{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-03/applied-aerospace-defense-wingfield-cio","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-03/applied-aerospace-defense-wingfield-cio.md","title":"Applied Aerospace & Defense Names Robert Wingfield CIO","headline":"Applied Aerospace & Defense Appoints Robert Wingfield Chief Information Officer","description":"Applied Aerospace & Defense appointed Robert Wingfield as CIO to lead digital strategy, cybersecurity and AI-enabled analytics across 11 facilities and nearly 1,800 staff.","section":"Leadership","published_at":"2026-11-03T13:54:57+00:00","modified_at":"2026-11-03T13:54:57+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["Robert Wingfield joins Applied Aerospace & Defense as Chief Information Officer, overseeing cybersecurity, data architectures and AI-enabled operational analytics.","Wingfield previously served as VP of Global Program Management at AeroVironment and VP of Program Excellence at BlueHalo.","Applied's IT ecosystem supports 11 manufacturing facilities across six states and nearly 1,800 professionals."],"companies":[{"name":"Applied Aerospace & Defense","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00q1qpb/applied-aerospace-defense","website":"https://www.applied-aerospace.com"}],"source":{"publisher":"Business Wire","title":"Applied Aerospace & Defense Names Robert Wingfield CIO","url":"https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261103972809/en/"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Leadership","Applied Aerospace & Defense"],"body_markdown":"[Applied Aerospace & Defense](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00q1qpb/applied-aerospace-defense) appointed Robert Wingfield as Chief Information Officer, the company said in a [Business Wire](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261103972809/en/) announcement on November 3, 2026. Wingfield will lead the company's digital strategy and oversee the full lifecycle of its information systems.\n\n## Wingfield's Role Across Applied's Information Systems\n\nAs CIO, Wingfield will oversee cybersecurity, data architectures, enterprise applications, digital manufacturing systems and AI-enabled operational analytics. Applied's information technology ecosystem supports a nationwide infrastructure across 11 manufacturing facilities, six states and nearly 1,800 skilled professionals.\n\nPrior to joining Applied, Wingfield served in senior leadership roles across the aerospace and defense industry, including as VP of Global Program Management for AV (AeroVironment) and VP of Program Excellence for BlueHalo. In both roles, he was responsible for developing technologies and system architectures that enabled scalability at the enterprise level. His experience includes over a dozen years developing information technology solutions for the defense, space and national security industries. Wingfield holds a Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia.\n\n\"There is unprecedented demand to accelerate the scalability of production in the space and defense industry,\" said Trip Ferguson, Applied CEO. \"Advances in digital manufacturing and artificial intelligence will play a tremendous role in evolving the supply chain, but they will require thoughtful implementation that prioritizes the resiliency and security of operations, as well as the velocity of production.\" Ferguson added that the company's focus is to bring these technologies onto the factory floor in ways that deliver lasting value for its customers.\n\n## Applied's Scale at the Time of the Appointment\n\nApplied Aerospace & Defense is a Huntsville-based vertically integrated manufacturer of mission-critical structural and subsystem hardware for space, launch and defense platforms, according to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data). The same records show the company completed a $650 million IPO on the New York Stock Exchange in June 2026, pricing 32.5 million shares at $20 each and valuing the company at $3.25 billion. Applied reported 2025 revenue of $498.8 million, a pro forma figure of $604 million and 24.8% year-over-year growth from $399.8 million.\n\n## Earlier Leadership and Corporate Moves\n\nApplied appointed Elizabeth Robertson as executive vice president of business development, Stock Titan reported on September 1, 2026. She leads enterprise growth and new program capture across space, defense aviation and C5ISR markets, joining from Leidos. Seeking Alpha reported the same appointment on September 2, 2026, stating that Robertson will oversee enterprise growth, new program capture and strategic customer relationships.\n\nApplied will report its third-quarter 2026 financial results on November 11, 2026, before market open, and will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET, Stock Titan reported on October 20, 2026. The call will cover the quarter ended September 30, 2026.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}