In reorganization, Leidos taps Fasano to lead defense group

Leidos has named Gerry Fasano president of its defense group, effective Oct. 1, according to an internal company memo issued last week.

In the memo, obtained by Inside Defense, Roger Krone, Leidos' chief executive, says the company's strategic planning process over the past year "identified gaps and overlaps in our businesses."

As a result, the company is "refining our group structure to include four business groups: Civil, Defense, Health, and Intelligence." While Fasano will lead defense, Angie Heise will continue to oversee the civil group, Jon Scholl will continue to lead the health business and Vicki Schmanske has been tapped to oversee the intelligence unit.

Krone also says Paul Engola will serve as chief administrative officer, while Roy Stevens will become chief of business development. Previously, Schmanske was CAO and Fasano oversaw business development.

In a statement provided to Inside Defense, Krone said the new leaders are "well-tested."

"These moves, along with the hiring of Randy Phillips to lead Corporate Development, are part of our strategy to position Leidos for growth in our markets," he said. "In fact, the new configuration with four business groups allows us to more rapidly address opportunities that arise."

Krone also wrote in the memo that the "current Advanced Solutions Group (ASG) will evolve into a technology incubator lab to benefit the enterprise." He notes some of the mature elements of ASG will transition into the business groups.

"This will allow the remaining advanced solutions lab to focus on research and development work, lab-focused customers, and technical innovation that benefits multiple groups," Krone says, noting the new organizational construct will be effective Jan. 1.

In his statement, Krone said the "evolution" of ASG "means we can insert [internal research and development] into our offerings across the company in a more repeatable way."