DC Power Moves: Israeli drone tech company expands leadership in Virginia

There have been many leadership hires in DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland in the past month, and a slew of different acquisitions involving technology companies in the region. 

Before you learn about them, check out our monthly look at the top desired skills in the region and corresponding median salaries. See how that’s changed since last month in this chart:

D-Fend Solutions hires two execs in McLean

The counter-drone technology company recently appointed a vice president of US sales and business development, as well as a business development manager, to build out its team in Virginia. 

The technology out of the Ra'anana, Israel-headquartered firm is used by the US military and federal law enforcement. It uses radio frequency and cyber-based tools to respond to drone threats. 

Gordon Kesting was hired as the US sales and business development VP. He has experience working in sales at top defense companies including Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Glenn McArthur, tapped as the business development manager, had a 25-year career at the US Border Patrol. 

"The extensive leadership and proven on-the-ground experience of our new hires will be invaluable as we continue to grow and expand our presence in the US market and focus on providing our partners with the most trustworthy technology for their counter-drone challenges," US General Manager Danny Rajan said in a press release.

Federal contractor establishes incubator

The national security-focused firm Core4ce announced several new hires in tandem with the launch of its incubator program to boost projects enhancing data collection and dissemination in the government. 

Core4ce tapped a CTO to oversee this new program, called The Forge. That person, Todd Harbour, is also the company’s cofounder and managing partner. The firm additionally appointed a vice president of sales and emerging technology, as well as a head of data engineering and analytics. 

“Within The Forge, we’re working to transform the professional services sector through strategic intellectual property investment,” Harbour said in a press release. “The Forge exemplifies the vigor of a blacksmith's workshop, where we heat, hammer, and harden innovative ideas into market-leading solutions.”

More Power Moves: 

• The software company Exostar, which has its US offices in Herndon, appointed a new chief revenue officer. Derrick Reig previously led sales at the private equity firm CB Insights. 
• The cybersecurity company Clango, based in Arlington, merged with the Chicago-based firm MajorKey Technologies, the Washington Business Journal reported. 
• This wasn’t the only cybersecurity company acquired in the region in June. Hubble Technology Inc. in Reston was bought by Minneapolis-based NetSPI, also as reported by the Washington Business Journal. 
• The Germantown, Maryland-based financial institution SkyPoint Federal Credit Union appointed Cassandre Cassamajor as its business and community development director.
• TEGNA, a media company headquartered in Tysons, announced the appointment of a new CEO as David Lougee retired from his position after seven years. Michael Steib is set to replace him in mid-August, per the Washington Business Journal.