Expertise
Acquisition, Acquisition Strategy, Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Program Management
Profile
Mr. Chris "Alf" Athearn is an accomplished acquisition advisor with a proven track record in cross-service defense applications. He is adept in strategic planning and relationship building. He is a strategic professional prepared to deliver impactful business solutions. Known for fostering collaborative team environments and stretching organizations toward greatness.
Significant Career Accomplishments
Congressionally-appointed senior military acquisition advisor to the United States Air Fore (USAF) Service Acquisition Executive (SAE) on all aspects of acquisition life cycle management.
Long-range systems division chief over $5B portfolio for joint air-to-surface standoff missile-extended range (JASSM-ER), long range antiship missile, the miniature air-launched decoy (MALO) & MALD-J (jammer), foreign military sales (FMS), and the hypersonic conventional strategic weapon.
Responsible for contract administration, pricing, quality assurance, engineering support, and program management for over 400 defense contractors spanning seven states.
Key Positions
Senior Military Acquisition Advisor, SAF/AQ
Senior Materiel Leader, Long Rance Systems Division (AFLCMC/EBJ)
Commander, Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Twin Cities
Chief, Command and Control Division, SAF/AQ, Information Dominance Directorate
Commander, DCMA, Northrop Grumman
F-22 Program Element Monitor, Global Power Directorate (SAF/AQP)
Joint Counterair Program Manager, Global Power Directorate (SAF/AQP)
Program Manager and Branch Chief, F-15/F-16 Fighter Engine Field Support
Education
MA, National Resource Strategy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces
MA, Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command Staff College
MA, Organizational Management, George Washington University
BS, Human Factors Engineering, United States Air Force Academy
