Your Most Trusted Partner
At Quest Defense, we are dedicated to smart growth that is secure, sustainable, and aligned with our core values. Our track record of excellence in secure information systems highlights our ability to handle projects with the utmost care across all levels of security classification. These pillars of our work shape our support offerings to key defense clients, from establishing development programs for employee growth to building robust infrastructure. We embrace diversity and a “think tank” approach to problem-solving, aiming for balanced revenue distribution and operational excellence through AI/ML innovations.
Quest Defense leverages deep industry knowledge to deliver world-class, end-to-end engineering solutions. By applying our diverse expertise and integrating cutting-edge technologies, we solve mission critical problems with precision and efficiency. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to address the most critical and large-scale challenges across Aerospace & Defense. Recognized as a premier provider for defense OEMs, we maintain a technology-forward culture that fosters empowered leaders driven by hunger and humility. Together, we aim to be a market leader and a force for positive change in the world.
Belief
At Quest Defense, we believe engineering has the unique opportunity to solve challenges of today that stand in the way of tomorrow. While we excel in engineering, our mission is to build a brighter future. It’s not just what we do, but why we do it that sets us apart.
Vision
We believe big things happen by doing small things right. We start by identifying the right solution for our customers and perfect it until we exceed their expectations.
Purpose
We strive to be the most trusted partner for the world’s hardest defense engineering problems. Built on engineering excellence, our comprehensive expertise spans the entire product lifecycle, from mechanical engineering to embedded software to digital solutions. We partner with our customers to overcome their most daunting challenges, offering essential institutional knowledge and providing long-term support. This unique positioning allows us to operate as an extension of our customers’ teams, providing both supplementary personnel and taking full ownership of projects as a trusted, strategic partner.
Mission
Focus is the foundation of our success. We consistently deliver flexible, customized engineering solutions. Our carefully crafted solutions target specific needs, positively impacting our customers’ business and driving transformative results.
Founder’s Principles
Customer Focus, Collaboration and Integrity are foundation to our core values
– Chris Schwartzbauer, President and CEO, Quest Defense
Aspiration
At Quest Defense, aspiration embodies our relentless pursuit to excel in everything we do. We strive to create a better future for our customers, employees, shareholders, and communities. By thinking big and aiming for what seems impossible, we drive innovation and deliver exceptional results. Our commitment to continuous improvement and forward thinking ensures we make a meaningful impact on the defense industry.
Humility
At Quest Defense, humility is the cornerstone of our growth. We recognize that success can lead to complacency and arrogance, which are the biggest threats to sustainable progress. We embrace humility by recognizing failures, fostering an open and transparent culture, and continually learning from our mistakes. This principle is crucial to maintaining our resilience and adaptability, especially through challenging times.
Hunger
At Quest Defense, hunger represents our determination to get things done with enthusiasm and energy. It’s about consistently pushing the envelope, removing obstacles, and going the extra mile. Our team is driven by a deep-seated commitment to roll up their sleeves and deliver outstanding results. This relentless drive ensures that we not only survive but thrive in a competitive landscape.
These three foundational principles – Aspiration, Humility, and Hunger – are interconnected and essential to our success. By thinking big, fostering a learning culture, empowering decision-making, and maintaining humility, we build an organization poised for greatness. These values make Quest Defense your most trusted partner in delivering cutting-edge defense engineering solutions.
Cultural Pillars
Quest Defense is built on six core cultural pillars that define our approach and commitment to excellence:
- Open & Transparent: We prioritize openness and transparency in all our interactions, leading with integrity to foster trust and clear communication within our teams and with our partners.
- Care for People: Our people are our greatest asset. We emphasize a culture of care, ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
- Innovation: At Quest Defense, innovation is at the heart of what we do. We continuously seek new ways to solve complex challenges and stay ahead in the defense industry.
- Continuous Learning: We are committed to lifelong learning. Our culture encourages continuous professional development and knowledge sharing to keep our team at the forefront of industry advancements.
- Agility: In a rapidly changing world, agility is crucial. We remain flexible and responsive to the evolving needs of our clients and the defense sector.
- Think Big, Act Small: We aspire to achieve great things by thinking big, while our focused and agile approach allows us to act swiftly and effectively, delivering exceptional results.
Chris Hardgrave joined Quest Defense in April 2024 as Vice President for Strategic Accounts. He is responsible for sales, growth, and development of strategic relationships for new business development efforts in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Chris works in the Washington, D.C. office.
Steve Gerber is President and CEO of QuEST Defense Systems and Solutions business and is responsible for providing the leadership and growth of this venture.
Pete Messerle is a Client Partner within the Sales Organization, with the focus of partnering across his customer’s organizations to understand their strategic and tactical needs. He then works with key stakeholders at Quest and the client to build customized service solutions, built on the foundation of low drag execution and full ownership & transparency of deliverables.
As the Quality Manager and Management Representative of Quest Defense, Stuart is responsible driving Business Excellence throughout the company. He maintains and improves the Quality Management System ensuring compliance to AS9100, customer requirements, and enabling continuous improvement innovations.
Ryan is the Facility Security Officer for Quest Defense, supporting the organization’s compliance with the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) and other Department of Defense and federal security initiatives. Ryan has a background in personnel and physical security, working with both GE Aerospace and the U.S Navy, where he continues to serve as a reserve law enforcement officer (Master-at-Arms).
As Chief Engineer for Quest Defense, Jon is responsible for ensuring that sound engineering processes are maintained and followed by our employees working in a diverse set of services and disciplines across all verticals. In this role he also leads Quest Defense’s efforts to develop new methods and technologies to help grow the business through innovation, as well as building and promoting the technical reputation of the company in the public sphere.
Jeff Fischer serves as a board member for Quest Defense Systems and Solutions business. Additionally Jeff is the Operations Leader for the Quest Global Aerospace and Defense Industry.
Chad joined Quest Global in 2006, specializing in advanced modeling and simulation for multiple verticals and customers and becoming a technical lead for computational fluid dynamics. He has held several leadership positions within the delivery organization since his joining, leading multiple teams through periods of high growth and developing many new innovative services and solutions. Before taking on ownership of Operations for Quest Defense, he managed the Cincinnati Modeling & Simulation Center of Excellence.
As the President of Quest Global, Bob is responsible for establishing and maintaining senior customer relationships, catalysing new business development, and overseeing innovative and transformational deals. In this role, he also assists in building relationships with strategic acquisitions for the company.
Joe supports Special Missions across Quest Global to include key client contract negotiations, strategic business solutions, M&A, and culture endeavors.
John Thackrah is the founding Principal of Sextant Solutions LLC, an aerospace, maritime and government acquisition consultant.
Frank Kendall is an independent consultant to defense industry firms and non profit research organizations. He is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, a Senior Advisor to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and a member of th e Council on Foreign Relations. Among other industry positions, he is a member of the board of directors of Leidos Corporation and of Leonardo Electronics USA Inc. From 2012 to 2017, Mr. Kendall served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, T echnology and Logistics (AT& after serving as the Principal Deputy Under Secretary from 2010 2012. Mr. Kendall has over 45 years of experience in engineering, management, defense acquisition, and national security affairs in private industry, governmen t, and the military.
Page Hoeper is a private consultant, corporate director, and venture capitalist. Since leaving government service, Mr. Hoeper has focused on corporate governance and board service. He chairs the boards of OnPoint Technologies, Inc., 501c(3) venture capital fund established by Congress to focus on emerging commercial technologies of interest to the U.S. Army, and Quest Defense Systems & Solutions, a provider of engineering services to the U.S. defense industry.