Defense technology innovator GRVTY has named Indian American technology leader Dr. Vikram Manikonda to its strategic advisory board. In his advisory role, he will counsel GRVTY as it accelerates advanced capabilities for the U.S. Department of War and the intelligence community.
Manikonda brings nearly three decades of experience across defense research and development, autonomous systems, intelligence, and space technology to assist the company’s expansion and drive mission-focused innovation.
His appointment coincides with broader executive changes at Arlington Capital Partners-backed GRVTY, following the recent appointments of Chief Administrative Officer Mark McNeely and Chief Strategy Officer Peter Ranks, a former assistant director at the CIA.
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A prominent engineering scholar and entrepreneur, Manikonda serves as Professor of the Practice in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering. He also chairs the Industry Advisory Board for the university’s Matrix Lab and his career includes senior leadership roles across national security organizations.
Most recently, he served as chief technology officer at BlueHalo, where he chaired the Science and Technology Council, established the Cloud Center of Excellence, and oversaw research across defense, space, and counter-UAS portfolios.
Prior to BlueHalo, Manikonda spent 23 years at Intelligent Automation Inc., serving as its president and chief executive officer. He also co-founded cybersecurity firm Cryptonite LLC and established FalkonEye, a free space domain awareness platform.
Manikonda’s academic journey reflects a distinguished educational path. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, in India.
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He then moved to the United States to pursue advanced studies at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he completed both his Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering.
His technological contributions have earned him top industry recognitions, including the University of Maryland Clark School’s Glenn L. Martin Medal and a NASA Team Achievement Award for his work on the Airspace Concept Evaluation System.
At GRVTY, Manikonda joins advisory board colleagues, including retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Tom James and former Air Force leader Dave Abba, to help shape next-generation solutions across cyber, space, and spectrum domains.