Mark K. Wilson, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Director of the Center for Systems Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Mr. Wilson is responsible for planning, directing and evaluating the development and sustainment efforts of all aspects of the Center for Systems Engineering. He establishes the center’s vision to help Air Force programs achieve their goals and requirements through the judicious application of systems engineering, systems integration, and architecture principles and processes. He presents and defends systems engineering priorities, programs, developments, applications, case studies and education at the highest levels of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Department of Defense, industry, academia and numerous professional organizations.
Mr. Wilson entered federal service in 1967 as an engineering student trainee at the Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB. He has been involved in all phases of weapon systems life cycle from concept exploration through sustainment. He is a recognized authority on advanced composite materials, aircraft structural integrity and systems engineering. Mr. Wilson has provided technical and programmatic support to numerous weapon systems at the Aeronautical Systems Center, including serving as Chief of Structures and Chief of Flight Systems of the B-2 program, and as Technical Director of the C-17 program.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Wilson was the Technical Adviser, Systems Engineering, ASC, Wright-Patterson AFB, where he provided senior technical leadership for systems engineering. In that position Mr. Wilson also served as interim Director of the Center for Systems Engineering, AFIT. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in November 2003.
EDUCATION
1971 Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
1987 Master of Science degree in management science, University of Dayton, Ohio
1993 Master of Science degree in management, Sloan Fellowship, Stanford University, Calif.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. 1967 - 1971, student trainee, Flight Systems Directorate, Deputy for Engineering, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2. 1971 - 1976, structural dynamics engineer, F-15 System Program Office, ASD, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. 1976 - 1981, structural engineer, Flight Systems Directorate, Deputy for Engineering, ASD, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. 1981 - 1986, Lead Structures Engineer, B-2 SPO, ASD, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
5. 1987, Chief Flight Systems Engineer, Tri-Service Standoff Attack Missile Program Office, ASD, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
6. 1987 - 1992, Lead Structures Engineer, B-2 SPO, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
7. 1992 - 1993, graduate student, Sloan Fellowship Program at Stanford University, Calif.
8. 1993 - 1994, Chief Flight Systems Engineer, B-2 SPO, ASC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
9. 1994 - 1995, Chief Flight Systems Engineer, Non-Developmental Airlift Aircraft, SPO, ASC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
10. 1995 - 1997, Chief, Structures Branch, Flight Systems Division, Engineering Directorate, ASC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
11. 1997 - 1999, Deputy Director of Engineering, C-17 SPO, ASC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
12. 1999 - 2001, Technical Director, C-17 SPO, ASC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
13. 2001 - 2003, Technical Director, Directorate of Engineering and Technical Management, Headquarters Air Force Material Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
14. March 2003 - November 2003, Technical Adviser, Systems Engineering, Engineering Directorate, ASC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
15. November 2003 - present, Director, Air Force Center for Systems Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
AWARDS AND HONORS
1990 Finalist, Air Force Association Senior Civilian Award, ASC
1994 Finalist, Engineering Award, Senior Engineer, Engineering Directorate, ASC
1995 Secretary of the Air Force Lightning Bolt Award
1995 John J. Welch, Jr. Award for Excellence in Acquisition Management
1997 Finalist, Engineering Award, Team Category, Engineering Directorate, ASC
2001 Exemplary Achievement Award
2006 Meritorious Civilian Service Award
2006 Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Associate Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Executive Government Steering Group and Co-chair of Systems Engineering Effectiveness Committee, National Defense Industries Association
Air Force Representative to Corporate Advisory Board, International Council on Systems Engineering
Airlift and Tanker Association
PUBLICATIONS
Co-author, “The Product Technical Definition Guide,” a publication on performance-based acquisition
(Current as of January 2006)