Executive Team

Jerry Wohletz

President and CEO

Jerry M. Wohletz, Ph.D., is President and Chief Executive Officer. He was appointed to his current position in June 2022.

Jerry has more than 22 years of experience in leadership within the defense industry. His broad executive management experience spans electronic warfare, advanced technologies, start-ups, defense applications and research.

Before joining Draper, Jerry held a variety of senior executive roles at BAE Systems, including Vice President and General Manager of Electronic Combat Solutions – electronic warfare industry leader with products installed on 80 percent of U.S. military fighters – as well as Vice President and General Manager of FAST Labs^TM, the advanced technologies organization that underpins the products and services for BAE Systems, Inc.

Prior to BAE Systems, Jerry was a Director at ALPHATECH Inc., a start-up spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) acquired by BAE Systems. There he pioneered autonomy for defense applications that led to the development of the Multi-vehicle Mission Control System product. Before that, he was a Research Scientist at the Air Force Research Laboratory and at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center. Jerry began his career as an Aeronautics Engineer with McDonnell Douglas working on the F/A-18E/F aircraft design.

Jerry holds a B.S. degree with highest distinction in aerospace engineering from the University of Kansas; an M.S. in engineering focused on aeronautics and astronautics from MIT, and a Ph.D. in estimation and control, also from MIT.

While at BAE Systems, he received its highest award for his leadership in reversing the EC-130H cancellation and vision for the new EC-37B weapon system. Additionally, Jerry was recognized for his contributions to our nation’s defense and selected on the U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board. Most recently, he was named one of 10 Best CEOs of 2024 by Industry Tech Outlook magazine for his ability to navigate through unprecedented challenges and reshape industries with innovation and steadfast commitment to excellence.

Robert Bacon

Vice President & General Manager, Navy Strategic Systems

Bob Bacon is Vice President of Navy Strategic Systems. He was appointed to his current role in 2022. Bob leads the considerable growth required to execute the Life Extension 2 effort for the Navy’s Strategic System Programs while maintaining quality production of the current deployed Trident II D5 Missile guidance system.

With nearly 20 years of experience, Bob’s background spans strategic systems, encompassing the complete lifecycle: technology research and development, system design using digital engineering, overseeing production by industry and sustainment of deployed systems. His focus is on supporting the nation’s strategic deterrence.

Prior to his current role, Bob held the position of Director for Strategic Guidance, Navigation & Control Programs, in which he was responsible for managing Draper’s position as prime contractor for the Navy’s Strategic Guidance Program. This included cradle-to-grave responsibilities for the Trident II D5 Strategic Guidance Program.

Bob joined Draper in 2011 as a Systems Engineer after working for General Dynamics Mission Systems and BAE Systems in a variety of roles. He went on to become the Program Manager and Associate Director for Advanced Programs within Draper’s Strategic Systems. This included a two-year inter-governmental assignment to Navy Strategic Systems Programs to help lead the formulation of the D5LE2 program, as well as an enterprise-wide Digital Engineering Transformation Initiative and planning for future modernization programs.

Bob holds degrees from Western New England College and Georgia Institute of Technology.

John Burns

Operations Mission Assurance Division Leader

John Burns is Division Leader for Mission Assurance and heads the Quality department. He has nearly 40 years of experience in the microelectronics industry.

With nearly 30 years at Draper, John’s background spans overseeing designs through prototyping, manufacturing, and delivery to customers. He also has been instrumental in advancing state-of-the-art processes in miniaturization of complex electronic systems.

John joined Draper in 1995 after a decade as a mechanical engineer in Raytheon’s Equipment division. His initial work at Draper was in the development of complex miniature systems, used in a broad range of applications from inertial measurement units (IMUs) to systems supporting our national security.

In 2005, he became a Group Leader for Packaging Engineering and Manufacturing. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the hardware development process and multiple manufacturing functions, including electromechanical assembly and Draper’s precision machine shop.

