Pacific Defense Executives | Leadership Team & Company Leadership

Date August 22, 2025
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Pacific Defense

COMPANY INFO

Pacific Defense, founded in 2020, is a private Aerospace and Defense company headquartered in El Segundo, California. The founders include Amos Freedy Ph.D., Gershon Weltman Ph.D., and Travis Slocumb (CEO and co-founder). The company has approximately 120-125 employees and specializes in designing and manufacturing defense electronics products and open architecture systems for military platforms. Pacific Defense delivers innovative electromagnetic spectrum technology solutions to the Department of Defense and its partners, focusing on modular, open standards-based mission systems to address evolving warfare threats. Their mission is to rapidly provide affordable, breakthrough C5ISR and electronic warfare capabilities to the warfighter through cutting-edge research and development in AI, machine learning, and radio frequency technologies.

8 Key Pacific Defense Executives

Pacific Defense, founded in 2020, is a leading private aerospace and defense company headquartered in El Segundo, California. The company specializes in designing and manufacturing defense electronics products and open architecture systems for military platforms, delivering state-of-the-art C5ISR and electronic warfare solutions to the Department of Defense and its partners.

The Pacific Defense leadership team comprises accomplished professionals with decades of experience in aerospace, defense electronics, finance, policy, and government relations. These Pacific Defense executives are known for combining deep technical expertise with a strong understanding of regulatory, financial, and operational challenges in the defense industry. Together, the management team fuels innovation, drives strategic growth, and ensures that Pacific Defense continues to deliver breakthrough capabilities to the warfighter.

Key Executives

Travis Slocumb - CEO

Travis Slocumb serves as both the CEO and co-founder of Pacific Defense, steering the company's vision and rapid growth since its inception in 2020. Under his leadership, Pacific Defense has become a premier provider of modular open systems architecture (MOSA)-based C5ISR solutions, raised significant investment, executed strategic acquisitions, and built high-profile industry partnerships.

Travis holds a BS in Mathematics from the College of William and Mary. His prior career at Raytheon included high-profile roles in strategy, business development, and P&L leadership, managing over $2B in investments and several national priority programs such as the $7B Next Generation Jammer franchise. His extensive aerospace and defense background underpins his successful transition from Raytheon to Pacific Defense leadership.

Kent Mader - COO

As COO, Kent Mader leads Pacific Defense’s operations portfolio, ensuring delivery of advanced technology solutions that tackle emerging electromagnetic spectrum threats. He is instrumental in managing operational strategy, integrating teams and processes, and driving overall organizational efficiency.

Kent earned a BS in Accounting and Finance from the University of Southern California and has enhanced his expertise through advanced studies in management and dispute resolution. Before joining Pacific Defense, Kent held major leadership roles at AT&T and DIRECTV, specializing in finance, operations, risk management, and integration of business lines during mergers.

Scott Hoffman - CFO

Scott Hoffman, as CFO, oversees Pacific Defense’s finance, contracts, and legal operations, ensuring the company’s financial health and regulatory compliance. His 20-year corporate finance career equips him with a comprehensive vision for financial planning, risk management, and strategic investments.

Scott holds a B.S. in Finance from Babson College. Prior to Pacific Defense, he served as Finance Director and Senior Finance Manager at Raytheon, handling major government radar programs and financial planning for high-impact defense initiatives.

Daniel Kilfoyle - CTO

Daniel Kilfoyle has driven technological innovation as CTO at Pacific Defense since 2020. He is responsible for setting technology strategy, especially in artificial intelligence and electronic warfare systems, ensuring Pacific Defense’s offerings remain on the cutting edge.

Daniel earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Ocean Engineering from MIT. He previously served as Technical Director for Electronic Warfare Systems at Raytheon, where he led R&D and product innovation in advanced defense electronics.

Paul Sorrentino - VP of Supply Chain | Quality | Planning

Paul Sorrentino has headed Pacific Defense’s supply chain, quality, and planning since January 2025. His leadership supports manufacturing and timely product delivery across the company’s complex defense programs.

Paul’s prior experience includes senior operational and program management roles at Ultra Intelligence & Communications, Arkham Technology, Regal Technology Partners, and Raytheon, making him a resourceful supply chain and operations executive with a strong defense background.

Jon Halsey - VP of Manufacturing Operations

Jon Halsey leads manufacturing operations at Pacific Defense’s Sunnyvale site, managing factory operations, production, engineering, supply chain, and quality. Since joining in June 2024, Jon has championed operational excellence and continuous improvement across production environments.

Jon is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, holding a BS in International Relations. He previously gained experience in operations, logistics, and supply chain leadership at companies such as Tile, Lexar, SanDisk, and Raychem.

Adam Goodwin - VP of Government Relations

Adam Goodwin leads government relations, focusing on legislative engagement, regulatory affairs, and public funding strategies for Pacific Defense. Since 2021, Adam has cultivated vital relationships with industry stakeholders and government agencies, advancing the company's policy and business objectives.

Adam holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Washington. He formerly directed government affairs at Blue Origin and worked as a legislative assistant in the U.S. Senate, providing him with notable defense and space policy expertise.

Thomas Quast - VP of Business Development

Thomas Quast is responsible for driving business growth, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic planning at Pacific Defense. Since 2020, Thomas has played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s reach in aerospace and telecommunications.

Thomas has an MS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from Rockhurst University. He brings over two decades of industry experience, having held key business development positions at Raytheon Technologies and Sprint.

Wayne Thompson - Director of Finance

Wayne Thompson manages Pacific Defense’s financial operations and analytics, building robust systems that underpin fiscal responsibility and informed decision-making. Since 2021, Wayne has leveraged his defense and IT industry knowledge to enhance financial performance.

Wayne holds an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Northeastern University. His prior finance roles span Raytheon and Empirix, contributing a wealth of defense industry acumen to the Pacific Defense management team.

Company Leadership

The Pacific Defense leadership team represents a blend of hands-on technical expertise, financial acumen, and strategic vision, empowering the company to address the evolving needs of modern warfare. With leaders drawn from prominent defense, aerospace, technology, and government institutions, the company's management structure is designed for agility, innovation, and mission success. The executive team collaborates closely across disciplines, making Pacific Defense a respected partner in the defense sector and a forward-thinking employer.

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Pacific Defense Executive Team & Leadership