AeroVironment Inc

AeroVironment Inc. announced the appointment of Sean Woodward as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective May 1, 2026. Mr. Woodward, who previously served as CFO of the company's Autonomous Systems segment, succeeds Kevin McDonnell, who will retire on July 31, 2026. McDonnell will assist in a smooth transition by continuing in a non-officer capacity from May 1, 2026. Woodward's compensation includes an annual base salary of $515,000, a target annual bonus of 70% of his base salary, and $736,450 in performance restricted stock units.

AeroVironment Inc. has announced the appointment of Robert Smith, age 53, as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective April 13, 2026. Dr. Smith brings extensive experience from prominent defense and aerospace companies, including Raytheon, Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions, BWX Technologies, and Lockheed Martin Corp. He succeeds Brad Truesdell, who is retiring but will remain in an advisory role through April 30, 2026, and then transition to a consulting role to ensure a smooth leadership transition. This strategic hire is expected to leverage Dr. Smith's deep operational and leadership expertise to drive AeroVironment's future growth and efficiency.