Being a leader in our field comes naturally to us at ATS.
In helping the defense and intelligence communities complete missions, ATS has earned a reputation as a leader for our work in analytic methodology and technological solutions. Our greatest assets—our engineers, developers, and analysts—are the reason why. Thanks to their innumerable and complementary talents, our expertise in analytics, systems, and data makes us a powerful partner in a very uncertain world.
Meet the team behind our industry leadership:
DAVE CERNE
Chief Executive Officer
Dave Cerne • President and Chief Executive Officer
Dave Cerne is the President and Chief Executive Officer of ATS. He joined the company in 2010 as Vice President of Business Development and became Chief Operating Officer in 2012. Dave then became President and CEO in 2014 upon ATS’s transformation to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company. In 2019, Dave expanded ATS’s core competencies of Language and Operational Support Services through the acquisition of Axis of Engineering, a systems engineering company. He further expanded ATS’s technology offerings in 2020 by acquiring the software development and DevOps company Global Consulting Services. Most recently, Dave led the acquisition of Entegra Systems to augment both ATS’s Operational Support and Technology Services offerings. Through aggressive organic and acquisitive growth, Dave has shaped ATS into a leading mid-sized provider of Language, Operations, and Technology support to the Federal Government.
Prior to ATS, Dave was a Vice President of Business Development and a Division Manager at SAIC. He also spent 10 years as a Government Contracting and Logistics Officer. Dave holds an MBA and a B.A. from the University of Tennessee.
YVONNE VERVAET
Chief Growth Officer
Yvonne Vervaet • Chief Growth Officer
Yvonne Vervaet is ATS’s Chief Growth Officer. A 28-year Defense and Aerospace sector strategist and growth professional, she has served in numerous BD and operational leadership roles including Senior Vice President for Growth & Capabilities and Chief Growth Officer for ManTech International. With ManTech, she led the development of corporate growth strategy and brought new technical capabilities to market. She was also COO of SC3/Cipher and VP of Business Development & Operations for SpecTal (BAE Systems). She has served as a highly respected business development lead for well-known companies such as CSC, EDS, and Northrop Grumman. Her expertise is in accelerated organic growth, M&A planning, and strategic resource alignment, as well as branding and innovation to drive company success. She holds a degree in Business Administration from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
DAVID POPELIER
General Manager, Mission Technology and Solutions Business Unit
David Popelier • General Manager, Mission Technology and Solutions Business Unit
David Popelier is Senior Vice President and General Manager of ATS’s Mission Technology and Solutions Business Unit. He has more than 20 years of experience serving the national security community, beginning at the State Department as a civil servant and then supporting the IC in both Government staff and contractor roles. Prior to joining ATS in 2020, David managed portfolios of mission-critical contracts for the U.S. Government while at SAIC, LMI, and Oracle; co-founded, grew, and sold the consulting firm FourWinds; and led numerous consulting engagements with executive-level clients on organizational performance metrics, data analytics and visualization, DEI strategy, communications, and research design.
David holds an MBA from George Mason University, a Master’s degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a Certified Analytics Professional and PMI Project Management Professional.
ANNEKE CHRISTENSEN
General Manager Operations Business Unit
Anneke Christensen • General Manager Operations Business Unit
Anneke Christensen is the General Manager of ATS’s Operations Business Unit. Anneke joined ATS following an illustrious 18-year career at Leidos, most recently serving as the Vice President and Division Manager over some of the company’s highest-priority national security programs. She brings a depth of experience in P&L leadership as well as growth, innovation, and strategy. Prior to her industry career, Anneke served in the United States Airforce for 8 years as a Cryptologic Linguist and Supervisor, which experience she continues to apply in service of ATS’s customer missions. She holds an MBA from the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business.
MARK POIRIER
General Manager Intelligence Business Unit
Mark Poirier • General Manager Intelligence Business Unit
Mark Poirier is the General Manager of ATS’s Intelligence Business Unit. Mark served as a CIA Personnel Security Officer for 11 years after graduating from college, where he gained expertise in clearance investigations, analysis, and policy. He also served as an Executive Officer and Analyst. He has since continued his support to the Federal Government through 27 years of security and leadership positions in private industry. Mark served as a Program Manager, Security Director, Division Manager, and President prior to his current role with ATS. Mark holds a Master’s degree from The George Washington University and a Bachelor’s degree from Stonehill College.
DORION BAKER
Vice President, Talent Acquisition
Dorion Baker • Vice President, Talent Acquisition
Dorion Baker is ATS’s Vice President of Talent Acquisition. He has 24 years of experience in his field, 20 of which have been in leading recruiting for the Defense and Intelligence Communities. Prior to joining ATS, Dorion served as the strategic recruiting lead for Leidos Health, where he stood up a software development facility in West Virginia. More recently, Dorion led recruiting for TASC (an Engility Company), where he and his team supported TASC’s two largest Space Systems contracts with 600 combined direct staff, averaging 70 new direct labor hires per year over a 3-year period. Dorion has launched new and revitalized old employee referral programs to increase employee engagement and retention for ATS and other companies in the defense industry.
Dorion holds a B.A. in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College and is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from Strayer University. He is a Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) and is certified in Strategic Talent Acquisition through the Human Capital Institute. Dorion has served on the Board of Directors for HR Alliance DC and as President for the TASC Chapter of Toastmasters.
MARY KHATTAK
Vice President, Human Resources
Mary Khattak • Vice President, Human Resources
Mary Khattak is ATS’s Vice President of Human Resources, leading total rewards, compliance, HRIS, and employee engagement strategy. Mary is also responsible for corporate giving and community outreach through ATS’s Philanthropy Pillar (part of our program of corporate initiatives to best support and engage our employees). Mary is an accomplished human resources executive with more than 25 years of experience with Government contractors and non-profit and for-profit companies. Prior to joining ATS in 2018, Mary was the Human Resources Director at Ace Info Solutions (now part of Guidehouse) and held senior HR positions at SHAPE America, Wolf Trap Foundation, and Wegmans.
Mary holds an MPA from George Mason University and a B.S. in Management from SUNY Geneseo, along with SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and serves on the board of Dulles SHRM.
Don’t see the policy you’re looking for?
Head over to the Employee Handbook for a full record of ATS policies.