Speakers

Brian Stites serves as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at MAG Aerospace, where he oversees enterprise-wide initiatives in systems integration, digital engineering, and advanced communications solutions. A seasoned leader in cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection, and defense operations, Stites brings more than two decades of combined military and industry experience.

Prior to joining MAG Aerospace, Stites was Chief Operating Officer of GuROO, a provider of enterprise network engineering, IT services, program management, and COMSEC solutions. He has also held senior leadership roles including Manager of Cyber Solutions at Battelle, Vice President of Security Strategy at Red River, and Vice President of Business Development at Mission Secure.

Stites’ industry career is complemented by an extensive record of military service. Over a 15-year career in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve, he served as a nuclear submarine officer, Navy nuclear engineer, and acquisition program manager before transitioning to operational cyber roles. His Navy Reserve assignments included Commanding Officer of NR S&T 106 under the Office of Naval Research and NR NIOC Hawaii – Camp Parks, as well as Director of the Information Warfare & Warfighter Performance Portfolio. He concluded his military career as an operational cyber planner for U.S. Cyber Command.

Earlier in his career, Stites also served at Raytheon as Portfolio Manager of Cyber Defense Programs and Senior Program Manager, leading the company’s cyber hardening and resilience initiatives. He has additionally held senior planning roles at CACI and L-3 National Security Solutions, where he specialized in strategic and operational planning for national security missions.