SES Space & Defense Appoints New Business Development Lead

The firm adds a 25-year industry veteran to oversee growth strategies for its U.S. government and defense business segments.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in People

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a satellite antenna array, symbolizing the strategic growth of defense and aerospace contracting. — SES Space & Defense has appointed 25-year industry veteran Fred Kuhnert to lead business development strategies for U.S. government and allied defense contracts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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SES Space & Defense has appointed industry veteran Fred Kuhnert as senior vice president of business development. He will lead the growth strategy for U.S. government and allied defense markets, focusing on customer engagement and mission requirements.

Why it matters

The hire signals a continued push by SES Space & Defense to scale its presence in the competitive government contracting sector. Recruiting leaders with deep institutional experience in defense and intelligence is a standard move for firms looking to secure complex, long-term government programs.

Kuhnert joins with over 25 years of experience in defense, intelligence, and space, following leadership roles at SAIC, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman. He also served for nine years in the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

The players

SES Space & Defense

A provider of satellite-based communications and mission solutions for government and defense clients.

Fred Kuhnert

A defense sector veteran with over 25 years of experience in intelligence and space operations.

David Broadbent

The president and CEO of SES Space & Defense who has led the company since July 2025.

Joanne Isham

A member of the SES Space & Defense board who joined in December 2025.

Ray Lindenmayer

The vice president of business development at SES Space & Defense.

The details

Kuhnert will oversee the firm's approach to securing contracts within U.S. government and international defense sectors. His strategy focuses on identifying growth areas and aligning mission requirements with satellite-based capabilities. The appointment follows a series of leadership changes at the company, including the arrival of new executive leadership and board members over the past year.

2013: Kuhnert began an eight-year tenure at Raytheon.
July 2025: David Broadbent assumed the role of president and CEO.
September 2025: Ray Lindenmayer joined as vice president of business development.
December 2025: Joanne Isham joined the company board.
February 2026: Kuhnert founded Polaris Global Advisory.

Market Landscape

This appointment aligns with the industry-wide trend of defense firms recruiting personnel with significant military or intelligence backgrounds to navigate federal procurement. It reflects the ongoing efforts of contractors to bolster leadership teams as they compete for complex defense programs.

Operators should watch for potential shifts in the firm's procurement strategy or new pursuit of government contracts following this executive change. Monitoring similar leadership additions can provide early indicators of a competitor's focus areas and intended market expansion.

The takeaway

The appointment highlights the priority placed on deep-sector expertise when positioning for federal and international defense work. Firms should track executive transitions among competitors as a signal of imminent changes in bidding strategy or market focus.