Ciara Keller
Rochester,NY
Summary
Accomplished Program Manager with over ten years of experience in the Department of Defense and a Top 10 Defense Technology Company. Expertise in international affairs, lifecycle management, business development, and public-private partnerships. Skilled in managing budgets, contracting, resource allocation, and process improvement, with proficiency in SAP, Jira, and Confluence.
Alumnus of the L3Harris Accelerated Leadership Program (LHXLP), an exclusive program to develop General Manager talent through strategic rotational assignments, advanced training, and experiential learning.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
LHXLP | LEAD INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM MANAGER (Lvl 5)
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
Rochester, NY
01.2026 - Current
- Managed tactical communication multi-channel radio programs in Eastern Europe, coordinating wartime contingency accounts and offset obligations.
LHXLP | LEAD, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT (Lvl 5)
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
San Diego, CA
05.2025 - 12.2025
- Oversaw execution of $300M in annual revenue as Deputy GM, ensuring alignment with Annual Operating Plan objectives
- Coordinated Joint Strategy Planning as Deputy GM to align division's strategic goals with corporate strategy, integrating functions, budgets, and operations for optimal resource utilization
- Implemented Link-182 waveform in SWARMM Family 1 radio, overcoming supplier delays and partnering with intercompany sector to deliver critical components in under three months, saving $2.5 million and enabling seamless integration into SF1 radio
LHXLP | LEAD, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT (Lvl 5)
L3Harris Cincinnati Electronics, Inc.
Mason, OH
09.2024 - 05.2025
- Deputy Program Manager for the $600M ACAT II U.S. Navy Shipboard Panoramic Electro-Optical Infrared (SPEIR) program, managing financial health using Cost Estimating and Analysis Capability reviews and Earned Value Management System metrics
- Led Return to Green initiatives for delayed components, enhancing visibility and securing resources to meet targets; proposed contract modification for Navy's Milestone C decision, generating $4.5M in unforecasted revenue.
- Launched comprehensive marketing campaign for SPEIR, creating first ITAR approved data sheet and inaugural international strategy; secured marketing and tradeshow export licenses for FVEY nations, facilitating SPEIR’s inclusion in international campaigns.
- Authored and delivered white paper to House Armed Services Committee for FY25 NDAA, advocating for SPEIR's alignment with National Defense Strategy and financial protection measures.
SR. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM MANAGER (Lvl 4)
L3Harris Technologies
Salt Lake City, UT
08.2022 - 09.2024
- Led and executed multi-million-dollar International Direct Commercial Sales and FMS contracts, managing the sale and export of ITAR Common Data Link (CDL) and Tactical Data Link (Link 16) products to international defence forces. Secured import/export approvals from the U.S. Government and coordinated OCONUS technology demonstrations, tailoring systems’ datalink architectures per customer platform.
- Secured $22M in new business and executed $10M in contracts on or ahead of schedule in FY24, leading the BCS International Programs group to achieve the year's largest bookings with the Netherlands and Austria Embraer KC-390 and Canada TIC3 Air programs, establishing new strategic alliances with foreign Air Forces.
- Implemented the “Flat Induction Fee” initiative for international repair orders, funding direct labor to screen LRUs and quote full depot-level repair prior to induction, saving customers up-front funding and reducing redundant work steps.
- Led efforts for 2024 Communication Systems Symposium in Czech Republic, organizing conference and representing sector in product and technology briefings, fostering international partnerships and strategic planning with regional consultants, representatives, and distributors (CDRs) to strengthen market presence.
- Led efforts for 2024 Communication Systems Symposium in Czech Republic, organizing conference and representing sector in product and technology briefings, fostering international partnerships and strategic planning with regional consultants, representatives, and distributors (CDRs) to strengthen market presence.
CHIEF, DEPOT OPERATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS (GS-1101-13 / NH-1101-03)
Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex | United States Air Force
Robins AFB, GA
03.2019 - 08.2022
- Supervised 20 program analysts in over 100 depot activation efforts and 50 public-private partnerships across 402nd maintenance groups at WR-ALC; acted as WR-ALC business & partnerships office branch chief (GS-14) from September 2021 to July 2022, managing daily and strategic operations of 60-employee organization
- Managed the $110M C-17 Airframe Direct-Sales Partnership between WR-ALC and Boeing, overseeing 500,000 man-hours of annual maintenance, modifications, and repairs – the USAF’s most revenue-generating partnership
- Managed depot-repair capability for E-8 JSTARS and RQ-4 Global Hawk airframe maintenance; coordinated public-private partnership with Northrop Grumman for ISR payload adapters modification on RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30
- Organic depot manager of the Saudi Arabia F-15S to F-15SA conversion program, facilitating international collaboration and strategic alignment
ACQUISITIONS PROGRAM MANAGER (GS-1101 / 0346-12)
Air Force Materiel Command | United States Air Force
Robins AFB, GA
05.2015 - 03.2019
- Developed funding structure for U-2 datalinks program's FY18-20 funds and ACAT III Beyond Line-of-Sight Technical Refresh program to ensure resource allocation. Certified and awarded $56M CPFF contracts to two OEMs for designing, building, and installing new BLOS data links and ground stations for the U-2 fleet.
- Led program management for a tri-national, classified program, planning and directing logistics support and weapon system requirements through IOC phase.
- Coordinated foreign Cooperative Program Personnel (CPP) and Foreign Liaison Officer (FLO) oversight through SAF/IA and regional embassies.
- Deputy program manager for establishing F-35 in-service/air battle damage repair via Rapid Response Teams, coordinating efforts of USAF, US Navy, US Marine Corps, and partner/FMS nations. Provided depot maintenance planning and logistics support for four OCONUS airframe depots in Asia, Europe, and Australia.
- Facilitated Congressional inquiries addressing F-35 airframe production and international relations with partnering nations and FMS customers to maintain stakeholder engagement.
LEGISLATIVE AIDE
United States House of Representatives & United States Senate
Washington, DC
01.2014 - 05.2015
- (Ret) Rep Rob Bishop & (Ret) Honorable Orrin G. Hatch
Education
Squadron Officer School -
Air University
Maxwell AFB, AL03.2020
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Utah State University
Logan, UT05.2017
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Business Administration
Weber State University
Ogden, UT12.2014
Security Clearance Level
SECRET
Professional Fellowships
AIR FORCE FELLOW - Advanced Tactical Acquisition Corps, 02/01/21, 05/01/21, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, Competitively selected across AFMC to develop an acquisition strategy for Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) for SAF/AQ and HAF/A8
Certification
- Level II – Depot Maintenance Management, 2021
- Level II – Life Cycle Logistics, 2021
- Level II – Program Management, 2019
Timeline
LHXLP | LEAD INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM MANAGER (Lvl 5)
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
01.2026 - Current
LHXLP | LEAD, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT (Lvl 5)
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
05.2025 - 12.2025
LHXLP | LEAD, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT (Lvl 5)
L3Harris Cincinnati Electronics, Inc.
09.2024 - 05.2025
SR. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM MANAGER (Lvl 4)
L3Harris Technologies
08.2022 - 09.2024
CHIEF, DEPOT OPERATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS (GS-1101-13 / NH-1101-03)
Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex | United States Air Force
03.2019 - 08.2022
ACQUISITIONS PROGRAM MANAGER (GS-1101 / 0346-12)
Air Force Materiel Command | United States Air Force
05.2015 - 03.2019
LEGISLATIVE AIDE
United States House of Representatives & United States Senate
01.2014 - 05.2015
Squadron Officer School -
Air University
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Utah State University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Business Administration
Weber State University