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| Information > Biographies > SUSAN J. THORNTON |
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SUSAN J. THORNTON
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Susan J. Thornton, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Director of Engineering and Technical Management, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Ms. Thornton is the Senior Technical Advisor to the Commander in support of the command's mission to deliver war-winning technology, acquisition, test and sustainment expeditionary capabilities to the warfighter. She leads the development and implementation of engineering policies and practices spanning science and technology, research, development, test and evaluation, sustainment focused on achieving fleet operational safety, suitability and effectiveness. Ms. Thornton also directs development of new initiatives designed to improve the recruitment and career management of the command's 12,000 military and civilian scientists and engineers.
Ms. Thornton began her career at the Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, in 1981. She has served in a wide variety of engineering positions for the Aeronautical Systems Center and Missile Defense Agency.
Prior to this assignment, Ms. Thornton served as Director Engineering and Technical Management, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
EDUCATION
1981 Bachelor of Science degree in systems engineering, Wright State University, Ohio
1990 Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering, University of Dayton, Ohio
1998 Master's degree in public administration, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
2000 Advanced Program Managers Course, Defense Systems Management College, Fort Belvoir, Va.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. 1981 - 1984, project engineer, Propulsion System Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2. 1984 - 1986, lead engineer for engine monitoring systems, Propulsion SPO, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. 1986 - 1990, lead engineer for the F119 engine, F-22 SPO, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. 1990 - 1993, lead propulsion engineer, Special Operations Forces Program Office and Aircraft System Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
5. 1993 - 1994, Chief Engineer for CV-22 Osprey, Special Operations Forces Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
6. 1994 - 1997, Chief Engineer for MC-130H Combat Talon II, Special Operations Forces Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
7. 1997 - 1998, student, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
8. 1998 - 1999, Chief, Technical and Acquisition Policy, Systems Engineering Division, Engineering Directorate, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
9. 1999 - 2001, Chief, Plans and Program Branch, Systems Engineering Division, Engineering Directorate, ASC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
10. 2001 - 2007, Director of Engineering, Airborne Laser Program, ASC, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
11. 2007 - 2010, Director, Directed Energy Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
12. 2010 - 2012, Director of Engineering and Technical Management, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
13. July 2012 - present, Director of Engineering and Technical Management, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
AWARDS AND HONORS
1986 Junior Engineer of the Year, Air Force Association
1986 Certificate of Merit, Air Force Systems Command
1998 Lucius N. Littauer Fellow, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
2003 Chief Engineer of the Year, Aeronautical Systems Center
2007 Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Directed Energy Professional Society
(Current as of August 2012)
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