Christopher (Chris) Forrest is the Chief Financial Officer for Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI). As CFO, Mr. Forrest is responsible for leading the company’s financial strategy, planning, governance, and business performance management in support of TDSI’s mission. Mr. Forrest brings more than 35 years of executive business leadership experience across the aerospace & defense, and commercial aviation markets.

Prior to joining TDSI, he held senior leadership roles with QinetiQ, Collins Aerospace, and ARINC, where he led business transformation, financial governance, market expansion, M&A activities, and strategic planning across complex domestic and international markets. Mr. Forrest served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Advanced Robotics & Maritime Solutions at QinetiQ, where he led a U.S. defense business supporting U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and submarine programs, autonomous systems and integration of military vehicles, military robotics, and unmanned aerial systems. Previously, at Collins Aerospace he led a global business team providing communications information systems technology to airports worldwide. At ARINC, Mr. Forrest held progressive financial governance leadership roles in both the commercial aviation and aerospace & defense markets.

Mr. Forrest hold a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Loyola University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Towson University. He is a Certified Management Accountant.

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