Executive Biography of Ayal Somech Ayal Somech serves as Head of Growth and Innovation at Boeing Israel, where he is spearheading the establishment of Boeing’s first-ever Aviation Cyber Security Center in Israel – a groundbreaking initiative that positions Israel at the forefront of Global Aviation Cybersecurity innovation. This first-of-its-kind center represents a significant milestone in leveraging Israel’s world-renowned technological capabilities, with an initial focus on cybersecurity and AI while remaining open to additional disruptive technologies that can enhance Aerospace advancement. Operating at the crucial intersection of government, academia, and industry, Ayal forges transformative partnerships that accelerate technological advancement and create lasting value. Through various engagement models – from direct contracting to venture investments – he creates flexible pathways for innovative solutions that drive meaningful impact in aerospace, bringing together exceptional talent to address Boeing’s most pressing challenges. Prior to his current position, Ayal led the Applied Innovation team within Boeing’s Office of the CTO, where he was responsible for driving external innovation adoption and partnerships. In this capacity, he oversaw the partnership with AEI HorizonX Ventures group – scoping new investments and connecting portfolio companies with Boeing’s technical capabilities while helping bridge new innovations into the company. During his tenure with Boeing HorizonX Ventures, Ayal held multiple leadership roles, including heading the Portfolio Development team. In this position, he was responsible for the traction and success of Portfolio Companies while working to introduce their various technologies and capabilities inside Boeing and across the supply chain, demonstrating additional value beyond investment dollars. Earlier in his Boeing career, Ayal served as the IT Regional Leader for Europe and Israel, where he had overall responsibilities for Boeing’s IT organization operating in the Europe and Israel region. Before joining Boeing, he was CEO of “Street Smart” – an IoT-themed startup that disrupted the parking industry through innovative sensor technology, robust wireless networks, and intelligent edge-devices. Ayal serves as a Major in the Israeli Defense Force reserves with the Arrow Anti-Ballistic Missile unit, where his responsibilities include overseeing and onboarding the U.S. THAAD battery deployed in Israel. In this liaison capacity, he ensures operational alignment and readiness between Israeli and U.S. forces in an active combat environment, working to maintain peak preparedness for evolving security challenges. He obtained his BA in Government and International Relations from the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at IDC Herzliya. Based in Tel-Aviv, Israel, Ayal brings a unique combination of military precision, entrepreneurial spirit, and strategic vision to his role. He is known for his ability to build powerful ecosystems that connect emerging technologies with enterprise-scale implementation, particularly in complex environments where technology, policy, and industry converge.