Our Leadership

Dale Moore serves as President and CEO of Davidson, a leading provider of mission-focused engineering and technology solutions for the defense sector. With over 30 years of experience, Dale is known for scaling organizations, entering new markets, and building high-performing teams.

Before joining Davidson, Dale held executive roles at Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI), where he was recognized for his employee-first leadership style and strategic approach to business growth. He most recently served as Vice President of Business Development, spearheading enterprise-wide capture initiatives.

Dale has made substantial contributions to national defense programs supporting the Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Army, and Department of Defense. His expertise spans executive leadership, organizational growth, and long-term strategy development.

He holds a Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the Virginia Military Institute.

As Chief Operating Officer of Davidson, James Lackey translates strategic objectives into operational execution across the enterprise. He guides programmatic and P&L leaders while driving growth, integrating capabilities, and ensuring alignment with business goals.

James previously served as Senior Vice President at Parsons Corporation, leading a $500 million mission solutions organization focused on software, hardware, and systems integration for the Department of Defense. He also played a key role in securing major contracts in C5ISR, directed energy, and multi-domain systems.

Earlier, James was Executive Director of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC), managing a $2.5 billion budget and a 3,000-person government workforce.

He holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Florida Tech and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, James has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Army Superior Civilian Service Award and the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber and remains active with the NDIA Tennessee Valley Chapter.

As Chief Organizational Development Officer, Mandy Kerce leads strategies that strengthen performance, employee engagement, and organizational culture at Davidson. She advises the leadership team on workforce optimization and alignment to company goals while driving initiatives around change management, talent development, and enterprise integration.

Mandy joined Davidson in 2013 and has served in multiple leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Chief of Staff. Her work has been critical in aligning culture with business objectives and in advancing Davidson’s core values of Mission Focus, Accountability, Integrity, and Performance Excellence.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from Faulkner University.

James Gatewood is Vice President of Enterprise IT and Cybersecurity at Davidson, responsible for overseeing enterprise digital infrastructure, cybersecurity operations, compliance programs, and digital transformation efforts.

James joined Davidson in 2019 as Director of IT and has played a key role in designing and implementing high-performance hybrid services, data governance strategies, and robust security frameworks that align with regulatory standards. With over 25 years of experience in IT, cybersecurity, and strategic leadership, he is focused on evolving the company’s security architecture and risk management capabilities.

Before Davidson, James held technical and leadership roles at ADTRAN, overseeing the global enterprise’s end-user framework. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

James is an active member of the North Alabama tech community, serving as Director of Cyber Exercises for Cyber Huntsville and participating in several professional organizations, including the ISSA North Alabama Chapter, PMI, and Cyber Brews.

Chuck Harwood is Vice President of Supply Chain Analytics at Davidson, where he leads a $40 million business area focused on advanced information technology integration and supply chain solutions for the defense industry. He currently supports multiple U.S. Air Force and Missile Defense Agency missions, including the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS).

Prior to joining Davidson, Chuck served in program and supply chain leadership roles at Raytheon Missiles and Defense. His work included serving as Deputy Program Manager on a $500 million foreign military sales THAAD program and managing subcontracts for TPY-2 radar system projects.

Chuck’s earlier career includes key roles at SAIC and Boeing, where he supported NASA and MDA programs including the Space Launch System (SLS), Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), and Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD). His responsibilities ranged from subcontracts administration to small business liaison and procurement operations.

Passionate about education, Chuck is currently pursuing a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), focusing on predictive logistics. He lectures part-time at UAH and holds an MBA and a BSBA in Finance from the same institution. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and trained in continuous improvement.

Walter Hough is Vice President of Algorithmic Warfare at Davidson, where he leads the development of AI and software capabilities to support high-impact programs for the Department of Defense. He focuses on innovation, performance, and alignment with Davidson’s core values.

Since joining Davidson in 2022, Walter has held several leadership roles and has been instrumental in delivering advanced AI solutions for programs like the Guam Defense System and the Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management System.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Walter has also held leadership roles at Teledyne Brown Engineering and has extensive experience in simulation development, proposal management, and certification programs. He holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Lipscomb University.

Walter is a certified PMP, PMI-ACP, and Shipley-trained in federal proposal management. He is active in the Huntsville community through Leadership Greater Huntsville, InsideOut Studios, and AFCEA.

Seth Bush serves as Vice President of Security Operations and Facilities at Davidson, bringing more than two decades of experience across industrial security, cybersecurity risk management, and enterprise leadership. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Seth began his security career in 2000, serving as both an Intelligence Analyst and Assistant Special Security Officer.

Following his military service, Seth built an extensive career supporting Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and Department of Energy customers in senior leadership roles across the National Capital Region and Huntsville, Alabama. His expertise spans facility buildouts, cybersecurity team leadership, regulatory compliance, and advising executive leadership on enterprise risk management strategies.

Seth has contributed to multiple “Superior” facility security assessments, was part of a Cogswell Award–winning team, and has been invited to speak at national-level industrial security seminars and conferences. He believes that “compliance and security are crucial and interconnected contributors to an organization’s overall success, driving positive, risk-managed outcomes.”

In his role, Seth is committed to carrying forward a culture of servant leadership while building trusted partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to enable collaboration, innovation, and long-term business growth.

Jameson Venema is Technical Director at Davidson, where he leads the company’s technology roadmap and Internal Research and Development (IRAD) initiatives. With deep expertise in Modeling & Simulation (M&S), Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), and Quantum Computing, he drives innovation in defense solutions that meet complex national security needs.

Since joining Davidson, Jameson has played a key role in the development of AI/ML-backed M&S products for the Guam Defense System (GDS) and advanced applications in battle management and threat modeling. He also leads Davidson’s quantum technology efforts, including experimentation with Quantum Annealing and next-generation computing platforms.

Previously, Jameson spent nearly two decades at Raytheon, where he led IRAD efforts on major programs such as THAAD and AN/TPY-2 radar systems. He holds a B.S. in Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University.

David Wood is Senior Director of Brand Strategy & Creative at Davidson, where he leads the company’s marketing, branding, and internal communications functions.

Since joining Davidson in 2020, he has helped build and now oversees the Marketing & Communications department, developing campaigns and content strategies that elevate Davidson’s visibility, support business growth, and strengthen employee engagement across the enterprise.

Before joining Davidson, David served for 5 years as Creative Director for the Kids to Love Foundation, a nonprofit serving children living in foster care across Alabama and southern Tennessee. There, he led a digital engagement and social media strategy that helped drive a 53% increase in single-year donorship base.

David’s career began in journalism, where he spent nearly a decade as a video journalist and reporter at WHNT News 19 in Huntsville producing award-winning documentaries and original programming. His storytelling earned 4 Regional Emmy Awards, 2 Edward R. Murrow Awards for writing, and more than a dozen Associated Press honors for production, editing and videography.

David brings a sharp editorial eye, deep cross-platform experience, and a values-driven approach to every facet of his work. At Davidson, he collaborates with the leadership team to ensure the company’s message is not only consistent and strategic—but meaningful.