Corporate Vice President, General Dynamics
President, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems
Lou Von Thaer is president of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, a position he has held since March 2005.
Mr. Von Thaer leads a diverse organization of over 7,000 professionals that provides end-to-end mission systems integration, development and operations support to customers in the defense, intelligence and homeland communities. With a focus on cyber, maritime and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solutions, the company integrates land, air, sea, space and cyber assets to support the strategy and execution of customer missions.
Prior to becoming president, Mr. Von Thaer served in a variety of senior management positions for General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. He was senior vice president of operations where he led the integration of the Veridian and DSR acquisitions, as well as responsibilities for the company’s day-to-day operations. He also served as vice president of engineering and manufacturing where he was responsible for integrating the four key acquisitions that formed the company’s foundation.
Mr. Von Thaer joined General Dynamics as vice president of engineering and chief technical officer when his previous employer, the Advanced Technology Systems division of Lucent Technologies, was acquired in 1997. He served as senior vice president for Advanced Technology Systems, responsible for all government programs, engineering, manufacturing, quality, contracting, and procurement. Mr. Von Thaer had worked at Lucent and its predecessor, AT&T Bell Laboratories, since 1983.
Mr. Von Thaer is a member of the Defense Science Board, a federal advisory board that provides the secretary, deputy secretary and under secretary for acquisition, technology and logistics with independent, informed advice and opinion on scientific, technical, manufacturing, acquisition process, and other matters of special interest to the Department of Defense. He serves on the boards of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) and chairs its Cyber Security Council. He also serves on the Virginia For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Advisory Board, a nonprofit organization that designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.
Mr. Von Thaer is on the Engineering Advisory Council for Kansas State University. He is a member of numerous professional organizations to include Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), Association of Old Crows (AOC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Surface Navy Association (SNA) and the Optical Society of America.
Previously, Mr. Von Thaer served as the chair of the General Dynamics Business Development Council and served on the Corporate Excellence Committee from 2005 to 2008. He also has previously held advisory or board positions
for the International Engineering Consortium, International Council on Systems Engineering, and Systems and Software Consortium.
Mr. Von Thaer holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Kansas State University and a master's degree in electrical engineering from Rutgers University.
General Dynamics employs approximately 90,000 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat vehicles and systems, armaments, and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and mission-critical information systems and technologies.