Joy M. White, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Executive Director for Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. She leads a workforce of over 15,000 personnel across 29 operating locations to deliver a $15.6 billion annual portfolio of agile, integrated and resilient space capabilities addressing critical national imperatives and joint warfighter requirements. Additionally, Ms. White is the Director of Atlas, leading essential mission-support roles such as talent management, contracting, financial management, small business, and logistics. She drives data-informed decision making and expedites the development of innovative business processes to capitalize on rapid acquisition of space assets in today’s competitive space ecosystem.
Ms. White entered federal service in 1985 as a Copper Cap contracting intern. Prior to her current position, she was Director of Contracting and Head of Contracting Activity for the Space and Missile Systems Center, and the Deputy Director of Contracting for the Missile Defense Agency.
EDUCATION
1985 Bachelor of Business Administration, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va.
1989 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1997 Master of Business Administration, Averett College, Danville, Va.
1999 Advanced Program Mgmt Course, Defense Systems Management College, Fort Belvoir, Va.
2004 Leading Change, Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, Va.
2006 Senior Executive Fellow, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
2008 Senior Leader Orientation Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2008 Advanced Professional Executive (APEX) Orientation Program, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2020 Department of the Air Force Advanced Senior Leadership Seminar, Warrenton, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. 1985–1990, Copper Cap Intern, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.
2. 1990–1992, Contracting Officer, Global Positioning System, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
3. 1992–1999, Procurement Analyst, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
4. 2000–2002, Deputy Director, Air Force Contracting Information Systems Office, Gunter Annex, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
5. 2002–2003, Procurement Analyst, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
6. 2003–2006, Director of Contract Policy and Review, Missile Defense Agency, Washington, D.C.
7. 2006–2008, Deputy Director of Contracting, Missile Defense Agency, Washington, D.C.
8. 2008–2016, Director of Contracting, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
9. 2016–present, Executive Director, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
2013 Meritorious Civilian Service Award
2019 Presidential Rank Award Meritorious Service
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2015 Bernard A. Schriever Fellowship Award
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
National Contracts Management Association, Board of Directors
(Current as of March 2024)