In 2009, he was appointed Division Leader of Microfabrication, which included oversight of Draper’s MultiChip Module fabrication capabilities. During this time, he had responsibilities ranging from Plant Manager to Program Manager of multiple low-rate production programs.

John holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University.

Linda Connell

Vice President, Supply Chain

Linda Connell is Director of Procurement and Property. She has more than 25 years of experience in various leadership roles within supply chain, government acquisition, private industry sales and procurement, and academia.

She joined Draper in 2017 as Manager, Procurement and Property and was promoted to Associate Director the following year.

Prior to Draper, Linda served as a Contract Acquisition Specialist for the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center at Hanscom Air Force Base.

Linda holds an M.S. degree in hospitality administration from Johnson & Wales University. She is a Certified Professional Property Specialist through the National Property Management Association, certified in Lean Supply Chain Management, Level II certified in Contracting through the Department of Defense Acquisition University and Lean Six Sigma White Belt certified.

Jennifer Doherty

Chief Security Officer and Chief Information Officer

Jen Doherty is Chief Security Officer and Chief Information Officer for Draper. She has more than 15 years of diverse security experience serving government contractors. Jen was appointed to her current role in November 2023. She is responsible for providing strategic direction and operational oversight for industrial security, corporate security, cyber security, information assurance, IT systems and networks across the organization, including classified, and the latest in IT technologies and solutions.

She brings a wealth of collateral and special program knowledge and understanding to her role, including development, implementation, and maintenance of security best practices to protect corporate integrity, people, processes and assets.

In her previous role as Draper’s Deputy Chief Security Officer, Jen enabled the business units to execute classified, unclassified and complex security functions across the United States. She also spearheaded the development and implementation of Draper’s Threat Management team, which has been recognized by multiple government agencies as top tier. Jen also was instrumental in leading Draper’s participation in an audit by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency of our Cambridge campus, which resulted in the highest rating possible in all four categories: Superior.

Prior to joining Draper, Jen was a senior leader in Special Programs at Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory for a decade. She received an M.A. degree in criminology from the University of Massachusetts and a B.A. in natural science from Saint Anselm College.

Robert Durkin

Principal Director, Administration

Bob Durkin is Principal Director of Administration. Bob joined Draper in 2015 and currently oversees Facilities and Environmental Health and Safety for Draper’s thirteen campuses across the U.S.

With 15 years of experience in the defense industry since completing a 33-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, Bob’s background in planning and facilities management spans his military and civilian careers. This includes leading teams to ensure safe operation of multiple, geographically dispersed facilities in support of organizational needs.

Bob joined Draper after his role as Senior Manager, Marine Corps Programs, for Lockheed Martin. There he was responsible for the Quantico Field Office and Lockheed’s interaction with the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, the Marine Corps Training and Education Command and Marine Corps System Command.

Before that, Bob served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an enlisted infantryman and infantry officer. He commanded every infantry formation in the Marine Corps through the regimental level and participated in multiple operational deployments. He retired at the rank of Colonel in 2014, his last assignment being the Commandant’s Representative to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Joint Strategy Working Group. His numerous decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” (2) and Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Bob has a B.A. in political science from State University of New York at Buffalo, an MPA degree from The City University of New York, an M.A. degree with highest distinction in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College, and an M.A. in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Carrie George

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Carrie George is Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. She joined Draper in 2024.

With a 19-year career focused on generating results through active risk and opportunity management, Carrie has a strong background as an experienced aerospace and defense finance executive. She is knowledgeable about federal regulations and has a deep technical background regarding U.S. federal contracting. Additionally, she has been a trusted advisor to senior executives with a proven track record of building and integrating teams and managing in global and matrix environments.

