The NIOA Group has announced the appointment of experienced ammunition and weapon systems specialist Stacy Poto as it expands its team at the US Army’s Picatinny Arsenal.

Ms Poto, who has spent 19 years in senior armaments roles within the US Department of War, joins NIOA as Program Manager – North America.

With extensive experience in managing the acquisition, integration and delivery of munitions for the US and allied nations, Ms Poto will be instrumental as the NIOA Group continues to broaden its contribution to the US defence industrial base.

During almost two decades at the Department of War, Ms Poto led the planning and execution of medium and large calibre munitions programs for the US and global allies.

More recently, she was International Cooperation Branch Chief at the US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command’s (DEVCOM) Armaments Center where more than 3200 military and civilian professionals are developing advanced weapon systems.

NIOA has had a permanent office at Picatinny Arsenal, the US Army’s New Jersey garrison for armaments development and procurement, since 2024. Ms Poto joins NIOA’s Business Development Manager – North America Frank Altamura at Picatinny.

“We are delighted to welcome Stacy to our Picatinny team,” NIOA Group CEO Rob Nioa said. “This is an important and timely appointment as we continue our support for the US Government’s ‘commercial-first’ focus to revitalise defence manufacturing.”

Ms Poto said: “After serving for more than 20 years in government, it has been my greatest privilege to support the men and women of the armed forces and work alongside dedicated professionals across the defence enterprise.

“The defence industry plays a critical role in delivering capability to the warfighter, and I look forward to working with an exceptional team at NIOA to advance that mission.”

Ms Poto has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Master’s Degrees in Accounting and Contract Management. She is a graduate of the US Army’s Senior Service College Fellowship program _ an equivalent to the Army’s War College for civilians _ and holds multiple executive leadership certifications within contracting, program management and security cooperation.

In 2016, Ms Poto was awarded the Department of War’s highest acquisition team honour, the Packard Award, and she is the recipient of the US Central Command Award to defeat ISIS (2017) and the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe Award (2018).

Stacy Poto has joined the NIOA team at the US Army’s Picatinny Arsenal Joint Program Executive Office Armaments & Ammunition in New Jersey.