Stadter Named Mission Area Executive for Theater Defense at Johns Hopkins APL

Patrick Stadter has been appointed mission area executive for Theater Defense within the Air and Missile Defense Sector at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland. In this role, Stadter will lead efforts to deliver innovative solutions that strengthen the nation’s air and missile defense capabilities. His extensive experience in aerospace systems and national security will be pivotal in guiding the Laboratory’s teams currently developing technologies that help protect U.S. and allied forces from increasingly complex regional threats in theaters across the globe.

“Patrick brings a deep understanding of missile defense and related operational challenges, and he is well regarded within the sponsor community,” said Vishal Giare, head of APL’s Air and Missile Defense Sector. “His technical expertise and leadership will be instrumental as APL continues to deliver innovative and high-impact capabilities to strengthen our nation’s military advantage and defend U.S. and allied forces.”

Stadter rejoins APL from the Aerospace Corporation. Previously, he spent more than 30 years at the Lab as a leader for and technical contributor to missile defense, space control, and other multidomain, national security programs. As deputy mission area executive for Air and Missile Defense, he managed a portfolio of programs and research initiatives that delivered operationally relevant capabilities for U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) sponsors.

Earlier in his APL career, Stadter served as program area manager for Advanced Concepts and Warfighter Engagement and for Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, providing technical leadership for sponsors such as MDA and helping advance some of the nation’s most critical defensive systems.

Stadter earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, and a doctorate from Pennsylvania State University, all in electrical engineering.