Christian & Timbers is pleased to announce that Max Lamontel has joined the firm as Managing Partner, Global Aerospace & Defense, extending the firm's reach in aerospace, defense, aviation, national security, industrial technology, and emerging defense technology.
Max joins as AI adoption accelerates across defense and the federal government, bringing commercial technology and national security into closer contact. Many of the engineers and technical leaders capable of building that future have spent their careers in Silicon Valley. Defense organizations now need that talent, creating a new point of connection between the commercial AI talent market and the defense sector.
Christian & Timbers has spent decades recruiting technology leaders and has built deep expertise in AI talent. Adding dedicated aerospace and defense leadership strengthens the firm's reach across both Silicon Valley and Washington.
“AI talent has always been concentrated in Silicon Valley. That’s changing. Defense and federal organizations are accelerating adoption. They need people who can build these systems and leaders who understand the environments where they will be deployed. Max gives us the aerospace and defense expertise to work with organizations facing that shift.”
JC Christian, President, Christian & Timbers
Max will lead Christian & Timbers' Global Aerospace & Defense Practice, working with boards, investors, founders, and executive teams on senior mandates in technical, regulated, and mission-critical markets. His work includes CEO, President, General Manager, and senior commercial, operational, and functional searches.
Search Expertise in Aerospace and Defense
Aerospace and defense organizations operate in environments where credibility is tested against execution. Senior executives may carry responsibility for major programs, P&L performance, customer relationships, operational discipline, and teams working within highly technical organizations.
Max brings deep experience with these environments. His industry background spans defense platforms, aviation, MRO, space, autonomy, advanced manufacturing, defense electronics, dual-use technology, and private equity-backed transformation.
In his search mandates, he works with clients to assess executives for the realities of the organization they will lead, including the ability to scale teams, strengthen critical customer relationships, maintain credibility in technical settings, and lead through periods of substantial change.
A Global View of Aerospace & Defense Markets
Max has worked broadly in the U.S. aerospace and defense market, with cross-border experience in Canada, Europe, Singapore, and Australia. That breadth is particularly relevant for clients whose executive needs extend into different regulatory frameworks, customer bases, and operating structures.
Max also brings a personal connection to the industry. Coming from an aviation family, he has a practical grasp of the people and pressures that shape aerospace and defense organizations. That understanding informs how he evaluates candidates for roles where technical credibility and execution are closely linked.
“I’ve spent my career close to aerospace and defense organizations, and the leadership demands on the sector are changing quickly. AI is creating new talent needs while organizations still have to operate within the realities of defense. Christian & Timbers has deep reach into the technology and AI talent market, and I saw a real opportunity to connect that strength with the industry I know.”
Max Lamontel, Managing Partner, Global Aerospace & Defense, Christian & Timbers
Growing Christian & Timbers' Aerospace & Defense Capabilities
Clients in aerospace and defense can draw on a dedicated practice focused specifically on the demands of their sector, from program-critical hires to executive transitions during periods of growth or transformation.
As Managing Partner, Global Aerospace & Defense, Max will work with boards and executive teams to identify leaders capable of meeting those demands, drawing on the search expertise Christian & Timbers has built across technical and regulated markets.
Christian & Timbers welcomes Max to the firm and looks forward to the continued growth of its Global Aerospace & Defense Practice.