SIG MMG 338 Program Series

Armor Express Expands Leadership Team with the Additions of Lushana Offutt, Senior Vice President, Government Operations and Rick Dressler, Vice President, Federal Operations

July 11th, 2019

Dave Herbener, Founder and Former CEO of KDH Defense Systems Joins Board of Directors

CENTRAL LAKE, MI – July 11, 2019 – Armor Express, a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-performance protective solutions for the Domestic and Federal Law Enforcement markets, Department of Defense and First Responders, today announced two strategic hires – Lushana Offutt, Senior Vice President, Government Operations and Rick Dressler, Vice President, Federal Operations – as the Company continues to build out its leadership team.

 

Jim Henderson, Chief Executive Officer of Armor Express commented, “The additions of Lushana and Rick to our team are significant, especially as we grow our business with the U.S. Government and with the major contract opportunities on the horizon. Both have vast experience, knowledge and relationships across government and industry that will serve our organization and customers well. They have overseen multi-billion-dollar contracts throughout their careers and understand customer needs, which was critical in our selection process. We are excited to have Lushana and Rick onboard and look forward to working with our partners as we continue to expand our life-saving capabilities.”

 

The Company is pleased to welcome its new Head of Government Operations, Lushana Offutt, who brings over 20 years of defense and federal sector experience. Most recently, Ms. Offutt served as Senior Vice President, Operations at ADS Inc., a leading provider of equipment, procurement, logistics, and supply chain solutions to the Department of Defense (DoD) as well as federal, state and local agencies. She helped develop the business strategy, while overseeing all support functions including proposal development, contract administration, information technology, purchasing, inventory, and logistics. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President, Strategy, leading business development and capture management initiatives. She joined ADS in 2008 as Vice President, Program Business Development and served later as Vice President, Air Force, Army and International Sales. Earlier in her career, she held various positions with SYColeman Corporation, L3 Communications and NISH.

 

Also joining Armor Express as its new Vice President, Federal Operations is Rick Dressler, a seasoned professional in the Defense and Federal Law Enforcement industries. Mr. Dressler brings to the Company close to 30 years of special operations and management experience, having served in various senior roles for the U.S. Army; U.S. Air Force Reserve; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and on Capitol Hill. Prior to joining Armor Express, his most recent roles were that of Supervisory Special Agent and Program Manager at the ATF’s headquarters in Washington D.C. He also served as a Special Agent (Lt. Col.) in the Air Force Reserve, Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI).

 

Ms. Offutt will be responsible for overseeing the Company’s Military, Federal and International operations, including contracts, programs, proposals, sales and business strategy, working closely with the operational teams in Eden, NC and externally with all customers. She will be based in the Company’s new headquarters in Arlington, VA, and initially spend time at the Eden, NC facility where the majority of contracts are being produced for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy Security Forces, and various Federal customers. Mr. Dressler will spearhead program and contract management, sales, sales support, and customer service for all Federal accounts and future business opportunities. He too, will be based in the Arlington, VA office.

 

Lushana Offutt added, “I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to have worked in such great companies that were all focused on servicing the needs of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day. I now look forward to working with the Armor Express and KDH teams to leverage the experience I’ve gained across all facets of operations, program management and sales to not only help the Company grow but help support our customers. The customer always comes first and that was a shared vision that attracted me to Armor Express. We have a great team in place, one that is expanding, and a product assortment and commitment to innovation that makes me confident in our ability to increase our share of market and deliver the best and safest products to our customers.”

 

Mr. Dressler added, “I’ve spent my career serving our country, in both the Military and Federal Government, and I have worn and sourced our products in the field. They are second to none and continue to evolve as new technologies come to market and as we gain insight from customers around the world. Every agency has different needs and part of my former responsibilities was harnessing the right resources and equipment to ensure Agents, Officers and Military personnel were safe. I look forward to utilizing my past experiences and relationships to improve our customer offering and service capabilities. The need for protection has never been greater and I believe we have the resources and drive to deliver exactly what our customers need.”

 

The Company also announced today that David Herbener, Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of KDH Defense Systems has joined the Company’s Board of Directors. This follows the most recent appointment of Sam White to the Board, a highly respected and seasoned executive from the body armor industry.

Warrior EAST 19 – DFND

July 11th, 2019

DFND has introduced a version of their Recovery Compression Socks in Coyote.

Warrior EAST 19 – Lugger LRVS Gun Bag

July 11th, 2019

The Load Roll Vac Shoot Bag by Load Lugget gets its name from how it’s used. It’s a waterproof weapon bag which can be configured so that it can be fired while still in the bag.

