Michael Wynne

Michael Wynne graduated from the United States Military Academy and served in the Air Force for seven years, concluding his service as a captain and assistant professor of astronautics at the United States Air Force Academy.

Wynne then joined Lockheed Martin, where he played a crucial role in the sale of the Space Systems Division to Martin Marietta. He successfully managed the integration of this division into the Astronautics Company and later became the General Manager of the Space Launch Systems segment, overseeing the combination of the Titan with the Atlas Launch vehicles. Following this, he spent 23 years at General Dynamics in various senior roles, eventually retiring in 1999 as the Senior Vice President of International Development and Strategy. His tenure at General Dynamics included significant contributions to the Aircraft (F-16s), Main Battle Tanks (M1A2 Abrams), and Space Launch Vehicles (Atlas and Centaur) Divisions.

Before entering public service, Wynne engaged in venture capital work, supporting the growth of small technology firms. He was a member of the NextGenFund Executive Committee and held executive positions in two of the startups within this fund.

In July 2001, he was confirmed as the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, serving in this capacity until being appointed as the acting Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics in May 2003. In this role, Wynne was the principal staff assistant and adviser to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, overseeing the Department of Defense Acquisition System, research and development, advanced technology, test and evaluation, production, logistics, installation management, military construction, procurement, environmental security, and matters related to nuclear, chemical, and biological defenses.

As the Secretary of the Air Force, Wynne was in charge of the Department of the Air Force's affairs, including organizing, training, equipping, and ensuring the welfare of nearly 370,000 active duty personnel, 180,000 members of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve, and 160,000 civilians, along with their families. He was responsible for an annual budget of approximately $110 billion to ensure the Air Force met its operational requirements both presently and in the future.