Antenna Research Associates has appointed Jay Abendroth, a seasoned defense electronics executive, as chief growth officer to lead business development and growth strategy efforts in support of expanding defense mission requirements.
The company said Wednesday Abendroth will work to strengthen strategic partnerships, deepen customer collaboration across the defense and aerospace markets and identify contract opportunities aligned with ARA’s capabilities and mission priorities.
Who Is Jay Abendroth?
Abendroth has more than two decades of experience across defense electronics, with work spanning electronic warfare, avionics and mission processing.
He most recently served as president of the airborne combat systems sector and integrated vision solutions sector at L3Harris Technologies.
Before that, he held leadership roles at Mercury Systems, including vice president of the mission business unit and VP of global program management. In those roles, he oversaw multisector teams and supported operational and program initiatives tied to advanced electronic warfare and mission processing systems.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Abendroth also held business operations and program management roles at Saab Defense and Security USA and Lockheed Martin.
The Syracuse University bioengineering graduate holds a master’s degree in systems engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.
“ARA has built an impressive foundation of technical excellence and trusted customer relationships,” said Abendroth. “I look forward to working with the team to deepen collaboration with key partners and continue delivering the innovative technologies our customers rely on to support critical missions.”
What Did ARA CEO Logen Thiran Say About Abendroth?
ARA CEO Logen Thiran said Abendroth’s background in technical development, program execution and customer engagement will support the company’s continued expansion in the defense market.
“He is a seasoned leader with a strong track record of supporting complex defense programs and building trusted relationships with customers to address their most demanding mission requirements,” Thiran added.
What Does Antenna Research Associates Do?
ARA develops advanced antenna and radio frequency systems for defense and industrial applications. The company is broadening its defense and national security capabilities across mission areas, including electronic warfare, counter-unmanned aerial systems, collaborative combat aircraft, and advanced munitions and seeker technologies.
The Laurel, Maryland-based company has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of Frank Morgan as chief operating officer; Adil Karim as chief technology officer; and Ash Srivastava as chief financial officer.
In 2024, ARA became a portfolio company of OceanSound Partners, a New York-based private equity firm, following its acquisition.
