PLEXSYS Welcomes New Board Chairperson, Advancing Leadership and Innovation
May 23, 2023 | By: Tara Marta
CAMAS, WA (May 23, 2023) – PLEXSYS Interface Products, Inc. (PLEXSYS), a leading defense modeling & simulation (M&S) company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Vanessa Chandler as the new Chairperson of the Board of Directors, effective May 4, 2023. Vanessa brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, and the company is confident in her ability to lead the Board to new heights.
Vanessa is a highly accomplished professional with an impressive track record in Defense and Commercial sectors. Vanessa is currently the General Counsel at Vivino Inc. based in San Francisco, CA. Previously, she was pivotal as the General Counsel for Virgin Galactic LLC. Vanessa also served as General Counsel for HDT Global Inc. and Westar Aerospace & Defense Group Inc., Senior Trade Counsel for Raytheon Company's Space and Airborne Systems, and Senior Policy Advisor to the Missouri State Auditor. Her strategic vision, business acumen and profound understanding of the M&S landscape position PLEXSYS for ongoing success and innovation.
In her new role, Vanessa will provide Board oversight of the company's strategic direction, working closely with the Board members and executive team to drive growth, foster innovation, and ensure the company's long-term sustainability. Her extensive experience will be instrumental in guiding the company through the evolving market dynamics and industry challenges.
PLEXSYS' outgoing Chairperson, Mr. Tom Jons, will be stepping down after 13 years of exceptional service, first as CEO, and then as Board Chairperson since 2016. His leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence significantly contributed to the company's success. Under Tom's guidance, the company has achieved remarkable milestones, experienced significant growth, and solidified its position as a leader in the M&S sector.
"In 2010, when I joined PLEXSYS, the company was profitable but on the brink of securing significant government contracts. Thanks to the exceptional efforts of the PLEXSYS staff, we successfully obtained those contracts," said Tom Jons. "Over the following years, PLEXSYS experienced substantial growth in revenue and profits, implemented numerous innovative systems, and positioned itself for even more significant achievements. The company continues to thrive, bolstered by a Board of Directors comprising highly qualified individuals. I take immense pride in being associated with such an outstanding organization, and I am confident that PLEXSYS is poised to achieve new heights."
"We are immensely grateful to Tom Jons for his invaluable contributions and outstanding leadership during his tenure as Chairperson of the Board of Directors," said Ron Wiegand, PLEXSYS President and CEO. "His strategic insights, wisdom, and guidance have been instrumental in shaping PLEXSYS' growth and success. We extend our deepest gratitude for his exceptional service and wish him continued success in his future endeavors."
Vanessa expressed her enthusiasm about assuming the role of Chairperson of the Board of Directors. She stated, “Having joined the PLEXSYS Board of Directors in late 2021, and as the newly appointed Chairperson, I am proud of the remarkable growth of PLEXSYS. Our primary focus is to foster the company's expansion to benefit our employee shareholders and ensure that our warfighters and allies have the tools to carry out their missions effectively. Through the collective efforts of our dedicated employees, we have achieved significant milestones, and we continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers. PLEXSYS remains committed to driving the organization towards greater success by empowering our armed forces and global partners with innovative solutions and unwavering support.”
The PLEXSYS team welcomes Vanessa and is confident that her appointment will bring fresh perspectives, business discipline, strategic insights, and strong leadership to the boardroom.
About PLEXSYS
Founded in 1986, PLEXSYS is a modeling and simulation (M&S) software company with 35+ years of delivering Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) training readiness solutions and innovation. We are a 100% employee-owned small business, with more than 200 full-time employees plus part-time consultants in nine states and four foreign countries.