Prior to joining Draper, Carrie was the Vice President of Finance for the Space Sector within the Space and Airborne Systems Segment at L3Harris Technologies in Melbourne, Fla. In that role, she was responsible for a multibillion-dollar business.  Prior to that she was the Vice President of Finance for the Maritime Sector within the Integrated Mission Systems Segment, where she oversaw over one billion in revenue within the U.S. and internationally. In these and preceding roles, she drove strategic pricing decisions to ensure effective execution of programs and was responsible for government rates, P&L oversight, working capital and cash flow management. 

Carrie is a graduate of the University of Florida, Gainesville where she received a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Finance.

Bill Gibson

Director, Internal Audit

Bill Gibson is Director of Internal Audit. His responsibilities include leading the Internal Audit department to ensure compliance with professional audit standards, government regulations and laws.

With 20 years of experience in audit and assurance services across multiple industries, in both private and public sectors, Bill’s background spans audit, risk management, fraud and compliance areas for national and international organizations. He has a proven track record in restructuring and modernizing assurance functions during periods of great organizational transition.

Bill joined Draper in 2022 from the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). Previously, in Kuwait, he was Chief Auditor/Head of Audit at Alghanim Industries and Deputy General Manager of Internal Audit at Gulf Bank. Bill began his auditing career in 2004 with the DCAA in Newport News, Virginia.

Bill holds a B.A. degree from Old Dominion University and has completed the General Management Certificate Program with The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Kuwait University. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Virginia. He holds 12 certifications in the field, including Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information Systems Auditor, and Certified Fraud Examiner.

Amy Hart

Vice President, Contracts

Amy Hart is Vice President for Contracts. She leads a multidisciplinary professional team, who are responsible for the full contract lifecycle, in the establishment and maintenance of contracting processes/procedures across Draper.

With more than 20 years of cradle-to-grave contract management experience, Amy’s background includes working for aerospace and defense companies in positions of increasing authority, from large prime systems integration to high-volume manufacturing, for Department of Defense, commercial, and international customers. She has overseen contracting responsibilities for a $13.5 billion portfolio and led cross-functional teams spanning multiple business units.

Before joining Draper in 2023, she served as a Division Senior Director of Contracts in Northrop Grumman’s Space sector. Before that she was Northrop’s Director of Contracts for the Small Caliber Systems Business Unit, Strategic Capture Team Volume Lead and Executed Contract Lead. She also was a manager of sales administration for aerospace and defense at EnerSys Energy Products, Inc./Hawker Energy Products, Inc., and a manager of Supplier Resource Center at McMaster-Carr Supply Company.

Amy received an M.A. degree in history from the University of Central Missouri and a B.A. in political science from the University of Missouri at Columbia.

Suzanne Jones

Vice President, Business Winning

Suzanne Jones is Vice President for Business Winning. She leads optimization of Draper’s capture and proposal processes to better support the company’s growth projections.

She has more than 20 years of experience in capture and proposal management. Suzanne’s background spans leading and supporting efforts valued at more than $2.8B across a broad customer set, including defense, intelligence and commercial. With demonstrated success in increasing win and capture rates, her strategic approach includes developing leaders in capture and proposal and enterprise-wide capabilities.

Suzanne joined Draper from BAE Systems Electronic Systems, where she was a Senior Director, Business Winning. Before that, she was a Senior Manager, Proposal Operations, at Northrop Grumman Corporation Technology Services and Information Systems. Earlier in her career she worked at M/A-COM, Inc.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University and completed post-graduate coursework at Trident Technical College. She is a certified member and Fellow of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals.

Mary Kim

Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary

Mary Kim is Vice President and General Counsel, as well as Secretary to Draper’s Board of Directors. She has overall responsibility for Draper’s corporate governance, enterprise risk management, intellectual property and ethics and compliance functions, as well as overseeing the in-house Legal team.

With 20 years of experience practicing law, Mary has a broad background leading legal, compliance and risk management functions in private and public companies. She has supported high-growth, highly regulated and global business in technology and manufacturing.

