Mr. Joseph M. McDade, a member of the Senior Executive Service, was the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Arlington, Virginia. He played a key senior leadership role in the development, defense and integration of the Air Force’s budget program across the Future Years Defense Plan. He also spearheaded the Air Force’s efforts to create a digital decision support ecosystem to make better investment decisions at scale.
Prior to his current position, Mr. McDade served as the Principal Deputy General Counsel of the Air Force. As the senior civilian career attorney in the Air Force, he provided oversight, guidance and direction regarding legal advice on matters arising within the Department of the Air Force.
Mr. McDade delivered award-winning performance in senior legal, personnel, acquisition and programming positions. He retired as one of the most highly decorated Air Force civilians in Air Force history.
EDUCATION
1985 Bachelor of Science, International Affairs, cum laude, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Washington, D.C.
1988 Juris Doctor, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. May 1988–August 1991, Attorney, private practice, Washington, D.C.
2. August 1991–April 2002, Attorney, Office of the General Counsel, Washington, D.C.
3. April 2002–October 2005, Deputy General Counsel for Dispute Resolution, Office of the General Counsel, Washington, D.C.
4. October 2005–November 2007, Deputy Director of Airman Development and Sustainment, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
5. November 2007–May 2009, Director, Force Development, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel & Air Force Senior Language Authority, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
6. May 2009–September 2011, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Personnel, Headquarters, U.S. Army, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
7. September 2011–November 2013, Director, Air Force Small Business Programs, Washington, D.C.
8. November 2013–December 2013, Principal Deputy General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
9. December 2013–September 2014, Acting General Counsel, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Arlington, Va.
10. September 2014–January 2018, Principal Deputy General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Arlington, Va.
11. January 2017–February 2018, Acting General Counsel, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Arlington, Va.
12. February 2018-August 2019, Principal Deputy General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Arlington, Va.
13. August 2019–July 2024, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Arlington, Va.
AWARDS
1999 Director of Office of Personnel Management Award for Outstanding
Alternative Dispute Resolution Program
1999 Center for Public Resources Award for Outstanding Practical Achievement by the Air Force ADR Program
1999 Director, Office of Personnel Management, Special Act or Service Award
1999 Secretary of the Air Force Special Act or Service Award
2002 Air Force General Counsel Award
2002 Office of Federal Procurement Policy Award for Outstanding Federal Procurement ADR Program
2006 Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service (Air Force)
2008 Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award
2008 Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service Award (Air Force)
2011 Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service Award (Army)
2013 Decoration for Meritorious Civilian Service Award
2015 Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award
2019 Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service Award (Air Force)
2021 Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award
2024 Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service Award (Air Force)
2024 Decoration for Outstanding Civilian Career Service (Air Force)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Member, District of Columbia Bar Member Pennsylvania Bar (inactive)
(Current as of August 2024)