Earlier this morning, the private equity firm LLR Partners appointed Dr. John Hillen as its newest operating partner.
Hillen is the former President and CEO of Sotera Defense Solutions (Sotera), formerly Global Defense Technology & Systems (NASDAQ: GTEC), and previously served as Assistant Secretary of State, under President George W. Bush. While at Sotera, Hillen spearheaded the company’s IPO in 2009, and later took the company private in 2012.
WashingtonExec spoke with Dr. Hillen when he was named Executive in Residence and Professor of Practice at George Mason University’s School of Management in December 2013. In our interview, Dr. Hillen discusses his market outlook for the U.S. defense industry, why he chose GMU, and what he considers to be “career inflection points”.
In his role at LLR, Hillen will aid in evaluating new investment opportunities for the company’s Security, Defense & Government Services sectors, and also support LLR’s overall leadership and strategy development for current portfolio companies.
“John is a thought leader within the government contracting industry and a deeply experienced executive. He has executed the same growth strategies and led businesses through the same challenges that our companies face today,” Dave Stienes, partner at LLR, said. “John built a sub-$100M business into a $300M business, while dramatically diversifying the company and placing it in areas of importance within its government client community. The depth of his operational and industry experience will make John an invaluable advisor, board member and mentor to our portfolio company CEOs.”
Dr. Hillen is the former 2012-2013 Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Professional Services Council (PSC) and serves on several other boards of directors in the government contracting and defense and security sectors, to include SOS International (SOSi) and Software AG Government Solutions.
Read more about Dr. Hillen on WashingtonExec:
Dr. John Hillen Named Executive in Residence and Professor of Practice of GMU’s School of Management
SOS International Appoints Dr. John Hillen Chairman of the Board of Advisors
Dr. John Hillen Steps Down as CEO of Sotera Defense Solutions
John Hillen Speaks on the “Bad Governance” of Sequestration
Sotera’s John Hillen Elected Chairman of Board of the Professional Services Council (PSC)
10th Annual GovCon Awards: Sotera Defense Wins Contractor of the Year, John Hillen Comments
