NDIA appoints Punaro board chair

The National Defense Industrial Association, one of three main trade groups representing government contractors, has appointed a familiar face to chair its board of directors.

Arnold Punaro’s new two-year term as board chair began Thursday and the longtime defense market veteran returns to the role he served in from 2013 to 2015, NDIA said Thursday. He most recently was the board’s vice chair.

Punaro succeeds M International CEO Richard McConn, whose two year-term as board president concluded. The vice chair role at NDIA will be taken up by Michael Bayer, president and CEO of Dumbarton Strategies.

Punaro’s career in the sector includes 13 years as staff director for the Senate Armed Services Committee and 14 years as an executive at Science Applications International Corp. He is also the CEO of his own consulting firm.

This article first appeared on Washington Technology, a Defense Systems partner site.