- Brian Bontempo led AI and radar algorithm work at Lockheed Martin Space
- Hal Smith previously served as chief information officer at NSA
- The 2027 Defense R&D Summit will explore trusted AI, autonomy and more
Concurrent Technologies Corp. has named Brian Bontempo, managing director of Dirigo Strategic, and Harold “Hal” Smith, a former Xator executive, to its technical advisory board.
CTC’s expanded technical advisory board will help guide the organization’s applied research and development work for defense and national security clients. Senior Department of War and national security technology officials will join industry executives at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2027 Defense R&D Summit on Feb. 4 to discuss unmanned systems, trusted AI and autonomy, quantum computing, advanced space technologies and more. The CTC-backed event will also feature discussions on assured connectivity, supply chain security and multisensor intelligence. Save your seat now to hear from leaders shaping the future of defense innovation.
The Johnstown, Pennsylvania-based organization said Thursday the two new members join Cos DiMaggio, Nickolas Guerin, Jeffrey Harris and Josh Salmanson on the board, who collectively have experience in defense research, engineering, acquisition and national security.
What Will Bontempo & Smith Do at CTC?
As advisory board members, Bontempo and Smith will provide independent strategic guidance to CTC’s leadership and technical teams. Their responsibilities include assessing projects for potential improvements and integration opportunities, mentoring the organization’s technical workforce and helping identify new technologies and markets.
Christopher Hamilton, president and CEO of CTC, said the advisory board helps the organization anticipate client requirements and deliver innovative offerings with real-world applications.
“Brian and Hal bring a wealth of experience in AI, sensing, national security, and cyber, and their input will make us even stronger in supporting our customers’ toughest missions,” added Hamilton, who took on the top leadership post at CTC in June.
Who Is Brian Bontempo?
Bontempo is a technology executive with expertise in AI, signal processing and remote sensing who currently serves as managing director of Dirigo Strategic.
He previously held the chief technology officer post at ARKA, where he directed technical roadmaps and research and development activities for more than 1,200 engineers. He also owned Stratagem and served as its CTO.
Earlier in his career, Bontempo was AI lead at Lockheed Martin Space, where he oversaw the development of synthetic aperture radar algorithms and machine learning capabilities. He also built flight hardware for the Hubble Space Telescope at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Bontempo holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering science from Penn State University.
Who Is Hal Smith?
Smith is a national security executive who has led organizations supporting intelligence, military and federal civilian customers in the cyber and mission support areas.
Most recently, he served as president and chief operating officer of Xator, a Parsons subsidiary, where he oversaw organic and acquisition-driven growth across identity and biometrics, technical security, counter-unmanned aircraft systems and mission support services.
His industry career also includes senior leadership roles at Accenture Federal Services, Computer Sciences Corp., SAIC and Telcordia Technologies. In government, Smith was associate deputy director for technology systems and chief information officer at the National Security Agency.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland and an MBA in finance and accounting from Campbell University.
What Other Leadership Changes Has CTC Made?
The technical advisory board appointments are the latest in a series of leadership changes at CTC. Earlier this month, CTC named Jo O’Saben vice president and CFO to succeed John Klein, who will retire at the end of the year. O’Saben, a CTC veteran of more than 30 years, will take on the role in January alongside Jay Bleehash, who will serve in a newly created chief administrative officer post.
The organization also added two national security veterans to its board of directors: Tonya Wilkerson, a former deputy director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and Errol Campbell, a retired U.S. Navy captain. In addition, CTC hired Marion Kennedy, a former LMI senior vice president, to lead its digital mission solutions organization.
Beyond its leadership moves, CTC secured a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop tools for testing the reliability and security of AI-enabled drones and robots.
