D-Fend Solutions’ Leadership

Zohar Halachmi is the Chairman and CEO at D-Fend Solutions. Before co-founding D-Fend Solutions, he was the founder and CEO of two mobile and enterprise application start-up companies. He also held VP and C-level positions at Amdocs and ECI Telecom (global and public telecommunication enterprises). While managing multi-disciplinary large- and small-scale organizations, Zohar created fast-growth and profitable businesses, bringing innovative solutions and services to the market. He graduated cum laude with a B.Sc. from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and M.Sc. from Tel Aviv University, and was a lecturer at both institutions.

Yaniv Benbenisti is the President and Chief Product Officer at D-Fend Solutions. Prior to co-founding D-Fend Solutions, Yaniv held management positions at publicly traded intelligence solutions enterprises. Yaniv was also the head of the Cyber Access Division in the Israel Defense Force’s 8200 intelligence unit, leading hundreds of cyber experts and engineers. Yaniv holds a B.Sc. cum laude and an M.Sc. from Ben-Gurion University.

Assaf Monsa is the Chief Technology Officer and Vice President, R&D, at D-Fend Solutions. He has more than 20 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur, technology and business executive. Prior to co-founding D-Fend Solutions over four years ago, Assaf managed large, international, multi-disciplinary teams at organizations across business verticals, developing complex products with innovative technology. Assaf graduated cum laude from the prestigious Talpiot program, with a B.Sc. in mathematics and physics from the Hebrew University. He spent seven years in the Israel Defense Force’s 8200 intelligence unit and he also graduated summa cum laude with a BA in psychology and cognitive sciences from the Open University of Israel.

Amit Haimovich is the Vice President of Sales at D-Fend Solutions. For the past two decades, Amit held various executive and management positions at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). He facilitated a variety of successful collaborations with leading defense companies worldwide, such as Boeing, Raytheon, Diehl Defense and MBDA. Amit was a pilot in the Israeli Air Force and graduated cum laude from the Open University of Israel. He also holds an MBA degree in Finance from the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya.

Mike Laor is the Chief Financial Officer at D-Fend Solutions, bringing comprehensive global experience in corporate finance, accounting, and M&A across a variety of companies. Before joining D-Fend Solutions, he held global executive leadership and management roles, primarily as CFO, in private and public companies, fast-growing start-ups and multi-national firms including Medtronic, NESS Technologies, Motorola Solutions, Exanet (DELL), F.I.S Software (Sapiens) and Wiztec (Convergys Corp./Netcracker). Mike is a CPA who began his career at PWC. He also volunteers on the Audit Committee of the Branco Weiss Institute. Mike holds a BA in Accounting and Economics, Magna Cum Laude, and an MBA in Finance, Tel Aviv University.

Jeffrey Starr is the Chief Marketing Officer at D-Fend Solutions. He brings a track record of generating revenue and building market leadership through visionary business strategies, inspired marketing and insightful direction for rapid and sustained growth. Fast growing companies in the information, security, compliance and risk management sectors – including AlgoSec, Cellebrite, Verisk 3E, Magic Software Enterprises and Amdocs – have employed Jeffrey in CMO and executive roles. Jeffrey also served as General Partner at Mission Ventures VC fund and as an Analyst at Booz Allen. He graduated magna cum laude with a BA from Columbia University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Eyal Hacohen is the Vice President of Global Services at D-Fend Solutions. He oversees the company’s post-sales activities, including project management, professional services, installation consultation, RF interference surveys, training and software/hardware support. Prior to joining D-Fend, Eyal held senior management positions in global telecommunication and start-up companies. He was the Associate Vice President of Customer Success at a global telecom company, building and managing the operation and post-sale organizations, while also responsible for the project management global unit (with annual revenues exceeding $500M).

Dafna Bacharach leads the global legal affairs of D-Fend Solutions as Vice President of the Legal Department. Prior to joining the company, Dafna served as Legal Counsel for Elbit Systems’ ISTAR division’s UAV sector. She also worked for 11 years at the law firm Gornitzky & Co. and she graduated cum laude with an LLB and a BA in Business Administration from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya.

Nadav Arie, a cyber security research and development expert, is the Vice President of Technology at D-Fend Solutions. Prior to his role at D-Fend Solutions, Nadav acted as a consultant for major cyber security companies and as a Senior Security Researcher and Team Leader at Kayhut. During his six years in the Israel Defense Force’s 8200 intelligence unit, Nadav managed multiple R&D projects and oversaw numerous professional teams. He holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science from the Open University and graduated at the age of 19.

