Erik Gardner
Chapin,SC
Summary
Dynamic leader with a 38 year proven track record at the Department of Defense, excelling in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. Achieved significant program improvements through innovative acquisition strategies and enhanced stakeholder relationships. Renowned for creativity, TEAM building and problem-solving, driving successful project outcomes while fostering a culture of transparent collaboration and continuous learning.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, NavalX Palmetto Tech Bridge
Department Of Defense - Navy
12.2021 - Current
- Senior Leader responsible to identify, support and align regional technology clusters and industry/academia tech ecosystems with Naval and Joint requirements - resulting in 6 Tech Ecosystems in South Carolina and 1 in New Orleans
- Spearheaded innovative approaches and led technical focus in Battlespace Connectivity, Multi Domain Operations, Non-kinetic Effects, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Digital Intelligence, and Advanced Manufacturing
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen stakeholder relationships
- Identified and developed strategic partnerships to improve command relevance and create opportunities to leverage regional workforce and technology development ecosystems
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting stakeholder relationships using strong organizational synchronization and dynamic communication skills
- Developed innovative acquisition and contracts strategies leveraging non-traditional contract authorities - led Navy in awarding 15 Prize Challenges
Assistant Program Manager and COO
Department Of Defense - Navy
02.2020 - 08.2022
- Senior Leader responsible for Naval Digital Transformation and Modern Software Development
- Led development and operations of the Navy's first operational automated software continuous integration/continuous delivery pipeline able to automate daily enterprise software updates
- Improved software performance based on changing trends, user feedback and directives from product owners - refactored legacy code within 10 months
- Developed new program and feature ideas resulting from integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning - automating workflows
- Developed and implemented new software development & design review process that became the preferred acquisition pathway for defense software programs
- Cultivated Navy-wide culture of innovation and collaboration adopting Agile DEVOPS methodologies
Division Head
Department Of Defense - Navy
10.2015 - 03.2020
- Senior Leader responsible to establish, man, train and equip a new Expeditionary Enterprise Systems & Services Division within the Expeditionary Department
- Controlled costs by streamlining operations and establishing prioritized project backlogs
- Managed the commands largest multi-disciplinary Division of more than 300 personnel
- Set and oversaw division budgets in excess of $370M per year
- Supervised daily planning, coordination and administration for division operations
- Built relationships with internal and external stakeholders to establish long-term business growth
- Fostered a culture of Innovation and Continuous Learning where TEAMs were empowered to develop solutions and overcome challenges
Chief Engineer & Senior Acquisition Advisor
Department Of Defense - Navy
10.2011 - 10.2015
- Responsible for development and execution of the enterprise technical vision and technology roadmap to achieve affordable and meaningful capability growth
- Provide technical direction and oversight for the development, management and implementation of engineering and technology development processes
- Direct and conduct technical reviews in accordance with Systems Engineering Technical Review (SETR) processes
- Led engineering teams to successfully complete projects on time and within budget
Major Program Manager
Department Of Defense - Navy
08.2008 - 10.2011
- Interacted with Marine Corps Headquarters and operational forces to identify warfighting needs and requirements
- Met with stakeholders on regular basis to accelerate and improve operational readiness
- Managed cost, schedule and performance with annual budget of $1.2B
- Devised creative solutions to critical customer and user needs and established the Marines Corps first Innovation Operations Cell
- Led and managed multiple strategic projects with numerous sub-projects or workstreams
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Trinity University
Washington, DCMechanical Engineering
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Washington, DCExecutive Training - Understanding Industry
UNC, KENAN-FLAGLER BUSINESS SCHOOL
Chapel Hill, NCNuclear Power Plant Operations Mechanical Systems
Naval Nuclear Power School
Orlando, FLSystems Planning, Research, Dev & Eng - S&TM
Defense Acquisition University
Fort Belvoir, VADefense Program Management
Defense Acquisition University
Fort Belvoir, VASkills
- Networking and stakeholder engagement
- Team leadership
- Innovative thinking & cultural leadership
- Program Planning & Technical Management
- Systems of Systems Engineering
- Acquisition and Contract Strategies
- Analytical problem-solving
- Dynamic group facilitator
- Organizational strategy development
- Risk mitigation strategies
- Public affairs management
- Facilitating team empowerment
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of more than 300 staff members with annual budgets greater than $1.2B.
- Led Naval Innovation in Cyber, Electromagnetic Spectrum and Information Warfare technologies
- Led multiple Joint Warfighting Studies for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff & Combatant Commands
- Developed and lead multiple partnerships at the local, regional, national and international levels
- Led regional range modernization and integration to improve warfighter training & advanced technology experimentation
Certification
- DAWIA Level III Program Management (2004)
- DAWIA Level II Systems Planning, Research, Development and Engineering - Science & Technology Management (2010)
- Defense Acquisition Corps (2005)
- Acquisition Professional Community (2004)
Timeline
Director, NavalX Palmetto Tech Bridge
Department Of Defense - Navy
12.2021 - Current
Assistant Program Manager and COO
Department Of Defense - Navy
02.2020 - 08.2022
Division Head
Department Of Defense - Navy
10.2015 - 03.2020
Chief Engineer & Senior Acquisition Advisor
Department Of Defense - Navy
10.2011 - 10.2015
Major Program Manager
Department Of Defense - Navy
08.2008 - 10.2011
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Trinity University
Mechanical Engineering
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Executive Training - Understanding Industry
UNC, KENAN-FLAGLER BUSINESS SCHOOL
Nuclear Power Plant Operations Mechanical Systems
Naval Nuclear Power School
Systems Planning, Research, Dev & Eng - S&TM
Defense Acquisition University
Defense Program Management
Defense Acquisition University
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