Aerospace Veteran Nick Nenadovic Tapped to Lead Element's Strategic Space and Defense Testing Center

SANTA CLARITA, CA – January 28, 2026 – Element U.S. Space & Defense has appointed aerospace and defense executive Nick Nenadovic as the new General Manager of its Space Hardware and Shock & Vibration Testing Center of Excellence in Santa Clarita, California. The move signals a strategic reinforcement of leadership at a facility central to the nation's most advanced space and defense programs.

Nenadovic steps into the role at a pivotal time, as the demand for sophisticated, high-stakes testing escalates with the development of next-generation defense systems and the expansion of space exploration. His appointment is expected to leverage his extensive background in operational leadership to enhance the facility's performance and solidify its position as a premier government testing partner.

A Proven Leader with a History of Results

Nick Nenadovic brings over two decades of senior leadership experience from some of the most prominent names in the aerospace and defense industry, including Boeing, GE Aviation, and MD Helicopters. His career is distinguished by a consistent record of leading operational turnarounds, accelerating strategic growth, and delivering significant enterprise value.

Throughout his tenure in roles such as interim CEO, President, and Executive Vice President, Nenadovic has demonstrated a keen ability to navigate complex organizational challenges. His professional achievements include securing over $300 million in mission-critical defense contracts and contributing to an estimated $1.7 billion in cost savings through disciplined execution and strategic organizational leadership. Most recently, he served as President of Billings Flying Service, where he was tasked with driving strategic growth for the heavy-lift helicopter and CH-47 Chinook MRO provider. Before that, he held multiple executive roles at MD Helicopters, including as part of a leadership committee that guided the company through a critical ownership transition.

His broad expertise spans rotorcraft, avionics, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), logistics, and government contracting. This diverse skill set is uniquely suited to the multifaceted demands of the Santa Clarita facility. In his new position, Nenadovic will be responsible for driving operational excellence, strengthening customer partnerships, improving EBITDA performance, and ensuring workforce stability.

The Strategic Core: Santa Clarita's Center of Excellence

The facility Nenadovic now leads is far from a standard laboratory. Designated as a 'Center of Excellence,' the Santa Clarita site is a linchpin in the U.S. space and defense industrial base. For over 60 years, first as NTS Technical Systems and now as Element U.S. Space & Defense, its engineers have provided the rigorous testing necessary to qualify components for the world's most ambitious and unforgiving environments.

The center's capabilities are a testament to its critical role. It houses over a dozen electrodynamic shaker systems, including powerful dual-shaker systems capable of generating up to 80,000 lbf to simulate the intense vibrations of a rocket launch. Its portfolio includes true ordnance pyroshock test facilities, large acoustic reverberation chambers, and advanced thermal vacuum chambers that can simulate the conditions of deep space, reaching temperatures as low as -320°F at a near-perfect vacuum.

This is the facility that has tested components for a veritable honor roll of American aerospace achievement, including the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, and the Space Launch System (SLS), for which its teams worked tirelessly to keep the program on schedule. It has performed vital centrifuge testing for the Mars rover, supported the THAAD missile defense system, and is actively involved in qualifying components for next-generation fighters and hypersonic missiles. The company's multi-million-dollar investments in new equipment, such as a state-of-the-art T-4000 dual shaker system, underscore its commitment to maintaining its technological edge.

Navigating a Dynamic and Demanding Market

Nenadovic's appointment comes as the entire space and defense testing industry faces a period of rapid evolution. The resurgence of great power competition and the burgeoning commercial space economy have fueled a surge in government and private investment. This has created an unprecedented demand for testing services that can validate the reliability of increasingly complex systems, from hypersonic glide vehicles to constellations of advanced satellites.

Element U.S. Space & Defense, which was formed after Element Materials Technology acquired NTS and rebranded six key facilities to focus exclusively on U.S. government and defense clients, is strategically positioned to meet this demand. The company serves as a trusted partner to the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and other government agencies, navigating complex regulatory requirements and providing the end-to-end testing design and implementation essential for mission success.

In this high-stakes environment, operational efficiency, risk mitigation, and cost-effectiveness are paramount. Nenadovic's proven track record in operational turnarounds and his deep experience in government contracting are directly aligned with these industry pressures. His leadership is expected to refine processes and enhance customer collaboration, ensuring the Santa Clarita center can deliver the highly custom, reliable testing its clients depend on while maintaining a competitive posture.

His mandate to improve EBITDA performance and enhance workforce stability reflects the understanding that technical superiority must be supported by a sound business foundation and a skilled, stable team of experts. By bringing a leader with Nenadovic’s background to helm its flagship space testing facility, Element U.S. Space & Defense is making a clear statement about its commitment to leading the market not just in capability, but in overall operational and financial performance. The impact of his leadership will be closely watched as the center continues its essential work on the programs that will define the future of exploration and national security.