Our Company

Advanced Manufacturing for Space and Defense

Applied Aerospace & Defense (Applied) is a premier provider of advanced design, engineering, and vertically integrated manufacturing solutions for leading and next-generation space and defense technology companies.

Applied builds complex hardware for extreme operating environments in three core markets: Space & Launch Systems, Defense Aviation & Airborne Systems, and C5ISR & Precision Strike Systems. With over a century of advanced manufacturing heritage, Applied employs a nationwide infrastructure and IP-enabled process expertise for full lifecycle management of rapid prototyping, large-scale production, and aftermarket sustainment of enduring platforms.

Our Mission

We unleash the power of advanced manufacturing at scale to enable mission success for leading and next-generation space and defense technology companies.

Applying Our Strengths to Build Your Trust

Undeniable Heritage

120+ Years of Proven Expertise

Scale

Nation-Wide Infrastructure for Large Programs-of-Record

Agility & Speed

Enables Rapid Innovation & Evolving Missions

American Company

Dedicated to Missions of National Significance

Supply Chain Optimization

Award Winning Supplier to Top Tier Clients

Our EPIC Values

EPIC defines how we lead, decide, and deliver – every day. They provide enduring direction, protect our legacy, and give us the clarity to build and to grow together with confidence and purpose.

Excellence

We set the standard. Our products must perform perfectly under extreme conditions.

People

We invest in each other. We build strong teams through hard work, trust, and respect.

Integrity

We do what’s right, always. We act with honesty, transparency, and accountability.

Collaboration

We win together. We value individual talents and prioritize team accomplishments.

Undeniable Heritage. Nextgen Agility.

1900

Wilson Fenn founds tool and machine company in Hartford, CT later known as PCX Aerosystems (PCX)

1941

WWII transition to military aircraft with components for F-4U Corsair

1950

Manufacturing rotor heads, and sub-assemblies for Sikorsky helicopters

1954

John Parsons founds company to build helicopter blades Stockton, CA later known as Applied Aerospace Structures Corporation (AASC)

1961

Rotor heads and later fuselage sections for CH-47 Chinook

1965

Transmission systems for CH-53 Super Stallion

1973

Wing and fuselage structures for commercial and military aircraft

1900

Wilson Fenn founds tool and machine company in Hartford, CT later known as PCX Aerosystems (PCX)

1941

WWII transition to military aircraft with components for F-4U Corsair

1950

Manufacturing rotor heads, and sub-assemblies for Sikorsky helicopters

1954

John Parsons founds company to build helicopter blades Stockton, CA later known as Applied Aerospace Structures Corporation (AASC)

1961

Rotor heads and later fuselage sections for CH-47 Chinook

1965

Transmission systems for CH-53 Super Stallion

1973

Wing and fuselage structures for commercial and military aircraft

Our Leadership

Trip Ferguson

Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Bidlack

Co-Chief Operating Officer

Chris Rogers

Chief Growth Officer

Tom Holzthum

Co-Chief Operating Officer

Jeff McRae

Chief Financial Officer

Trip Ferguson

Chief Executive Officer

Chris Rogers

Chief Growth Officer

Kevin Bidlack

Co-Chief Operating Officer

Tom Holzthum

Co-Chief Operating Officer

Jeff McRae

Chief Financial Officer

Trip is responsible for setting Applied’s strategic vision and driving the company’s overall direction, leading the executive team, and ensuring the company delivers long-term value to its customers, professionals, and shareholders. Prior to joining Applied, Trip served as President of Space, Cyber & Directed Energy for AeroVironment, Chief Operating Officer of Blue Halo, and Chief Operating Officer of Dynetics. Earlier in his career, Trip served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Trip earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the United States Naval Academy.

Chris is responsible for leading Applied’s core growth-related functions, including corporate strategy, business development, mergers and acquisitions, government relations, and communications. Prior to joining Applied, Chris spent more than 20 years at Harris Williams, where he served as a Managing Director and Head of the Aerospace, Defense & Government Services (ADG) Group. Earlier in his career, Chris served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Chris earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science in History, with Honors and Distinction, from the United States Naval Academy.

