About
James B. Lackey — three decades inside the DoD acquisition system and across industry that serves it.
Senior Executive Service across NAVAIR, OSD, and Army AMRDEC. C-suite leadership at Davidson Technologies, Parsons Corporation, and Quantum Research International. P&L, capture, program management, and policy experience built on the actual programs that define the modern force.
Operating philosophy
Results-driven, people-focused, visionary leadership with strong strategic planning, policy setting, business portfolio expansion, customer relationship, and revenue growth accomplishments.
Areas of expertise include C-suite leadership, P&L ownership, strategic planning, product development, acquisition management, government contracting (FAR/DFARS), proposal strategy, industry strategic partnerships, supplier management, and systems engineering.
Career arc
2024 – Present
Chief Operating Officer
Davidson Technologies
All business unit verticals, IRAD investments, and Digital Engineering / AI/ML centers of excellence.
2018 – 2024
Senior Vice President
Parsons Corporation
$500M annual P&L, 1,000 FTEs. C5ISR, Space, Directed Energy, EW, PNT, JADC2 across DoD and Intel Community.
2017 – 2018
Vice President, Defense Systems Division
Quantum Research International
Nanosat lead systems integration, aviation and missile systems, C2 and air missile defense networks.
2014 – 2017
Executive Director, AMRDEC (SES)
U.S. Army, Redstone Arsenal
9,000 personnel, $2.6B annual operating budget supporting nine Army PEOs.
2013 – 2014
Deputy Director, AMRDEC (SES)
U.S. Army, Redstone Arsenal
900-person engineering organization across systems engineering, mission assurance, manufacturing S&T, and logistics.
2011 – 2013
Director, Air Warfare Programs (SES)
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Major budgetary resource decisions and DoD aviation/weapon roadmaps: JSF, B-21, KC-46A, AIM-120D, EA-18G.
2008 – 2011
Deputy Assistant Commander for Acquisition
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
Oversight of 15 weapon system programs; corporate policy and career path guidance for 850 PM personnel.
1986 – 2008
Progressive technical & program leadership
NAVAIR Patuxent River
F/A-18E/F flight test, AGM-154 JSOW, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, P-8A Poseidon, EA-6B Prowler / AEA.
Signature efforts
- $600M DoD-wide multi-domain C5ISR, SOF, and Cyber kill chain prototyping at Parsons.
- $550M Intel Community advanced threat modeling, simulation, and reverse engineering portfolio.
- $119M Multi-Mission Launcher (MML) design, development, and delivery at AMRDEC.
- Strategic IDIQ wins: Navy Seaport-e, CDAO AI Talent 2.0, EWAAC, MDA SHIELD.
- Lead Systems Integrator for the Kestrel Eye LEO ISR satellite prototype (successfully deployed on orbit).
- Independent technical assessment of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program for OSD, reported to Congress.
- P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft developmental effort from Source Selection through Critical Design Review.
- Naval Aviation PM Career Roadmap and Guidebook adopted across the 850-person NAVAIR PM workforce.
Education & Training
- M.S. Engineering Management — Florida Tech, 1994
- B.S. Aerospace Engineering — Virginia Tech, 1986
- Defense Acquisition University Level III: PM, Systems Engineering, T&E (1994)
- Graduate — U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Fixed Wing Class 95 (1990)
Honors
- Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence — F-35 program assessment
- Army Superior Civilian Service Award (2017)
- Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award (2009) — NAVAIR PM Competency Leadership
- Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award (2007) — P-8A Program Management Excellence
- Army Aviation Association of America — Order of Saint Michael Medal
Affiliations
- NDIA Tennessee Valley Chapter — Vice President (2025 – Present)
- Huntsville Chamber of Commerce — Board Member; Federal Agenda Committee Co-Chair (2023 – 2024)
- Virginia Tech College of Engineering, Aerospace Department Advisory Board (2019 – 2023)
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