Sumaria Systems is pleased to announce the promotion of Bryan Bearden to Chief Operating Officer (COO). In his previous role as the Senior Vice President of Program Operations, Bearden played a pivotal role in leading Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR), engineering, and professional services solutions for the Department of Defense (DoD) and other government agencies. Now, as COO, he will oversee daily operations, ensuring that Sumaria’s strategic initiatives align with its growth objectives while managing corporate information technologies (IT), quality management, facilities, safety, and security to drive efficiency and innovation.
“Bryan has built the foundation for explosive growth into new markets and positioned Sumaria for success in providing a broader range of innovative solutions for our customers. This new position will allow him to be even more engaged in driving functional operations while also overseeing our expansion,” said Dave Dzaran, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sumaria Systems. “His deep DoD and industry expertise will serve as a catalyst for Sumaria Systems’ continued growth and market leadership.”
With a distinguished career in aerospace and defense, Bearden has successfully led large-scale programs supporting government agencies in supply chain risk management, IT application development and modernization, cloud migration, digital engineering, training systems, program executive office (PEO) support, international trade compliance, governmental policy support, weapon and laser research and development (R&D), and product production.
His expertise is built upon a 25-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he commanded at the Squadron, Group, and Wing levels and served on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, leading presidential-level programs. He also held the role of Director of Operations and Plans, overseeing Air Force activities in Central and South America and the Caribbean. His operational experience includes over 2,000 flying hours, with 350 combat hours in the RF-4 and F-16.
A commitment to leadership and education has defined Bearden’s professional journey. He holds master’s degrees from the National Defense University, Air University, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University. Additionally, he is a Senior Executive Fellow of Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, further reinforcing his strategic leadership capabilities.
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