Gary Kidwell, Vice President of Communications Systems at Thales Defense & Security

Gary Kidwell is the vice president of the communication systems business unit at Thales Defense & Security, working out of Glen Burnie, Maryland. In this role, he is responsible for all the company’s tactical, satellite communications and electronic warfare business with the U.S. Department of Defense as well as the export market.

Before rising to a VP position, Kidwell also held key business development and account management positions within Thales, most recently as the director of business development for U.S. DOD programs. In his earlier roles with the company, he managed to develop solid growth strategies and led disciplined opportunity pursuits that resulted in consecutive strategic awards totaling over $100M annually, according to a profile posted on the company website.

Prior to his employment at Thales, Kidwell held senior business development roles with SCI Technology in Huntsville, Alabama and RJ Corman Derailment Services in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Earlier in his private-sector career, he worked for DynCorp International in Kabul, Afghanistan, for which he provided protective security to diplomats.

In 2017, Kidwell retired after 23 years of service to the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in both active and reservist capacities, and achieving the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant.

Kidwell graduated from Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Alabama, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.