Prior to Draper, she was Assistant General Counsel & Director at General Dynamics Corporation, as well as in-house counsel at General Dynamics Information Technology, CSRA LLC and Computer Sciences Corporation. Before moving in-house, Mary was in private practice for more than 10 years in two large law firms in Washington, D.C.

Mary holds a B.A degree from Yale University and Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center.

Anthony Kourepenis

Vice President, Engineering

Tony Kourepenis is Vice President of Engineering. He is responsible for building the engineering workforce, cultivating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable culture. Tony works with his leadership team to enhance leadership effectiveness throughout Engineering, as well as to grow and sustain Draper’s engineering capabilities for the future.

He has nearly 40 years of experience in the defense industry. His background spans advanced research, design and development; program management, with deliverables ranging from prototypes to production units; and leadership across multiple engineering disciplines in a matrixed environment.

Tony joined Draper as a student in 1985 and became a staff engineer in 1988, supporting inertial instrument design, development and assessment, including pioneering work in precision guided munitions leveraging microelectromechanical systems technology. Over the course of his Draper career, he was promoted into leadership roles of increasing responsibility in Engineering and Programs, including Director of Internal Research and Development, Principal Director of Engineering, Principal Director of Strategic Systems, and Vice President of Strategic Systems.

Tony holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from Northeastern University in electrical engineering and an M.S. degree in engineering management from the Gordon Institute at Tufts University.

Sarah Leeper

Vice President and General Manager, Electronic Systems

Sarah is Vice President and General Manager of Electronic Systems. She leads work focused on specialized microelectronics; autonomy; guidance, navigation, and control solutions; and advanced decision software services for customers that span the Department of Defense and Intelligence communities.

With more than 20 years of experience in aerospace and defense, microelectronics, security, high-performance computing and financial technology markets, Sarah has helped Electronic Systems grow by expanding its scope of work into additional areas in support of U.S. national security.

She joined Draper in 2016. Her prior roles at Draper include Principal Director for Defense Systems, managing a $100M Program Office to provide mission, combat and secure and assured solutions to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Special Operations Command and defense industry prime contractors. Previously, she was Director of Secure and Assured Systems, and grew that organization into a $40 million business unit that developed security technologies and executed programs resulting in impactful next-generation technology to secure U.S. military assets and critical infrastructure.

Prior to Draper, Sarah was Vice President, Product Development and Customer Service, at CSPi; Director of Programs at TEK Microsystems; and at Mercury Systems rose to Director, Integrated Product Security, from Senior FPGA IP developer. Earlier in her career, she was a Digital Embedded Systems Engineer at MIT Lincoln Laboratory.

Sarah earned her MBA degree from Southern New Hampshire University and two B.S. degrees in computer engineering and neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh.

Nancy Lightbody

Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

Nancy is Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Draper. With more than 30 years of human resources experience, she was appointed to her current role in 2021. Nancy leads Draper’s overall human resources strategy, and, along with her team, is responsible for attracting, developing and retaining diverse top talent.

Nancy joined Draper as Principal Director for Human Resources in early 2020. She has an integral role in helping Draper to develop and implement plans that facilitate hybrid and remote work. AS CHRO, Nancy has changed the HR function and its impact across the company to better align with Draper’s goals, strategies and mission. Working collaboratively, she has helped to reshape the employee experience at Draper through policies, practices and programs that reflect and support Draper’s dynamic needs.

Nancy previously held numerous HR leadership roles, including executive VP for Human Resources at the Public Consulting Group, VP for HR at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, VP for People and Culture at Grand Circle Corporation, and VP for HR at Seaport Companies.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Bentley University in marketing and SPHR certification from the Society of Human Resources.

Aisha Losche

Chief Corporate and Community Engagement Officer

Aisha Losche is the Chief Officer of Corporate and Community Engagement at Draper, where she leads initiatives aimed at enhancing corporate culture and fostering strong community relationships. With over 20 years of experience, Aisha focuses on creating collaborative partnerships and developing policies, practices, and programs that strengthen engagement both within the company and with external stakeholders. She was appointed to her current role in 2022 and works closely with Draper’s leadership team to drive impactful changes that align with corporate values and community outreach. 

