Dirk Cooper Email & Phone Number

Chantilly, Virginia, Us

Responsible to the U.S. Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Aviation for the management of a staff of over 130 Requirements and Program Management Professionals. Supports and advises the Deputy Commandant with the other Department Branch Heads on strategic management of a portfolio of aviation programs with a combined budget of over $13 billion annually.• Guided and advised on the development of POM-20 USMC Aviation budget• Provided daily coordination and strategic communications between DC/Aviation and the offices of the Secretary of the Navy, Asst Secretary of Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition), and the network of Pentagon senior civilian, three and four star Flag / General Officers.

Responsible to Director of Air Warfare (USN 2-star) and Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Aviation (USMC 3-star) for strategic resource planning, budgeting and fiscal execution of a portfolio of Marine Corps Aviation programs with a combined budget of $5.86 billion annually. Principle advisor to both USN and USMC Aviation Resource Sponsors in the first year of execution of the "Blue in Support of Green Memorandum of Agreement (BISOG MOA)" defining the resource split (BISOG Split) between the two services. Supervised the execution of FY17, budgeting of FY18 and programming of FY19 USMC Aviation budgets.

Commanding Officer of a 2,800-member tactical aviation enterprise including nine Marine Corps Fighter/Attack and aviation support squadrons with $14B in asset inventory. Managed a $500M annual operating budget encompassing operations, training, maintenance, logistics, sustainment, and safety/risk management for a fleet of 106 F/A-18 Hornet and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter aircraft supporting global operations. In addition to managing a 200-member headquarters staff, supervised and mentored nine direct-report senior executives, each with 200-700 reports and $40M+ annual budget. Led a Continuous Process Improvement program, overcoming historic out of balance Department of Defense (DoD) budgetary and operational tempo pressures, achieving the highest levels of training readiness among all USMC Tactical Aviation Marine Aircraft Groups. Achieved the highest levels of aircraft material readiness for the organization in the 8 years prior to assuming command. Guided the development of the DoD’s first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter squadron (VMFAT-501) to grow from 14 to 25 aircraft, achieve first-ever overseas deployment of the F-35B, increase training capacity by over 70% year-over-year, and train first-ever Category one (CAT I) pilots straight from undergraduate flight school. Developed human resources policies and guidelines; supervised professional development and performance evaluation programs for 2,800 employees. Managed a staff of 30 medical professionals supporting over 5,000 military and family members, achieving the highest level of medical readiness among all East Coast Marine Corps organizations. Received the Legion of Merit Award for exceptional leadership and organizational effectiveness.

Commanding Officer of the U.S. Marine Corps' only professional Air Combat Adversary squadron. Led a 160 person organization, oversaw a complex government contract maintenance service, managed logistics and operations for numerous deployments across the U.S. to provide graduate-level adversary fighter tactics (Red Air) in support of USN, USMC and USAF fighter training readiness.

Led a team of USAF weapons officers and experienced pilots to address shortfalls in Joint service weapons and tactics for the Central Command area of operations. As Chief of Requirements, served as Program Manager for the USAFCENT Joint Urgent Operational Needs program. Drafted the requirements documents and successfully navigated the JCIDS process for multiple defense initiatives (notable examples):- Beyond Line of Sight communication (SATCOM) for F-15E, F-16 and A-10. - Improved low collateral damage bomb body (PLMK-82 / BLU-129). - Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS) carriage and employment on Fixed Wing Fighters.- Precise Target Mensuration Capability (PSS-SOF) aboard B-1 Bomber.

Served as the Executive Officer (Deputy Director) and Senior Marine of TOPGUN. Provided cutting edge, graduate level airborne and academic instruction to hand-selected Navy and Marine Corps fighter aircrew in F/A-18 A-D Hornet and F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft. Dual qualified in the F/A-18 A-D and F-16 Viper. Served as the TOPGUN F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Project Officer, collaborating with the F-35 Program Office and Lockheed Martin to advance pilot-to-vehicle interface and tactical integration. Served as the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps subject matter expert on Surface-to-Air Threat and Countertactics, acting as the link between national level intelligence agencies and the operating forces in the development of intelligence-informed tactics, techniques and procedures.

Washington, Dc, Us

Managed operations and logistical planning for worldwide deployments and training detachments. Managed the preparation, training, readiness, safety and risk management for a combat deployment aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) to the Middle East in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.

Washington, Dc, Us

Advanced Management Program (Amp)

Master Of Business Administration (Mba), International Business Concentration. Darla Moore School Of Business

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Aerospace Engineering

Certificate Program, Project Management With Agile And Evms

Aviation Safety Officer Designation, Safety Program Management And Mishap Investigation