Leadership Team

Chad Williams is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and co-founder of Hyperion Technology Group, Inc., bringing over 25 years of expertise in engineering acoustics. He has led the development of innovative solutions such as SPARTN, a scalable acoustic threat detection system created for the U.S. Marine Corps. Under his leadership, Hyperion has grown as an employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), fostering a culture of shared ownership, accountability, and innovation. Prior to founding Hyperion, Chad held engineering and leadership roles at Radiance Technologies and Miltec Research and Technology, specializing in multi-sensor networks for defense applications. He holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Engineering Acoustics from the University of Mississippi.

Gerald Godbold serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Hyperion Technology Group, Inc., where he directs the company’s strategic vision, business development initiatives, and customer engagement efforts. As one of Hyperion’s original founders, Mr. Godbold has been instrumental in shaping the company’s growth and technological innovation across both defense and commercial sectors. He brings extensive experience in electronics design, software engineering, and systems integration, with a proven record of leading complex research and development programs. Among his notable achievements are the design of embedded processing architectures for the FireFLY Hostile Fire Detection System and the invention of the Threat Mapped Protection and Assessment Tool (TMPAST), a software adopted by the Department of Homeland Security. Before co-founding Hyperion, Mr. Godbold held senior engineering and management positions at Radiance Technologies and HMC Technologies. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Mississippi State University and a Master of Science from the University of Mississippi.

Darryl Winstead is the Vice President of Commercial Systems and one of the original founders of Hyperion Technology Group, Inc. With over 35 years of experience in electronics technology and engineering management, he leads the company’s commercial division, specializing in industrial automation and power systems, while also driving business development efforts with partners across the United States. Prior to founding Hyperion, Darryl held engineering and leadership roles at Radiance Technologies and HMC Technologies, gaining extensive experience in managing complex projects and engineering teams. He is skilled in overseeing multi-year capital projects, conducting engineering research, and ensuring quality standards that meet or exceed customer expectations. Darryl holds multiple degrees in Electronics Technology and Robotics & Automation Systems from Itawamba Community College.

David Harris is the Vice President of Manufacturing and a co-founder of Hyperion Technology Group, Inc. With over 35 years of experience in mechanical engineering, he specializes in systems engineering, structural design, thermal management, and ruggedized systems for demanding environments. As Hyperion’s lead mechanical designer, David has overseen major projects including the IFS infrasound sensors, FireFLY threat detection system, the U.S. Secret Service’s mobile gunshot detection system, and the SPARTN program for the U.S. Marine Corps. He is widely recognized for designing durable military sensor housings and developing advanced calibration facilities for Hyperion’s sensor technologies. David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University and continues to lead high-performing teams that deliver reliable, mission-critical systems for defense and commercial clients.

Derek Schulte is the Vice President of Product Development at Hyperion Technology Group, Inc., where he oversees the company's product development processes ranging from customer requirements analysis, future product road-mapping, product engineering, customer order management, delivery, and internal research and development, working closely with business development, production, and quality assurance, while continuing to lead Hyperion's electrical engineering team. He brings more than a decade of electrical engineering experience, specializing in electronics design, hardware development, and systems integration for both military and commercial programs. Prior to Hyperion, Derek gained experience in electrical systems design for power generation and distribution at Southern Company and East Mississippi Electric Power Association while simultaneously building a custom circuit design business. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Mississippi State University.

Jonathan Parsons is the Vice President of Government Systems at Hyperion Technology Group, Inc., where he leads the execution and continuous improvement of the company's government programs, operational processes, and resource planning while continuing to oversee Hyperion's software engineering organization. With more than 20 years of experience supporting Department of Defense programs, he has led the development of embedded firmware, mission software, and advanced sensing technologies for systems including Hyperion's FireFLY Hostile Fire Detection System, SPARTN System, and IFS Series Infrasound Sensors. Throughout his career, Jonathan has helped mature advanced sensing and software technologies from early research concepts through engineering development, production, and ultimately Programs of Record, supporting defense, national security, and scientific research missions. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Mississippi.

Paul Drake is the Vice President of Gulf Coast Operations at Hyperion Technology Group, Inc., leading the company's expansion into the University of Southern Mississippi's Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise in Gulfport and building relationships with the region's military installations, industry partners, and academic institutions. A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, he brings more than three decades of military and community leadership experience to the role, most recently serving as the founding Executive Director of Mission 3, a public-private nonprofit formed to strengthen South Mississippi's defense installations and unite Gulf Coast communities around shared defense priorities. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Army War College, Drake served in Iraq and was the Mississippi Air National Guard's first Fully Joint Qualified Officer. He also served as chief of staff for the National Guard Association of the United States and currently serves as an assistant professor in the U.S. Army War College's Distance Education Program.

William C. Smallwood III serves as Chief Legal Officer of Hyperion Technology Group, Inc., overseeing the company’s contracts, compliance, regulatory matters, risk management, and corporate governance. He has practiced law continuously for over 35 years and joined Hyperion in 2015 as in-house General Counsel, transitioning to Chief Legal Officer in 2024. Smallwood is licensed to practice in state and federal courts in Mississippi and has earned the Martindale-Hubbell “AV” distinction, representing the highest peer-reviewed rating of legal ability and ethical standards. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi and earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University.

Mark Richey is the Chief Financial Officer of Hyperion Technology Group, Inc., bringing decades of experience in accounting and financial management. Since joining Hyperion in 2016, he has overseen the company’s financial activities, including accounting, financial reporting, billing, purchasing, accounts payable, payroll, and budgeting, with a focus on maintaining fiscal integrity and sustainable growth. Before joining Hyperion, Mark held positions in public accounting and several organizations in the healthcare industry, serving in various management and leadership roles. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Mississippi State University and a Master of Accountancy degree from the University of Mississippi.

Clint Gannon is the Chief Human Resources Officer of Hyperion Technology Group, Inc., where he leads the HR division with a focus on workforce development, talent growth, and employee engagement. He joined Hyperion in 2023 after holding HR leadership roles at Lowe’s Home Improvement and Archer-Daniels-Midland. Throughout his career, Clint has built a strong track record of developing high-performing teams and fostering engaging, growth-oriented cultures across diverse industries and communities. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Mississippi University for Women and a Master’s degree in American Government from the University of Mississippi. In addition to his work at Hyperion, Clint serves on the Board of Directors for the Regional Rehabilitation Center in Tupelo, MS.