Robert Pridgen Email & Phone Number

Savannah, Georgia, United States

Ridley Park, Pa

Senior DoD Program Manager with extensive experience managing successive major defense aerospace programs in all phases of the product life-cycle. Over twenty years leading complex and dynamic program and operational organizations to successful outcomes and managing cross-functional teams in the development, sustainment and manufacturing/production of radar warning, communications, flight safety systems, tactical aviation, helicopter, tilt-rotor and executive helicopter aircraft.

Led an organization of 250+ personnel with equipment valued at $560M into multiple, high-paced, high-risk environments with clear objectives achieved while experiencing no loss or injury to personnel nor damage to equipment.

Led a program team of 1100+ government and industry personnel providing helicopter support (Marine One) and advanced helicopter maintenance to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States and foreign Heads of State. Achieved 100% safety and availability record in this highly political, national security mission while incorporating critical communications and modernization capabilities valued at $197M to support White House missions. Successfully executed a maintenance support strategy and contract that reduced total cost by 21% over five years. Concurrently, led a second cross-functional team of government and commercial entities executing the $5.3 billion development program for the new executive helicopter for the President of the United States, the VH-92A. Consistently executed this new start program ahead of schedule and below projected costs in a highly political and pressurized environment saving $251 million in a single year.

Led a program team of 3200+ government and industry personnel who provided world-wide oversight, support and upgrade to 142 helicopters valued at $4.97 billion. Effectively maintained an aging fleet of critical strategic helicopter assets in a highly-charged and constrained budget environment.Managed the initial design, test and build of the $6.3 billion, CH-53K heavy lift helicopter with a targeted production build of 200+ aircraft. Effectively navigated preliminary and detailed design phases that included three critical technical elements necessary for the success of this helicopter design. Helicopter successfully completed developmental testing and has been approved for initial production valued at $1.5 billion and a future $28.3 billion production and life-cycle support program.

Deputy Program Manager and led a start up team which developed and executed a rapid support and sustainment plan for a newly fielded system (V-22) deployed to an austere environment. Supply chains quickly established around the world ensured increased and sustained readiness within six months of initiation.

Coordinated the staff operations of a multi-platform, multi-billion dollar defense acquisition organization whose diverse programs provided critical national defense capabilities for the US Navy and Marine Corps.

Lead for the development of the CH-53K, the Marine Corps' heavy lift replacement platform.

As a Corporate Fellow, while assigned to the global services sector, was instrumental in developing roll out strategy for a secure, collaborative network for the Defense Information Services Agency (DISA). Further assigned to the IBM strategy team where business risk and growth opportunities were defined and presented to corporate leadership. Assigned to stand up a business sector for future capability development such as communications, “big data” data analysis and predictive analytics for the newly established Naval Expeditionary Combat Command.

Bs, Physics

Ms, Systems Management