Founder John “JD” Parkes will transition to the role of Executive Chairman, remaining full-time and focusing on strategy, investor relations, and the company’s long-term direction.
Claussen brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across defense and technology organizations. He has held senior leadership roles at L3Harris and Viasat and most recently served as CEO of ST Engineering iDirect, a global communications technology company supporting both commercial and U.S. government customers through dual-use technologies.
A U.S. Army veteran, Claussen served in the military before moving into executive leadership. He later deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq on tactical communications programs and worked extensively on deployed C4ISR systems.
“For the past decade, as a founder and CEO, I have been focused on building a defense technology company to solve our nation’s security challenges. Now more than ever it is paramount to build mission outcomes at speed and scale. As we, Parry, have continued to grow, I am happy to bring a new CEO and leader that will help us do that. The right leader for Parry will operate with humility, is driven by the mission, and has the proven experience to lead defense technology organizations to tremendous levels. I am confident Don is the right leader for Parry Labs,” said John “JD” Parkes, Executive Chairman of Parry Labs.
“His proven ability to lead technology driven organizations through massive growth, emerging technologies changes, and drive long term value is clear. I look forward to diving in as executive chairman and helping Don maximize the impact Parry Labs can have for our country.”
“I came to Parry because I believe the mission needs Parry Labs’ technology,” said Don Claussen, Chief Executive Officer of Parry Labs. “As the DoD shifts its priorities, I am excited to help position Parry within this evolving opportunity space. The defense industry needs exactly these capabilities right now: open architecture, edge compute, C2, and integrated systems with the warfighter at the center.”
Under the new leadership structure, Claussen will oversee daily business operations, execution, organizational alignment, and Parry’s operating model across its sites in Virginia, Alabama, Maryland, Texas, and Iowa, while Parkes continues leading strategic growth and investor engagement initiatives.
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