X-Bow Systems has appointed Mike Bender, a senior aerospace and defense executive, as chief operating officer.
The company said Tuesday Bender will work with X-Bow CEO Jason Hundley and the executive team to drive growth and implement strategic initiatives and will oversee the company’s factories and related facilities, quality assurance, supply chain management and environment, health and safety operations.
“Mike’s extensive background in solid rocket motors, launch vehicles, and missile systems makes him the perfect fit for our team,” said Hundley. “We are excited to leverage his leadership experience to further elevate our operational capabilities and support our multiple product lines.”
Bender has over three decades of aerospace and defense industry experience and has held leadership positions at several companies, including L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) subsidiary Aerojet Rocketdyne, SpaceX, Alliant Techsystems and Orbital Sciences.
The newly appointed COO has a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in business administration from Duke University.
X-Bow is an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based small business that designs and builds solid rocket motors and defense technologies.