George J. Tenet Appointed Executive Chairman of CHAOS Industries, Bringing Decades of National Security and Business Expertise to the Forefront of Defense Innovation
CHAOS Industries, a rapidly emerging force in the defense technology sector, has announced a major addition to its leadership team with the appointment of George J. Tenet as Executive Chairman. This move marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to redefine the technological landscape of national defense and critical infrastructure, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, strategic growth, and national service.
A former Director of Central Intelligence, Mr. Tenet brings to CHAOS Industries a storied legacy in American national security, complemented by years of experience in high-level business leadership. As Executive Chairman, he will guide the company’s board activities, provide strategic oversight, and play a key role in shaping CHAOS Industries’ long-term vision as it continues to grow at a fast pace in a highly competitive and geopolitically charged environment.
A Respected Figure in Intelligence and National Security
Mr. Tenet’s career in public service spans some of the most consequential years in recent American history. He held leadership positions within the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for nearly a decade—serving first as Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from 1995 to 1997, and then as Director from 1997 until 2004. Notably, his term as Director of Central Intelligence was the first in almost 30 years to bridge two administrations from different political parties—an indication of the deep bipartisan trust placed in his leadership.
During his tenure, Tenet led the CIA through pivotal events including the September 11 attacks, the early years of the Global War on Terror, and major global intelligence operations. In recognition of his service, President George W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in December 2004, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The citation commended Tenet for his steadfast dedication and his contributions to strengthening the intelligence capabilities of the United States.
Bridging Public Service and Private Sector Excellence
Following his departure from government service, Mr. Tenet transitioned to the private sector, joining Allen & Company LLC—a boutique investment bank known for its discretion and high-profile client base. Over the course of 17 years at the firm, including 12 as Chairman, he applied his leadership skills and analytical rigor to support a variety of investments and business initiatives. His experience at Allen & Company offers a rare fusion of public-sector insight and private-sector agility—an ideal combination for guiding a technology firm like CHAOS Industries that operates at the nexus of innovation and national defense.
“I am excited to bring what I’ve learned at Allen & Company and as a public servant to bear in helping a great team at CHAOS Industries achieve its aspirations,” said Tenet in the company’s announcement. “We are at an important inflection point, where our country must accelerate the adoption of the deep technological innovations CHAOS Industries is producing to protect our national security. I am honored to join such an outstanding mission-driven team.”
Reinforcing the Strategic Vision of CHAOS Industries
CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 by a group of defense technology veterans and entrepreneurs with impressive credentials. The founding team includes John Tenet (formerly of Epirus and 8VC), Dr. Bo Marr (formerly with Epirus and Raytheon), Gavin Hood (Palantir and the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service), and Brett Cummings (formerly with 8VC and Formation 8). Together, they launched CHAOS Industries to develop high-impact, mission-critical systems that address 21st-century defense and security challenges.
With the appointment of George J. Tenet, the company adds not only a recognizable name but also a profound strategic thinker with unmatched experience in navigating the complexities of global threats and geopolitical dynamics.
“George’s experience is truly second to none and we are honored to have him join our board at this critical time for our company and our country,” said Dr. Bo Marr, CHAOS Industries Co-Founder and Co-CEO. “We look forward to calling on George’s national security expertise, business acumen, and unparalleled leadership as we move our company forward to safeguard America’s interests.”
Driving Innovation in Defense Technology
Today, CHAOS Industries employs a team of over 100 engineers, technologists, and operational specialists focused on delivering advanced detection, monitoring, and communication systems. The company’s work addresses urgent needs in defense, government, and commercial sectors—providing solutions that bridge traditional gaps between software, hardware, and field operations.
Operating with an engineering-first mindset, the company has adopted a sprint-based development model that enables rapid prototyping and field deployment. This agile approach, combined with deep partnerships across defense and industry, allows CHAOS Industries to iterate on technology at a pace that traditional contractors struggle to match.
The company’s recent milestones reflect this approach:
- October 2024: CHAOS Industries was selected to participate in the final CENTCOM Desert Guardian 1.0 exercise at Fort Drum, New York. The exercise, focused on multi-domain operations and emerging technologies, served as a proving ground for CHAOS’s counter-threat and detection capabilities.
- November 2024: The company successfully closed a $145 million Series B funding round, led by Accel and supported by existing investors such as 8VC, Overmatch Ventures, and Lerner Enterprises. The capital infusion will accelerate product development and scale manufacturing to meet increasing demand from both U.S. and allied defense clients.
- January 2025: CHAOS signed a landmark agreement to supply its Vanquish™ system—an advanced detection and communication solution—to a key allied partner in the Middle East. This agreement followed a series of successful demonstrations that showcased the system’s operational readiness and reliability in countering region-specific threats.
- March 2025: The company participated in U.S. military exercises at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, where it demonstrated its counter-drone (C-UAS) capabilities as part of the Department of Defense’s ongoing efforts to evaluate and deploy next-generation unmanned threat mitigation tools.
Meeting the Moment
With the geopolitical landscape becoming increasingly complex—defined by asymmetric warfare, autonomous systems, and persistent cyber threats—CHAOS Industries’ mission has never been more urgent. The addition of George Tenet, with his deep understanding of global intelligence networks, counterterrorism, and national defense architecture, positions the company to better align its technological roadmap with the operational needs of its customers.
As the U.S. and its allies continue to modernize their defense infrastructure, the demand for nimble, tech-native partners like CHAOS Industries is growing. By combining engineering speed with high-level strategic vision, the company is helping to redefine what’s possible in defense innovation.
About CHAOS Industries
Founded in 2022, CHAOS Industries is a defense technology company dedicated to developing next-generation solutions for national security, critical infrastructure, and global defense partners. With a team of world-class engineers and a mission-driven ethos, the company builds and deploys systems that address some of the most pressing challenges facing modern defense and intelligence operations.
Leveraging deep industry experience, agile development practices, and a strategic network of investors and partners, CHAOS Industries is accelerating the adoption of groundbreaking technology in areas such as detection, monitoring, and secure communications.
