AeroVironment has selected Sean Woodward as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective May 1. Woodward succeeds Kevin McDonnell, who is stepping down from the role but will remain with AV through July to aid in the transition of responsibilities, the company said Monday.
Who Is Sean Woodward?
Woodward brings to the role over 20 years of experience leading finance strategies within the defense technology sector. He joined AV in 2010 and has been critical in the company’s transformation into a company with about $10 billion in market cap. He currently serves as CFO of AV’s autonomous systems segment, a role he has held since 2025.
“Sean has played a critical role in commercializing several of our high-growth products, which are now key franchises for the company,” commented Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president and CEO of AV and a 2026 Wash100 winner. “His leadership has strengthened our finance organization while supporting AV’s expansion and integration efforts — a critical attribute that will play an increasingly important role as we internally build our systems and processes enabling AV to effectively scale.”
Prior to AV, Woodward worked as a program control analyst at General Dynamics. He also held the roles of program planning and control analyst at Honeywell Aerospace earlier in his career.
Who Is Kevin McDonnell?
McDonnell has served as AV’s EVP and CFO since February 2020. According to the company, in the role, the executive has overseen strategic acquisitions, spearheaded growth initiatives, and enhanced financial and operational discipline across AV.
“Kevin has played an important role in strengthening AV’s financial performance, driving improved profitability during a period of revenue, bookings and backlog growth,” Nawabi shared.
McDonnell is retiring after nearly a 35-year career in financial, IT and human relations leadership.
What Services Does AeroVironment Provide Defense Customers?
AV, a defense company headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, provides integrated capabilities, including autonomous systems, loitering munitions, directed energy, electronic warfare, cyber and space-based platforms.
In March, the company secured a three-year, $97.4 million contract to develop the Generative Environment for the Next Era of Spectral Imaging Stimulators, or GENESIS, for the Air Force.
AV also won a contract from the U.S. Army Capability Program Executive for Aviation’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Project Office to produce AV P550 long-range reconnaissance systems.
