Governance

Bill Bates joined the Company in 2014. He has 35 years of experience related to optical component and system manufacturing. He is currently the General Manager of the Applied Optics Center in Dallas, Texas where he oversees the Thin-film Coating and Optical Assembly Operations where he has served since November of 2014. He has held various positions throughout his thirty-five years of experience within Litton Industries, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and L-3 Communications. He previously served as Vice President and General Manager within the Warrior Systems Division of L-3 Communications. Mr. Bates received a Bachelor of Science of Business Administration from DeVry University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas.

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Brian Bushnell joined the company in January 2026 as the Director of Optical Coatings Technology. Brian has over 20 years of experience in the defense optics industry where he has worked as a Sr. Physics Engineer, Thin film Coatings Process Engineer, Engineering Manager for Optical Hardware and Test Development, and most recently as a Sr. Manager of Mechanical Engineering for High Energy Lasers at Raytheon. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, a Master of Applied Physics from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Chad M. George has served as President of the Company since August 11, 2025, and was appointed CEO effective as of December 20, 2025. Previously, he spent 20 years in senior operations and supply chain roles in the defense sector. Between January 2022 and August 2025, he served as Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain at Leonardo DRS, where he played a key role in streamlining production processes and enhancing strategic sourcing capabilities. He also worked as Factory Manager and Operations Leader at Raytheon from April 2009 through March 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Ginger Knight has over 30 years of progressive leadership experience in Human Resources for companies ranging from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies and has worked in the defense industry for Optex Systems for over 10 years.  Prior to joining Optex Systems, Ginger held HR leadership roles at American Airlines/SABRE Decision Technologies, Sybase Incorporated, and owned and operated an IT Consulting company for eight years. Giner holds a SHRM SPHR-SCP certification.

Hugh Bond joined the Company in 2007 as a Manufacturing Engineer.  During his tenure, he has contributed to all aspects of the Company, serving as Program Manager, Engineering Manager, and Operations Manager before assuming his role as General Manager of the Optex Systems site in Richardson, Texas on July 21, 2025.  Mr. Bond brings 18 years of dedicated service to the Company, during which he has demonstrated consistent growth and taken on increasing levels of responsibility across key areas of the business.  Mr. Bond received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

Karen L. Hawkins was appointed as our CFO on November 19, 2014. Ms. Hawkins had previously served as our Vice President, Finance and Controller, since the date of the reorganization, March 30, 2009, and was the controller of Optex Systems, Inc. (Delaware), effective September 28, 2009. She began her employment with Optex Systems, Inc. (Texas) in April 2007. Ms. Hawkins has over 30 years’ experience in Financial Accounting and Management, primarily focused in the Defense and Transportation Industries. She has a strong background in both Financial & Cost Accounting, with extensive Government Pricing, Financial Analysis, and Internal Auditing experience. Her past history also includes Program Management, Materials Management and Business Development. She brings over 25 years’ direct experience in Government Contracting with a strong knowledge of Cost Accounting Standards Board and Federal Acquisition Regulation. Her previous employment includes General Dynamics — Ordinance and Tactical Division, Garland (formerly known as Intercontinental Manufacturing) for over 13 years from November, 1994 through March, 2007. During her tenure there she served in the roles of Controller (Accounting & IT), Program Manager over a $250M three-year Army Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) type contract, as well as Materials Manager with oversight of Purchasing, Production Control & Warehousing functions. Prior to her employment at General Dynamics, Ms. Hawkins served in various finance and accounting positions at Luminator, a Mark IV Industries Co, and Johnson Controls, Battery Division - Garland. Karen received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in Accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas in 1986 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1992.