- Ruppert has served as MANTECH’s executive vice president and chief financial officer since 2023
- His appointment took effect Aug. 5
- Charles Thomas Burbage will retire from the board at this year’s annual meeting after joining in 2013
AeroVironment has appointed Michael Ruppert to its board of directors. The company said Friday the appointment took effect Aug. 5.
Ruppert has served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of MANTECH since 2023, where he runs financial planning and analysis, accounting, treasury, cash management, and acquisition strategy. Wahid Nawabi, AV’s chairman, president and CEO and a 2026 Wash100 Award winner, tied the appointment to the company’s growth strategy and its work in defense technology.
“Michael brings exceptional financial leadership, strategic insight and deep aerospace and defense industry experience to AV,” Nawabi said. “I am confident Michael’s highly relevant expertise and fresh perspectives will make him a meaningful addition to our Board.”
What Is Michael Ruppert’s Background?
He spent more than eight years at Mercury Systems before joining MANTECH, five of which he spent as chief financial officer and treasurer. He came into Mercury as executive vice president for strategy and corporate development in 2014, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Ruppert co-founded RSPartners, an aerospace and defense M&A advisory firm, and held senior investment banking roles at Lehman Brothers, Lazard and UBS. He has more than 25 years of total experience in the financial, strategic and corporate development.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree from the university’s Darden School of Business.
Who Is Retiring From AV’s Board?
Charles Thomas Burbage told the board he will not seek reelection and will step down at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders. He has served since 2013 and sits on the nominating and corporate governance, compensation and executive committees.
Nawabi credited Burbage with helping guide AV through a period of growth into a multi-domain defense technology company.
