Ernesto Cortez
Vice President of Business Development @AEVEX
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WORK HISTORY
Vice President of Business Development @AEVEX
As VP of Business Development & Growth at AEVEX Aerospace, I drive strategy, partnerships, and mission delivery across the company’s portfolio of special mission aircraft solutions, unmanned systems, and autonomous technologies. My role focuses on aligning AEVEX’s advanced capabilities with U.S. and allied defense requirements to deliver rapidly fieldable, operationally relevant solutions.I oversee growth initiatives across:Unmanned & Autonomous Platforms – including the Atlas Group 1 UAS, Disruptor loitering munition, Mako Group 3 UAS, and Mako Light—systems engineered for ISR, autonomy, and precision strike missions in contested environments.Aircraft Services – providing turnkey ISR operations, aircraft overhaul and sustainment, and full-spectrum modification and integration for manned and unmanned special mission platforms.Rapid Prototyping & Integration – ensuring warfighters receive next-generation autonomy, payload integration, and standoff ISR solutions at speed and scale.By bridging cutting-edge technology with operational relevance, I work to ensure AEVEX delivers on its mission: empowering the warfighter with capabilities that ensure they are never in a fair fight.
EDUCATION
United States Military Academy at West Point
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
National Defense University
Master of Science - MS, National Security Strategy
Trident University International
M.B.A., Business Administration and Management, General
ABOUT ERNESTO CORTEZ
As a hands-on leader and Visionary Executive, I’ve led teams from 10 - 3,200 people through major transitions. A disciplined and goal-oriented Chief of Staff, I’ve managed a $160M budget driving operations and training for 16K employees. I’m known for establishing a climate of accountability and trust around a unifying vision. I enable decentralized initiative allowing high performers to thrive! I SPECIALIZE IN LEADERSHIP: I\'ve led diverse teams ranging from 10 to 3,200 people in stable environments or crisis ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: I\'ve driven alignment of strategy, structure, people for 18+ years in large orgs TEAM BUILDING: I\'ve succeeded in removing barriers and building cohesion across Industry, DoD and I.C. teams STRATEGIC PLANNING: Created 3-5 year strategies for pipeline and growth with clear and achievable goals EXECUTION: Expert at hands-on crisis management and navigating high risk environments.CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Served as the Technical Lead on a $3.3 Billion GSA FEDSIM proposal response. Led 3,200 employees distributed across11 time zones and operating over 80 manned/unmanned aircraft Managed a budget of $150M+ while instituting process to replace least efficient 10% with higher-ROI investments Executed the move of an 1,800 person organization from Virginia to Georgia with no disruption in client delivery CONTACT ME E••••••••@gmail.comMORE ABOUT ME I believe trust is fundamental to underpin all high-performing teams. Throughout my career I have been exposed to fantastic leaders who taught me that a well-trained leader operating at the speed of trust, could solve your toughest problems. I strive everyday to be a servant leader actively building and supporting a climate of respect. EDUCATION B.S, Computer Science, US Military Academy, West Point MBA, Trident University M.S, National Security Strategy, National Defense UniversityFUN FACTS I love fitness with family and friends. I’ve completed an Ironman and Pike’s Peak Marathon.I speak Spanish and have been to 45 countries and 46 states I have owned two airplanes and I’m a current single/multi-engine/instrument flight instructor
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