HALETHORPE, Maryland (January 16, 2025) — IronNet, the AI-based collective defense company, today announced retired Admiral Mike Hewitt has been named Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. He replaces Linda Zecher, who recently stepped down from the CEO role after successfully leading the company’s take-private transaction and positioning the company for growth under private ownership. With this critical phase completed, she has chosen to move on to the next chapter in her career.
Additionally, Edward J. Newberry, Global Managing Partner of Squire Patton Boggs, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Board.
Hewitt has been a member of IronNet’s board since February and became Lead Independent Director on the board in October. In his role as CEO, he will work closely with IronNet’s executive team to grow IronNet’s leadership in Collective Defence in the US and globally with a focus on the energy sector. Hewitt brings 31 years of active-duty experience in the United States Navy to IronNet’s leadership team. He successfully founded and scaled IP3 as one of the leading nuclear energy developers in the US and globally, as well as advising the past three US presidential administrations on nuclear energy and security.
Hewitt is also leading a newly formed National Security Advisory Council of distinguished leaders. The National Security Advisory Council is formed to represent the United States and allies whose cybersecurity is protected by IronNet’s Collective Defense IronDome.
As part of this leadership transition, the Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Newberry as Chairperson. He is widely regarded as one of the leading lawyer-lobbyists in Washington, D.C., specializing in advising corporate and sovereign government clients on public policy and regulation matters. Newberry’s public policy expertise will strategically advance Collective Defense at the core of cybersecurity policy and accelerate IronNet’s IronDome expansion across the US and Middle East.
“Ed brings extensive boardroom experience and a track record for guiding technology companies through complex public policy issues,” Hewitt said. “I am eager to collaborate closely with Ed as we continue to help IronNet thrive during this transformative period. Together, we will focus on delivering advanced cybersecurity solutions to our customers while addressing the evolving challenges ahead.”
“I am honored to take on this role at such an important time for IronNet,” said Newberry. “I look forward to collaborating closely with Admiral Hewitt and the Board to drive our strategic initiatives forward and deliver value to our stakeholders.”
About IronNet:
IronNet, founded in 2014, merges industry-leading cybersecurity products with unrivaled service to deliver the most advanced real-time defense across global, private, and public sectors. Bringing together some of the best minds in cybersecurity and an unmatched team of experts from industry, government, and academia, IronNet was born to defend enterprises, sectors, and nations more effectively against highly organized cyber adversaries and increasingly sophisticated attacks.
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