswire)
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
04 Mar 26. Chemring today announces the appointment of Baroness Kate Rock as an independent non-executive director. Upon joining the Board, Kate will become the Senior Independent Director and a member of the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committees. She will join the Board with effect from 1 April 2026.
01 Mar 26. Petards Joyce-Loebl Limited, has promoted General Manager, Victoria Hodge, to the position of Managing Director. This is the first time that the Gateshead-based company has pointed a Managing Director as the highest-ranking executive of the Group. It follows almost eight years of exceptional career progression for Victoria and aligns with Petard’s commitment to succession planning, stability, and growth.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
02 Mar 26. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) today announced the appointment of Kenneth (Ken) Sharp as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective March 16. Kenneth (Ken) Bedingfield will focus exclusively on leading the Missile Solutions segment and rapidly scaling solid rocket motor manufacturing to meet the nation’s urgent missile demand. He will also be responsible for the eventual initial public offering of Missile Solutions. Sharp, 55, brings more than 30 years of financial leadership in defense and technology, with a proven record of driving growth and strengthening financial operations. He joins L3Harris from national security company Peraton Inc., where he served as Executive Vice President and CFO. Previously, Sharp was CFO of DXC Technology, a publicly traded global IT services company, and CFO of Northrop Grumman’s Defense Systems business. He began his career as an auditor at Ernst & Young and is a veteran of the Marine Corps, having served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
02 Mar 26. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) today announced the selection of Mark Kvasnak as vice president, Investor Relations, effective March 16. Kvasnak succeeds Maria Ricciardone, who remains Lockheed Martin vice president, Treasurer and an elected officer for the company. Kvasnak currently serves as vice president and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Lockheed Martin’s Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) business area, where he leads all financial strategies, processes and operations. He was previously vice president and CFO of Sikorsky, where he led the financial integration of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation into Lockheed Martin. Kvasnak has over 30 years of experience across various aerospace and defense companies in roles spanning financial planning and analysis, financial controls and business operations. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Clarkson University and an MBA from the University of Rochester.
04 Mar 26. Tiberius Aerospace Welcomes Professor Dame Fiona Murray to Advisory Board. Tiberius Aerospace, a modern defence technology company built to empower the UK, US and their global allies with next-generation weapon systems and AI-powered solutions, today announced the appointment of Professor Dame Fiona Murray DCMG CBE to its Advisory Board. Professor Dame Fiona Murray DCMG CBE is Chair of the NATO Innovation Fund and has previously served on the British Prime Minister’s Council on Science and Technology. She was awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) for her services to innovation and entrepreneurship in the United Kingdom and appointed Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG). She served on the Ministry of Defence Strategic Advisory Review and is a member of the MOD Defence Industrial Joint Council. Murray is also the William Porter (1967) Professor of Entrepreneurship.
02 Mar 26. Voyager Technologies (NYSE: VOYG) announced the appointment of Shoshanna Moody as chief administrative officer, effective immediately, serving on the company’s executive leadership team. As CAO, Moody will oversee enterprise operations, human resources, regulatory compliance, facilities, risk management and corporate services, supporting Voyager’s continued scale and growth. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)