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The Polyurethane material has a melting point at over 300 deg F, more than enough to get off that first magazine before the bag has to be peeled away from the bag. Although it isn’t shown in this photo, there’s more than enough room for a carbine equipped with an optic as well as 30 round magazine.

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The bag is currently available via GSA.

www.theloadlugger.com

Warrior EAST 19 – HDT Containerized Weapon System

July 11th, 2019

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HDT’s Containerized Weapon System integrates EO/IR sensors and weapons on a remotely operated mast. CWS can be used individually or networked with one another. It is transportable and can be set up in 30 minutes.

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Weapons and sensor options vary from non-lethal all the way to Hellfire missiles. Reloads and maintenance can be accomplished with the mast retracted, under cover.

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www.hdtglobal.com

Warrior EAST 19 – Wild Things Andinista

July 11th, 2019

Made from Composite VX-21 pack fabric (200 p.s.i and waterproof), the Andinista is a mountaineering pack. It’s available in three harness sizes and the bag can be configured to carry between 1800 to 5500 inches thanks to straps, compression zippers and spindrift. The pack weighs just 56 ounces. The Andinista is in the BARS and BAMS templates. It is offered in Black and Coyote.

Features:
-Padded, angled shoulder straps
-2 gear loops on padded, removable hip belt
-Compression zippers
-Removable compression straps
-Whistle-lock on sternum strap
-Hydration system compatible
-Bullet pocket
-Ski slots
-2 daisy chains
-4 haul points
-Contour-cut removable lid
-Removable back pad
-Roll-up snow skirt
-Tool attachment points

One of the coolest features is that the Andinista can be used as a bivy bag. It serves as an elephant foot, keeping the legs out of the snow and ice. The foam padding can be removed and configured to suit the terrain.

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Here is Wild Things founder Marie Meunier demonstrating the bivy capability of the Andinista.

www.wildthingsgear.com

Warrior EAST 19 – Silent Tactical Energy Enhanced Dismount by Hendrick Motorsports

July 11th, 2019

The Silent Tactical Energy Enhanced Dismount or STEED, by Hendrick Motorsports is an all terrain, electric power card. It has zero emissions and can carry up to 500 lbs over complex terrain. STEED will even climb stairs and can be used in water.

This is not a robot. It is simple to use. STEED is a two wheeled cart and not gyro stabilized, requiring at least one person to balance and operate the STEED. It features forward and reverse along with a thumb pedal to control speeds from 0-6.5 mph. The two wheels make it easy to maneuver into tight spaces.

STEED began as a USSOCOM mobility project but was temporarily shelved due to other, pressing requirements. It was picked up by Asymmetric Warfare Group for use by squads to transport Subterranean operations equipment. STEED has successfully completed a Combat Validation with SOFWERX.

STEED is also a participating technology in the 2019 Advanced Expeditionary Warrior Experiments.

Although it is envisioned for use in subterranean operations, it handles the transit across rough terrain quite well and would greatly enhance the capability of a squad to move bulky equipment such as weapons along with bulk fuel, food, water, and ammunition as well as casualties.

For more information, contact RFlanagan@hmsracing.com or Christiana Caudill, SWX Communications/Public Relations christina.caudill@sofwerx.org

SOFWERX Presents – Disruptive Speaker Series The Iranian Threat Network: Implications for the U.S.-Iran Crisis

July 11th, 2019

SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM J5 Donovan Strategy and Innovation Group and Joint Special Operations University, will host a Disruptive Speaker Series entitled “The Iranian Threat Network: Implications for the U.S.-Iran Crisis,” led by Dr. Diane M. Zorri from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on 25 July, 2019.

The presentation offers a novel perspective on the study of Iranian proxy organizations in Iraq and Yemen. This comparative analysis of Iranian proxy groups in the Middle East intends to provide a deeper understanding on how to counter Iranian decision-making.

For more information and to RSVP, visit sofwerx.org/donovan.

Tactical Electronic Warfare System At Joint Warfighting Assessment 2019

July 11th, 2019

COL Kevin Finch, Project Manager for Electronic Warfare & Cyber, talks about how his office’s Tactical Electronic Warfare System or TEWS that was part of training and testing during the Joint Warfighting Assessment 2019 on Yakima Training Center, Wash., His team worked with members of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, to load, test and train the equipment onto their Stryker vehicles.

Additional footage by SGT Gustavo Olgiati, 982nd COMCAM