Posts by Katherine Jerald
Why Many Defense Executives Get Replaced Around $150M in Revenue
Defense leadership scaling becomes a major challenge once aerospace and defense companies approach the $100M to $150M revenue stage. Many executives are quietly replaced during this phase not because they failed, but because the business evolved beyond the leadership model that originally drove growth. This pattern plays out repeatedly across government contractors, defense technology firms,…
Read MoreDuke Hartman, CEO of Integer Technologies
The defense innovation gap is one of the biggest constraints in modern military capability. It’s not because the technology doesn’t work. It’s because organizations don’t deploy it. Billions flow into advanced systems every year. Yet programs leave a surprising amount unused in real-world operations. In this episode of Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting, Duke Hartman, CEO…
Read MoreWill Edwards, CEO of Firehawk Aerospace
Missile supply chain bottleneck issues are becoming one of the biggest constraints in modern defense production, limiting how quickly missiles can actually be built. Missile demand is accelerating, but capacity isn’t keeping up—and the real issue isn’t design or funding. It’s rocket propulsion manufacturing. In this episode of Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting, Elray Search CEO…
Read MoreYolanda Clarke, Founder and CEO of Powder River Industries
DevSecOps in Practice Across Defense and National Security | Yolanda Clarke Introduction DevSecOps in defense and national security is discussed constantly, but far fewer leaders have experience implementing it in real mission environments. In this episode of Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting, Katherine Jerald sits down with Yolanda Clarke, Founder and CEO of Powder River Industries,…
Read MoreThe Cost of a Counteroffer
Why you should think twice when your defense employer counters You finally land an outside offer. It’s exciting — maybe even overdue. Then your employer provides a counteroffer. More money. Maybe a better title. A plea to stay. It’s tempting, and sometimes it makes sense. I first wrote about this on LinkedIn, where it sparked…
Read More360 Executive Recruiter – Aerospace & Defense Executive Search
Remote | Avg Fee $63K | Top Splits | Succession Track Elray Search is a boutique executive search firm operating in one of the hottest growth sectors entering 2026: aerospace and defense electronics. We place mission-critical leaders for manufacturers building RF systems, microelectronics, avionics, and space hardware. Average fee: $63,000. This is not a volume…
Read MoreTim Hillner, Co-Founder & CTO of Fairwinds Technologies
Direct-to-device satellite communications are transforming how the military connects in contested and remote environments, using standard cell phones with no custom hardware or special devices. That capability exists today. In this episode of Mission Critical: Defense & Aerospace Recruiting, Elray Search CEO Katherine Jerald speaks with Tim Hillner, Co-Founder of Fairwinds Technologies, a defense communications…
Read MoreWhy Small Space Engineering Firms are Winning with Janet Grondin, CEO of Stellar Solutions
A candid look at space engineering culture across DC, Denver, and Southern California Janet Grondin, CEO of Stellar Solutions, has spent more than 27 years across the Air Force, Space Force, Northrop Grumman, and now at the helm of one of the industry’s most respected small systems engineering firms. Few leaders have seen the space…
Read MoreLead Generation & Account Manager (Commission-Based | Hybrid / Remote)
About the RoleWe’re hiring a Lead Generation & Account Manager to help drive new business and manage early-stage client relationships. This role is ideal for someone who’s succeeded in commission-based or tip-driven sales and wants uncapped earning potential tied directly to performance. You’ll focus on outbound lead generation, relationship building, and account support—working remotely most…
Read MoreFrank Muth, President of Deltawerx Aerospace
At the highest levels of modern warfare, Frank Muth, a retired Major General, is helping redefine what “advantage” really means. Moreover, his view is blunt: the future isn’t coming — it’s already here. He’s now part of Deltawerx Aerospace, where the focus is clear: build ultra-compact, rapidly deployable drones with changeable payloads. Therefore, the mission…
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