Richard Holifield Email & Phone Number

Huntsville, Al, Us

Huntsville, Alabama

Wright-Patterson Afb, Oh

Led 125-member team supporting 287 MQ-9s at 29 worldwide sites amassing 325K flt hrs/year; implemented agile software strategy that saved $20M & fielded capabilities every 6-10 months. Oversaw cost/schedule/performance of over 80 development, production & retrofit contracts worth $3B with 3 major contractors; primary interface to resolve issues for MQ-9 stakeholders.

Wright-Patterson Afb, Oh

Executive Officer to Commander, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center; led executive correspondence & assisted 3-star Commander leading a $200B acquisition organization.

Tukwila, Wa

Directed 90-member team providing contract administration for 450 DoD and foreign military sales contracts valued at $37B; routine interface with senior DoD leadership, Allies & industry. Oversaw contract payments, quality, integration & flight acceptance testing for 32 Defense acquisition programs including KC-46A, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) & P-8A.

Pentagon, Va

Provided budget oversight of $50B portfolio including the KC-46A Tanker and modernization of 414 KC-135 and 59 KC-10 aerial refueling aircraft; won 2011 SAF/AQ’s Team of the Year. Built strategic communications & interfaced with Congress, Office of Secretary of Defense, customers, media & industry as Program Element Monitor on AF’s #1 acquisition priority.

Pentagon, Va

Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures & Communications, Navigation & Surveillance / Air Traffic Management Program Element Monitor. Led team of 3 & managed $10B budget for LAIRCM & CNS/ATM programs. Provided defensive systems on 700+ aircraft and air traffic management capability for all AF aircraft. Initiated program guidance, assessed acquisition requirements, oversaw funding, provided inputs to annual President's budget. Key warfighter interface & advocate to Air Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Congress & industry on program initiatives.

Montgomery, Alabama Area

Intermediate Developmental Education Student at Air Command & Staff College. Studied Leadership Arts, Airpower History & Joint Warfare Planning.

Moody Afb, Ga

Led 460 Airmen maintaining 56 A-10C aircraft worth $672M & managed $6M budget; built fleet master plan to balance pilot training/modifications/deployments despite grounding wing cracks. Led 140 maintainers & 18-ship A-10C deployment package to Operation ENDURING FREEDOM resulting in 4.5K combat sorties, 13K flight hours, 328 munitions dropped & 32K rounds fired.

Moody Afb, Ga

Responsible for 580 Airmen performing on-/off- equipment maintenance actions on 12 HC-130s, 15 HH-60Gs, and 56 A-10Cs. Led 23rd EMS Base Realignment & Closure (BRAC) transition for A-10Cs ensuring smooth transition for 300 personnel plus-up and $22M AETC equipment turn-in.

Moody Afb Ga

Maintenance Flight Commander. Led, trained, and equipped 80 personnel supporting aerospace equipment sustainment and operations. Directed aircraft maintenance activities for 10 HC-130P, 2 C-130E, and 14 HH-60G aircraft. Responsible for C-130 isochronal inspections, HH-60G phase inspections, aircraft propulsion, crash recovery, wheel and tire assembly, and aerosurface rigging for Moody AFB aircraft. Managed quality assurance, maintenance training, budget/resource allocation, analysis, facilities, and programs for flight. Ensured adherence to technical data, policies, procedures, and safe maintenance practices.

Wright-Patterson Afb Oh

B-52 Systems Engineering Manager / Avionics Engineer. Handpicked by 3-star to work on $232M, high-priority, CSAF-directed B-52 Stand-off Jammer Program. Responsible for integrating airborne electronic attack capabilities on the USAF’s oldest bomber. Lead avionics engineer charged with conducting studies and analyses to define Spiral 1 transmitter subsystem architecture, receiver integration, and performance characteristics. Led technology maturation team during source selection.

Wright-Patterson Afb, Oh

Executive Officer to Propulsion System Program Office Director. Coordinated activities of 180-person, group-equivalent organization responsible for development and modernization of propulsion capabilities for USAF and Allied nations. Responsible for suspense tracking, quality review, awards, decorations, evaluations, and assignments of personnel. Advised Director, senior staff, and customers on personnel, management, and programmatic issues and documents. Primary interface between Director, 10 division chiefs, senior Aeronautical Systems Center leaders, and contractor executive leadership.

Wright-Patterson Afb Oh

F/A-22 Propulsion Development Engineer. Lead for all programmatic and technical aspects of turbine and combustor components in the F119 engine for the F/A-22, USAF’s highest priority air superiority fighter aircraft. Supervised engine contractor design studies and reviews to optimize life, reduce maintenance, and lower acquisition life cycle costs. Led trade study evaluation teams to ensure F/A-22 engine structural requirement compliance. Prime interface with USAF laboratories and industry to coordinate advanced development programs. Managed $2M budget in Component Improvement Program (CIP) to ensure engine safety, reliability, and maintainability for the F/A-22 operators.

Eglin Afb Fl

Advanced Programs Project Engineer, Armament Product Directorate. Handpicked by Engineering Director to work highly classified, CSAF-directed weapon project to meet long-term warfighter need. Directly supported program director by preparing financial documents, progress reports, and briefings which helped secure full funding from SAF/AQ.

Eglin Afb Fl

Section Commander, Armament Product Directorate. Led and supported 300 military and 1000 civilians in 11 diverse offices within the Armament Product Directorate. Supervised 11 enlisted personnel, including First Sergeant, who orchestrated day-to-day Commander’s Support Staff operations. Responsible for 16+ diverse personnel and administrative programs for unit commander including: counseling, member assistance, awards, evaluations, assignments, promotions, retirements, separations, travel cards, military readiness, and administering discipline.

Eglin Afb Fl

Test and Integration Engineer, Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Program Office. Systems engineer for a $3B Air Force and Navy precision bomb tailkit. Led design, integration, and certification process for five JDAM warhead variants. Picked to lead systems engineering effort for $50M CSAF-directed JDAM MK-82 program. Test engineer for $4M JDAM / Joint Programmable Fuze wind tunnel testing to resolve operational fuze failures. Coordinated and briefed VIP’s and dignitaries at munition displays and airshows 50+ times per year. Integral engineering decisions made JDAM the “smart” weapon of choice for warfighters and lauded as hero of Operations ALLIED FORCE, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM.

Hurlburt Field Fl

Current Operations Scheduler, 8th Special Operations Squadron. Responsible for planning and scheduling a $26M flying program for five MC-130E aircraft and ensuring all aircrew training requirements were met. Coordinated daily schedule changes with six 8th SOS aircrew sections, the 16th Maintenance Squadron, Eglin AFB ranges, other 16th Special Operations Wing units, Army Special Forces units, Navy SEALs, and Air Force Special Tactics personnel. Successfully mobilized and evacuated $250M worth of equipment during Hurricanes Earl and Georges.

Bachelor'S Degree, Mechanical Engineering

Master'S Degree, Military Operational Art And Science/Studies

Master'S Degree, Engineering/Industrial Management