ePropelled Appointed New Director of Defense Affairs

The hire signals an effort by the propulsion technology firm to expand its U.S. manufacturing for government clients.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in People

ePropelled Appointed New Director of Defense Affairs

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Should the U.S. prioritize domestic manufacturing for its defense and autonomous systems technologies?

ePropelled has named Harry Petrey as its new Director of Defense Affairs to lead engagement within the national security sector. Petrey will focus on growing the companys domestic production capabilities for government contracts.

Why it matters

The appointment aims to accelerate the adoption of ePropelled's autonomous systems and propulsion technologies by government agencies. This leadership shift is designed to strengthen the firm's position in complex, high-security supply chains.

ePropelled maintains a portfolio of over 40 patents across 13 distinct categories, developed since the firm's inception in 2018. New hire Harry Petrey brings over 30 years of professional experience in the defense and intelligence sectors to the role.

The players

Harry Petrey

The new Director of Defense Affairs at ePropelled who previously served as a Senior Solutions Expert at Mission Technologies.

ePropelled

A developer of autonomous systems and propulsion technologies founded in 2018 with global operations.

The details

Petrey will oversee strategic engagement with defense entities to support the scaling of domestic manufacturing for government customers. His mandate includes navigating the specific regulatory and technical requirements of the autonomous systems market. This move coordinates the firm's existing technological portfolio with the specialized procurement needs of national security partners.

2018: ePropelled was founded.
October 12, 2026: Appointment announced during AUSA Annual Meeting.
October 12-14, 2026: AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition duration.

Market Landscape

The appointment aligns with the industry-wide trend of technology firms using the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition to signal strategic pivots toward federal defense contracting. This move follows a recurring pattern where private companies recruit established government-sector veterans to bridge the gap between commercial tech and military procurement.

Operators in the defense supply chain should monitor how ePropelled scales its domestic production capacity as a potential new partner or competitor for government-funded projects. Management should track upcoming government procurement cycles where advanced propulsion technology requirements are specified.

The takeaway

The move underscores the growing importance of securing internal expertise to navigate the complex compliance requirements of the defense sector. Operators looking to expand into government work should audit their own leadership team to ensure they possess the specialized experience required for federal contracts.