GTRI Director and Georgia Tech Senior Vice President Mike Gazarik has been appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to the Georgia Joint Defense Commission.

Gazarik's appointment further strengthens GTRI's connection to Georgia's defense, aerospace, and national security enterprise.

The commission serves as a bridge among Georgia's military installations, defense industry, academic institutions, and state leaders, helping identify opportunities to enhance military readiness, encourage defense investment, and support long-term economic growth.

The appointment provides another opportunity for GTRI to contribute to discussions shaping the future of defense in Georgia while advancing the organization's mission to support economic development in the state and serve national security.

The governor's announcement highlighted Gazarik's more than three decades of leadership in government, industry, and academia. Before joining GTRI in 2026, he held senior leadership positions at NASA, Ball Aerospace, and the University of Colorado Boulder. He earned both a master's degree and a doctorate in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech and is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Gazarik's experience in aerospace, advanced technology, and national security aligns closely with many of GTRI's research strengths, including advanced sensing, autonomy, cyber, electronic warfare, and aerospace systems. His service on the commission provides an additional avenue for collaboration among government, academia, and industry while reinforcing GTRI's longstanding commitment to conducting research that serves the public good.

Another appointee also has ties to the Institute. Trey Kilpatrick, senior vice president of external affairs for Georgia Power, was appointed to the Georgia Ports Authority. Kilpatrick serves on the Georgia Tech Advisory Board, helping strengthen partnerships between the Institute and Georgia's business community.

The appointments highlight the role Georgia Tech leaders continue to play in supporting the state's economic competitiveness, technological leadership, and national security priorities.