Kevin Gunde has assumed new responsibilities as senior vice president and head of engineering at Applied Energetics. Chris Donaghey, CEO of the advanced optical technologies and pulsed laser systems development company, in a statement posted Monday welcomed Gunde to the executive leadership team.
“Kevin’s decades of experience and expertise in engineering, especially around new and novel defense solutions, will be instrumental in driving the next phase of our technology development and deployment,” Donaghey said. “His leadership at this pivotal moment will be crucial in shaping Applied Energetics’ future – steering our engineering organization, advancing our technology, and helping us achieve our mission of fielding advanced laser technologies in various defense applications.”
Kevin Gunde’s Career Highlights
Gunde, a scientist and experienced industry leader, brings to the role over 30 years of experience in the defense and intelligence sector.
He joined Applied Energetics as a member of the company’s advisory board in September 2022. More recently, he served as senior adviser.
Before Applied Energetics, Gunde held the role of vice president and chief scientist for Jacobs’ Rapid Solutions business, which provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to the U.S. government and allied partner nations.
He also founded and held executive positions at The KeyW Corporation, a national security company Jacobs acquired in 2019. His resume includes a five-year stint as a scientist for the Department of Defense and a tactical communications systems operator and mechanic for the U.S. Army.
Gunde has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a doctorate in chemical physics from the University of Virginia.
“Throughout my career, I’ve focused on advancing defense systems designs that are not only innovative but also practical and viable,” Gunde said. “I look forward to bringing my experience to help accelerate the delivery of this game-changing technology to the market.”