COMPANY INFO
Shield AI, Inc. is an American aerospace and defense technology company founded in 2015 by brothers Brandon Tseng and Ryan Tseng, along with Andrew Reiter. The company employs around 700 to 879 people and is headquartered in San Diego, California, with a website at www.shield.ai. Shield AI develops artificial intelligence-powered autonomous drones and software for defense operations, including the Nova quadcopter drone and the Hivemind AI system, which enable autonomous reconnaissance and combat missions in GPS-denied environments. Its primary industry is aerospace and defense, serving clients such as the US military and international defense organizations.
Shield AI, Inc. is an American aerospace and defense technology company specializing in AI-powered autonomous drones and software for defense operations. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Diego, Shield AI leverages cutting-edge AI to enable unmanned systems for reconnaissance and combat missions in complex, GPS-denied environments.
The Shield AI leadership team brings together deep expertise from military, engineering, finance, AI, and defense technology disciplines. Their collective backgrounds—spanning elite military service, advanced technology development, large-scale project execution, and international business—drive innovation and practical impact, fostering the company’s reputation as a leader in AI autonomy and defense solutions. Shield AI executives have overseen major technology launches, extensive fundraising, and partnerships with top defense organizations, shaping a culture of operational excellence and visionary growth.
Ryan Tseng is the CEO and Co-founder of Shield AI, leading the company’s mission to protect service members and civilians with advanced artificial intelligence systems. He has played a pivotal role in building Hivemind, Shield AI’s flagship AI pilot, which powers a range of drones and fighter aircraft for high-stakes defense applications. Through his leadership, Ryan directs strategic vision, fosters innovation in AI for aviation, and builds collaborations that strengthen Shield AI’s position with organizations like the U.S. Department of Defense and international allies.
Ryan holds an MBA from MIT and a BSEE in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida. His prior experience includes serving as Technical Lead for Wireless Power at Qualcomm, as well as CEO, CTO, and Founder of WiPower, Inc. He combines significant expertise in hardware, software, systems engineering, and wireless power, holding numerous patents and industry publications, which have proved vital to his role as Shield AI CEO.
Brandon Tseng co-founded Shield AI and serves as President, shaping the company’s culture, disciplined execution, and development of transformative AI-driven defense products. As a former Navy SEAL and Surface Warfare Officer, Brandon brings operational leadership, mission focus, and a deep understanding of defense needs, propelling Shield AI’s growth and impact in protecting both military personnel and civilians.
Brandon is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. His background as a Naval Officer and Assistant Chief Engineer, including deployments in Southeast Asia and Afghanistan, provides distinctive expertise guiding the Shield AI management team.
Kingsley Afemikhe is the CFO at Shield AI, leading financial strategy, fundraising, M&A, and capital management. He has been instrumental in raising nearly $1 billion in funding for Shield AI and other high-growth firms, ensuring the company’s financial sustainability and supporting its rapid expansion in global defense technology markets.
Kingsley earned a Master’s in Management from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Birmingham. He previously worked in investment banking, strategy, and finance at UBS, MET Group, and Deutsche Bank, bringing a global finance perspective to Shield AI’s leadership.
Armor Harris is VP of Engineering, heading aircraft engineering teams responsible for developing mass-produced autonomous aircraft for national security. His leadership accelerates Shield AI’s innovation in autonomous systems, advancing the company’s technological edge in defense aviation.
Armor holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University. Before joining Shield AI, he held senior roles at SpaceX, including Sr. Director of Starshield and Lead Propulsion Engineer, focusing on satellite propulsion and launch vehicle technologies.
Christian Gutierrez, as VP of Engineering, drives program execution, product strategy, and the engineering development of Shield AI’s solutions for both domestic and international clients. He oversees the Hivemind Solutions team, contributing to sustained strategic growth and platform innovation.
Christian graduated with a Bachelor’s in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Houston. He built his expertise through more than a decade at Lockheed Martin, leading hypersonics and spaceflight software programs, and served 20 years in the United States Air Force.
Mark Palmer leads the Vision Systems Group at Shield AI, following the integration of Sentient Vision Systems. He is a driving force in the advancement of digital transformation, AI, and drone technology, enhancing Shield AI’s vision and perception capabilities for defense applications.
Mark holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of South Australia. His extensive leadership experience spans roles at Sentient Vision Systems, Ocean Software, and Thales, focusing on air traffic management and defense technology.
Blake Sawyer serves as Vice President, contributing to Shield AI’s global strategy and expansion in international defense markets. He actively fosters partnerships and strengthens Shield AI’s market presence through a combination of operational leadership and industry expertise.
Blake earned a Master of Public Affairs from The LBJ School at the University of Texas and a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University. His background includes military service in the United States Marine Corps and leadership in public safety with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Heath N leads U.S. Government business strategy and sales as Vice President of Growth at Shield AI, driving over $145 million in solutions sales and securing major strategic partnerships with top U.S. defense agencies.
Heath holds a Bachelor’s in Engineering Management from West Point, as well as advanced degrees from Webster University and the US Army War College. A Special Operations Aviation veteran, Heath’s leadership and operational experience are pivotal in expanding Shield AI’s government footprint.
Alan Chirls is Vice President of Business Development, tasked with growing Shield AI’s market reach and driving commercial and defense product adoption. With a strong track record in sales and strategic initiatives, Alan leads efforts to support the company’s mission and revenue objectives.
Alan earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Denver. His sales and business development expertise were honed at Amazon and Comcast Business, where he managed international teams and consistently exceeded growth targets.
The Shield AI leadership team is composed of experienced founders, veterans, engineers, and accomplished business executives, each playing a critical role in the company's innovative culture and operational success. The management structure combines technical excellence, military discipline, and financial rigor, ensuring effective execution of Shield AI’s mission to advance AI autonomy in the defense sector. The founders, executive team, and management collectively set the strategic direction and drive the company’s rapid growth, cementing Shield AI’s position as a pioneer in defense technology.
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