Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Objective
Timeline

Nathan Kirk

Clearcreek Township

Summary

ACAT I Materiel Leader transitioning from the active duty U.S. Air Force with retirement effective 1 January 2024. Veteran acquisition professional with deep lifecycle management experience (16+ years) supporting the C-130J, KC-46, MQ-9 and Airborne Laser programs. Also served in multiple roles within Headquarters Air Force at the Pentagon, as the Executive to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Vice Commander, and at AFWERX Las Vegas – one of the Air Force’s innovation hubs. Team player yet sometimes non-consensus thinker who leads with optimism, intellectual rigor, curiosity, and humility.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Career Transition / Leave

USAF
07.2023 - 12.2023
  • Pre-planned extended leave period to disconnect from work, spend time with family, and plot out the future

Materiel Leader, C-130J Development and Production

USAF
07.2020 - 06.2023
  • Led 120 person team executing $20B+ ACAT IC C-130J production program delivering 218 aircraft, a $2B ACAT II block upgrade on 160 aircraft, and multiple ACAT III modernization programs
  • Executed C-130J production contract and delivery activities on behalf of the USMC, USN, USCG and multiple foreign partner nations
  • Responsible for executing 7-nation, multi-hundred million dollar cooperative development program delivering continuous updates to a common C-130J software baseline
  • Directly advocated for and received $300M in Congressional Add funding to jump-start $700M obsolescence bill affecting 30+ production line components

Air Force Life Cycle Mgmt Center Liaison to AFWERX

USAF
07.2019 - 06.2020
  • Responsible for leveraging network of startups, academia, venture capitalists and the defense industry base to build Air Force innovation ecosystem
  • Led 38 member Air Force Major Command liaison team to execute 12 workshop events to address technology or processes gaps across a variety of Air Force functions
  • Responsible for verifying deliverables and processing invoices for 203 small business contracts valued at ~$300M

KC-46, KC-135, KC-10, OC-135 Prgm Element Monitor

USAF
06.2017 - 06.2019
  • Managed, advocated for and defended annual $3B tanker portfolio and Open Skies Treaty aircraft from POM development through program execution
  • Led KC-46 through highly sensitive 1st delivery

Chief, Tanker & Agile Combat Systems Prgm Analysis

USAF
06.2015 - 06.2017
  • Advised OSD, Joint Staff and Air Force leadership on execution of 78 weapon systems development programs valued at $4B/yr

Chief, Foreign Military Sales Aircraft & Training

USAF
10.2016 - 04.2017
  • Led 2Joint Service FMS teams & 13 people executing $8B in FMS cases equiping 352K member Afghan forces

Chief, MQ-1 and MQ-9 Sensors and Weapons

USAF
08.2013 - 06.2015
  • Led team of 8 delivering payload systems for UAS aircraft
  • Led $110M MTS-B sensor upgrade development

Program Manager, Universal Armament Interface

USAF
06.2011 - 08.2012
  • stuff
  • more stuff

Air Force ROTC Instructor

USAF
06.2008 - 06.2011
  • Served as Commandant of Cadets, Education Officer and Recruiting Officer for 120 cadet detachment
  • Developed future Air Force leaders, mentored, etc...

Program Manager, Airborne Laser, Various Positions

USAF
08.2004 - 06.2008

Bullet 1

Bullet 2

Education

MBA -

Oregon State University, Corvallis
06.2011

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management

Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
06.2004

Skills

  • Leading large teams
  • Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution process
  • Defense Acquisition Strategy

Accomplishments

  • Accomplishment 1
  • Accomplishment 2
  • Accomplishment 3

Certification

PM Level III


Objective

Seeking senior program manager role

Timeline

Career Transition / Leave - USAF
07.2023 - 12.2023
Materiel Leader, C-130J Development and Production - USAF
07.2020 - 06.2023
Air Force Life Cycle Mgmt Center Liaison to AFWERX - USAF
07.2019 - 06.2020
KC-46, KC-135, KC-10, OC-135 Prgm Element Monitor - USAF
06.2017 - 06.2019
Chief, Foreign Military Sales Aircraft & Training - USAF
10.2016 - 04.2017
Chief, Tanker & Agile Combat Systems Prgm Analysis - USAF
06.2015 - 06.2017
Chief, MQ-1 and MQ-9 Sensors and Weapons - USAF
08.2013 - 06.2015
Program Manager, Universal Armament Interface - USAF
06.2011 - 08.2012
Air Force ROTC Instructor - USAF
06.2008 - 06.2011
Program Manager, Airborne Laser, Various Positions - USAF
08.2004 - 06.2008
Oregon State University - MBA,
Oregon State University - Bachelor of Science, Business Administration And Management
Nathan Kirk