Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd announced on 6 December 2023 the appointment of Yoav Turgeman as the company’s new CEO.
He will succeed Major General (ret) Yoav Har-Even, who served as the company CEO for more than eight years, although Har-Even has agreed to extend his tenure at the board’s request due to the ongoing operations against Hamas following its 7 October 2023 attack on Israel (which Israelis call the ‘Swords of Iron’ war).
The appointment is pending approval from the appointments committee, the Israeli minister of defence, and the Regional Cooperation Minister responsible for government companies.
“This strategic decision was made by the board of directors, who, in a unanimous choice, selected Mr Turgeman based on the recommendation of the search committee,” the company noted in a press release. “The selection process adhered to the rigorous standards for CEO appointments in government-owned entities.”
Turgeman served in various command and staff roles in the Israeli Navy for 25 years, retiring as a colonel. Following his military service Turgeman entered the aerospace industry, initially heading the Arrow missile defence programme at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and later managing the MLM facility of IAI’s Systems Missiles & Space Group. Since 2018 he has been serving as the CEO of IAI radar systems subsidiary Elta Systems.
Turgeman has bachelor’s and master’s degrees with honours in electrical engineering from Tel Aviv University, along with additional degrees from the University of Haifa and Bar Ilan University.
Dr Yuval Steinitz, chairman of the board at Rafael, commended the appointment of Turgeman, expressing confidence that he possesses the requisite experience, capabilities and skills needed to guide Rafael successfully through the challenges and goals ahead.
Dr Steinitz also expressed gratitude to Har-Even for his substantial contributions over the years and his current efforts in the ‘Swords of Iron’ war.
