Executive Profile

Executive Biography

Four Decades of Command, Enterprise Leadership, and Civic Stewardship

Overview

Executive Summary

Henry L. "Hank" Andrews, Jr. is a founding Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of Verus Research—an Albuquerque-based team of scientists and engineers delivering advanced research, electromagnetic technology, and systems integration for defense, aerospace, and national laboratory customers. Since co-founding the firm in 2014, he has guided its growth to recognition among New Mexico's largest private companies, overseeing financial strategy, executive governance, and the operational foundation supporting contracts including a $52 million Naval Surface Warfare Center radiation test capability program.

Before Verus Research, Andrews held senior executive roles across BBA Aviation plc—including Vice President of Operations for the Western Region managing a $100 million P&L and nearly 2,000 people at sixteen stations—and led M&A integration for Ontic's $62.5 million acquisition of GE Aviation fuel measurement product lines. His corporate career began in aerospace manufacturing and defense business development at Eclipse Aviation and SAIC, where he managed $270 million in global supplier relationships and reinvigorated Department of Defense CBRNE business development strategy.

A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, Andrews commanded at every level from squadron to wing, including as Installation Commander of Kirtland Air Force Base—overseeing 100+ organizations, 25,000 people, 2,200 facilities, and $190 million in budget authority. He commanded the 498th Armament Systems Wing, the Air Force's sole organization for nuclear weapon system advocacy, delivering $80 million in documented savings through cruise missile fleet drawdown and depot consolidation. His Pentagon service advising the Secretary of Defense on multinational contingency operations established a foundation in strategic policy that informs his board-level perspective today.

Board Service

Board-Ready Leadership at the Intersection of National Security and Enterprise Governance

Boards governing organizations in defense, aerospace, technology, and civic enterprise require directors who understand operational reality—not merely financial reporting. Henry L. "Hank" Andrews, Jr. brings that rare combination: twenty-seven years of military command culminating in installation leadership at one of the nation's most complex defense installations, followed by senior P&L and M&A leadership across global aviation and defense firms, and a decade building Verus Research from founding member to one of New Mexico's largest private companies.

Board Value Proposition

Deep fluency in defense acquisition, nuclear enterprise, and national security governance
Proven P&L accountability from $11M business units to $100M regional operations with nearly 2,000 personnel
M&A integration leadership including a $62.5M acquisition from GE Aviation
Active treasurer and board director across space, economic development, cultural, and small-business institutions
Executive education from Harvard Kennedy School, Kellogg, Emory, and National Defense University

Ideal Board Profile

Defense & aerospace technology companies navigating government contracting complexity
Growth-stage science and engineering firms requiring financial discipline and governance maturity
Aviation and industrial services organizations undergoing consolidation or operational transformation
Nonprofit and civic institutions requiring fiduciary rigor and strategic capital stewardship

Biography

From Squadron Flight Line to Boardroom Stewardship

Early Career & Military Foundation

Andrews entered the U.S. Air Force in 1981 following a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Syracuse University's Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Over twenty-seven years of service, he progressed from flight line maintenance supervisor and avionics specialist to squadron commander, group commander, wing commander, and installation commander—accumulating experience across Texas, California, Kansas, Nebraska, Louisiana, Colorado, North Dakota, Washington, the Republic of Korea, and the Pentagon.

Command Leadership

As Commander of the 377th Air Base Wing and Installation Commander at Kirtland Air Force Base (2003–2005), Andrews led the Air Force's sixth-largest installation—100+ organizations, 25,000 personnel, 51,000 acres, and $190 million in budget authority. He reversed four years of weapons maintenance inspection failures, earned Department of Defense recognition for the nation's best affirmative employment program, and deployed expeditionary forces in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. As Commander of the 498th Armament Systems Wing (2005–2008), he led 500+ professionals across five locations managing nuclear weapon system advocacy, cruise missile logistics, and independent engineering assessments on a $100 million budget—delivering $80 million in savings through Moscow Treaty fleet drawdown and $5 million annually through depot consolidation.

Corporate & Aerospace Leadership

Transitioning to industry in 2008, Andrews served as Senior Director of Strategic Sourcing at Eclipse Aviation, managing global relationships with 100+ suppliers on procurements exceeding $270 million. At SAIC, he created and implemented business development strategy for Department of Defense and Department of Energy CBRNE missions. At BBA Aviation plc (2009–2013), he progressed through Vice President roles spanning operational capability, M&A integration, and Western Region operations—co-leading the $62.5 million GE Aviation acquisition and boosting Houston business unit operating profit by fifteen percentage points.

Verus Research & Enterprise Building

As founding Managing Director and CFO of Verus Research since 2014, Andrews has built the financial, governance, and operational infrastructure supporting advanced research in electromagnetic technology, lasers, microwaves, and nuclear systems analysis. Under his executive leadership, Verus Research achieved recognition as the 26th largest private company in New Mexico (2021)—noted as the youngest firm on that list—and secured major contract awards including a $52 million NSWC Crane combined radiation environments test capability. In June 2025, Verus Research was acquired by Radiance Technologies while maintaining its Albuquerque operations as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Civic & Board Leadership

Andrews serves as Treasurer and Board Director for New Space Nexus, the Dakota Tree Project, and the Albuquerque Museum Foundation; as Board Director for the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance and Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce; and as a member of the National Small Business Association Leadership Council. He previously chaired the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Veterans Integration Centers and served on Bernalillo County public safety and detention oversight boards—reflecting a sustained commitment to veterans, community equity, and regional economic prosperity.

