CV
You can find a PDF version of my CV here and my resume here.
Objective
Accelerate the development, acquisition, and fielding of innovative technologies that enhance Warfighter operational effectiveness, ensuring they have the tools and capabilities needed to succeed in rapidly evolving environments and maintain the battlespace advantage.
Education
- Ph.D in Industrial Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2022
- Supervisors: Professors Alaa Elwany and Dimitris Lagoudas
- Dissertation: Metal Additive Manufacturing Process-Structure-Property Relational Linkages Using Gaussian Process Surrogates
- Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics, Texas A&M University, 2022
- Emphasizing Bayesian and spatial statistics
- M.S. in Aerospace Engineer, Texas A&M University, 2015
- Supervisors: Professors Dimitris Lagoudas and James Boyd
- Thesis: Modeling of Inductive Heating on Shape Memory Alloy Components
- B.S. in Aerospace Engineer, Virginia Tech, 2013
- Minor in Mathematics
Professional Experience
U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), 2026 – Present
- Chief Engineer (NH-04, 0801, supervisory), 2026 – Present
Communication and Intelligence Support Systems Program Management Office (PM-CISS)- Serve as the Principal Technical Authority for the CISS Program Management Office, providing executive-level oversight for the acquisition, engineering, and rapid fielding of classified Special Operations-unique communication and intelligence systems.
- Direct a multidisciplinary team of engineers and acquisition professionals, orchestrating technical strategies across the Command to ensure interoperability and mission success for global Special Operations Forces (SOF).
National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), 2023 – 2026
- Deputy Chief Engineer (GG-14, 0801), 2024 – 2026
Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Systems Acquisition Directorate- Directed the end-to-end systems engineering and strategic integration of a multi-billion dollar SIGINT architecture, synchronizing >10 MSAs to deliver unified operational capability.
- Pioneered the enterprise-wide adoption of Digital Engineering (DE), reducing acquisition lead times and establishing a modernized framework for cross-collection system operations.
- PM/AOTR for OT-based capability study for a future high-sensitivity SIGINT system.
- PM/COTR for an industry consortium to drive maturation of architecture-wide standards.
- Represent SIGINT PEO equities at NRO forums and coordinate across the DoD/IC to foster collaboration and partnership with SIGINT users.
- Lead SIGINT international partnership efforts to strengthen NRO capabilities and promote collaboration among FVEY partners.
- Deputy Branch Chief (GG-13, 0801, supervisory), 2023 – 2024
Office of Space Launch- Led a diverse team of military, civilians, and contractors in executing launch missions, conducting advanced capability studies, and engaging in strategic partner outreach.
- Oversaw the supervision of both civilian and military staff, managing hiring processes, onboarding programs, and providing ongoing mentorship.
- Identified, developed, and rapidly acquired advanced launch and on-orbit capabilities utilizing both FAR and non-FAR methods.
- Facilitated and coordinated strategic outreach initiatives with industry and government partners to effectively identify and address customer requirements.
- Managed stakeholder inputs and tracked progress throughout the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution process to ensure alignment and accountability.
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), 2015 – 2023
- Mechanical Engineer (NP-03, 0830), 2016-2023
Materials Science & Technology Division- Provided critical insight and guidance using subject matter expertise in metal additive manufacturing (AM) and machine learning (ML).
- Created an ML-based model for the AM process – leading to a 50% improvement in the performance and quality of AM parts while significantly reducing material waste costs.
- Co-principal investigator for multiple DoD programs in AM and traumatic brain injury (TBI), involving Tri-Service participation, with total funding exceeding $30 million.
- Authored technical briefs for senior leaders, subject matter experts, program managers, and non-technical audiences on complex scientific topics.
- Biomechanics Engineer, 2015-2016
Leidos Inc.- Developed comprehensive strategies to analyze blast injuries sustained during weapons training and combat, resulting in enhanced protection for Warfighters.
- Identified TBI relationships between various animal species and humans to improve diagnosis and treatment of TBI in Warfighters.
- Created image-based finite element models of humans and other species using medical imaging data for realistic simulations and accurate TBI assessments.
- Established a method to evaluate combat helmets against over 300k potential ballistic threats and performed statistical analysis to identify areas lacking protection.
- Implemented a material model calibration framework for biological materials to enhance the prediction accuracy of material properties by up to 60%.
Texas A&M University, 2013 – 2015
- Research Associate, 2013-2015
Department of Aerospace Engineering- Development of a modelling framework for inductive heating of shape memory alloy components to achieve an order-of-magnitude increase in actuation rates.
- Led a student team to design, model, and fabricate a composite twisting wing utilizing SMA torque tubes.
- Simulation and optimization of self-folding reprogrammable sheets using shape memory alloy and shape memory polymer composites.
- Visiting Scholar, 2014
Air Force Research Laboratory- Prototyped a deployable composite structure for overhead GEOINT optic baffles.
- Medical Device Consultant, 2014
- Provided expert insights and analysis of shape memory alloy biomedical devices.
Virginia Tech, 2009 – 2013
- Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2011-2013
Department of Aerospace & Ocean Engineering- 1-D modeling and testing of shape memory alloys springs.
- Virginia Tech Microgravity Research Team, 2010-2013
Department of Aerospace & Ocean Engineering- Investigation and flight test of a moving mass actuator control system for small satellites.
- Chosen two consecutive years to participate in NASAs Reduced Gravity Flight Education Program.
Awards
- ‘Outstanding’ (5) rating in every year of service since EOD*
- Or equivalent rating resulting in a merit/step increase
- NRO Innovation & Achievement awards (6 total)
- NRO Office of Space Launch Senior Technical Civilian – 3QFY23
- NRO Office of Space Launch Innovation in Launch Team Award - 2QFY24
Training
- DoD Executive Leadership Development Program (Cohort 37)
- Sole, competitively selected NRO employee chosen for 10-month DoD/IC-wide leadership training
- Naval Research Laboratory Edison Memorial Graduate Training Program
- Multi-year competitively awarded graduate education program
- NRO Leadership Launch for Supervisors
- 1-week in-residence, intensive leadership training
Certifications
NRO Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR)
- DAWIA Practitioner Certification in Engineering & Technical Management
- DAWIA Credentials in:
- Coursera Certifications in:
- Project Management & Other Tools for Career Development specialization
- Deep Learning specialization
- DeepLearning.AI TensorFlow Developer specialization
- Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) specialization
- AI For Everyone course
- Machine Learning course
- Bayesian Methods for Machine Learning course (with honors)
Professional Activities
- Journal Reviewer
- Journal of DoD Research and Engineering
- Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Engineering
- Materials Today
- Finite Elements in Analysis and Design
- Defence Technology
- Technical conference session/symposium speaker, organizer, and chair
- Recurring mentor for interns, students, and new hires
- Invited speaker/panelist at academic, leadership, and professional forums
- Represent senior leaders at multi-agency forums and working groups
- Collaborate across the DoD/IC, USG, and international partners in support of the mission
Skills
- Computer Languages – Fortran, Python, R, Matlab
- Software – Abaqus, COMSOL, Solidworks, Mathematica, Microsoft Office
- Machine learning, digital engineering, and model-based systems engineering
- Machine shop, mechanical testing, and field testing experience
- Windows, Linux, Unix experience
- Programing, planning, budgeting, and executing (PPBE)
- Acquisition strategy and contracting
- Time and Personnel Management
- Time, Project, and Personnel Management inc. supervision of civilian & military workforce