Leadership Archive - Safran Defense & Space, Inc., formerly Safran Data Systems, Inc.Safran Defense & Space, Inc., formerly Safran Data Systems, Inc.

Andrei Gugiu leads our Instrumentation Systems & Telemetry business line team with responsibility for the P&L and development of opportunities for US Government customers and prime contractors. Additionally, he is the the Sales and Business Development Business Process Owner, enabling consistent Sales and Business Development process for SDS, Inc.

Prior to joining SDS Inc., Andrei had 20+ years of Aerospace and Defense Industry experience with a proven track record of shaping, leading and winning large initiatives for US Government and private commercial clients. Additional expertise includes solid growth and P&L (>$250M) management experience and development and execution of strategic plans for business growth. He is highly skilled in leading diverse project teams with global matrixed staff members.

Andrei was most recently Senior Director of Programs at Advanced Technology Systems Company (ATSC) in Washington, D.C. He was responsible for managing the growth and business operations of all C4ISR Programs, including leading the long-term strategy and road map for ATSC products and software with a $100M book of business for 2023 and beyond. Prior to ATSC, he was Director, CONUS/Americas Programs at FLIR Systems in Washington, D.C. where he managed the Business Development team for all DHS accounts, implemented a 3-year growth strategy for DHS and DoD and led efforts for business transformation. His experience also includes executing large captures and management at Raytheon and PAE through successful capture of DoD Defense Threat Reduction Agency CTRIC III IDIQ ($950M) and $5.1B Army (GTACS) II Contract.

Andrei holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Marymount University, Arlington, Virginia and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Business from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. He also holds Project Management Professional (PMP) and Lean Six Sigma certifications.

Andrei currently resides in the Washington D.C. area with his wife Gabriela and children Matei and Emma. Andrei is a passionate football supporter and played professionally in Europe; his interests are also space, nature and serving as a mentor for young football players on different clubs.

Jeff has recently celebrated his 5-year anniversary within Safran Data Systems, Inc. From working on On-Board & Testing (OB&T) Business Development activities, Aircraft Information Systems Sales (AIS), project management, he became Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2018 and will now execute as CEO.

In 2004, Jeff graduated with a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the Ohio State University (2004). Concurrently with his studies, he began working as an engineer research assistant at the Aeronautical and Astronautical Research Laboratory of the University (2002-2004).

After graduating, Jeff commenced his career as a Flight Test Engineer at Snow Aviation, Inc. (2004-2005) and at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Corporation (2005-2008). During his time at Lockheed Martin, he pursued additional classes and obtained a Master in Science on Technical Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (2008). After finishing the C-5 RERP test program, JR moved to Gulfstream Aerospace to support certification testing of G650, G500, G600 aircraft.

During this time, JR completed Gulfstream Leadership Program and worked with Zodiac Data Systems, Inc. teams (now Safran Data Systems, Inc.) while collaborating on the implementation of Chapter 7. Jeff joined Safran group in 2018 and worked as business developer for On-Board & Testing (OB&T) Aircraft Information Systems (AIS) activities, project management, and became Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2021.

Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 daughters. His hobbies include cooking and sailing.

After two and a half years, Ray Munoz has decided to embark on a new chapter in his career and has stepped down from the role of Chief Executive Officer of Safran Data Systems, Inc.

Since June 2019, Lorraine Lecussan is Chief Financial Officer of Safran Data Systems, a subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defense, regrouping legal entities in France, Germany and in the US.

In addition, in January 2022, she has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Safran Electronics & Defense Space Directorate which regroups Safran Data Systems, Safran Reosc and, soon, the plasma propulsion activity of Safran (transfer on going). Lorraine started her career at PricewatherhouseCoopers in the Transaction Services department, mainly performing financial due diligences in the framework of acquisitions or divestments of companies or businesses. After more than six years as a consultant, she joined Adisseo, one of the main additive manufacturers for animal nutrition. As the Corporate Finance Manager and then the Strategic Studies Manager of the group, she was involved in a large panel of subjects: business plans, investment projects, setting up of partnerships, IPO on the Hong-Kong Stock Exchange and other projects of structural dimension.

In 2013, Lorraine had the opportunity to become Head of Mergers & Acquisitions of Zodiac Aerospace, an international group, listed on the Euronext market, specialized in cabin interiors, aerosafety and aircraft systems. She was part of the completions of 5 acquisitions (in France, UK, Germany and USA) between 2013 and 2016 when she took the position of Vice-President Strategy of the Aerosystems Branch of the group. While still working on merger & acquisition projects, she was also in charge of the whole strategic process from each of the thirty business units up to the branch level, the strategic roadmaps and the execution of key actions. In addition, in the context of Zodiac take over by Safran, she was involved in antitrust and integration processes. Lorraine graduated from the French Engineering School “Ecole Centrale Paris” in 2001 with and economic engineer major. In 2011, she was part of the Adisseo Management Program organized in partnership with the ESSEC Business School.

