Mike Kahn, President & CEO, Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions
Since coming to CAES, Mike Kahn has worked with the team to drive execution excellence across the programs, implement strategies to grow the business, and instill a culture of success throughout the organization.
2020 was significant for CAES, the first full year of operating as a standalone U.S.-based company, after being purchased by Advent International. In a very short period of time, the company successfully re-aligned the structure to four divisions. At the same time, it implemented a customer-centric, decentralized structure driving more direct focus with customers, improving responsiveness and overall business agility, and increasing employee engagement.
In its first year, the business achieved numerous critical program milestones, delivering on advanced RF technologies and microelectronics to support challenging missions, as well as accomplish production ramp-up on key programs.
2020 also saw bookings well over $1 billion, positioning the business for long-term growth, and exceeded many key performance and financial metrics.
Kahn says he is thankful to the leadership team and employees positively and effectively addressing COVID challenges, proactively implementing controls and safeguards to keep the employees safe, and meet the commitments to all customers.
CAES’ success in developing numerous advancements in electronics and pioneering new solutions to meet the emerging threats was a big factor in meeting 2020’s challenges. Key breakthroughs for improved performance needed on future missions were demonstrated, and resulted in important contracts to support the U.S. government and many of the primes.
Additionally, leveraging engineering and employee expertise across space technologies enabled the company to win significant business supporting the medical industry to improve radiation/imaging equipment performance, as well as chip technology to support COVID-19 diagnostics.
Why Watch
In 2021, Kahn and the leadership team, building on execution excellence and operational improvements initiated in 2020, will focus on creating increased value to its customers/stakeholders through better affordability and delivery performance, investing in key technologies linked to customer needs, and the ability to quickly demonstrate/field new products in a more expedited manner.