Erik Smith
President & CEO
Saab, Inc.
Erik Smith is President and Chief Executive Officer of Saab, Inc., where he leads the global defense and security company’s rapidly growing U.S. business.
Under Smith’s leadership, Saab has significantly expanded its presence and investment in the United States, adding manufacturing capacity, growing its workforce and strengthening its ability to develop and produce advanced defense capabilities domestically. Today, Saab, Inc. operates 11 locations across eight states, with capabilities spanning aeronautics, weapons, advanced radars and sensors, command and control, and autonomous and undersea systems.
Smith has more than 25 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry. Since joining Saab in 2007, he has held leadership roles across the company’s U.S. business, including guiding Sensis through its acquisition by Saab in 2011 and subsequent integration into the company. He was appointed President and CEO of Saab’s U.S. defense business in 2016.
Prior to joining Saab, Smith held program and contract management positions at Raytheon. Over the course of his career, he’s worked across U.S. and international markets and with government and industry partners spanning defense, intelligence and civil aviation.
An Eagle Scout, Smith serves on the boards of CenterState CEO, Clear Path for Veterans and the Roger Williams University Board of Trustees.
Smith holds a B.A. in International Political Science and Eastern Philosophy from Roger Williams University and an M.B.A. from Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management. He also completed the Stanford Executive Program at Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
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