DEFCON Executives | Leadership Team & Company Leadership

Date August 18, 2025
D

DEFCON

COMPANY INFO

DEFCON AI is a Canadian company founded in 2022 that provides AI and data-driven logistics risk planning solutions. The company was co-founded by Yisroel Brumer, Paul Selva, and Grant Verstandig and has about 44 employees. DEFCON AI specializes in modeling, simulation, and analysis technologies to enhance resilience and decision-making in transportation and supply chain operations disrupted by natural disasters, adversarial contestation, or other unexpected events. Their website is https://defconai.com and they operate in the transportation, logistics, supply chain, and storage industry.

Top DEFCON AI Executives

DEFCON AI is a Canadian technology company specializing in AI-powered, data-driven logistics risk planning solutions for transportation and supply chain operations. Founded in 2022, DEFCON AI delivers advanced modeling, simulation, and analysis technologies designed to improve resilience and decision-making under conditions of disruption, such as natural disasters or adversarial threats.

At the core of DEFCON AI’s success is its dynamic leadership team, which blends deep expertise in military operations, logistics, artificial intelligence, and technology innovation. The executives at DEFCON AI have extensive backgrounds in defense, technology, finance, and product development, enabling the management team to drive rapid growth and innovation. This combination of industry veterans and cutting-edge technologists ensures DEFCON AI’s solutions effectively address the evolving needs of modern military and commercial logistics planners. The DEFCON AI CEO, along with the other DEFCON AI executives, each play a crucial role in executing the company’s vision and strategy.

Key Executives

Yisroel Brumer, PhD - CEO

As CEO and Co-Founder of DEFCON AI, Yisroel Brumer leads the company’s overall strategy, focusing on the development of next-generation modeling, simulation, and analysis tools for military logistics and transportation disruptions. Yisroel Brumer’s leadership is central to DEFCON AI’s mission to empower military planners and leaders by providing innovative, technology-driven solutions tailored to contested and disrupted environments.

Yisroel Brumer holds a PhD and has a robust background in AI engineering, logistics, and analytics. As a DEFCON AI founder, he brings vast experience in addressing complex transportation and logistical challenges in military settings, making his strategic insight pivotal to DEFCON AI’s growth and technological leadership.

Vivek Upadhyaya - CFO

Vivek Upadhyaya, as CFO, oversees all financial functions at DEFCON AI, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, risk management, and corporate governance. His work ensures the financial health and sustainable growth of the company, streamlining processes that help DEFCON AI maintain its competitive edge and innovation pipeline.

Vivek holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and an MBA in finance from Michigan State University. His career includes senior finance roles at Mercury Systems, Leonardo Electronics US Inc., IAI North America (where he was also President and CEO), and prior experience at Northrop Grumman, Orbital ATK, 3M, Kellogg’s, Amgen, and Honeywell. His financial expertise underpins the DEFCON AI management team’s operational excellence.

Brigadier General (Retired) Scott Stapp - CTO & CRO

Scott Stapp guides DEFCON AI’s technology and revenue strategies as Chief Technology Officer and Chief Revenue Officer. He is instrumental in advancing product development and market growth, ensuring DEFCON AI’s solutions align with the needs of military and defense logistics.

A retired Brigadier General, Scott Stapp brings decades of leadership and insight from the defense industry. His deep knowledge of military logistics and technology leadership fortifies the DEFCON AI management team and supports the company’s innovative approach to defense solutions.

Brigadier General (Retired) Matt Isler - COO

Matt Isler serves as COO, overseeing daily operations to ensure DEFCON AI’s initiatives are achieved on time and within budget. He streamlines operational processes, supporting the company’s efforts to deliver impactful logistics and mobility solutions for military contexts.

Matt is a retired Brigadier General, drawing from his extensive military operational leadership. His experience managing complex military operations amplifies DEFCON AI’s effectiveness in delivering practical, high-impact technology solutions.

General (Retired) Gustave F. Perna - Chief Mobility & Supply Chain Officer

Gustave Perna leads mobility and supply chain operations at DEFCON AI, integrating decades of military logistics leadership to optimize company solutions for resilient transportation and sustainment. He plays a key role in shaping DEFCON AI’s approach to solving supply chain challenges in defense environments.

General Perna is a former US Army General and ex-COO of Operation Warp Speed, with leadership over the US Army Materiel Command. His vast logistics and operational expertise is foundational to DEFCON AI’s role as a leader in military supply chain technology.

Alon Cohen - Chief Product Officer

Alon Cohen oversees product strategy and development at DEFCON AI, ensuring the company’s solutions address critical challenges in military logistics and mobility. He drives technological innovation and user-focused design throughout DEFCON AI’s portfolio.

Alon brings solid experience in product management and technology development, specializing in logistics and military mobility solutions. His expertise is vital for DEFCON AI’s ongoing product leadership.

Katie Griff - Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

Katie Griff shapes DEFCON AI’s brand and communications, expanding its visibility and stakeholder engagement. She leads marketing initiatives that position DEFCON AI as a leader in AI-driven logistics and defense technology.

Katie’s background spans marketing and communications for high-tech companies. Her role is pivotal in articulating DEFCON AI’s mission and value to a broader audience.

Heather Stevenson - General Counsel

Heather Stevenson manages all legal matters at DEFCON AI, from corporate governance to regulatory compliance. She ensures the company’s interests are protected, guiding DEFCON AI through complex legal environments in the defense and technology sectors.

Heather brings significant experience in corporate law, supporting DEFCON AI’s growth and operations by safeguarding its legal and regulatory standing.

Dan Daniels - VP, Mobility Solutions

Dan Daniels leads the design and implementation of mobility strategies that enhance military logistics and transportation at DEFCON AI. He manages product development to address real-world challenges faced by defense planners.

With extensive expertise in mobility and logistics, Dan is an asset to DEFCON AI’s teams developing technology-driven transportation solutions.

Jeff Grobman, PhD - SVP, Strategy

Jeff Grobman is responsible for strategic alignment across technology and business units at DEFCON AI. He develops and executes initiatives that ensure the company’s technological roadmap delivers maximum impact for its customers.

Jeff holds a PhD and has a strong background in strategy and analytics, making him a driving force behind DEFCON AI’s informed and effective business planning.

Company Leadership

The DEFCON AI leadership team brings together accomplished DEFCON AI executives from diverse backgrounds—ranging from retired military generals and PhDs to experienced finance, product, and legal professionals. This balanced and highly specialized management team structure enables DEFCON AI to operate efficiently and innovate rapidly, supporting its ambitions to become an industry leader in AI-driven logistics and supply chain management. The founders, operational heads, and key DEFCON AI executives work closely together to maintain the company’s results-driven, mission-focused ethos.

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