AE Industrial Partners has appointed retired Rear Admiral Leonard Dollaga as an operating partner. Dollaga will focus on identifying and assessing investment opportunities within national security sectors, with a specific emphasis on maritime.

In his new role, Dollaga will also support AE Industrial's portfolio companies by guiding them through federal budgeting, legislation, acquisition, and policy matters impacting the defense industrial base. This appointment follows Dollaga's extensive career, including over three decades in the US Navy, where he most recently served as chief of legislative affairs for the Department of the Navy. He was the principal legislative advisor to the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations.

David Rowe, co-CEO and managing partner at AE Industrial, highlighted Dollaga's "exceptional combination of operational leadership, maritime expertise and strategic insight." Dollaga joined AE Industrial in 2024. AE Industrial manages approximately $9 billion in assets as of March 31, 2026.