NDIA names new board chair and vice chair

The National Defense Industrial Association appointed John Bonsell as board chair and Gabe Camarillo as vice chair, with the leadership change announced Aug. 25, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia. The transition comes ahead of NDIA’s Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference in Washington, where the group will introduce the new leaders to members and industry partners.

Why it matters: - NDIA is putting two leaders with deep defense and government experience at the top of its board. - The leadership change comes as the association works with government, military, industry and technology leaders on national security and emerging defense capabilities. - A two-year chair term gives NDIA a defined leadership window as the defense policy and technology landscape continues to shift.

What happened: - NDIA announced John Bonsell as chair of the Board of Directors. - The board elected Gabe Camarillo as vice chair. - The announcement was made Aug. 25, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia. - Bonsell succeeds Lisa S. Disbrow, whose two-year term as board chair ended. - Disbrow will remain involved as immediate past chair.

The details: - Bonsell will lead NDIA for two years. - Bonsell previously served as NDIA’s vice chair. - Bonsell also held senior roles on the Senate Armed Services Committee, including majority staff director and minority staff director. - Bonsell currently serves as senior vice president for government affairs at SAIC. - Camarillo served as the 35th under secretary of the Army. - Camarillo oversaw the Army’s budget, personnel, installations, acquisition and modernization priorities in that role. - Camarillo previously served as assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs. - Camarillo also served as principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition. - Camarillo currently serves as president of the defense sector at Peraton. - Disbrow said Bonsell’s judgment and Camarillo’s experience make them the right pair for NDIA members. - NDIA President and CEO David L. Norquist said the pair’s mix of government and industry experience will serve members well. - Norquist also thanked Disbrow for her leadership as chair and her continued commitment to NDIA’s mission. - NDIA said it will formally introduce the new chair and vice chair at the Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition, Sept. 8-10 in Washington, D.C. - The conference will bring together senior government, military, industry and technology leaders to discuss emerging capabilities and technologies shaping the future of national defense. - NDIA describes itself as America’s leading defense industry association promoting national security. - NDIA says it provides a legal and ethical forum for information exchange between industry and government on national security issues. - NDIA says its divisions, local chapters, affiliated associations and events support innovative equipment, training and support for warfighters and first responders. - More information is available at NDIA.org. - NDIA listed social media channels on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X.

Between the lines: - NDIA is signaling continuity rather than a reset, pairing an internal leader who already served as vice chair with a vice chair who has held top civilian defense roles in both the Army and Air Force. - The board leadership change also reinforces NDIA’s effort to bridge defense policy, procurement and industry strategy at a time when emerging technology is a central national security issue.

What's next: - NDIA will spotlight Bonsell and Camarillo at ETC in Washington, D.C., from Sept. 8-10. - The conference is likely to serve as an early public platform for the new board leadership and NDIA’s priorities going forward.