Board of Directors

Mr. Charles (Chip) Blankenship is the Chairman of the Board of the Company, President and Chief Executive Officer. An accomplished business leader with extensive experience in the aerospace and industrial equipment markets, Mr. Blankenship joined Woodward in May 2022. His prior leadership roles before joining Woodward include the CEO of Arconic, an aerospace advanced alloys and components company, a 24-year career at GE where he held significant leadership roles in Aviation, Energy, and Appliances, including the CEO of Appliances, Vice President and General Manager Commercial Aircraft Engines, and General Manager Aero Energy (aero-derivative industrial turbines). Most recently, Mr. Blankenship served as the Montgomery Distinguished Professor of Practice at The University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Mr. Blankenship holds a PhD in Material Science and Engineering from The University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Mr. John D. Cohn has served as President of CrossBorder Strategic Solutions, LLC, a strategic advisory company for global business development and implementation, since August 2019. In June 2019, Mr. Cohn retired from Rockwell Automation, Inc. (“Rockwell Automation”), a leading provider of innovative industrial automation and information products, solutions and services, where he served as Senior Vice President, Asia Business Planning and Execution, since September 2011. In that capacity, Mr. Cohn developed and implemented regional and country level business strategies for approximately $1 billion of Rockwell Automation sales. Additionally, Mr. Cohn led business development activities, industry business plans, and other market expansion opportunities to drive revenue and profitable growth for Rockwell Automation internationally. Mr. Cohn previously served as Rockwell Automation’s Senior Vice President, European Business Planning and Execution, from April 2009 to August 2011, and as Senior Vice President, Strategic Development and Communications, from 1999 to 2009.

Mr. Cohn brings to the Board expertise in global market and business development, execution of focused initiatives, and experience with leading organizations through change management, mergers and acquisitions. He also has extensive knowledge and direct experience in both the industrial and aerospace markets.

Mr. Rajeev Bhalla most recently served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for CIRCOR International, a global manufacturer of flow and motion control products. Prior to CIRCOR, Mr. Bhalla served as Vice President of Finance and CFO for both Sikorsky Aircraft Company and Pratt & Whitney, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer for Lockheed Martin Corporation, as well as a Partner with Pricewaterhouse Coopers. 

Mr. Bhalla brings boardroom experience and strategic perspectives in the aerospace, defense and industrial markets. His extensive financial and operational experience in the aircraft engine, rotorcraft, aero components and industrial valve markets are aligned with Woodward’s end markets. As a former public company CFO, business group CFO and CPA, he brings valuable financial expertise to the Board.

Ms. Eileen P. Drake has served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., a manufacturer of aerospace and defense products, since June 2015. She joined Aerojet Rocketdyne in March 2015 as Chief Operating Officer. Ms. Drake was previously with United Technologies Corporation (“UTC”) from November 2003 through February 2015, where she served as President of Pratt & Whitney AeroPower’s auxiliary power unit and small turbojet propulsion business from January 2012 through January 2015. She also held other various senior level roles during her tenure at UTC. Prior to joining UTC, Ms. Drake held various senior level roles with Ford Motor Company between 1996 and 2003. Ms. Drake served on active duty for seven years as a U.S. Army aviator and airfield commander of Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Ms. Drake is an accomplished, dynamic leader with extensive experience in profit and loss management, operations, quality and supply chain. She brings to the Board extensive experience in the Aerospace industry and a results-oriented mentality.

Mr. David Hess most recently served as the CEO of Arconic Corporation. Prior to Arconic, Mr. Hess served in numerous executive leadership roles during his 38-year career at United Technologies Corporation (“UTC”) including Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for UTC Aerospace, President of Pratt & Whitney, as well as President of Hamilton Sundstrand, the UTC business where he began his professional career in 1979. Mr. Hess also brings extensive boardroom experience at public and private aerospace, defense and industrial companies.

Mr. Hess brings a strong background in senior executive leadership roles in the aerospace & defense sectors. He brings deep industry experience, a proven track record, a collaborative style and a strong technical background to the board.

Mr. Daniel G. Korte has been Global Vice President, Aerospace of PPG Industries, Inc. (“PPG”) since August 2018. He joined PPG in May 2018 as Global Vice President-elect of its Aerospace Products business. Prior to joining PPG, Mr. Korte served as Chief Executive Officer of LMI Aerospace, Inc. (“LMI”), now part of the Sonaca Group, from February 2014 through October 2017. Prior to joining LMI, Mr. Korte was the President of the Rolls-Royce Defense Group in Washington, DC and London, UK from 2009 through 2012. From 1985 through 2009, Mr. Korte held various senior level roles at The Boeing Company in supply chain, program management and general management.

Mr. Korte is a results-oriented leader, skilled in identifying and capitalizing on global market opportunities that drive revenue and profitable growth. His experience and strong contributions in the commercial and defense aerospace markets brings a valuable set of skills to the Board.

Dr. Ronald M. Sega joined U.S. Army Futures Command as a Department of Defense Highly Qualified Expert in the role of Chief Technology Officer (“CTO”) in July 2019. Prior to his appointment as CTO, Dr. Sega served as Director, Systems Engineering Programs at Colorado State University (“CSU”) and Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives from September 2013 through June 2019. Dr. Sega remains a professor for the Systems Engineering Programs at CSU, on leave of absence, while serving as the CTO for Army Futures Command. Dr. Sega was also Vice President and Enterprise Executive for Energy and the Environment at CSU and The Ohio State University (“OSU”) from September 2010 through August 2013. CSU and OSU are two Land-Grant universities engaged in efficient, sustainable development of practical products using our natural resources through education, research and outreach. At CSU, he served as chair of the Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Advisory Committee. Dr. Sega also served as chair of the President’s and Provost’s Council on Sustainability at OSU. Dr. Sega held the position of Vice President for Energy, Environment, and Applied Research with the CSU Research Foundation from September 2007 through August 2010. Prior to joining CSU, Dr. Sega served as Under Secretary for the U.S. Air Force from August 2005 to August 2007. As Under Secretary, Dr. Sega led a team that developed a comprehensive energy strategy emphasizing supply, demand, and culture with results in 2006 leading to the receipt of the overall Presidential Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management for the U.S. Government. As Under Secretary, Dr. Sega also acted as the Department of Defense ("DOD") Executive Agent for space, and the Air Force Service Acquisition Executive for space programs. From August 2001 until August 2005, Dr. Sega was Director of Defense Research and Engineering, Office of the Secretary of Defense, which is the Chief Technology Officer for the DOD. From July 1996 to August 2001, he served as Dean, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Dr. Sega is a former NASA astronaut and veteran of two shuttle missions. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in the rank of Major General. Dr. Sega is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, as well as a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Dr. Sega brings to the Board an extensive background of applying research and development experience to real-world situations, knowledge of U.S. government contracting practices, and expertise in aerospace and energy technology and markets.

Mr. Gregg C. Sengstack was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (“Franklin Electric”), a manufacturer and distributor of water and fuel pumping systems, in May 2014, and Chairman in May 2015. He has been President of Franklin Electric since December 2011. Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and automotive fuels. Mr. Sengstack was President of Franklin Electric’s International Water Systems and Fueling Group from 2005 to 2011, and was Chief Financial Officer for Franklin Electric from 1999 to 2005. Mr. Sengstack joined Franklin Electric in 1988 and has worked on numerous acquisitions in the U.S. and overseas during his career.

Mr. Sengstack’s combination of P&L, finance, international and general management and top leadership experience, as well as his consensus-driven global leadership style and experience working with boards, allow him to provide the Board with strong insight into the Company’s multi-national markets and operations.