Metis is proud to announce the appointment of BJ Foster as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With more than twenty years of executive leadership spanning aerospace, defense, technology, and professional services, Foster brings a wealth of expertise to this role. At Metis, she will oversee all financial strategy and infrastructure in support of NASA and Department of Defense missions.
BJ Foster has held CFO, COO, and CEO roles at organizations ranging from growth-stage firms to complex, classified federal contractors. She is a recognized expert in cost accounting standards, FAR/DFARS compliance, DCAA audits, and Deltek optimization. Her leadership has guided financial operations through ERP transformations, post-merger integrations, and government audits. Additionally, she has authored and implemented Special Security Agreements (SSAs) to support secure work under Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) requirements. Foster’s leadership has consistently driven multi-revenue growth, EBITDA expansion, and the development of audit-ready frameworks that scale with mission demand. She holds a B.A. in Accounting and an MBA from San Diego State University, along with certifications in Federal Contracting from The George Washington University and in Digital Transformation from Stanford Graduate School of Business.
In addition to welcoming Foster, Metis is excited to announce two key executive promotions. Cari Smiley, previously President of Metis’s Defense Sector, has been named the company’s first Chief Growth Officer. In this newly created role, Smiley will lead business expansion efforts, with a focus on prime contracts and diversification of the company’s customer portfolio. Jennifer Paulik, who has been with Metis for over a decade, has been promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer. Paulik has played a pivotal role in Metis growth over her tenure with the company.
Together, these strategic leadership changes position Metis for an ambitious future. With Foster driving financial excellence, Smiley spearheading growth, and Paulik shaping a strong employee experience, Metis is better equipped than ever to scale its operations, pursue new opportunities, and deliver mission-critical support to its government partners. These appointments underscore the company’s commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth, ensuring Metis remains a trusted leader in aerospace, defense, and technology for years to come.