Kodiak AI Names Gryczan Defense VP After $157M Growth, $500M Win
Kodiak AI appointed Chet Gryczan, who scaled Detroit Defense to $157 million annual revenue, as Vice President and Managing Director of Defense to expand its Kodiak Driver integration into military vehicles. Gryczan previously secured a $500 million Congressional modernization program and led delivery of a $30 million Army RCV contract.
1. Appointment of Chet Gryczan
Kodiak AI has named Chet Gryczan as Vice President and Managing Director of Defense, effective immediately. His new role tasks him with leading strategy, customer engagement and program execution to scale the company's defense vertical and integrate the Kodiak Driver into military vehicles.
2. Gryczan’s Defense Experience
Gryczan brings over 20 years of leadership at defense and automotive-tech firms, having grown Detroit Defense from a pre-profit startup to a $157 million annual revenue enterprise with 230 employees across 30 sites. He also forged a multi-year $500 million Congressional modernization program by aligning industry capabilities with Army priorities.
3. Defense Contracts and Strategy
Under Gryczan’s leadership, Kodiak will build on past awards including a $30 million U.S. Army Robotic Combat Vehicle contract and a Marine Corps ROGUE-Fires integration deal. The company aims to leverage its commercial autonomous trucking expertise to deliver dual-use solutions for national security applications.