Navistar Defense announced on 11 January 2024 that it has promoted Michael Gray to the position of Chief Growth Officer (CGO), effective immediately. In this role Gray will continue to manage the company’s comprehensive growth strategy, as well as identify and pursue new business opportunities, including partnerships, acquisitions, and market expansion.
Gray will continue to manage Navistar Defense’s Government Affairs, Marketing, and Business Development organisations.
“I am excited to have Mike’s talent and extensive company growth experience in the government contract industry for the Navistar Defense team,” Ted Wright, Navistar Defense CEO, was quoted as saying in accompany press release. “His proven track record will be invaluable as we continue our growth in our traditional tactical wheeled vehicle market, as well as in contract manufacturing and battlefield systems.”
Gray has been with Navistar Defense for more than three years. Since he joined he has worked on several cornerstone programmes for the company in the US Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), international tactical vehicle, and commercial manufacturing communities. These include the Common Tactical Truck (CTT), Medium Tactical Truck (MTT), Water Bison, Tactical Fuel Distribution Systems (TFDS), and Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Trailer Contract Manufacturing.
Before joining Navistar Defense Gray served as the senior director and account manager for SAIC in the Detroit Arsenal Portfolio. There, he worked on several major programmes, such as Future Combat Systems (FCS), Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Joint Logistics Integrator, the TACOM Strategic Service Solutions family of contracts, and the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle – Prototype contract under the Defense Automotive Technologies Consortium – Other Transaction Authority vehicle. Gray held several roles at SAIC, including senior programme manager, division manager, and vice president of business development.
Gray retired from the US Army as an acquisition professional, with assignments on PM Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), and Future Combat Systems. He held operational positions up to the brigade level, retiring as a commissioned officer.
