Leadership

On March 17, 2025, we proudly welcomed Shawn N. Purvis as the new Chief Executive Officer of Sabel Systems, bringing with her deep experience, strategic insight, and proven leadership. With more than 30 years of leadership in enterprise strategy, digital transformation, and operational excellence, Shawn brings a powerful combination of technical expertise and mission-driven focus to Sabel. She is widely recognized for driving innovation and delivering measurable results across the intelligence, cyber, information systems, and defense sectors. Her leadership philosophy centers on building high-performing teams, aligning technology with customer objectives, and refining operations to support sustainable growth. Shawn holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Hampton University and a master’s in Information Systems from George Mason University. Under her guidance, Sabel is entering an exciting new chapter—one defined by innovation, impact, and a continued commitment to solving complex challenges for our clients and partners.

At the heart of Sabel Systems’ operational excellence is Cathy Goin, our Chief Operating and Financial Officer. With deep expertise in financial strategy, operations, and compliance, she plays a key role in aligning our business with client-focused, technology-driven outcomes. Cathy brings decades of experience in government contracting, specializing in GAAP, FAR, DFARS, and DCAA compliance, and is valued for both her strategic vision and attention to detail. A Miami University (Ohio) alumna, she leads with clarity, integrity, and thoughtful communication. Cathy’s dedication to Sabel’s mission is also deeply personal. As the granddaughter, daughter, and wife of military Veterans, she holds a profound respect for those who serve. Our company’s mission to support and safeguard the warfighter isn’t just part of the job for Cathy—it’s a cause that’s very near and dear to her heart. Outside of work Cathy enjoys traveling with her family and watching women’s competitive sports.

John A. Cunningham is Sabel’s Chief Growth Officer, leading global growth, revenue expansion, and partnerships across defense, space, and emerging tech. He brings 30+ years of leadership driving market expansion and building high-performing sales organizations across high-tech and emerging technologies.

As Corporate Vice President of Technology at Sabel Systems, Chris leads the drive, consistency, speed, and common product offerings of our new Sabel Digital Labs. With deep experience in digital engineering technical innovation business development, and operational leadership, Chris has played a key role in shaping our strategic direction and driving company growth. As a Managing Principal, Chris led teams through complex challenges, delivering impactful solutions that align with client missions. His leadership is marked by a balance of strategic vision and practical execution, along with a collaborative approach that resonates across the organization.

Matt Blackmon joins Sabel Systems as Chief Product Officer, bringing nearly 20 years of experience across the travel industry and digital engineering to lead the company’s product vision, strategy, and execution. As Chief Product Officer, Matt will lead Sabel in developing and delivering innovative products that drive measurable client impact, foster seamless user experiences, and advance the organization’s mission. Over his career, Matt has led teams of up to 50 people with oversight of budgets exceeding $40 million, delivering transformative travel products and world-class technology solutions for some of the largest travel agencies, airlines, and hoteliers in the world. As founder and Principal Consultant at pinkBrain Technologies, Matt has applied his product strategy expertise and technical depth to help organizations drive scalable growth and modernization, ensuring technology capabilities are aligned with business objectives and customer requirements. A leader in industry standards, Matt has served as a board executive and is currently the Chief Evangelist for OpenTravel Alliance. Throughout his career Matt has delivered impactful digital engineering solutions and along with extensive experience in cloud transformation, DevSecOps, and multi-cloud architectures.

Jordan serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Sabel Systems, where he partners with the CEO and executive leadership to shape and execute the company’s growth strategy. He is responsible for aligning enterprise priorities, driving cross-functional collaboration, and advancing Sabel’s leadership in Digital Engineering.

Lilli Carter serves as Sabel’s Vice President of People Operations and is a results-driven HR Executive with 20+ years of leadership across federal government contracting and commercial sectors. Dual-certified through HRCI and SHRM with executive development from Wharton’s CHRO program, she specializes in workforce strategy, organizational design, and HR transformation. A trusted advisor to senior leadership, Lilli is known for building high-performance cultures and translating business strategy into impactful HR execution. 

Sabel Systems is proud to welcome Matthew Jung as our Senior Vice President of Business Development. Matt is a high-impact executive with decades of experience leading strategic growth initiatives across the federal marketplace. A U.S. Navy veteran with a background in cryptology and cybersecurity, Matt brings a mission-focused approach shaped by his military service and deep understanding of national security. His leadership philosophy is grounded in accountability, trust, and purpose – values he carries into every client engagement and partnership. Outside of office, Matt is a devoted husband and proud father of three. He finds balance and inspiration on the water, where he actively races sailboats in competitive regattas. This passion for teamwork and precision mirrors his professional approach – strategic, agile and results-driven. As Sabel continues to expand its footprint in Digital Engineering and Mission Support, we are thrilled to have Matt’s vision, energy, and values guiding our next phase of growth!

Jeff Aldrich serves as a Senior Vice President, and President of the Digital Engineering Leadership & Technology Accelerators (DELTA) sector​, where he plays a vital role in advancing our Digital Engineering and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) capabilities. A former U.S. Naval officer, Jeff brings firsthand understanding of the mission-driven challenges facing our defense clients—experience that informs his leadership and deepens his impact across every engagement. Jeff leads strategic initiatives within our Digital Engineering Cloud® ecosystem, applying his expertise to develop integrated solutions that streamline operations, increase data transparency, and bridge the gap between legacy systems and modern digital frameworks. His work directly supports readiness, resilience, and the long-term success of our clients’ most critical missions. Jeff received his BS Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and his MBA from Farmer School of Business, MU. His favorite hobby is working on cars, and he loves to spend time with his wife and two daughters. With his family, Jeff’s current goal is to visit national parks in all 50 states. Jeff combines technical knowledge with strong business acumen and a collaborative leadership style. His dedication to innovation and service excellence reflects the values at the core of Sabel Systems’ mission: enabling technology that empowers those who serve.

Mike Magnusson is a Principal at Sabel Systems, where he leads strategic engagements with the U.S. Space Force and drives digital transformation initiatives across the Department of Defense. As a kid, Mike started out as a teenage lifeguard, where staying calm under pressure and saving lives became early lessons in responsibility and leadership. A U.S. Army veteran, and a former Airborne Paratrooper, Mike brings a mission-first mindset, operational insight, and a deep understanding of defense environments to his leadership role. With extensive experience in digital engineering, logistics, and program management, Mike plays a pivotal role in delivering innovative, mission-ready solutions that enhance operational efficiency and readiness. His guidance helps ensure Sabel Systems remains at the forefront of technological advancement, providing our clients with the tools and strategies they need to succeed in increasingly complex domains. Spanning military service and advanced technology development, Mike’s career reflects Sabel Systems’ core mission: delivering technology that empowers those who serve.

Stephen Vukovich is the Interim Senior Vice President of the Aerospace Digital Acceleration Business Unit at Sabel Systems, where he leads strategy and delivery of digital transformation efforts for complex aerospace and defense missions. He brings more than 26 years of experience in enterprise technology modernization, logistics and sustainment, and operational performance improvement. He currently leads major digital initiatives for the U.S. Air Force, driving scalable digital platforms, process optimization, and lifecycle management capabilities that enhance mission readiness and long term sustainment. Stephen began his career as a U.S. Air Force officer and holds an MBA from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Air Force Academy.