ARA Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

ARA has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, technology, and financial management.

Committed to solving complex national security challenges, ARA delivers advanced scientific research and engineering solutions to enhance global safety and security through employee-owned innovation.

Leadership Roles at ARA

  • Chief Executive Officer - Alireza Khams
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Curt Beckemeyer
  • Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Tim Moran
  • Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP - Michael Royer
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - William Ratliff
  • President - Kenneth Heathington
  • President - Bruce Cohen
  • Corporate Director, Intellectual Property & Chief Technology Officer, IP-To-Product, Ssm - Jason Janet
  • Alireza Khams - Chief Executive Officer

    Alireza Khams, the Chief Executive Officer at ARA, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. Khams manages the alignment of scientific research initiatives with national security requirements, ensuring the company maintains a competitive edge in complex engineering sectors. By fostering a culture of employee ownership, the Chief Executive Officer drives long-term stability and operational excellence across all divisions. Khams oversees the integration of advanced technical capabilities to address critical infrastructure vulnerabilities, providing high-level guidance to the board regarding market expansion and risk mitigation. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of emerging threats to national safety, requiring Alireza Khams to prioritize resource allocation toward high-impact research projects. Through rigorous oversight of corporate governance and performance metrics, the Chief Executive Officer secures the firm's position as a premier provider of specialized engineering services, ultimately strengthening the organization's capacity to solve multifaceted problems for government and commercial clients.

    Curt Beckemeyer - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Curt Beckemeyer, the President & Chief Executive Officer at ARA, leads the execution of corporate strategy and operational growth. Beckemeyer manages the daily business activities, ensuring that scientific research projects meet stringent quality standards and client expectations. By coordinating cross-functional teams, the President & Chief Executive Officer optimizes the delivery of engineering solutions that address national security needs. Curt Beckemeyer maintains focus on scaling the company's research capabilities to support diverse market demands, while simultaneously fostering innovation within the technical staff. This role requires constant interaction with senior leadership to refine business processes and enhance organizational efficiency. Through the implementation of robust management frameworks, Beckemeyer drives the company's mission to improve safety and security. The President & Chief Executive Officer ensures that all engineering outputs align with the long-term objectives of the firm, maintaining a strong reputation for technical excellence and reliability in the competitive research and development landscape.
    Curt Beckemeyer

    Tim Moran - Deputy Chief Executive Officer

    Tim Moran, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at ARA, supports the executive team by managing internal operations and strategic initiatives. Moran oversees the implementation of corporate policies, ensuring that research departments maintain alignment with the broader organizational goals. By facilitating communication between technical divisions and executive leadership, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer streamlines decision-making processes and enhances operational agility. Tim Moran monitors the progress of critical engineering projects, identifying potential bottlenecks and providing solutions to maintain project timelines. This leadership role involves analyzing performance data to improve efficiency across the company's diverse research portfolio. Through the coordination of internal resources, Moran ensures that the firm remains responsive to the evolving needs of national security clients. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the employee-owned model, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and technical precision in every scientific endeavor undertaken by the organization.

    Michael Royer - Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP

    Michael Royer, the Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP at ARA, directs the financial strategy and fiscal health of the organization. Royer manages the budgeting, financial reporting, and capital allocation processes, ensuring that the company maintains the resources necessary to support its scientific research and engineering missions. By overseeing financial risk management, the Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP provides the stability required for long-term investment in innovation. Michael Royer collaborates with the executive team to evaluate the financial viability of new research initiatives and market opportunities. This role involves maintaining transparency and accountability in all fiscal operations, supporting the employee-owned structure of the firm. Through rigorous financial analysis and planning, Royer ensures that the company remains competitive and financially resilient. The Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP plays a critical role in securing the funding and resources needed to solve complex national problems, ultimately contributing to the overall success and growth of the organization.
    Michael Royer

    William Ratliff - Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

    William Ratliff, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at ARA, manages the day-to-day operational infrastructure of the company. Ratliff oversees the execution of complex engineering projects, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to meet client requirements. By directing the operational workflows across various research divisions, the Chief Operating Officer maintains high standards of performance and safety. William Ratliff coordinates with other executive leaders to align operational capacity with the firm's strategic growth objectives. This role involves optimizing internal processes to enhance productivity and reduce project delivery times. Through the oversight of operational logistics and personnel management, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer ensures that the company remains capable of solving critical national problems. Ratliff drives the implementation of best practices in engineering and research, fostering an environment where technical teams can thrive while delivering high-quality results that support the organization's mission of improving security and safety.
    William Ratliff

    Kenneth Heathington - President

    Kenneth Heathington, the President at ARA, leads specific business units focused on specialized engineering and scientific research. Heathington manages the development of advanced solutions for defense and security applications, ensuring that these projects meet the unique needs of government clients. By overseeing the technical staff and project managers, the President drives the execution of high-stakes research initiatives. Kenneth Heathington coordinates with other leaders to ensure that the work performed within these units aligns with the company's broader mission of solving critical national problems. This role involves fostering partnerships with key stakeholders and ensuring that the firm's engineering capabilities remain at the forefront of the industry. Through the strategic direction of these business units, Heathington contributes to the company's reputation for excellence and reliability. The President ensures that all research outputs are delivered with precision, supporting the organization's commitment to improving safety and security through innovative scientific and engineering practices.

    Bruce Cohen - President

    Bruce Cohen, the President at ARA, directs the operations of key research divisions dedicated to infrastructure and environmental engineering. Cohen manages the strategic planning and execution of projects that address critical national security and safety challenges. By overseeing the technical teams, the President ensures that engineering solutions are developed and implemented with the highest level of scientific rigor. Bruce Cohen collaborates with other executives to integrate these specialized capabilities into the company's broader service offerings. This role involves identifying new market opportunities and ensuring that the firm's research remains relevant to evolving national needs. Through the leadership of these divisions, Cohen drives the development of innovative technologies that improve the security and way of life for the public. The President maintains a focus on operational excellence, ensuring that all projects are completed efficiently and effectively, thereby reinforcing the company's position as a leader in scientific research and engineering services.

    Jason Janet - Corporate Director, Intellectual Property & Chief Technology Officer, IP-To-Product, Ssm

    Jason Janet, the Corporate Director, Intellectual Property & Chief Technology Officer, IP-To-Product, Ssm at ARA, architects the strategy for transforming scientific research into commercialized products. Janet manages the intellectual property portfolio, ensuring that proprietary engineering breakthroughs receive adequate protection and market application. By overseeing the transition from laboratory development to product deployment, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that technical innovations directly address critical national security problems. Jason Janet collaborates with research teams to identify high-potential technologies, guiding the development process to maximize impact and utility. This role involves navigating complex regulatory environments and market landscapes to bring advanced solutions to the forefront of the industry. Through the strategic management of IP assets, the Corporate Director, Intellectual Property & Chief Technology Officer, IP-To-Product, Ssm drives the commercial success of the company's engineering efforts, ensuring that scientific advancements translate into tangible improvements for safety and security across various sectors.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding ARA Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads ARA?
    ARA is led by Alireza Khams (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Curt Beckemeyer (President & Chief Executive Officer) and Tim Moran (Deputy Chief Executive Officer).
    Who is part of ARA’s executive team?
    The executive team of ARA includes leaders such as Alireza Khams (Chief Executive Officer), Curt Beckemeyer (President & Chief Executive Officer), Tim Moran (Deputy Chief Executive Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does ARA have?
    ARA has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in ARA’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of ARA includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer.