Bastazo Named Jennifer Davis Chief Executive Officer
The Bentonville-based cybersecurity firm appointed the veteran executive to lead its operations.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in People
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Bastazo has named Jennifer Davis as its new chief executive officer. Davis also joined the board of directors for the operational-technology cybersecurity company.
Why it matters
The appointment brings new leadership to the Bentonville firm as it continues to apply artificial intelligence to identify system exposures. Davis replaces interim CEO Willi Nelson at the helm of the organization.
Jennifer Davis brings two decades of professional experience to the firm. The company specializes in artificial intelligence for operational technology.
The players
Jennifer Davis
She is the newly appointed CEO of Bastazo who previously held leadership positions at Amazon Web Services and authored the book Well Made Decisions.
Willi Nelson
He served as the interim CEO of Bastazo prior to the appointment of Jennifer Davis.
Bastazo
This Bentonville-based firm is a cybersecurity company that was spun out of the University of Arkansas.
The details
Bastazo focuses on protecting operational technology by utilizing AI to map out potential system exposures and attack paths. Davis previously led a division at Central States and held roles at Amazon Web Services, Honeywell, Leyard, and Planar.
Timeline
October 8, 2026: Jennifer Davis was announced as the new CEO.
Market Landscape
The firm represents a successful commercial application of the research ecosystem fostered by the University of Arkansas. This appointment signals a maturation phase as the company scales its specialized security technology for industrial operators.
The change in leadership will not immediately alter services for current Bastazo clients. Customers should expect business as usual as the company continues to provide operational technology security protections.
The takeaway
Davis brings a wealth of experience from major tech firms to her new role at the helm of the Bentonville-based company. Her background in strategic decision-making may influence the future development of the company's AI-driven security tools.
Further reading
For more on professional transitions in the region, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AMP.
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