GALT Aerospace names new CEO as founder shifts to executive chairman

GALT Aerospace reshuffled its top leadership as founder John Kohut moves to executive chairman, Dave Webb is elevated to president and CEO, and Paul Shew joins as chief operating officer. The changes come as the San Diego defense technology company expands its command, control and communications business after a strategic investment from Godspeed Capital.

Why it matters: - GALT Aerospace is putting new leadership in place as it scales production, expands programs and pushes more mission capability to military customers. - The move keeps founder John Kohut involved while handing day-to-day leadership to Dave Webb. - The transition follows Godspeed Capital’s strategic investment earlier this year, which is helping fund GALT’s next phase of growth.

What happened: - John Kohut is moving from chief executive officer to executive chairman of the board. - Dave Webb, who has served as GALT’s president and chief operations officer since 2025, is becoming president and chief executive officer. - Paul Shew has joined GALT as chief operating officer. - GALT announced the leadership changes on Oct. 13, 2026, in San Diego.

The details: - Kohut will remain involved in GALT’s long-term vision and direction as executive chairman. - Kohut co-founded GALT in 2015 with a mission to solve difficult operational problems quickly and deliver meaningful capability to the warfighter. - Over the past decade, GALT has built a portfolio of advanced command, control and communications solutions for U.S. military customers. - Kohut spent 27 years in the U.S. Navy as an F-14 naval flight officer, flight test officer and acquisition leader. - His background includes work on JDAM, AMRAAM and MIDS programs. - Webb joined GALT in January 2025 and helped strengthen operations and prepare the business for expansion. - Webb brings more than 30 years of aerospace and defense experience, including executive roles at Cobham, CAES and Honeywell and earlier leadership at Raytheon. - Shew will work with Webb and the executive team to lead operational execution, strengthen business processes and support GALT’s growing portfolio. - Shew also brings more than 30 years of aerospace and defense experience. - GALT’s leadership team also includes Kristyn Molina, chief administrative officer and chief legal officer, and Jeff Lloyd-Jones, vice president of growth and strategy. - Molina has been with GALT since its inception and leads operations support and legal functions. - Lloyd-Jones joined in 2025 after 22 years of U.S. Navy service and later defense industry leadership. - GALT is headquartered in San Diego. - The company develops advanced command, control and communications technologies that connect platforms, sensors, weapons and warfighters across contested environments. - GALT specializes in airborne network extension, open-architecture communications, software radio development and rapid integration of mission capabilities. - More information is available on GALT’s website.

Between the lines: - The leadership changes suggest GALT is moving from founder-led growth to a more formal operating structure. - Bringing in a dedicated COO alongside an experienced CEO points to an effort to support larger programs and more complex production demands. - Godspeed Capital’s backing and the expanded leadership bench indicate GALT is positioning itself for scale, not just product development.

What’s next: - Webb and Shew will lead the next phase of operational execution as GALT expands its programs and production capacity. - Kohut will continue shaping long-term strategy from the board level. - GALT plans to keep investing in advanced command, control and communications technology and the infrastructure needed to deliver mission capability at greater scale.

The bottom line: - GALT Aerospace is changing its leadership team to match its growth, while keeping its founder close and adding operational depth for the next phase of expansion.