From Intern to CEO, Aptima Appoints New Leader

Aptima has appointed Michael J. Garrity as Chief Executive Officer. Garrity will guide Aptima’s strategic direction and oversee the company’s continued growth and innovation in the defense, intelligence, and healthcare sectors. As CEO, Garrity succeeds Daniel Serfaty, Aptima’s founder. Serfaty will continue as Executive Chairman of the Aptima Board of Directors.

Garrity, who most recently was promoted to President of Aptima in 2022, joined the company as an intern more than 20 years ago while pursuing a PhD in Industrial and Organizational psychology. Over that time, he has played an instrumental role in the growth and success of Aptima, progressing through a variety of positions and roles as technical lead, scientist, client-facing project manager, and leader. Garrity holds a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and an MS in Applied Psychology from Clemson University.

Aptima’s recent successes include a $40 Million contract add-on that supplements a 2019 Phase III award initially valued at up to $59 million. The $43 million received to date has helped to transition Aptima capabilities that include new adaptive learning systems, which deliver highly personalized education and training at scale.

It also supports the Proficiency-Based Training (PBT), Just In Time Multi-Mission Airman (JITMMA) and the Simulator Common Architecture Requirements Standards (SCARS) programs. To date, the vehicle has been used by a variety of customer including Air Combat Command (ACC), the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Simulators Division (AFLCMC/WNS), the United States Space Force (USSF), Defense Advanced Research Program Agency (DARPA), and others.