Thales hires Zolet to lead US defense subsidiary
David Zolet, Thales Defense & Space Inc.'s new CEO, previously led Astrion in a three-year period that included its inception and a major acquisition.
By
Ross Wilkers
David Zolet will lead a Thales Defense & Space Inc. portfolio that includes tactical and satellite communications, as well as electronic warfare and cybersecurity.
Thales Group’s subsidiary focused on U.S. military programs has hired a new chief executive in David Zolet, a three-decade government market veteran and formerly Astrion’s CEO.
Zolet joins the Thales Defense & Space Inc. business to lead a portfolio that covers tactical and satellite communications, electronic warfare, cybersecurity, undersea sensing, maritime systems and avionics.
Thales said Monday that Zolet succeeds Michael Sheehan, who led TDSI for 16 years and has retired after four decades in the industry.
Thales’ hire of Zolet follows its appointment in the summer of Robert Geckle to lead the North American subsidiary, which houses much of the conglomerate’s work with U.S. civilian agencies.
At Astrion, Zolet led the engineering and technical services provider for a three-year period starting with its inception in 2023 after its private equity owner Brightstar Capital Partners merged two portfolio companies.
Astrion acquired Axient one year later as part of a push to hit $1.5 billion in annual revenue, a goal Zolet laid out in a WT 360 podcast episode a few months before that transaction.
Zolet is also a former CEO for CentralSquare and LMI. His career also includes senior roles at DXC Technology, its heritage Computer Sciences Corp. business, Northrop Grumman and IBM.