Aisha has a deep background in advising and coordinating engagement strategies across organizations, with a focus on cultivating sustainable partnerships and fostering a positive, inclusive work environment. Her approach to management and problem solving is centered around collaboration, systemic change, and the integration of efforts to enhance corporate culture and external relations.

Prior to joining Draper, Aisha served as Vice President of Talent Engagement at Publicis Groupe, where she worked for eight years leading initiatives to build talent-focused strategies that connected corporate goals with employee well-being and community involvement.

Aisha holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Sacred Heart University and an MBA from Curry College. She also is completing a Corporate Citizenship Certificate at Boston College in April of 2025, and completed a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion at Cornell University in 2018. In addition, she is a Certified Executive & Leadership Coach, Mental Health First Aider, and a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory.

Julia MacDonough

Vice President and General Manager for Air Force and Missile Defense Strategic Systems

Julia MacDonough is Vice President and General Manager for Air Force and Missile Defense Strategic Systems. She was appointed to her current role in 2024 and oversees development of a new missile interceptor inertial measurement unit; guidance and survivable technologies for ballistic missiles; and guidance, navigation and control for air-breathing hypersonic missile programs.

Julia joined Draper in 2023 and was responsible for strategy to accelerate mission impact and growth for Space Systems, which currently spans low earth orbit to deep space. Her experience encompasses military and civil space, aerospace and defense, remote sensing, electronic warfare and satellite communications serving government, commercial sector and international business customers, including NASA, the Department of Defense and the intelligence community.

Prior to Draper, she worked at BAE Systems, where she was Product Line Director in Electronic System’s FAST Labs™ business. In that role, she led a geographically distributed, matrixed team of scientists, engineers, program managers and functional partners to drive sustained growth following an organizational, cultural and strategic re-set. Before that, at MetiSpace Technologies, formerly GMV USA, the U.S. subsidiary of GMV, Julia served as Vice President of Business Development. She worked at several other companies previously.

As a U.S. Air Force Officer, Julia provided technical and programmatic leadership for Department of Defense ground system and remote sensing acquisitions. She began her military journey as an Air Force ROTC scholarship cadet at Duke University. During eight years on active duty, she was a physicist in what is now the Air Force Research Labs, which was embedded in legacy Kodak through the Education with Industry Program and served in operations and acquisitions roles with the National Reconnaissance Office. She also served as a White House Military Social Aide.

Julia holds an M.S. degree in remote sensing and imaging science from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a B.S. degree in physics and history from Duke University.

Beverley Malcolm

Director of Communications

Beverley Malcolm is Director of Communications. She has more than 20 years of experience working across several sectors. She joined Draper in 2022 and manages a team of eight professionals who are focused on internal communications, media relations, social media and creative services. Beverley is responsible for enhancing Draper’s reputation and ensuring all communications align with the company’s overall messaging and outreach strategy.

Prior to joining Draper, Beverley managed internal communications for VF Corporation, a global retail company with iconic brands, including The North Face, Timberland, Vans, Dickies, Supreme and more. Before that she held internal and HR communications roles at TIAA, Verizon and Prudential Financial.

Beverley holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in communications from Seton Hall University.

She participated in the McKinsey Black Leadership Academy program (class of October 2022). Beverley also has been a speaker at Marcus Evans conferences and VF Corporation’s Top 300 Leadership Symposium. She is the former President of the Board of Directors for the Jersey Explorer Children’s Museum in New Jersey and a founding member of Blacks in Communications – a LinkedIn group, and the Black Public Relations Society in New Jersey.

Patricia Papetti

Executive Assistant

Patricia Papetti is Executive Assistant to the President and CEO and the Chief Operations Officer. She has more than 30 years of experience working across different industries, including higher education and engineering.

