Merlin names board including former Navy secretary and Amazon executive

Merlin Inc. (NASDAQ: MRLN) announced the composition of its seven-member board of directors following its March 2026 public listing. The aerospace and defense technology company's board includes founder and CEO Matt George as chairman and six independent directors.

The board members bring experience from government, aerospace, and public company leadership roles. Kenneth Braithwaite served as the 77th Secretary of the Navy from May 2020 to January 2021 and as U.S. Ambassador to Norway. Kelyn Brannon was Amazon's first chief accounting officer and has served as CFO at multiple technology companies, leading three public offerings.

Dr. Robert Smith, former Blue Origin CEO from September 2017 to January 2024, joins the board along with other executives with aerospace and defense backgrounds. Michael Blitzer serves as lead independent director and is chairman of USA Rare Earth (NASDAQ: USAR).

Michael Montelongo previously served as Air Force assistant secretary for financial management and comptroller from 2001 to 2005. Carolyn Trabuco co-founded Brazilian airline Azul (NYSE: AZUL) in 2007 and served as a director until April 2025.

Merlin develops autonomous flight technology and reports over $100 million in total contract value, including contracts with military customers. The company completed its business combination with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. IV and began trading on Nasdaq in March 2026.

The company is pursuing dual-track civil certification programs with the Federal Aviation Administration and New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority, according to the press release.

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