Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Clearance
Professional Highlights
Timeline
Generic
Zachary B. A. Hickman

Zachary B. A. Hickman

Pentagon,USA

Summary

Program Analyst with U.S. Department of the Air Force, focused on strategic planning and risk analysis. Delivered high-level briefings to senior leaders on geostrategic risks while overseeing multimillion-dollar international projects. Demonstrated expertise in cross-cultural engagement and political-military affairs, contributing to significant advancements in defense and space policy.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Program Analyst, Aerospace & Defense Portfolio Deputy Manager

U.S. Department of the Air Force – Office of Cost & Economics Assessment (OCEA)
Pentagon, VA
01.2022 - Current
  • Lead space and commercial defense market analysis to inform DoD leadership on geostrategic risks.
  • Briefed Secretary of the Air Force on China's industrial overcapacity; led to expanded OCEA analysis pipeline.
  • Delivered space economy presentation to National Space Council and U.S. Space Force senior staff.
  • Authored 'Understanding the Global Space Economy in an Economic Downturn' – praised as a 'must-read.'
  • Managed interagency economic study with University of Michigan on USSF impact on national economy.

International Affairs Specialist, Space Division

U.S. Department of the Air Force – International Affairs (SAF/IA)
01.2020 - 01.2022
  • Managed PNT and Responsive Space portfolios with $100M+ in allied-funded R&D projects.
  • Negotiated multinational project arrangements and MOUs for advanced GPS and satellite imaging.
  • Supported senior leader engagements with allied space forces; led partner nation briefings and background.

Country Director, Europe/NATO Division

U.S. Department of the Air Force – International Affairs (SAF/IA)
01.2018 - 01.2020
  • Primary liaison for U.S. Air Force with 10 European countries and NATO institutions.
  • Led F-35A bid to Switzerland; developed military cooperation proposal that secured $6B sale.
  • Negotiated first-ever international flight evaluation of F-35A with Lockheed Martin and interagency offices.
  • Represented U.S. on NATO Strategic Airlift Capability Program Board.

International Airman Division

U.S. Department of the Air Force – International Affairs (SAF/IA)
01.2015 - 01.2018
  • Managed $3.5M international training budget for 750+ Foreign Area Officers (FAOs).
  • Negotiated policy transition of FAO training to AETC, increasing program efficiency and training capacity.

Political Advisor (Deployed)

NATO – Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan
Kabul, Afghanistan
01.2016 - 01.2017
  • Led NATO's coordination of civil aviation transfer to Afghan control.
  • Delivered briefings to international donor community, NATO HQ, and U.S. Embassy Kabul.
  • Built partnerships with IMF, World Bank, Integrity Watch, and Afghan ministries.

Division Chief, Language Programs

U.S. Air Force – Air University / Culture and Language Center
01.2010 - 01.2015
  • Managed $55M Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) across 1,500 participants.
  • Acquired and transitioned to DLI language training systems, saving $100K annually.

Education

M.A. - Political Science

University of Hawaii
Honolulu, HI

Master Certificate in Cultural Studies -

East-West Center, University of Hawaii
Honolulu, HI

B.S. - Foreign Area Studies and Humanities

U.S. Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO

Certificate in Project Management -

George Washington University
Washington, DC

Skills

  • Program & Portfolio Management
  • International Security Cooperation
  • Foreign Military Sales (FMS)
  • Space Policy
  • Strategic Planning
  • Cross-Cultural Engagement
  • Government Budgeting
  • Senior Leader Briefings
  • Political-Military Affairs
  • Risk & Market Analysis
  • NATO & Interagency Collaboration

Certification

  • PMP
  • Scrum Master
  • Security Cooperation Workforce (Basic)

Clearance

Top Secret/SCI

Professional Highlights

  • Managed $100M+ international R&D portfolios for U.S. Space Force and global partners.
  • Negotiated and supported $6B F-35A sale to Switzerland, beating 3 international competitors.
  • Delivered acclaimed market analysis briefing to Secretary of the Air Force and National Space Council.
  • Served as Political Advisor to NATO's Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan.
  • Represented U.S. in DoD, NATO, and multilateral forums on commercial space and defense cooperation.

Timeline

Program Analyst, Aerospace & Defense Portfolio Deputy Manager

U.S. Department of the Air Force – Office of Cost & Economics Assessment (OCEA)
01.2022 - Current

International Affairs Specialist, Space Division

U.S. Department of the Air Force – International Affairs (SAF/IA)
01.2020 - 01.2022

Country Director, Europe/NATO Division

U.S. Department of the Air Force – International Affairs (SAF/IA)
01.2018 - 01.2020

Political Advisor (Deployed)

NATO – Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan
01.2016 - 01.2017

International Airman Division

U.S. Department of the Air Force – International Affairs (SAF/IA)
01.2015 - 01.2018

Division Chief, Language Programs

U.S. Air Force – Air University / Culture and Language Center
01.2010 - 01.2015

M.A. - Political Science

University of Hawaii

Master Certificate in Cultural Studies -

East-West Center, University of Hawaii

B.S. - Foreign Area Studies and Humanities

U.S. Air Force Academy

Certificate in Project Management -

George Washington University

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