Defense Tech Unicorn Shield AI Names Ex-Splunk Chief as New CEO

Drone and defense technology startup Shield AI has named Gary Steele as its new chief executive officer, adding a veteran tech leader less than a week after announcing a new funding deal at a $5.3 billion valuation.

Steele was previously the CEO of Splunk Inc., the software maker Cisco Systems Inc. agreed to buy in 2023 for $28 billion, the company’s largest-ever acquisition. Steele later served as Cisco’s president of go-to-market, and will stay in that position through April.

Steele will replace Ryan Tseng, Shield AI’s co-founder, at the helm of the company on May 13. Tseng had led the startup since co-founding it ...