Guiding the Future of Defense Technology

Brian Raduenz is the Founder and Executive Chairman of AEVEX. He has served the company and its predecessor organization for the past 18 years, including more than a decade as Chief Executive Officer. During that period, he led the company through significant organic growth and strategic transformation, evolving from an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) services provider into an industry leader in the design and delivery of innovative uncrewed systems and solutions.

Prior to his civilian business career, Brian served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as a commander, flight test engineer, and technology leader across a variety of manned and unmanned ISR programs. During the first of two assignments in Washington, D.C., he was responsible at the Pentagon for post-9/11 oversight of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) budgets. He later served as Director of White House Presidential Contingency Programs under President George W. Bush. While in uniform, Brian held multiple key positions shaping national security priorities for the burgeoning drone industry, including the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper—experience that has been documented in several books and national publications.

Brian received his Air Force commission and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He also holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Military Studies from Air University.

Roger Wells is Chief Executive Officer of AEVEX, bringing over 25 years of leadership experience in the defense and aerospace sectors. Before joining AEVEX in April 2025, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at Mercury Systems, where he played a pivotal role in overseeing operations across a diverse portfolio of advanced defense electronics, contributing to nearly $1 billion in annual revenue.

Prior to his tenure at Mercury Systems, Roger held senior leadership positions at FLIR Systems, ICX Technologies, and Northrop Grumman. At FLIR Systems, he was Vice President and General Manager of Unmanned Systems and Integrated Solutions, where he led the development and deployment of cutting-edge unmanned technologies. His earlier roles at Northrop Grumman included serving as a Director, where he managed complex defense programs and initiatives.

Roger holds a Master of Science in Systems Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from George Mason University.

As CEO of AEVEX, Roger is tasked with steering the company through its next phase of growth and innovation. His extensive experience in defense technology and proven leadership are expected to drive AEVEX’s mission to provide full-spectrum aviation and technology-based solutions to support U.S. and partner nation security objectives.

Todd Booth is the Chief Financial Officer of AEVEX, bringing deep expertise in finance and operations across both private and public sectors. Before joining AEVEX in 2025, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Teledyne FLIR, where he led global financial operations and supported sustained growth in mission-critical businesses.

Earlier in his career, Todd held leadership roles at Ernst & Young and KPMG, developing a foundation in audit, risk management, and financial strategy across diverse industries including aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, and industrial automation.

As CFO of AEVEX, Todd oversees the company’s global finance organization, including financial planning & analysis, accounting, treasury, and capital strategy. He works in close partnership with programs and operations to ensure disciplined execution, timely delivery, and optimal investment in innovation to support AEVEX’s growth and operational excellence for defense and national security clients.

Todd’s blend of operational rigor, financial leadership, and cross-industry experience positions him to strengthen AEVEX’s fiscal foundation as it scales to meet urgent demand for unmanned systems, autonomy, and mission integration capabilities.

Dan Talati is the Chief of Staff at AEVEX. Prior to joining AEVEX, Dan spent 27 years in the U.S. Air Force, culminating at the rank of Colonel. At AEVEX, he leverages his expertise leading airborne operations, government procurement, and strategic planning to help oversee corporate execution.

Dan previously served at Headquarters, Air Combat Command as the Deputy Assistant Director of Plans, Programs and Requirements, ensuring the readiness and lethality of the USAF’s 2,800 combat forces aircraft. Earlier, he was an Operations Group Commander at Robins Air Force Base, where he led 800 active duty personnel operating the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft.

Dan holds a Master of Strategic Studies from the Air War College; a Master of Arts, National Security & Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College; and a Master of Arts, Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Jeremy Watrous is the Chief Operating Officer of AEVEX in San Diego, California. Prior to the formation of AEVEX, Jeremy was the Vice President of Operations at Merlin Global Services. Jeremy leads the program management and global deployment teams providing worldwide flight operations, maintenance, training, and engineering support. Prior to joining Merlin, Jeremy served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an Imagery Analyst and Imagery Chief, where he specialized in the advanced analysis of synthetic aperture radar and fusion of multi-source intelligence.

Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in project management from National University. He also earned his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification through the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Manan Patel is the Chief Technology Officer for AEVEX. Prior to the formation of AEVEX, he served as CEO and Founder of Special Operations Solutions, LLC (SOS), a small business specializing in ISR and remote sensing technical solutions. Under his leadership, SOS grew to support several high-profile ISR programs and was recognized on Inc500’s list of America’s fastest growing companies.

Prior to founding SOS, Manan worked with the CERDEC Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) as an Electronics Engineer, receiving the NVESD Technical Achievement Award, U.S. Army Commander’s Civilian Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Medal. Throughout his 13-year career, Manan has been instrumental in the development, enhancement, and implementation of innovative technologies for the U.S. military.

Manan holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University along with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Rebecca Culjat is the Chief People Officer for AEVEX and oversees our Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, and Organizational Development teams. Prior to that, Rebecca served as the VP of Organizational Development where she designed initiatives to drive cultural alignment to the values and strategic goals of the company across the organization and designed, implemented and maintained management and leadership training and coaching programs across the organization.

Prior to joining the AEVEX team, Rebecca had over 15-years’ experience as a senior leader and executive in the Behavioral Health Care field, where she discovered a passion for teaching, mentoring, and coaching managers and leaders. This passion became the backdrop that inspired her to move beyond the realm of behavioral healthcare organizations and begin training and coaching executive leadership teams.

Rebecca holds both a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from UC Davis, as well as a Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She is certified by the CA Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a certified Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), trained in executive coaching, and a former adjunct professor for San Diego State University’s and California State University of San Marcos’s Schools of Social Work.

Mike Jackson is the Vice President of Global Solutions at AEVEX, bringing more than two decades of senior leadership experience in crewed and uncrewed aviation operations, global mission execution, and organizational strategy. Before joining AEVEX, he served in multiple command positions within Air Force Special Operations Command, including Commander of the 27th Special Operations Group and Commander of the Joint Special Operations Air Component–Central, where he led diverse, cross-functional teams conducting complex operations across six countries with a mixed fleet of manned and unmanned aircraft.

Throughout his career, Mike has built and led high-performing organizations, driving measurable results through disciplined program management, creative policy development, and mission-driven innovation. His leadership spans thousands of personnel, hundreds of aircraft, and global operational theaters.

As Vice President of Global Solutions at AEVEX, Mike directs strategy, growth, and mission delivery across the company’s international programs, advancing scalable, sustainable solutions for U.S. and allied partners worldwide.

Brett Hush is the Senior Vice President of Tactical Systems at AEVEX, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience in unmanned and precision strike systems. Before joining AEVEX in September 2025, he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Loitering Munition Systems at AeroVironment, Inc., where he founded and scaled the business unit responsible for the Switchblade family of systems, guiding it from inception to multi-service adoption.

Earlier in his career, Brett was Vice President of the Controls Division at Teledyne Technologies, overseeing engineering, program execution, and military business development. His career reflects a consistent focus on advancing mission-critical capabilities and delivering systems at scale to U.S. and allied defense forces.

As Senior Vice President of Tactical Systems at AEVEX, Brett leads strategy, product development, and growth initiatives across the company’s portfolio of unmanned aircraft and multi-mission USVs, including the Atlas launched effect, Disruptor and Dominator Group III systems, and the Mako and Mako Lite unmanned surface vessels. He is also driving integration of additive manufacturing capabilities from the company’s recent RapidFlight acquisition, advancing AEVEX’s “drone factory of the future.”

Brett’s extensive industry knowledge, proven leadership, and track record building operationally relevant systems align directly with AEVEX’s mission to rapidly deliver trusted effects to the warfighter and accelerate innovation across the battlespace.