Twenty-Six Defense Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Twenty-Six Defense has 8 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, operational scaling, warfighter systems, and information technology.

Focused on advancing national security through precision engineering, Twenty-Six Defense delivers critical military equipment and advanced sonar systems to support domestic defense and commercial aviation markets.

Leadership Roles at Twenty-Six Defense

  • Chief Financial Officer - Margie Fuentes
  • Chief Financial Officer, MS Visual Intelligence - Devlyn Warren
  • Chief Operating Officer - Meital Ari
  • Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - Marilyn McCrary
  • Chief of Staff - Jeff Roark
  • Chief of Staff (Warfighter Systems) - Melissa Clements
  • Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Army Solutions & Vice President, Army Solutions DC Office (Washington) - James Moran
  • Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer - Lisa Northup
  • Margie Fuentes - Chief Financial Officer

    Margie Fuentes, the Chief Financial Officer at Twenty-Six Defense, directs all fiscal planning and capital allocation strategies. Overseeing the financial health of the organization, the Chief Financial Officer ensures rigorous compliance with defense contracting regulations while optimizing resource distribution across manufacturing divisions. This leadership role involves managing complex budgetary requirements for military equipment production and long-term investment in night-vision technologies. By maintaining strict oversight of capital expenditures, Margie Fuentes directly impacts the company's ability to scale production for U.S. defense contracts. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer secures the financial stability necessary for sustained innovation in the aerospace sector, ensuring that every dollar supports the broader mission of delivering high-performance hardware to domestic and commercial partners across the United States.

    Devlyn Warren - Chief Financial Officer, MS Visual Intelligence

    Devlyn Warren, the Chief Financial Officer, MS Visual Intelligence at Twenty-Six Defense, manages the financial performance of the visual intelligence and night-vision technology business unit. Overseeing the profitability of specialized sensor manufacturing, the Chief Financial Officer, MS Visual Intelligence ensures that research and development investments yield high-value outcomes for defense clients. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends in optics and imaging to guide future product development. By maintaining strict control over unit costs and project budgets, Devlyn Warren directly impacts the competitive positioning of the company's visual intelligence offerings. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer, MS Visual Intelligence secures the financial resources required to maintain a technological edge in the defense market, ensuring that the organization continues to provide cutting-edge imaging solutions that meet the evolving needs of U.S. defense and commercial aviation sectors.

    Meital Ari - Chief Operating Officer

    Meital Ari, the Chief Operating Officer at Twenty-Six Defense, manages the end-to-end manufacturing processes for undersea sonar systems and avionics. Overseeing daily production workflows, the Chief Operating Officer drives operational efficiency across all domestic engineering facilities. This leadership role involves coordinating supply chain logistics to meet the rigorous demands of homeland security systems and military hardware procurement. By streamlining assembly lines and implementing precision manufacturing standards, Meital Ari directly impacts the output quality and delivery timelines for critical defense projects. Ultimately, the Chief Operating Officer maintains the operational excellence required to support large-scale defense initiatives, ensuring that the company consistently meets the technical specifications and performance benchmarks expected by U.S. defense agencies and commercial aviation clients throughout the country.

    Marilyn McCrary - Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

    Marilyn McCrary, the Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Twenty-Six Defense, oversees the internal scaling and process optimization of the company's manufacturing facilities. Managing the transition from prototype design to full-scale production, the Vice President & Chief Operating Officer ensures that all engineering outputs meet stringent quality standards. This leadership role involves coordinating cross-functional teams to improve throughput and reduce waste in the production of avionics and sonar systems. By implementing lean manufacturing principles, Marilyn McCrary directly impacts the company's ability to fulfill large-volume orders for defense agencies. Ultimately, the Vice President & Chief Operating Officer drives the operational efficiency required to maintain a robust supply chain, ensuring that the organization consistently delivers high-performance hardware that supports the critical missions of U.S. defense and commercial aviation partners across the country.

    Jeff Roark - Chief of Staff

    Jeff Roark, the Chief of Staff at Twenty-Six Defense, coordinates strategic initiatives and facilitates communication across the executive leadership team. Overseeing the alignment of internal departments, the Chief of Staff ensures that organizational goals remain synchronized with the company's mission to provide advanced military equipment. This leadership role involves managing high-level projects and supporting the execution of corporate policies that govern defense technology development. By fostering collaboration between engineering, manufacturing, and administrative units, Jeff Roark directly impacts the speed and effectiveness of decision-making processes. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff optimizes the internal structure of the organization, allowing the company to respond rapidly to shifting requirements within the U.S. defense and commercial aviation markets while maintaining a focus on long-term growth and operational success.

    Melissa Clements - Chief of Staff (Warfighter Systems)

    Melissa Clements, the Chief of Staff (Warfighter Systems) at Twenty-Six Defense, manages the integration of specialized technologies designed for frontline military applications. Overseeing the development cycle of warfighter-focused hardware, the Chief of Staff (Warfighter Systems) ensures that engineering teams prioritize the specific needs of defense personnel. This leadership role involves bridging the gap between technical design and field-ready deployment for night-vision and homeland security systems. By aligning research efforts with current tactical requirements, Melissa Clements directly impacts the utility and reliability of the company's defense portfolio. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff (Warfighter Systems) drives the successful delivery of mission-critical equipment, ensuring that the organization remains a trusted partner for U.S. defense agencies by providing superior technological solutions that enhance situational awareness and operational capability in complex environments.

    James Moran - Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Army Solutions & Vice President, Army Solutions DC Office (Washington)

    James Moran, the Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Army Solutions & Vice President, Army Solutions DC Office (Washington) at Twenty-Six Defense, directs the digital infrastructure and government relations strategy. Overseeing the security of sensitive defense data, the Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Army Solutions & Vice President, Army Solutions DC Office (Washington) ensures that all information systems support the rigorous demands of military contracting. This leadership role involves managing the company's presence in the capital to influence policy and secure long-term partnerships with Army leadership. By integrating advanced cybersecurity protocols with strategic outreach, James Moran directly impacts the company's ability to win and maintain complex defense contracts. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Army Solutions & Vice President, Army Solutions DC Office (Washington) secures the technological and political foundation necessary for the company to thrive.

    Lisa Northup - Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

    Lisa Northup, the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Twenty-Six Defense, directs the talent acquisition and organizational development strategies. Overseeing the recruitment of specialized engineers and defense industry experts, the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the company maintains a workforce capable of executing complex military projects. This leadership role involves fostering a culture of innovation and compliance, which is essential for a defense contractor. By implementing training programs and performance management systems, Lisa Northup directly impacts the retention of top-tier technical talent. Ultimately, the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer builds the human capital foundation necessary for the company to sustain its market position, ensuring that the organization attracts and develops the skilled professionals required to design and manufacture advanced defense technologies for the United States.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Twenty-Six Defense Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Twenty-Six Defense?
    Twenty-Six Defense is led by Margie Fuentes (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Devlyn Warren (Chief Financial Officer, MS Visual Intelligence) and Meital Ari (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Twenty-Six Defense’s executive team?
    The executive team of Twenty-Six Defense includes leaders such as Margie Fuentes (Chief Financial Officer), Devlyn Warren (Chief Financial Officer, MS Visual Intelligence), Meital Ari (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Twenty-Six Defense have?
    Twenty-Six Defense has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Twenty-Six Defense’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Twenty-Six Defense includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, MS Visual Intelligence, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Staff.