Executive Management
Mike Sheehan, Chief Executive Officer and President
Michael (Mike) Sheehan joined Thales Communications in 2010 as CEO and President. A senior executive with more than 25 years of industry experience, Mr. Sheehan came to Thales from Cobham, where he was responsible for the operation and management of the company's Avionics Strategic Business Unit. Prior to Cobham, Mr. Sheehan served in executive management roles for DRS Technologies, Northrop Grumman, and BAE Systems, where he spent 18 years in various senior management positions in Engineering, Program Management, and Business Development. He has been involved in a number of tactical communications programs, including various JTRS and Link 16 programs. He began his career as an RF design engineer for the RCA Corporation, designing ground communications equipment.
Mr. Sheehan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University, a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University, and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University. He resides in Glenwood, Maryland with his wife and three children.
Walt Hepker, Vice President, Business Development
Walt Hepker joined Thales Communications in 2006. Since that time, he has served in two key roles: first, as Vice President of Program Management from 2006-2007, and currently as Vice President of Business Development. As Vice President of Business Development, Mr. Hepker develops and executes the company's business development strategies and leads the day-to-day operations of the business development department. In his previous role as Vice President of Program Management, he was responsible for the successful execution of all development, production, and customer support programs.
Prior to joining Thales, Mr. Hepker spent 28 years with Rockwell Collins, serving in key program management and business development leadership positions, principally in the military airborne and ground communications markets. He was instrumental in extending the company's Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) success into the international arena. Mr. Hepker has participated as a member and officer in many industry associations, including the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, National Defense Industry Association, United States Naval Institute, and American Defense Preparedness Association. He was awarded a Bachelor's Degree from Wartburg College with a double major in business administration and accounting.
