ACMI Names Ken Rothaermel Chief Executive Officer of ACMI Federal
AUSTIN, Texas - September 15, 2026 — The American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation (ACMI) today announced the appointment of Ken Rothaermel as Chief Executive Officer of ACMI Federal. Rothaermel will lead ACMI Federal's programs with the Department of War and other federal partners, including the flagship programs powering ACMI's Munitions Campus and National Security Industrial Hub in Indiana and Maryland Energetics Innovation Hub at Indian Head.
Rothaermel will oversee ACMI Federal’s government contracts and program delivery, expand its work with new mission partners and agencies, and continue building the research, development, and production ecosystem ACMI Federal is enabling. Ken joins ACMI after 30+ years across military service and defense industry leadership, most recently as Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
“Ken has spent his career on both sides of the table, inside the Pentagon shaping requirements and part of the industry that meets them,” said John Burer, Founder and CEO of ACMI Group. “That is the expertise this job calls for. Our federal programs are advancing at a rapid pace and Ken is just the person to deliver results at this pivotal time.”
ACMI has seen dramatic growth over the past 4 years, which has accelerated in recent months. In July, ACMI expanded the National Security Industrial Hub past 1,500 acres with new tenants, making it the largest aerospace and defense project in Indiana and the largest project of its kind in the country. In May, the company broke ground on the Maryland Energetics Innovation Hub, backed by an award from Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division. Both projects are attracting hundreds of millions in additional private investment and are being conducted in close collaboration with government partners as well as private companies and academic institutions.
“ACMI Federal’s approach is exactly what our nation needs to strengthen and expand its industrial base,” said Ken Rothaermel, CEO of ACMI Federal. “I am excited to build upon ACMI Federal’s success in reindustrializing our country while leading the company into its next chapter of growth and impact.”
Across his 21 years in the U.S. Navy, Ken Rothaermel held leadership roles in aviation, supply, and joint operations, managing complex logistics, intelligence, and acquisition requirements. His service concluded at the highest levels of the Pentagon, where he served as Special Assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. After retiring from the Navy, Ken held private industry leadership roles in organizations at Northrop Grumman, SRI International, Velos, and most recently KONGSBERG US, bringing experience ranging from large defense contractor, to non-profit and small business, across domestic and international markets.
About ACMI Federal
ACMI Federal is the government contracting affiliate of the American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation. It works with federal agencies to bring commercial market innovation and private capital to government stakeholders while lowering barriers to entry for new manufacturers and hardware startups, strengthening domestic production and supply chain resilience in critical industries.
About the American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation (ACMI)
ACMI is committed to revitalizing the United States' industrial base through strategic investments in emerging businesses in critical sectors. ACMI's approach, through its affiliates ACMI Federal, ACMI Capital, and ACMI Properties, aims to consolidate funding, resources, and expertise to close gaps in the US industrial base, enhance supply chain resiliency, and accelerate innovation. Learn more: www.ACMIGroup.com