Career

Career Highlights

2003 — 2005

Installation Commander, Kirtland Air Force Base

Commanded the Air Force's sixth-largest installation—25,000 personnel, 100+ organizations, $190M budget—reversing weapons maintenance failures and earning DoD's highest affirmative employment program recognition.

25,000 Personnel100+ Organizations$190M Budget Authority

2005 — 2008

Commander, 498th Armament Systems Wing

Led the Air Force's sole nuclear weapon system advocacy organization, delivering $80M+ in Moscow Treaty savings and $5M annual depot consolidation savings across 500+ professionals at five locations.

$80M+ Saved$100M Budget500+ Professionals

2013

VP Operations, Western Region — BBA Aviation

Directed $100M P&L comprising nearly 2,000 people at 16 stations delivering ground, fuel, and airport facility services across the western United States.

$100M P&L2,000 Personnel16 Stations

2011

M&A Integration Lead — GE Aviation Acquisition

Co-led deal team for Ontic's $62.5M acquisition of GE Aviation fuel measurement and gauging product lines, managing post-acquisition integration of $45M P&L operations in the United Kingdom.

$62.5M Acquisition$45M P&L Integrated

2008 — 2009

Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing — Eclipse Aviation

Managed global supplier relationships with 100+ direct material suppliers on procurements exceeding $270M, reinvigorating supply chain discipline for very light jet aircraft production.

$270M Procurements100+ Suppliers

2014 — Present

Founding MD & CFO — Verus Research

Co-founded and scaled Verus Research to #26 among New Mexico's largest private companies, securing $52M NSWC Crane contract and navigating 2025 acquisition by Radiance Technologies.

#26 NM Private Co.$52M Navy ContractFounded 2014

Expertise

Core Competencies

Financial Leadership

—P&L Management ($11M — $100M+)
—Corporate Financial Strategy & CFO Functions
—M&A Due Diligence & Post-Acquisition Integration
—Government Contracting & DCAA Compliance
—Treasury & Fiduciary Oversight

Operational Excellence

—Supply Chain & Strategic Sourcing
—Aviation Ground & Facility Services Operations
—Nuclear Enterprise Logistics & Maintenance
—Installation & Multi-Site Command
—Quality Management & Process Discipline

Governance & Strategy

—Board Governance & Nonprofit Fiduciary Oversight
—Corporate Executive Committee Leadership
—Strategic Planning & Market Intelligence
—Business Development & Account Executive Roles
—Risk Management & Compliance Inspection

National Security

—Defense Acquisition & Armament Systems
—Nuclear Weapons Policy & Certification
—CBRNE Mission Business Development
—Pentagon Policy & Contingency Operations
—Advanced R&D & Electromagnetic Systems

Education & Credentials

Academic Credentials

BS, Finance
Syracuse University — Martin J. Whitman School of Management
1981
MBA, Business
Louisiana Tech University
1988
MS, National Resource Strategy
National Defense University
1999
National Defense Fellow
University of Pittsburgh
1993 — 1994
Military Strategic & Operational Art
Air Command & Staff College
1993

Executive Education

Initiatives in Conflict Management — Harvard Kennedy School (1999)
Executive Development Program — Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management (2005)
Senior Leadership Development Program — Center for Creative Leadership (2004)
Senior Leadership Education Program — Emory University Goizueta Business School (2010)

Publications

Security in Korea: War, Stalemate and Negotiation — Co-Author & Co-Editor
Airpower Journal — Published Author

Leadership Values

Integrity

Twenty-seven years of military service and four decades of public-facing leadership have reinforced a simple principle: trust is earned through consistency between word and action—in the boardroom, on the flight line, and in community service.

Accountability

From reversing four years of inspection failures at Kirtland to delivering $80 million in documented savings at the 498th Armament Systems Wing, Andrews measures leadership by outcomes owned—not authority exercised.

Mission Clarity

Whether commanding 25,000 personnel or guiding a founding executive team, effective leadership begins with unmistakable clarity of mission, enabling decentralized execution at every level.

Financial Discipline

Prudent capital stewardship is the foundation of strategic freedom. Andrews has managed budgets from $32 million logistics groups to $100 million regional P&Ls with equal rigor.

Servant Leadership

The best affirmative employment program in the Department of Defense was not achieved through directive—it was built through community outreach, Congressional engagement, and genuine investment in people.

Stewardship

Board service is fiduciary responsibility. As Treasurer of three nonprofit institutions, Andrews applies the same financial discipline demanded of public company audit committees.

Building Enduring Enterprise Value Through Discipline, Governance, and Strategic Execution

“Governance is the architecture of trust—not a compliance exercise.”

“Financial discipline creates the strategic freedom to invest in what matters.”

“The best leaders create clarity where others see only complexity.”

“Board service is stewardship of mission, capital, and community trust.”