PHOENIX - TelAve -- PROFENSE LLC

Contact:

Rachel Cloos

480-306-4002

rcloos@profense.com

Profense Appoints Mark Cherpes as President and Chief Executive Officer

Phoenix, Arizona, May 20, 2026, Profense, a leading developer of advanced defense technology and system solutions for the warfighter, today announced the appointment of Mark Cherpes as President and Chief Executive Officer. Cherpes brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in the defense and law enforcement industries and will be responsible for driving the company's strategic vision, operational growth, and continued innovation.

"We are thrilled to welcome Mark to Profense as our new President and CEO," said Tom Rowe, Managing Member of Profense. "His extraordinary record of building and scaling U.S. defense enterprises, coupled with his deep expertise in government acquisition, DoD relationships, and regulatory compliance, makes him the ideal leader to guide Profense through its next phase of growth. We look forward to the vision and discipline he will bring to our organization."

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Cherpes joins Profense following a distinguished 25-year tenure at FN America, LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of global defense manufacturer FN Herstal S.A. of Belgium, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer for the last 14 years. During his leadership, he drove substantial revenue growth and improved profitability through disciplined execution and long-term strategic planning. He also led the consolidation of FN's two U.S. entities into a single unified enterprise. He oversaw the development of a new greenfield manufacturing facility, significantly expanding the company's operational footprint and capacity.

Over the course of his career, Cherpes has been a trusted partner to the U.S. Department of Defense and Congress, playing a pivotal role in sustaining and advancing major U.S. military weapons programs, including the GAU-21 High-Rate-of-Fire Machine Gun, the SCAR Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle, and the M240 Medium Machine Gun. He has extensive expertise in ATF, ITAR, and DoD compliance, government acquisition and Congressional relations, and M&A integration and corporate restructuring.

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"I am extremely excited to join the Profense Team," said Mark Cherpes. "The company has been developing great technology and impressive system solutions for the warfighter. I am truly honored to be a part of the next phase of growth and expansion for Profense."

Cherpes holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance from George Mason University, where he graduated Cum Laude. He also serves as a Board Member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation in Washington, D.C.

About Profense

Profense, LLC is a Phoenix, Arizona-based defense technology company dedicated to equipping, training, and sustaining the U.S. Armed Forces and allies worldwide. Through cutting-edge research, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to ethical practices, Profense develops and delivers battle-proven weapon systems built on innovation, precision, and reliability, ensuring the warfighter is never outgunned, outpaced, or unprepared.

Profense.com