Frontgrade Expands Executive Team Amid Rising Space, Defense Demand

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Frontgrade Technologies Inc., a leading provider of mission-critical electronics and subsystems, announced the expansion of its executive leadership team as it continues to invest in the capabilities for the next generation of space, defense, and intelligence missions. Spanning finance, information technology, operations, reputation, go-to-market, and product leadership, the appointments reinforce Frontgrade's commitment to accelerating innovation and helping customers navigate an increasingly complex environment.

The six appointments include:

• Andrew Matsuyama, Chief Financial Officer, brings more than 30 years of finance and business leadership experience during periods of growth and transformation in industrial and technology driven organizations. Most recently he served as CFO for Honeywell Sundyne. Leveraging this experience, Matsuyama will advance Frontgrade’s financial strategy, strengthen its operating foundation, and support continued focus on customers and stakeholders.
• Bailey Sargent, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, brings more than 20 years of experience leading brand, communications, and go-to-market strategy across aerospace, defense, technology, and manufacturing. Following leadership roles at Raytheon, Xerox, and Amazon, she will drive Frontgrade's corporate reputation, mission capability marketing, and integrated communications to strengthen engagement with customers, employees, partners, and industry stakeholders.
• Franz Dienes, Chief Information Officer, joins Frontgrade from Candescent, where he led IT separation activities from NCRV to build and scale independent technology operations. With more than 30 years of experience leading technology strategy, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation across global organizations, Dienes brings expertise in scaling operations, driving integration, and leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance enterprise capabilities and support Frontgrade’s mission-critical work.
• Marisa Jimenez, Vice President of Excellence & Business Operations, brings nearly two decades of experience in aerospace and defense manufacturing, including 14 years at Lockheed Martin, where she served in leadership roles spanning manufacturing and operations. She will lead Continuous Improvement initiatives to strengthen operational excellence, quality, and manufacturing strategy, helping Frontgrade enhance its capabilities and deliver greater value to customers.
• Dr. Max Wolfinger, Vice President of Product Leadership for Motion Control, joins Frontgrade from Marotta Controls, where he led execution and market expansion for Space products, including business development initiatives, advanced technology programs, and operations. With a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and extensive experience supporting aerospace and commercial space programs, Wolfinger will lead product strategy and technology roadmaps for one of Frontgrade’s strategic growth areas, helping develop solutions aligned with evolving customer needs.
• Simon Wood, Vice President of Product Leadership for RF Systems, joins Frontgrade from MACOM Technology Solutions, Inc., and previously at Wolfspeed, where he led global engineering, product development, and technology organizations across the RF and semiconductor industries. Wood will lead product strategy and technology roadmaps for the company's RF Systems portfolio, helping accelerate innovation and deliver differentiated capabilities aligned with evolving customer mission requirements.

"The missions our customers are supporting are becoming more integrated, more complex, and are moving at an unprecedented speed," said Mitch Stevison, Chief Executive Officer of Frontgrade. "To keep pace, we're continuing to invest in the leadership, expertise, and operational capabilities needed to help them succeed. These appointments strengthen our ability to execute, bring new technologies to market more effectively, and deliver the products our customers depend on."