Scaling the Defense Industrial Base in a Demand-Driven Era | Fairbanks Morse Defense CEO

Podcast Spotlights

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Defense manufacturing is shifting from competing for programs to building the capacity to deliver them. Budgets are rising, shipbuilding demand is increasing, and timelines are compressing. As George Whittier explains, the challenge is no longer winning work; it’s delivering at the scale and speed this moment requires. George is the CEO of Fairbanks Morse Defense and brings over 30 years of experience in commercial and defense manufacturing. He has led the company’s transformation from an engine manufacturer into a supplier of critical equipment and lifecycle services to the U.S. Navy.

 

What You’ll Discover In This Episode

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- From fighting over programs to scaling industrial capacity

- Moving beyond engines into full lifecycle equipment and services

- The compression of shipbuilding timelines from years to near-term delivery pressure

- Constraints across labor, supply chain, and materials

- Leadership decisions under speed, pressure, and imperfect information

 

Guest Bio

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George Whittier is the Chief Executive Officer of Fairbanks Morse Defense, where he leads the company’s expansion as a provider of mission-critical equipment, services, and technologies supporting the U.S. Navy and broader maritime defense ecosystem. A seasoned manufacturing and defense leader with over 30 years of experience, Whittier has played a central role in transforming the business from a traditional engine manufacturer into a diversified supplier delivering full lifecycle naval solutions. You can connect with him on LinkedIn.​​​​​​​​​