Applied Energetics’ board of directors has elected defense industry veteran Chris Donaghey to serve as the company’s president and CEO.
The laser technology company said Monday Donaghey succeeds Gregory Quarles, who will transition to the position of CEO Emeritus and executive for government and institutional relations.
In this capacity, Quarles will facilitate engagement with decision-makers and influencers within the U.S. government on the company’s capabilities and defense budget planning and help maintain and build key partner and congressional relationships.
Donaghey, who has been serving as chief financial officer and chief operating officer of Applied Energetics since August 2022, will continue to serve as the Tucson, Arizona-based company’s principal financial officer on an interim basis.
“Chris is a dynamic business leader with a deep understanding of the industry, our customers’ needs and our operations,” said Applied Energetics Executive Chairman Brad Adamczyk.
“His diverse set of experiences in the defense industry, coupled with his keen understanding of the need for cutting-edge solutions to address the urgent threats to our national security, make him ideally suited to lead the company during its next phase of growth and customer adoption,” added Adamczyk.
Donaghey’s Defense Industry Experience
The newly appointed chief executive brings to the role over 20 years of experience leading defense companies that advance emerging technologies in support of national security.
Before Applied Energetics, Donaghey was senior vice president and head of corporate development at Science Applications International Corp., where he was responsible for executing mergers and acquisitions and the company’s strategic ventures strategy.
Prior to SAIC, the U.S. Navy veteran was VP of corporate strategy and development at KeyW and a senior research analyst at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Capital Markets.
The Texas Tech University mechanical engineering graduate is a founder and executive chairman of the nonprofit organization Silicon Valley Defense Group.
