Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
U.S. Air Force pilot, aerospace engineer, and test leader with over 1,800 flight hours across advanced fighter platforms including the F-22 and the F-15C. My career has been built at the intersection of high-performance aviation, flight test, systems engineering, and mission leadership in the most demanding and consequential environments in which the Air Force operates. I currently serve as Deputy Commander of Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 6, where I oversee operational test for all ACAT I and II fighter programs, including F-47, CCA, F-22, F-35, and F-15. I am a current and qualified F-22 evaluator pilot conducting integrated operational and developmental test. I am a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, and have served as cadre, shaping the next generation of weapons officers. I have led combat operations, commanded test squadrons, conducted research at Argonne National Laboratory as a USAF National Lab Fellow, and published on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems in military aviation. I was selected as a NASA Astronaut Candidate finalist, reaching the final stage of one of the most competitive selection processes in the world. My experience reflects a career deliberately built toward human spaceflight: technical depth, operational excellence, leadership under pressure, and a commitment to advancing crewed aviation and aerospace. My long-term focus is on roles at the leading edge of human flight, whether in test, flight operations, mission leadership, or crew operations, with organizations developing the next generation of aerospace systems. That includes novel vehicle test and evaluation, supersonic and advanced aviation programs, and commercial human spaceflight initiatives. Core areas of expertise: -Operational and developmental flight test (F-22, F-35, F-47, CCA, F-15) -Test planning and systems evaluation -Aerospace engineering — M.S. Virginia Tech -Systems engineering — B.S. USAF Academy -Artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and data-driven operations -Large-force mission command and joint/coalition integration -Lean Six Sigma Black Belt — operational efficiency and process optimization -950+ skydives, USPA D-license, tandem/AFF/coach instructor certifications
Serve as Deputy Commander of AFOTEC Det 6, responsible for operational test for all ACAT I and II fighter programs in the U.S. Air Force inventory. Current programs under oversight include the F-47, Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and F-15. Flies as an active F-22 Instructor/Evaluator pilot, executing integrated operational and developmental test missions in support of program advancement and combat readiness. Oversees OT&E policy, planning, and execution for the Air Force's most advanced and sensitive fighter acquisition programs. Provides senior test and evaluation leadership across a portfolio of ACAT I/II programs representing the future of U.S. air combat capability. Conducts integrated OT/DT flight test in the F-22, contributing to capability modernization and systems evaluation. Operates at the nexus of test, acquisition, and operational communities to ensure fielded systems meet warfighter requirements.
Commanded the 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron; responsible for test management of the entire U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft fleet, including the A-10, F-15, F-16, F-22, and F-35. Managed over $4B in squadron test assets and executed a $40M annual budget, one of the largest for a USAF squadron. Supervised 290+ military, civilian, and contractor personnel across pilot, engineering, analysis, and program management functions. One of only 11 active F-22 operational test and tactics development pilots in the U.S. Air Force. Designed test experiments and plans, analyzed results, and developed reports advancing F-22 capability modernization. Led development of Crowd-Sourced Flight Data program — a data collection and analysis initiative with enterprise-level impacts for collection and analysis of fighter aircraft flight test and operational data. Led optimization team that identified $5M+ in annual savings and reduced a 2-year budget request by over $100M without loss of capability. Briefed 4-Star General officers on data analysis programs; received recognition as the best product and presentation encountered by senior leadership.
Served as Director of Operations for both the 422nd and 59th Test and Evaluation Squadrons — the U.S. Air Force's largest and most diverse fighter test organization, with 60 assigned aircraft spanning the A-10, F-15, F-16, F-22, and F-35. Managed 6,300+ fighter aircraft flying hours from 4,300+ flights supporting tactics and systems development. Completed F-22 qualification after 1,277+ F-15C hours; rapidly executed 35 high-profile test missions and 68.6 test hours in the F-22. Fielded 8 Operational Flight Programs and achieved 57 test objectives supporting future combat capability. Led 70+ officers, enlisted, and civilians across 7 divisions. Aligned 4 squadrons — including Air Force Reserve and Nevada National Guard — to unified test and evaluation objectives. Initiated scheduling overhaul improving effectiveness of $370M flying, test range, and asset budget.