Colonel Ron R. Radford, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Professor of Air Force Business Development, 
National Aerospace Organization

Biography 

Colonel Ron Radford,  United States Air Force  (Retired)
Professor of Air Force Business Development, National Aerospace Organization

     Colonel Radford's extensive experience with Air Force Business Development spans four decades of service and achievement.   His experience includes service as a small business operations Vice President and General Manager responsible for profit and loss for ten years.  He led operations from start up to six fold increase in sales; continually generated double digit profit.  Colonel Radford developed financial objectives, directed marketing and led the proposal efforts to win five major contracts valued over $800 Million.  He has managed over 60 task orders in support of Special Operations, C-130 aircraft and electronics.  These task orders included studies, design, manufacturing and testing. 

     Colonel Radford served two years as the Westinghouse marketing manager.  He led efforts to win over $50 Million in contracts.  He also served three years as the deputy general manager for Westinghouse plant ($20 Million per year in sales) that developed, manufactured, and performed depot maintenance of night vision systems for the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard fixed and rotary wing aircraft.  He led technology commercialization efforts and testified to Congressional committees on defense industry commercialization policy.  

     Colonel Radford served two years in U. S. Air Force General Officer positions.  He was the commander of a 2000 person engineering organization responsible for all aeronautical systems.  He also served as the commander of a 900 person organization responsible for acquisition of strategic systems.  He developed and presented quality improvement process nationwide.  As the commander of these organizations, he developed Total Quality programs for both organizations.

     Colonel Radford orchestrated a senior officer study team to improve Air Force engineering including education and training, organization and processes. He also served three years as the Air Force's System Program Director for the multibillion dollar Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM) program. He managed development through initial production; ensured performance, cost, and schedule requirements were met. In this capacity, he gave periodic status presentations to Secretary of Defense and START team as part of President Reagan's strategic modernization program.

     He spent two years as command headquarters director responsible for Air Force acquisition of new strategic weapon systems and modifications to existing systems including B-1, B-52 and ACM. Colonel Radford was assigned to the Pentagon as the officer responsible for all Air Force avionics including requirements, funding, and Congressional liaison duties. While at the Pentagon, Colonel Radford was a staff officer responsible for planning acquisition of tactical aircraft. In addition, he has over ten years experience in various program manager positions including F-16 avionics, space systems and test ranges.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, U.S. Naval Academy,
Annapolis, MD

Master of Science, Stanford University, CA

Air War College, Air University,
Maxwell AFB, AL

Defense Management College, Wash D.C.

Industrial College of Armed Forces, Wash D.C.