John J. Young, Jr
The Honorable John J Young, Jr. served as the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) (USD(AT&L)); Director, Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E); and the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN(RDA)). Prior to these Presidential appointed, Senate-confirmed positions, John served ten years as a professional staff member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense.
Pentagon Activities
During his tenure with the US Department of Defense, John led the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Program Task Force at the direction of Defense Secretary Gates. Additional accomplishments include guiding the Biometrics Task Force, establishing the Reliance 21 science and technology oversight process, structuring the SSGN Submarine Conversion program, securing the Virginia Class Submarine multi-year contract, and leading the unprecedented swap of DDG-51 destroyers and LPD-17 amphibious ships between two industry ship yards. John constantly focused on increasing effectiveness and efficiency of the Department of Defense procurement and research programs while controlling costs. Throughout his Pentagon tenure, he worked the details of the Pentagon budget processes to ensure acquisition programs were fully funded to enable successful execution.
Appointments and Awards
John currently serves on the Board of Directors of Saab Defense USA, SRI International, Ultra Electronics, Tenax Aerospace, Satelles, Assured Information Security and the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. John serves on the advisory board of Georgia Tech Research Institute and Stevens Institute of Technology Acquisition Innovation Research Center, and he is a Senior Fellow and a member of the Board of Regents of the Potomac Institute. John is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He served as Commissioner on the Congressional Intelligence Research and Development (R&D) Commission from January 2012- December 2013. Additionally, John served as Vice President of Business Development at E6 Partners, LLC.
While at the Defense Department, he received Distinguished Civilian Service awards from the Department of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Army. He received a Distinguished Public Service award from the Department of the Navy. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and member of the Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni at the Georgia Institute of Technology as well as being named to the Council of Outstanding Young Engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
John earned a Master's in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University and a Bachelors of Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he participated in the Cooperative Education Program.
While at the Defense Department, he received Distinguished Civilian Service awards from the Department of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Army. He received a Distinguished Public Service award from the Department of the Navy. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and member of the Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni at the Georgia Institute of Technology as well as being named to the Council of Outstanding Young Engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
John earned a Master's in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University and a Bachelors of Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he participated in the Cooperative Education Program.