Photonis Defense Announces Appointment of Shanna Owens as Chief Executive Officer

January 13, 2026

Lancaster, Pa., January 13, 2026 – Photonis Defense announced today the appointment of Shanna Owens as Chief Executive Officer of Photonis Defense, Inc., effective January 12, 2026. Ms. Owens succeeds prior leadership as the company continues to strengthen its position in advanced night vision and imaging technologies serving U.S. defense and security customers.

Ms. Owens is a highly accomplished U.S. defense industry executive with more than 20 years of experience spanning Business Development, Program Management, and advanced technical leadership. She joins Photonis Defense from Mercury Systems, where she most recently served as Senior Vice President for Strategy and Growth. Prior to Mercury Systems, she held leadership roles at BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, and Northrop Grumman Space Technology.

Throughout her career, Ms. Owens has demonstrated a strong track record of driving strategic growth, cultivating customer relationships across the Department of Defense, and leading high-performance teams in technically demanding environments. Her background in aerospace and advanced systems aligns directly with Photonis Defense’s mission to deliver cutting-edge night vision and imaging solutions that protect those who protect our nation.

Ms. Owens holds a Master’s Degree in Aerospace/Astronautical Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University.

“We are pleased to welcome Shanna Owens as CEO of Photonis Defense,” said Jérôme Cerisier, CEO of Exosens, the parent company of Photonis Defense. “Her deep industry expertise, strategic vision, and technical background position her well to lead the organization through its next phase of growth. We are confident she will continue to strengthen our U.S. defense presence and drive innovation within the Exosens Group.”

Under Ms. Owens’ leadership, Photonis Defense will continue to focus on delivering advanced night vision systems and imaging technologies that meet the evolving needs of U.S. military, federal, and law enforcement customers.

About Photonis Defense

www.photonisdefense.com

Photonis Defense is the U.S. subsidiary of the Exosens Group and specializes in advanced night vision and imaging technologies for defense and security applications. The company provides high-performance image intensifier tubes and complete night vision systems designed to operate in the most demanding operational environments.