Robyn B. Celestino

Associate

Washington + 1.202.879.3864

Robyn Celestino advises clients on high-stakes regulatory matters, focusing on government contracts, defense, and national security across all domains — maritime, air, land, space, and cyber. With an extensive background in government contracting, she offers deep experience on complex issues affecting defense and national security.

Robyn's career includes serving as the Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) for Air Force Special Programs (SAF/AQCS), Director of Contracts (Acting) for the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO), and Director of Contract Policy. She also held an unlimited warrant as a Contracting Officer at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). Specializing in Major Weapon Systems, Robyn managed a portfolio exceeding $50 billion, overseeing key programs such as the F/A-18, EA-18G, F-35, B-21 bomber, and X-37 space plane.

At Jones Day, Robyn provides counsel on government contract matters, including bid protest litigation, contract disputes, North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) appeals, other transaction agreements (OTAs), and False Claims Act (FCA) investigations. She also advises on intellectual property rights and software licenses, small business certifications, security clearance appeals, and compliance with U.S. import/export regulations. She supports clients in the defense, software, construction, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, real estate, energy, aerospace, space, shipbuilding, private equity, and banking industries. Robyn holds an active Top Secret clearance and is SCI (sensitive compartmented information) eligible.

Experience

  • Hexagon acquires SeptentrioJones Day advised Hexagon AB in the acquisition of Septentrio NV, a leading OEM provider of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies.
  • Wabtec acquires Dellner CouplersJones Day is advising Wabtec Corporation in the $960 million acquisition of Dellner Couplers, a global leader in highly engineered safety-critical train connection systems and services for passenger rail rolling stock.
  • Morgan Stanley portfolio company acquires Richard Heath & AssociatesJones Day advised Morgan Stanley Capital Partners in the acquisition and financing by portfolio company Resource Innovations, Inc. of Richard Heath & Associates, Inc.
  • High Road Capital sells portfolio company TavoronJones Day advised High Road Capital Partners in the sale of its portfolio company Tavoron to Fusion Capital Partners, a Los Angeles based private equity firm.
  • Wabtec acquires Evident’s inspection technologies divisionJones Day is advising Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) in connection with its $1.78 billion acquisition of Evident’s inspection technologies division, a global leader in non-destructive testing, remote visual inspection and analytical instruments solutions for mission critical assets.
  • Koch Equity Development acquires iconectiv, LLCJones Day is advising Koch Equity Development LLC, the principal investment and acquisition arm of Koch, Inc., on its acquisition of iconectiv, LLC ("iconectiv"), a telecommunications solutions leader, from Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), the global supplier of mobile communication and connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises, and affiliates of Francisco Partners, a leading technology investment firm.
  • Kinzie Capital acquires Arctic IndustriesJones Day represented Kinzie Capital Partners LP, a Chicago-based private equity firm, in the acquisition and financing of Arctic Industries, a leading manufacturer of commercial grade walk-in coolers and freezers.
  • ETS acquires PSIJones Day advised Educational Testing Service (ETS) in its acquisition of PSI Services LLC, a global leader in test development and delivery across workforce certification and licensure.
  • TotalEnergies' affiliate Cray Valley sells three product lines to Pacific Avenue Capital PartnersJones Day is advising Total Energies on its sale of three product lines to Pacific Avenue Capital Partners (Wingtack®, PolyBD® and Dymalink®) developed by Cray Valley, its resin production and sales affiliate.
  • Riverside acquires American Service Company (ASC) and Advanced Fire Protection Systems (AFPS)Jones Day represented The Riverside Company in the acquisition of American Service Company (ASC) and Advanced Fire Protection Systems (AFPS), providers of fire and life safety system services to commercial property owners and building managers across eastern Massachusetts and the greater Baltimore / D.C. area, respectively.
  • J.F. Lehman & Company backed NorthStar Group acquires Trans Ash Inc.Jones Day advised NorthStar Group, a portfolio company of J.F. Lehman & Company, in the acquisition and financing of Trans Ash Inc., a leading provider of coal ash (or coal combustion residuals) services to utilities customers across North America.
  • Organon makes strategic investment in Claria MedicalJones Day advised Organon in the strategic investment in Claria Medical, Inc. a privately-held company developing an investigational medical device being studied for use during minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomy.
  • Parker Hannifin divests its Aircraft Wheel and Brake divisionJones Day advised Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH, “Parker”), the global leader in motion and control technologies, in the divestiture of its Aircraft Wheel and Brake Division, located in Avon, Ohio, to Kaman Corporation (NYSE: KAMN) for $440 million.
  • Avient acquires DSM Protective Materials businessJones Day advised Avient Corporation (NYSE: AVNT), a leading provider of specialized and sustainable material solutions, in the $1.485 billion acquisition and financing of Koninklijke DSM N.V.’s protective materials business, a leading specialty engineered materials business built around the invention of Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber.
  • Signature Aviation sells TAC Air FBOs to Atlantic AviationJones Day advised Signature Aviation in its divestiture of three TAC Air fixed base operations at Omaha, Nebraska (OMA); Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU); and Hartford, Connecticut (BDL) to Atlantic Aviation.
  • Signature Aviation acquires 14 TAC Air locations Jones Day advised Signature Aviation in the acquisition of the TAC Air business of The Arnold Companies.
  • Multi-service national corporation seeks counsel on security clearance issues in connection with acquisitionJones Day advised a multi-service national corporation with respect to facility security clearance (FCL) issues, including executing a tailored agreement with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) regarding termination of a Special Security Agreement (SSA) for an acquired subsidiary firm.
  • Multinational company concludes internal investigation regarding small business representations made by company subsidiaryJones Day led and conducted an internal investigation of a multinational corporation regarding exposure and disclosure obligations in connection with small business representations made by a subsidiary of the company. 
  • VSE Corporation acquires HAECO Special ServicesJones Day advised VSE Corporation, a leading provider of aftermarket distribution and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for land, sea and air transportation assets for government and commercial markets, in its acquisition of HAECO Special Services, LLC from HAECO Airframe Services, LLC, a division of HAECO Americas, in an all cash transaction.
  • NXP protests GPO Passport eCover procurementJones Day successfully represented NXP Semiconductors N.V. in a protest at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims challenging the U.S. Government Publishing Office's next generation Passport eCover procurement.
  • Additional Speaking Engagements

    • April 3, 2019
      Air Force Contracting World Wide Training Summit (AFCWWTS), Executive Steering Group Panel