McDonnell’s departure marks the end of a significant era for the AeroVironment executive team. To ensure continuity, the company stated that McDonnell will remain available through the transition period. Should a new finance chief be appointed before the July 31 deadline, McDonnell will move into a non-officer advisory capacity to assist with the leadership handover.

Compensation and Succession Strategy

According to a recent regulatory filing, McDonnell's total compensation for 2025 reached $2.5 million. This package included a base salary of slightly more than $495,000, reflecting his role in steering the financial strategy of the unmanned aircraft systems manufacturer during a period of sector expansion.

The search for a new CFO comes as AeroVironment continues to navigate an increasingly complex environment within the defense industry. The board is currently evaluating candidates to take over the fiscal leadership of the firm, which remains a primary provider of advanced tactical solutions to global defense customers.