Brian “Rio” DeGennaro is the Vice President for the Air Dominance and Precision Strike portfolio within the Air and Space Defense Systems strategic business unit at Raytheon. As the Vice President, Brian is responsible for more than $6 billion in backlog and $2 billion in sales per year, 1800 matrixed employees; focused on capability development, production and sustainment execution. The Air Dominance and Precision Strike portfolio provides the U.S. and its global allies the most sophisticated and combat-proven air-to-air, surface-to-air and air-to-surface capability. Prior to Vice President for Air Dominance and Precision Strike, Brian led manufacturing operations for Raytheon’s Surveillance portfolio. In this role, Brian oversaw a manufacturing portfolio which included, optical, thermal and electronic systems, advanced programs and aftermarket services, leading ~3,000+ employees across 10 U.S. based manufacturing sites.

Prior to Raytheon, Brian served as Vice President and General Manager, for Peraton (Veritas Capital), leading their ~$1B Defense Mission Systems Business. As the Vice President and General Manager, Brian was responsible for the strategic direction, profit and loss management, business growth, program execution, and workforce management of a more than 3,000-person global workforce supporting operations domestically and overseas. Additionally, Brian was responsible for delivering mission-enabling technology, solutions and services (e.g., Cyber, IT, and cloud security) to our nation’s Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and combatant commands.

Prior to Peraton, Brian served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Unison Industries, a General Electric Aerospace Co. In this role, Brian led a 35-person Global Sales / Business Development, Marketing and Commercial Excellence organization. He facilitated consultative selling initiatives and strategy for C-suite engagement of 400 commercial, military, and space customers. Prior to that role, Brian served as senior director, Program Management Office. In this role, Brian led an 18-person Program Management Office focused on P&L, cost, schedule, and performance of a $950 million product and customer portfolio for 400 original equipment manufacturers, airlines, distributors and maintenance, repair and overhaul shops.

Prior to General Electric, Brian was Chief, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Strategy & Plans Division, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Brian led a nine-person division responsible for AFMC’s ISR, policy, procedures, and program requirements for next generation capabilities. He also served as the Air Force ISR focal point within AFMC to work with USG Labs (AFRL, ARL, DARPA, IARPA etc.), industry partners and academia for new capability analysis.

Brian earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Wright State University, Master’s Degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas, and Master’s Degree in Business Management from George Washington University. Brian was commissioned via Reserve Officer Training Corps at Wright State University. Brian is a retired Air Force officer with more than 25 years of military service as an intelligence officer (Active Duty and Reserves). During his service, Brian commanded at the squadron and group level, served at the HQ Air Force Level and deployed in support of operations in the Balkans, Africa, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Asia. Brian is a graduate of the Air Force Strategic Fellows Program (previously