Leadership

John Young has almost 20 years of senior level legislative and executive branch experience working defense research, technology development, and procurement programs. John’s education and experience as an aerospace engineer as well as his service on Capitol Hill and in the Pentagon provides a unique set of background and skills for assisting clients.

In April, 2009, John completed service as the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, overseeing over $200 billion of DoD research, development, procurement, and logistics programs. He previously served for two years as the Director of Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E), leading the unprecedented Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle program, and as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition for five years. Young's experience also includes ten years as a senior staff member with the U.S. Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

In 2009, John established JY Strategies, LLC, a Limited Liability Company specializing in providing strategic insight to firms on defense programs, the Department of Defense, the Congressional authorization and appropriations process and change management. Additionally, John was the Vice President for Business Development at E6 Partners, LLC, a firm founded by former Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, from June, 2009 through December, 2014.

John is also a member of the Board of Saab-Sensis USA Corporation, SRI International, Ultra Electronics, Tenax Aerospace, Satelles and HDT Global as well as a member of the Georgia Tech School of Aerospace Engineering Advisory Committee. He serves on the advisory board of Cubic Defense Systems, Liquid Robotics, Georgia Tech Research Institute and SpaceX, and he is a 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. During his Pentagon tenure, he was awarded the DoD, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Army Distinguished Civilian Service Awards, as well as the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award. Young has a Master’s degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.