President
Director of Operations
Director of Engineering & Technology
Director of Growth & Capture
Director of Programs
Sumner founded Fuse with a vision to deliver critically needed capabilities to the warfighter through application of Design Thinking processes. He leads the company by aligning the team to a Noble Cause of “Advancing warfighter capabilities with elegant, user-focused communications, networks, and software systems.” By combining deep operational experience of veteran operators with exceptional engineering expertise inside Fuse, Sumner has assembled a team that successfully applies cutting-edge technology to real operational issues. The combined experience and expertise of the Fuse team has enabled successful transitions from research and development to products in the hands of our customer users.
Sumner started his career as a naval aviator. After graduating from the US Naval Academy, he graduated first in his class from flight school and flew H-46 helicopters through two deployments with the HC-11 “Gunbearers” out of San Diego. Later, he accepted a position leading the SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific airborne networking team. He was a plankowner of the Joint Tactical Edge Networking working group, and while at SPAWAR, he won three ONR Rapid Technology Transition projects, co-wrote the technical plan for the $70 million CABLE Joint Capability Technology Demonstration, and transitioned two airborne networking programs from projects into programs of record.
Before founding Fuse, Sumner worked as Director of Business Development at RKS Design, an internationally recognized strategy development and product design firm, where he came to appreciate the value of human-centered design. Sumner has been awarded a patent for a multi-enclave networking solution, an Exemplary Achievement Award from SPAWAR, and previously he served as a lieutenant in the US Navy. He also served in a leadership position at Centurion Boats, the Hindu Kush Ski Patrol, and founded M-WERX LLC. Sumner holds an MBA from the University of Southern California.
As the president of Fuse, Scott is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management, profit and loss management, and customer relationship management, as well as strategy definition, documentation, and enforcement. He also oversees the company’s day-to-day operations and culture, ensuring the Fuse team is supported with the tools they need.
Prior to joining Fuse, Scott served as vice president and general manager for Cubic Defense’s Secure Communications (SCOM) organization, where he led portfolio management, profit and loss, product line management, and strategy. His Cubic team led key innovations in the areas of software-defined antennas and software-defined radios. He also led company campaigns for software-defined antennas and advanced tactical data link communications.
Previously, Scott worked for more than two decades in industry, primarily with Northrop Grumman Corporation where he had a variety of assignments and roles including engineering (cybersecurity focus), program management, and capture management. Among other roles, he served as the director of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems Communications and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Operating unit, focusing on advanced capabilities from science and technology primarily with restricted/classified customers. While at Northrop Grumman, his programs won Sector Program of the Year on two separate occasions. He also worked for SAIC, TASC, and Atmel earlier in his career.
Scott has a master’s degree in computer science from Colorado Tech and a bachelor’s in industrial and systems engineering from Virginia Tech. He also completed an Executive Education course at UCLA and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
As CFO, Peter is responsible for monitoring Fuse’s finances, managing the day-to-day financial processes, and evaluating the company’s financial strengths and weaknesses to develop the best strategies and direction for economic success and future growth. He ensures compliance with financial regulations and runs a tight financial operation that is effective and efficient. He also instills a financial approach and mindset throughout the organization.
Peter has nearly 30 years of experience helping companies achieve sustainable, profitable growth through financial planning, alignment, and execution. He has several decades of experience with federal defense and commercial contractor technology companies in financial leadership positions.
Before joining Fuse, Peter was Head of Finance and Treasurer at Systems Technology, an aerospace and simulation federal defense and commercial contractor, located in the Los Angeles area. Previously, he served as Director of Finance and Controller at Referentia Systems, a networking and cybersecurity defense government contractor located in Honolulu.
He holds an MBA from the University of Arizona and a BBA from San Diego State University. Peter is an active member of Financial Executives International and The CFO Leadership Council. He is also a certified International Mergers & Acquisitions Expert (IM&A) through the Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions, and Alliances (IMAA).
As Director of Operations, Natalie leads the critical infrastructure and support functions that allow the Fuse team to be successful. In her role, she oversees daily operations along with planning for long-term vision with a focus on the Fuse team and culture and ensuring a dynamic and creative work environment. The operations she oversees serve to build the company’s talented and multi-faceted team through strong recruiting, talent acquisition, and resourcing initiatives. She also manages company-wide policies, personnel and facility readiness, career development, and security. Being a prior naval aviator, Natalie embraces Fuse’s warfighter-focused ethos and Noble cause of advancing warfighter capabilities with elegant, user-focused communications, networks, and software systems.
Natalie served in the Navy for nine years, flying in the F-14 as a Radar Intercept Officer and completing two combat cruises in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom. She has over 600 hours in various naval fighter platforms (mostly the F-14) and 168 carrier arrested landings. As a Strike Instructor and Adversary Lead at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, she completed the Adversary course at the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). After leaving active duty, Natalie led F/A-18 test missions in a Flight Test Engineer position at the Advanced Weapons Lab in China Lake before earning her MBA and coming to Fuse. She was drawn to Fuse by the dynamic and passionate leadership, fun team environment, and most importantly – the mission.
Natalie has an international MBA from the University of San Diego and a BS in political science from the United States Naval Academy.
Allen is responsible for the engineering development of Fuse’s product lines. He oversees engineering operations and capability demonstrations and ensures the company’s development efforts align with the customer’s strategic goals. Allen acts as a champion for warfighters’ needs through user-centric design and balancing the Fuse development cadence with customer requirements. His track record of success with new product development and introduction in both government and consumer markets has helped mature the Fuse delivery cadence.
Before joining Fuse, Allen served as VP of Engineering at Robo 3D, an investor-backed consumer 3D printer developer acquired by Boxlight. Prior to that, he served as Operations Manager in the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms Fab Lab network’s San Diego lab, providing a variety of services to the local startup community as well as customers such as the Salk Institute, the City of San Diego, and educational institutions. His time in uniform included more than six years as a Navy Corpsman with combat experience serving with 1st MARDIV in Iraq.
Allen is an MBA candidate at the University of California San Diego, a member of the Forbes Technology Council, and an occasional mentor for the Tech Stars community. Previous awards he received include the CES Best of Innovation Award and the coveted Good Design® Award.
Rebecca oversees business development at Fuse, guiding the sales, marketing, and contract management activities with an eye toward delivering results for the company and clients alike. Before taking on her current role, Rebecca served as the Fuse project manager for Orison. She is known as a flexible, resilient leader who understands how to drive a strategy that benefits all key stakeholders.
Previously, Rebecca worked at Booz Allen Hamilton, where she provided PM support for Navy Multiband Terminal and Naval Senior Leadership Communications – Aircraft. At Booz, she was a project analyst supporting the stand up of NAVWAR 6.0 competency and definition of NAVWAR acquisition process. Rebecca holds an MS in global leadership from the University of San Diego and a BA in music and history from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Dennis is responsible for the daily operations of Fuse. He oversees program execution, leads the program management office, and manages the CORE solution program. His commitment to the warfighter and drive for systems engineering excellence comes through in every interaction with the Fuse team and the clients we serve. Dennis has a track record of elevating quality management while encouraging innovative approaches, experimentation, and prototyping to solve the next warfighter challenge.
Before joining Fuse, Dennis served as the Director of Programs Common Mission Management Systems and HALE Mission Control Systems at Northrop Grumman. Previously, he served in the US Navy as an Advanced Development Integrated Product Team Leader focused on E-2C/E-2D network-centric warfare and a naval flight officer flying E-2C Hawkeye aircraft. Dennis earned a masters from the Joint Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering. He holds a BS in electrical engineering from Marquette University.
