WASHINGTON, D.C. — February 11, 2026 — Leads & Copy — AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) has announced the appointment of Stephen Voline as Senior Director of Washington Operations.
Voline will support AeroVironment’s engagement with Congress, the Department of War, and other national security stakeholders. He will focus on advancing the company’s strategic priorities in defense policy, acquisition, and operational readiness.
Blake Souter, Vice President, Washington Operations at AeroVironment, emphasized the importance of understanding the convergence of policy, operations, and technology in today’s defense landscape. He believes Voline’s experience will strengthen the Washington Operations team as they work to advance critical national security missions and long-term defense priorities.
Voline brings over 30 years of experience in military operations, defense policy, and industry advocacy. His experience includes senior government relations leadership at Hanwha Defense USA, service on Capitol Hill as National Security Advisor to Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), and 26 years in the U.S. Army.
Voline expressed his enthusiasm for joining AeroVironment at a time when innovation, speed, and strategic clarity are crucial. He looks forward to strengthening the company’s engagement in Washington to support warfighters and national security stakeholders.
During his time as National Security Advisor to Senator Ernst, Voline advised on defense and foreign policy, contributing to multiple National Defense Authorization Acts. His focus areas included soldier readiness, artificial intelligence, intelligence operations, and special operations forces.
As Director of Government Relations at Hanwha Defense USA, Voline led advocacy efforts across Congress and the Administration, supporting land systems, munitions, and autonomous platform programs. He advised senior leaders on legislative strategy, helped secure an Enhanced Use Lease agreement with the U.S. Army for a $1.3 billion propellant production facility, and facilitated the company’s first major contract award.
Voline’s military career includes senior intelligence and targeting roles within the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment, battalion-level operations and intelligence leadership within the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, and command of a Military Intelligence company. He served in Afghanistan and Iraq and with elite and interagency organizations. He spent nearly 14 years as an enlisted infantryman, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant.
Voline holds a Bachelor of Arts in public relations from the University of West Florida and a master’s degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University.
AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader providing integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. The company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities. AeroVironment’s AV_Halo™ is a suite of AI-powered software tools designed to empower warfighters and enable battlefield dominance.
Source: AeroVironment