Ofra Dolev is the Vice President of Human Resources, at D-Fend Solutions. She is responsible for all aspects of HR, including recruitment, company policies, organizational culture, training and development. Prior to joining the company, Ofra worked at TVMania, a leading European manufacturer and distributor of branded and TV-licensed merchandise, as Franchise Manager. She has a diploma in Human Resources from The College of Management Academic Institute.

Danny serves as D-Fend Solutions General Manager for the United States, leading operational execution and strategic direction. He is a skilled, multi-faceted executive, bringing years of experience from a range of sectors, including defense and aerospace. Danny has been successful in building trusted and engaging relationships with customers and partners, while advocating the case for a safe, trusted, and reliable counter-drone solution. Danny has held executive leadership and management roles at a range of Defense companies, including L3Harris, SDL Government, Exelis (now part of Harris), ITT, and Eastman Kodak. Before transitioning to Industry, Danny spent 14 years in the DoD, with notable roles at NAWC and the NGA as an Acquisition Program Manager. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University, and an MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Villanova University.

Gordon Kesting is Vice President of U.S. Sales and Business Development, and is responsible for the region’s sales, capture management, customer engagement and business development. Gordon excels at driving growth in defense, homeland security and public safety markets. Gordon Kesting has previously held positions at leading defense companies including prime contractors and mid-tier firms such as Hughes Aircraft Company/Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, and DRS Technologies. In his most recent role at Elbit Systems of America, Gordon led the company’s growth into the homeland security and international foreign military markets.
He holds a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois, an MS in electrical engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Brett Feddersen serves as Vice President, Strategy and Governmental Affairs, leading the company’s strategy, public policy, and government relations efforts and engagements with various government policymakers and decision-makers. He also plays a crucial role in identifying key legislative trends, managing corporate risks, building coalitions and enhancing D-Fend Solutions’ influence and reach in counter-drone innovation. Feddersen joined the team with extensive senior leadership experience in major governmental agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, the White House’s National Security Council, the Pentagon’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Defense Intelligence Agency, among others. Feddersen is a U.S. Army combat veteran and a retired Pennsylvania State Trooper.

Martin currently operates as the Managing Director for D-Fend Solutions’ UK business interests. He has worked within the Aerospace industry for the past 15 years and during this time, has held senior management roles for Boeing, Thales and QinetiQ including UK AH-64E Sustainment Bid Director, Head of Business Development for Global Defence Aviation Services and Business Director for South East ASIA. Prior to this, Martin served with the British Army Air Corps as a Helicopter Pilot for 25 years.

Marco is D-Fend’s Sales Director in the Dutch market, where he showcases the system’s features and engages with stakeholders who understand the need for safer airspace.

Before joining D-Fend Solutions, Marco worked with enterprises such as Tri-Watch Security Systems, VVD Heemskerk, Wurkz Technical Services, Prostaf, and 3-Angle. He was also a Sr. Consultant for NATO on Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and counter-drone programs. Earlier in his career, Marco was a director at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in the Netherlands for 10 years. Marco, whose biggest hobby is music, holds a master’s degree in music from Ohio State University, and a master’s degree in management science from the University of Amsterdam. He is based in Amsterdam.

Dave Beatty is a retired veteran from the Canadian Military bringing to D-Fend Solutions over 35 years of extensive, operational experience with both UAS and Counter UAS.
Dave holds a BA (Hons) and an MA in Military Science and maintains several qualifications pertaining to UAVs both domestically (Canada) and Internationally.

An avid outdoorsman, Dave resides on his small hobby farm with his partner Trisha, two horses, two dogs and a myriad of other creatures. He is based just north of Ottawa, Ontario.

Lintaro Hara is responsible for D-Fend Solutions’ activities in Japan, overseeing and strengthening alliances and partnership with top security, defense and technology companies. He brings extensive experience from international trading, technology transfer and infrastructure projects in North America, Russia, China, South Asia, Middle East & Africa. Before joining D-Fend, Lintaro led trading and projects between Israel & various Japanese groups. Currently based in Tokyo, Lintaro holds a BA in International Affairs from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Vertex Ventures Israel is a leading venture capital firm. With over $1B assets under management across the Vertex funds, the company has been privileged to partner with some of Israel’s best entrepreneurs.

Claridge Israel is an investment firm focused on growth investments in innovative companies with a technological advantage.

SBI JI Innovation is a biopharma-focused venture capital firm. It was formed in early 2017 as a partnership between SBI Holdings of Japan and Vertex Israel.