Kevin is responsible for jointly overseeing Applied’s day-to-day operations, including engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality assurance, and program execution, and ensures operational excellence and on-time delivery for the company’s growing base of space and defense customers. Prior to his current role, Kevin served as Chief Executive Officer for one of Applied’s predecessor companies where he previously had more than 30 years of experience in senior leadership and operational roles. Kevin earned a Master of Business Administration from California State University, Stanislaus and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Tom is responsible for jointly overseeing Applied’s day-to-day operations, including engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality assurance, and program execution, and ensures operational excellence and on-time delivery for the company’s growing base of space and defense customers. Prior to his current role, Tom served as Chief Executive Officer for one of Applied’s predecessor companies. Earlier in his career, he spent over 25 years at Triumph Group in a range of senior executive roles, including Executive Vice President of Integrated Systems and Corporate Vice President and President of Actuation Systems. Tom earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Jeff is responsible for leading Applied’s financial strategy, planning and reporting, capital allocation, treasury and tax, including financial planning and analysis, treasury, and tax. Prior to joining Applied, Jeff served as Chief Financial Officer for one of Applied’s predecessor companies and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Triumph Group. Earlier in his career, he served as Vice President of Business Operations for Triumph Aerostructures and as Division Controller and Interim President of BAE Systems’ Armament Systems division. Jeff earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Michigan State University.

Kai Kasiguran

Chief Accounting Officer

Joe Maisto

Chief Administrative Officer

Matt Brush

Chief People Officer

Amit Shah

Chief Information Officer

Sarah Bergeron

Chief of Staff

Kai Kasiguran

Chief Accounting Officer

Joe Maisto

Chief Administrative Officer

Matt Brush

Chief People Officer

Amit Shah

Chief Information Officer

Sarah Bergeron

Chief of Staff

Kai is responsible for Applied’s accounting operations and integrated financial reporting, ensuring compliance with internal processes and controls and all regulatory requirements. Prior to joining Applied, Kai held successive leadership roles at Triumph Group, including Vice President and Corporate Controller. Earlier in his career, he spent seven years at Ernst & Young, serving as an Audit Senior Manager supporting major Fortune 500 companies across multiple industries. Kai is a Certified Public Accountant. Kai earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Messiah College.

Joe is responsible for overseeing Applied’s administrative and shared services functions, including contracts, acquisition integration, facilities, and enterprise risk management. Prior to assuming his current role, Joe served as Chief Financial Officer for one of Applied’s predecessor companies and as Chief Financial Officer of Whitcraft/Pursuit Aerospace. He began his career in public accounting, including tenure at PwC. Joe earned a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Connecticut and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Cornell University.

Matt is responsible for leading Applied’s people strategy, including talent acquisition, professional and leadership development, compensation and benefits, company culture, and overall organizational effectiveness. Prior to assuming his current role, Matt served as Chief Human Resources Officer for one of Applied’s predecessor companies and previously held senior HR leadership roles at Harris CapRock Communications, Genesee & Wyoming, and Corning. Matt earned a Master of Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Connecticut.

Amit is responsible for leading Applied’s information technology strategy and driving its execution across the company’s enterprise systems, integrated IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives. Prior to joining Applied, Amit served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Excelitas Technologies and as Chief Digital Innovation Officer for Littler Mendelson’s Law Solutions business. Amit earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Davis and a Bachelor of Science in Instrumentation and Control Systems Engineering from Dharmsinh Desai University.

Sarah is responsible for driving alignment and execution across the executive leadership team, managing strategic initiatives, and coordinating a range of enterprise-wide priorities. Prior to joining Applied, Sarah served as Vice President Human Resources of Pursuit Aerospace. Earlier in her career, she served in senior Human Resources roles with L3Harris Technologies, GE Aerospace, and Target. Sarah earned a Master of Science in Human Resource Development from Villanova University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Providence College.