NorthWind Partners Recruits Chief Growth Officer for Parry Labs
June 1, 2022 – Reston, VA-headquartered executive search firm NorthWind Partners has helped to place Chris Pehrson as the new chief growth officer of Parry Labs LLC, a defense technology company in Alexandrea, VA. Director Chris Barner managed the search. “We are delighted to have Chris join Parry Labs, as we look to deliver our technology and capabilities to new platforms and programs across the Department of Defense as well as take the lead in modernization initiatives to enable JADC2 and MDO capabilities in key programs,” said John Parkes, CEO. “Chris brings a tremendous amount of experience in both driving innovation and technology as well as capturing and growing major programs.”
Mr. Pehrson has a background in government and business leadership roles and will help drive Parry Labs’ growth through strategic planning, business capture, and program growth. He joins the company from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, where he most recently served as VP of special programs. During his tenure at General Atomics, he held various executive roles in special programs and strategic development. As VP for special programs, his responsibilities spanned from profit and loss management for multiple lines of business including advanced programs, quick reaction capability programs, commercial programs, and the exportable predator program. In his previous role as VP of strategic development, Mr. Pehrson led business strategy and capture across General Atomics’ full line of unmanned technologies leading to a decade of sustained revenue growth with U.S. government customers. Mr. Pehrson also served 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a colonel in 2010.
“I am thrilled to join the Parry Labs team and excited about their innovative solutions that solve some of the most challenging digital integration demands facing our military today,” said Mr. Pehrson.
Veteran Search Consultants
NorthWind Partners is a global, strategic executive search advisory firm. Its work is primarily focused on business and professional services, systems, solutions, and product companies spanning the aviation, aerospace and defense, healthcare, industrial, and technology sectors. The firm also has deep experience and relationships in the government contracting arena. NorthWind Partners’ success rate on engaged assignments is about 96 percent with 99 percent of executives placed maintaining a minimum tenure of one year.
Related: NorthWind Partners Recruits Chief Growth Officer for NT Concepts
Mr. Barner is an experienced executive recruiter and engagement lead overseeing full life-cycle projects and teams across technology, business services, government, aerospace and defense, and industrials. Prioritizing deep market knowledge and thorough analysis, he has addressed dozens of key leadership needs and provides expertise across all facets of executive search to include project due diligence, recruiting, negotiation, client management, and business development. Mr. Barner partners with a diverse client-base and endeavors to build and develop effective leadership teams at the board, C-suite, and senior executive levels.
Recent Searches
NorthWind Partners recruited Scott Garren as chief growth officer for Sigma Defense Systems, a leading provider of systems and services for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Mr. Garren was previously CGO for Interactive Government Holdings (IGH). The assignment was led by director Jonathan Rice. Founded in 2006, Sigma Defense Systems is a leading technology company serving the Department of Defense, providing systems and services for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance since 2006.
NorthWind Partners Recruits Chief Growth Officer for Oceus Networks
Reston, VA-headquartered executive search firm NorthWind Partners has assisted in the placement of Jean-Francois Blanc as chief growth officer of Akima. He is charged with leading the company’s corporate development efforts, growing revenue, and expanding market share. Partner Hunter Murray led the assignment. “Jean-Francois is a hands-on leader with experience winning large contracts in both the Department of Defense and civilian agencies,” said Bill Monet, president and CEO of Akima. “We are pleased to add him to our leadership team, and we expect his knowledge of the market and his past success winning strategic contracts will serve him well in this growth-focused role.”
Recently, NorthWind Partners also assisted in placing Sharon Jimenez, a well-recognized health and government digital transformation expert, as chief growth officer NetImpact Strategies, a Falls Church, VA-based digital transformation company that serves the federal government. “We are very pleased to add Sharon to our executive leadership team to drive our business development and sales functions,” said NetImpact CEO Venkatapathi “PV” Puvvada. “Sharon’s extensive experience across federal health care, DOD, Homeland Security, and other civilian market sectors along with her expertise in building and leading high performing teams will help accelerate NetImpact’s growth journey.”
Related: NorthWind Partners Recruits CFO for Cognosante
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
