Tukatech Names Retired Brig. Gen. Kristin K. French Strategic Adviser and Consultant

By eTextileCommunications

LOS ANGELES — Tukatech, a global leader in digital engineering and manufacturing technology, has announced that retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kristin K. French has joined the company as a strategic adviser and consultant.

French brings more than 29 years of military leadership, followed by more than nine years of senior federal government experience supporting the Department of Defense and the defense industrial base.

During her government career, French served in senior leadership positions, including principal deputy assistant secretary for logistics and materiel readiness, chief of staff at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and deputy director of logistics operations (J3) at DLA. Her experience spans defense logistics, supply chain management, manufacturing, the industrial base, procurement, sustainment and the end-to-end movement of materials.

"I am truly honored to have Kristin join the Tukatech team," said Ram Sareen, founder and CEO of Tukatech. "Her depth of experience, leadership and understanding of defense logistics and the industrial base bring a perspective that is incredibly valuable to what we are trying to accomplish.

"America is at an important moment for its manufacturing and defense industrial base. We believe technology can play a critical role in strengthening domestic capacity, improving productivity, increasing visibility and traceability, and helping manufacturers respond faster to the needs of our defense customers. Kristin understands those challenges from the inside."

In her role with Tukatech, French will advise the company on opportunities to support the U.S. defense apparel and textile supply chain, with an emphasis on strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity, improving productivity and visibility, and connecting digital technology with the realities of defense production.

"My career has been focused on logistics, sustainment and the industrial base, and I have seen firsthand the challenges involved in moving from requirements to production and ultimately delivering what our service members need," French said. "I am excited to work with Tukatech and explore how technology, manufacturing innovation and greater visibility can help strengthen the U.S. textile and apparel industrial base."

French's appointment comes as Tukatech continues to expand its work in digital product development and manufacturing. The company's technology platform connects product development, 2D and 3D engineering, pattern development, material utilization, cutting and manufacturing workflows. Tukatech describes its mission as helping customers reduce waste, improve productivity and make better use of existing people and equipment.

French retired from federal government service in September 2025. Her military career included command and senior logistics assignments, including service as commanding general of the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) in Afghanistan. The U.S. Army documented her promotion to brigadier general in 2012.

"Kristin's experience gives Tukatech an important perspective as we engage more deeply with the defense manufacturing community," Sareen added. "This is not simply about technology. It is about helping American manufacturers build the capability, capacity and resilience required for the next generation of defense apparel and textile production."

Tukatech is an American-owned, privately held technology company that has developed digital engineering and manufacturing solutions for sewn products since 1995, with technology, training and support in more than 66 countries.

This article was published in eTextileCommunications October 9, 2026. Tukatech is a member of SPESA.

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