Gordon E. Fornell serves as an Outside Director and Chairman of the GSC at Safran Data Systems, Inc. He has been with the company since the early 2000’s.

Lt.Gen. “Gordy” Fornell, USAF (Ret.), served for 35 years in the Air Force. He held responsible positions in the acquisition business and test world at the Pentagon, AFMC Headquarters, and three major facilities, Edwards AFB, Eglin AFB, and Wright-Patterson AFB. His operational flying included flying 200 missions in the A-1 Skyraider at Nakhon Phanom, Thailand; 5 years of B-52 operations at Fairchild AFB, and 2 years of commanding the C-5 Wing at Dover AFB. In test activity he has flown over 70 types of aircraft, logged over 8,000 hours of flying time, wore parachute wings, and achieved Level 3 as an acquisition program manager.

For 2 years Gordy was the senior military assistant to two Secretaries of Defense, Casper Weinberger and Frank Carlucci. He advised the Secretary on a wide range of national security issues and coordinated the office activities of a large staff.

Following retirement, he served as a senior consultant for many aerospace companies in development planning, program execution, and customer satisfaction. He also was a member of the Board of Directors on Base 2 and Zodiac Data Systems.

Biography Coming Soon

RADM (ret) Sandy Daniels joined the Safran Data Systems, Inc. Board of Directors (BOD) as an outside director in 2022.

Her Navy career (active and reserve) included over 2000 hours as a P-3 pilot, as well as various tours as a Navy Space Cadre member and leader. Leadership positions included Director, Navy Space Reserve Program; Deputy Joint Functional Command for Space (JFCC SPACE), and Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group (Atlantic & Pacific)

In her civilian career she supported the Navy staff in space policy, as well as the National Reconnaissance Office. After retirement she became an independent consultant and is the Secretary of the Navy Marine Coast Guard Residence Foundation BOD, as well as serving on the Veterans Moving Forward (trains service dogs for veterans) BOD .

Graduated from Polytechnique, Supaero, IEP Toulouse, Jean-Marie Bétermier started his career at CNES, the French Space Agency in the Technical Department. Jean-Marie integrated with the CS (Communication & Systems) Group and had several management positions.
In 2001, after CS was acquired by the Gunnebo AB Group, Jean-Marie held several positions as CEO for different BU of the Group. From 2008 to 2012, he was the CEO of IER the terminal and system division for Airport and airline ticketing solutions in Bolloré Group.

Since 2012 he has been managing the Safran Data Systems activity.
In 2021, Jean-Marie was appointed Space Vice President of Safran Electronics & Defense and became head of the New Business Group gathering all Safran Space activities: Ground Segment, Electric Propulsion, High-End Optical solutions, Inertial Navigation unit, Electronics Power Supply, Avionics, Instrumentation. This business Group gathers namely the following companies Safran Data Systems, Safran Reosc, and Safran Spacecraft Propulsion.
Jean-Marie remains CEO of Safran Data Systems.

Peck has been an outside director of this company since 2007. While in the Air Force he flew many aircraft including the UH-1F/P/N, F-4E, F-111E, EF-111A, F-15E, F-15C, F-16C, B-1, and KC-135. This included combat time in the F-111E and F-15E. Among other awards, he received a distinguished flying cross and a bronze star for actions in Desert Storm.

He served as the deployed commander of the 20th Fighter Wing in Desert Storm. For a year he was the NATO director of plans for no-fly enforcement over Bosnia. He commander the 366th “Gunfighter” Composite Wing which consisted of 25 squadrons including 5 different aircraft and a combat control squadron. He served as the Director of Requirements for Air Combat Command, the Vice Commander of 7th AF, and in his final three years, he commanded the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center.
After retirement, he was a senior consultant for many projects with Burdeshaw and Associates and served on the Board of Directors for Base 2 and Zodiac Data Systems.

Jeff has recently celebrated his 5-year anniversary within Safran Data Systems, Inc. (February 2024). From working on On-Board & Testing (OB&T) Business Development activities, Aircraft Information Systems Sales (AIS), project management, he became Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2018 and will now execute as CEO.

Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 daughters. His hobbies include cooking and sailing.

After two and a half years, Ray Munoz has decided to embark on a new chapter in his career and has stepped down from the role of Chief Executive Officer of Safran Data Systems, Inc.

Safran Data Systems, Inc. is part of Safran DSI