Gary Kessler Email & Phone Number

CAREER OBJECTIVELead organizations that deliver world-class capability for the Department of the Navy and the Department of Defense and inspire and mentor our next generation of acquisition leaders. ACCOMPLISHMENTSExecutive Director, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) / Deputy Assistant Commander for Test and Evaluation, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)As the Executive Director for Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), directly responsible for ensuring that business and financial objectives are met and that the overall mission is executed in a safe and efficient manner. NAWCAD has a total workforce of over 13,000 people across three sites (Patuxent River, MD, Lakehurst, NJ and Orland, FL), executing work over $3.1B in FY12. As the Deputy Assistant Commander for T&E for Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), directly responsible for the appropriate implementation of policy and guidance of T&E matters emanating from the offices of the NAVAIR Commander, Vice Commander, and Deputy Commander in addition to ensuring the successful execution of test and evaluation throughout NAVAIR. This includes all flight testing at Patuxent River, MD, China Lake, CA, and Point Mugu, CA to include major programs such as JSF, P-8, E-2D, F/A-18G, CH-53K, Fire Scout, BAMS and N-UCAS to name a few. Deputy Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation Systems, PEO (U&W)-Successfully manage acquisition oversight and life-cycle support for all major Naval Unmanned Aviations Systems programs such as, Raven B, Wasp and Shadow UASs, Small Tactical Tier II UASs, Navy and Marine Corps Multi-Mission Tactical UAS, BAMS, Fire Scout, and Navy UCAS. • Chairman for NATO’s JCGUAV Group, which oversees all aspects of NATO UAS acquisition, and collaboration of UAS issues among all NATO countries. In addition, non-NATO countries, such as Russia, Ukraine, and Israel attend our meetings, resulting in over 26 countries participating.

Listed skills include Dod, Navy, Program Management, National Security, and 23 others.