She is a high-level professional who works closely with Draper’s executive leadership team. Her experience spans the management of high-level confidential projects, meeting planning, event management and supervision. As a valued member of the ELT, she also reinforces Draper’s reputation within the community by supporting company-sponsored events like Toys for Tots, Habitat for Humanity and the Charles River Restoration Project.

Prior to her current role, Papetti was the Executive Assistant to the Chief Administration Officer and the Vice President of Finance at Draper.

Before joining Draper, she was Onboarding Specialist and later Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Human Resources at Boston University. Papetti started her career as Pupil Services Assistant with the Winchester Public Schools System.

Marjorie Quant

Chief Operating Officer

Marjorie Quant is Chief Operations Officer. She was appointed to her current role in April 2023 and is responsible for leading the company’s efforts to increase operating efficiencies.

With nearly 25 years of experience across the defense industry, Marjorie’s leadership background spans business strategy development, portfolio management, nuclear deterrence and assurance planning, developmental flight test and more.

Marjorie joined Draper in 2022 as Strategy Development Leader. In that role she supported the creation of and led teams to address national challenges at the intersection of technology, business, finance, and policy. She also worked in collaboration with the defense industrial base and the commercial sector to solve problems on behalf of, and in concert with, the U.S. government. Before joining Draper, Marjorie was a Senior Director in Growth at Anduril Industries.

She served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, culminating her career as an active-duty Colonel. Her senior tours included serving as a System Program Director and Portfolio Manager, executing multiple ACAT-1 equivalent multibillion-dollar programs; Operations Group Deputy Commander, overseeing 13 Test, Operations and Maintenance Squadrons; Squadron Commander, executing developmental flight tests programs; Deterrence Planner and Strategist Branch Chief in the U.S. Strategic Command; and Chief Engineer of a Combined Test Force.

Marjorie is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Advanced Studies School, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, as well as the National Intelligence College.

Stephen Rusinko

Vice President, Operations

Stephen is Vice President, Operations and helps to shape Draper’s manufacturing strategy by optimizing efficiencies and driving strategic initiatives to achieve the company’s business commitments to customers.  

With a proven track record in production, strategic execution, and leadership, Stephen leads Draper’s multi-site manufacturing operations. As part of his responsibilities, he partners with Program Offices, Engineering, Supply Chain, and other functions to deliver business commitments and positions Draper for long-term success.

Stephen joined Draper in 2013 and has worked in multiple roles culminating in Director of Operations and Production for Draper’s Trident program. Prior to this, he held several leadership roles in the commercial semiconductor sector, earning many leadership awards and patents.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Colorado and is a Statistical Process Control Black Belt who also is certified in Program Management.

Jennifer Santos

Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer

Jen Santos is Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Draper. She was appointed to her current role in 2023.

With more than 25 years of national leadership experience, Jen has served as a tri-sector leader across executive branch, legislative branch and industry. In those areas she demonstrated a keen understanding of the policy, finance, regulatory, technology and business aspects of military department acquisition, research and engineering organizations.

She was promoted to her current role, with responsibilities that include developing market and technology strategies in support of Draper’s Corporate Strategy; leading the corporate investment strategies for internal research and development, company campuses, and capital expenditure; and leading all high-level customer outreach across the national security ecosystem.

Jen joined Draper in 2021 as Principal Director for Strategic Initiatives in the National Security and Space Program Office. Before that, she served as a Naval Research and Development Investment Executive for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for industrial policy.

Previously, Jen was Vice President for the Air Force and Department of Defense innovation at Cypress International, a consulting firm. She also was a professional staff member on the Senate Appropriations Committee for Defense and held finance and acquisitions roles in the Department of the Air Force.

Jen holds an MBA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a B.S. in mathematics from Wheeling Jesuit University. She also was appointed to serve on the Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution Commission established under a provision in the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.