SRC, Inc. has formed the force protection division in response to customer priorities and to focus on developing electronic warfare, counter-unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and advanced technology solutions for protecting warfighters and military assets around the world. SRC, Inc. has established a new machine intelligence and autonomy center of excellence (COE) and has promoted Sean O’Hara (photo) to lead the initiative as Director.

Ron Hayward has been selected to lead this new division as the Senior Vice President. In his new role, Hayward will provide strategic guidance, technical leadership and business development for the company’s force protection programs. He most recently worked as Senior Vice President, Radars and Sensors and his wealth of technical knowledge and business experience will help SRC support new and existing customers with next generation capabilities and technology aimed at protecting warfighters.

Hayward served for 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, with worldwide deployed service including Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Provide Comfort and was a recipient of the Avionics Marine of the Year award from the Marine Corps Aviation Association. He is a certified project management professional (PMP) and holds a master’s degree in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and received his bachelor’s degree in Technology Management from SUNY Albany.

Maureen Wigge has been selected to serve as Assistant Vice President of Operations. In her new role, Wigge will provide leadership in the planning, budgeting and execution of the force protection division’s diverse portfolio of counter-UAS and spectrum operations programs. Wigge has worked at SRC for 11 years, most recently as Assistant Vice President, Electronic Warfare and Communication Systems. Her wealth of program management and execution experience will help SRC support new and existing customers with next generation capabilities and technology. Wigge received her bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia and is a member of the Association of Old Crows.

 Greg KOpiasz has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Spectrum Operations. In his new role, Kopiasz will provide leadership in the planning, budgeting and execution of all spectrum operations programs. He has worked at SRC for 19 years, most recently as Director, Electronic Warfare Technology and Systems. Kopiasz has helped evolve SRC’s electronic warfare systems and technology products to include capabilities that address both counter insurgency and near-peer adversaries. He received his master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University and his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Clarkson University. Kopiasz is a member of the Association of Old Crows and, in 2011, received the Technologist of the Year award from the Technology Alliance of Central New York.

 Mike Ruissell has been promoted to Director, Strategy and Technology. In his new role, Russell will lead the planning, budgeting and execution for the division’s strategy and technology portfolio. Russell has worked at SRC for 13 years, most recently as Senior Manager, Business Development. He has worked on a variety of programs, including the CREW Duke counter-IED system, the Advanced Ground Electronic Warfare system (AGES), the Silent Archer counter-UAS system and SRC’s NAVWAR portfolio. Russell received his master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University and his bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Clarkson University. In 2010, he was named the Young Technologist of the Year by the Technology Alliance of Central New York.

 Jerry Kezar has been promoted to Director, Army Counter-UAS Programs. In his new role, Kezar will lead the planning, budgeting and execution of all Army programs within the counter-UAS business unit. Kezar has worked at SRC for 10 years, most recently as a Program Manager. He has over 20 years of experience in engineering management, leading large multi-functional teams. Kezar received his master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology, his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and was listed as one of the Central New York Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2015.

 Margaret McCormick has been selected to serve as Director, Electronic Warfare Technology and Systems for the Spectrum Operations business unit. In her new role, McCormick will provide leadership in the planning, budgeting and execution of all electronic warfare technology and systems within the spectrum operations business unit. McCormick has worked at SRC for over 25 years, most recently as Director of the Electronic Warfare Counter-UAS business area. She has led and contributed to critical programs including the Army LIDS program and the Air Force Medusa program. McCormick received her Master of Business Administration from SUNY College at Oswego, her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Columbia College and her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Ithaca College.

 SRC, Inc., a not-for-profit research and development company, combines information, science, technology and ingenuity to solve “impossible” problems in the areas of defense, environment and intelligence.