Genasys Management & Board

Richard Danforth, Chief Executive Officer

Richard S. Danforth has over 40 years of defense and aerospace industry experience including executive leadership positions with two of the world’s largest defense contractors, Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), and DRS Technologies Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leonardo-Finmeccanica (BIT: LDO).

Mr. Danforth joined Genasys Inc. after having served at DRS Technologies as Group President of DRS Integrated Defense Systems & Service (2013 – 2014); Chief Executive Officer, President and Board Member of DRS Defense Solutions (2008 – 2012); President, Command Control & Communication (2005 – 2008); President, Navy Electronics & Intelligence Systems (2004 – 2005); and Executive Vice President, Electronics Systems Group (2002 – 2004).

Danforth began his career at Raytheon in 1982 and held various manufacturing, quality assurance and program manager positions until 1996. Danforth was then appointed Vice President of Operations for Raytheon Aircraft Company (1996 – 2000). In 2000, he was named Senior Vice President of Raytheon Aircraft Company’s Commercial Aircraft Business division, where he led 370 sales, marketing and customer service staff.

In 2014, Danforth formed the strategic business consulting firm, RsD Aero, Ltd., which provides consulting services for the Defense, Aerospace, Space and Transportation sectors, with an emphasis on M&A and Transatlantic trade. From 2007 – 2013, he was Chairman of the Board for Advanced Acoustic Concepts, a submarine and mine warfare software solutions company formed as a joint venture between DRS Technologies and the Thales Group.

Mr. Danforth has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and a Masters in Engineering Management from Western New England College.

Cassandra Hernandez-Monteon, Chief Financial Officer

Ms. Hernandez-Monteon brings over 20 years of financial and operational leadership experience. She joined the Company in August 2018 as Finance Manager and has held roles of increasing responsibility, most recently, Vice President of Finance. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Hernandez-Monteon served for 13 years at Teledyne RD Instruments, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (collectively, “Teledyne”), where she held progressive leadership roles in finance and accounting. Ms. Hernandez-Monteon earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University San Marcos and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting from National University.

Bill Dodd, Chairman of the Board

Bill Dodd had several years of experience running his own business before his 24 years of service in local and state government.  Prior to his time in elected office, Mr. Dodd owned and operated a full-service water company and served as president of the water quality industry’s state and national trade associations.

Mr. Dodd began public service in March 2000, serving on the Napa County Board of Supervisors until December 2014. From November 2014 to November 2016, he served in the California State Assembly, and then the California State Senate from December 2016 to December 2024. He finished his second term as Chair of the Government Organization Committee, a member of the Transportation Committee, Energy Utilities and Communications Committee, the Business Professions Committee, and the Insurance Committee.

Mr. Dodd earned a B.S. in Business Administration from California State University, Chico.

Susan Lee Schmeiser, Director

Susan Lee Schmeiser brings more than 20 years of experience in digital marketing software, media, data analytics, and strategic partnerships to the Board. Prior to May 2023, Ms. Schmeiser served as Group President of Digital Marketing & Technology Solutions at Vericast, a MacAndrews & Forbes company. Previously, Schmeiser served as Chief Product Officer and Senior Executive Vice President, Product, at Vericast. Before that, Schmeiser was Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategy at Valassis, a leader in marketing technology and consumer engagement. Schmeiser came to Valassis through the MacAndrews & Forbes acquisition of technology startup to IPO Maxpoint Interactive (MXPT), an innovative digital advertising and marketing technology company, where Lee served as Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy.

Prior to serving at the MacAndrews & Forbes companies, Schmeiser served as a Vice President at Univision and MTV Networks, and an Associate in the Strategic Planning Group at The Walt Disney Company. Ms. Schmeiser earned a BA in Economics from New York University and an MBA in General Management from Harvard Business School.

Craig Fugate, Director

Craig Fugate is the founder and principal of Craig Fugate Consulting LLC, established in March 2017, which focuses on building national resilience and training the next generation of emergency management leaders across the public and private sectors. Prior to founding his consulting firm, Mr. Fugate served as Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from May 2009 to January 2017, where he led the agency and oversaw the federal government’s response to major disasters, including the Joplin and Moore tornadoes, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Matthew, and severe flooding in Louisiana. From October 2001 to May 2009, Mr. Fugate served as Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, leading the State Emergency Operations Center and coordinating Florida’s response to 11 declared disasters. He began his emergency management career as a volunteer firefighter, paramedic, and lieutenant with Alachua County Fire Rescue, and later served as Emergency Manager for Alachua County, Florida, from 1987 to 1997. Mr. Fugate also serves on the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

“I know of no other company that provides both the hardware and the software necessary to manage and communicate during an emergency. ” said Mr. Fugate.  “I am excited to join the team and extend the reach.”

R. Rimmy Malhotra, Director

R. Rimmy Malhotra serves as the Managing Member and Portfolio Manager for the Nicoya Fund LP, a private investment partnership. Previously, he served as portfolio manager of the Gratio Values Fund, a mutual fund registered under the Investment Act of 1940. He currently serves on the boards of HireQuest Inc (Nasdaq: HQI), FRMO Corporation (OTC: FRMO) and Optex System (Nasdaq: OPXS). He earned an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the School of Arts & Sciences, both at the University of Pennsylvania where he is a Lauder Fellow. Mr. Malhotra holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Johns Hopkins University.

“As a longstanding shareholder, I look forward to working with management and my fellow Board members to help guide the company’s strategy and future capital allocation decisions. Genasys’ future is bright, and I am pleased to play a role.”

Larry Hagenbuch, Director

Larry Hagenbuch is an operating partner of Crossplane Capital, a private equity firm focused on control-oriented investments in middle-market companies. Prior to joining Crossplane Capital, Mr. Hagenbuch was a Managing Director with Huron Consulting from August 2018 through May 2022, where he led turnaround and interim management engagements, frequently serving in senior financial and operational leadership roles.

Earlier in his career, he held operational and financial leadership roles with GE and GE Capital, J. Hilburn, and American National Can, and served as a consultant with AlixPartners and Booz Allen Hamilton, advising companies on restructuring, performance improvement, and financial strategy. Mr. Hagenbuch has significant public company board experience. He has been serving as a director of HireQuest, Inc. (NASDAQ: HQI) since April 2018 and currently serves as Chair of its Audit Committee. He previously served on the Boards of Directors of Remy International, Inc. (NASDAQ: REMY), including on its Audit and Compensation Committees, Arotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ARTX) and Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPXS), with responsibilities that included oversight of financial reporting, audit processes, and risk management. He began his career as an officer in the United States Navy. Mr. Hagenbuch holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.