Astrion has appointed Tom Vice, an aerospace and defense industry executive, as executive chair and CEO and tapped industry leaders Eric Brown and Conn Doherty as president of space operations and allied missions and as chief growth officer, respectively.
The leadership moves at Astrion come as the defense and space community prepares for deeper collaboration and innovation across mission domains. Sign up now for the 2026 Air and Space Summit to join leaders as they discuss priorities shaping the sector and capabilities driving the future of air and space operations.
The company said Thursday the leadership appointments support its focus on delivering capabilities and supporting critical missions across defense, critical infrastructure, homeland security, space operations and allied missions.
Vice succeeds David Zolet, who has served as Astrion’s CEO since its 2023 launch.
Zolet, a five-time Wash100 awardee, said he is proud of building Astrion into a $1 billion-plus company and establishing its operational foundation.
Vice said mission demands are increasing in speed, complexity and consequence and highlighted the company’s workforce, customer relationships and execution record as key strengths.
“We are building on that foundation with focus, urgency, and resolve — strengthening what we do best today while expanding the operational capabilities, integrated solutions, and innovative technologies we bring to our customers. We intend to build on Astrion’s strengths and deliver greater capability, broader innovation, and more decisive impact for the missions we serve,” Vice added.
Who Is Tom Vice?
Vice brings experience leading aerospace and defense technology organizations. He most recently served as CEO of Sierra Space, where he helped grow the company into a multibillion-dollar enterprise, led capital raises and supported national security and defense programs.
He previously served as chairman, CEO and president of Aerion. Earlier, he held leadership roles at Northrop Grumman, including president of the aerospace systems sector and head of the technical services sector.
Who Is Eric Brown?
Brown brings to the role his experience in space and national security missions, as well as his background in delivering complex capabilities to critical customers. He most recently held the role of vice president of mission strategy and advanced capabilities at Lockheed Martin‘s space business.
He also held positions at Booz Allen Hamilton, URS/EG&G Technical Services and PwC focused on government services and mission support.
Who Is Conn Doherty?
As CGO, Doherty will strengthen the company’s commitment to growth aligned with mission demand, customer needs and operational relevance.
He most recently served as CGO at CHAOS Industries. He spent nearly 20 years at Raytheon, RTX and Collins Aerospace, where he held leadership roles supporting command and control, battle management and autonomy programs.
What Is Astrion?
Astrion provides technology platforms and services for defense, homeland security, infrastructure, intelligence and space missions. The company’s capabilities include space technologies; cyber; systems engineering and integration; test and evaluation and training; and mission support.
In December, the company won a spot on the Missile Defense Agency’s potential 10-year, $151 billion Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense contract vehicle.
In 2023, Astrion, a portfolio company of Brightstar Capital Partners, officially launched through the merger of Oasis Systems and ERC to help address cybersecurity, mission support, systems engineering and digital challenges facing defense, space and civilian government agencies.
