Type Of Business:
Leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Our core competencies are aligned with the current and future needs of our customers and address emerging global security challenges in key areas, such as unmanned systems, cybersecurity, C4ISR, and logistics that are critical to the defense of the nation and its allies.
Marketing Area:
Domestic and International customers interested in both Intelligence Surveillance and Reconasaince persistent surveillance systems and low-cost transport lift systems that leveraging affordability and environmentally friendly initiatves over conventional systems fielded today.
Expertise:
Large-scale weapon system design, fabrication, and integration, Open System Architecture principles of design that leverage commercial technologies to produce affordable solutions that significantly reduce customers ownership life cycle costs. Proven results have saved customers billions in both acquisition and operations & maintenance costs over a product lifecycle.
Major Product/SVS:
A premier provider of manned and unmanned aircraft, space systems, missile systems and advanced technologies critical to the nation’s security. Key products include: Global Hawk, Fire Scout and UCAS-D unmanned aircraft systems; B-2 bomber; James Webb Space Telescope; Defense Weather Satellite System; E-2 Hawkeye; Advanced EHF communications payload; Joint STARS targeting and battle management system; Space Tracking and Surveillance System; Airborne Laser Test Bed; Long Endurance Multi-intelligence Vehicle (LEMV), and ICBM Prime Integration Contracts.
Favorite Business Publication:
Newsweek, Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine
Hobbies/Sports:
Woodworking, Wine Collecting, Traveling, Golf
Education Degrees:
Master's Degree, Webster University;
Bachelor of Science, Florida Institute of Technology
Defense Systems Management College
Affiliations Awards:
Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace; Association of the United States Army (AUSA)
Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA)
AFCEA
AOC
Employees Of Northrop Grumman Political Action Committee
Children's Names:
Kristen, AJ, Tommy
Work History:
Harris Corporation, 1976-1988
Northrop Grumman, 1988-Present
Career Achievements:
- Several Outstanding Achievement Awards
- Several Keynote Speaker addresses at major aerospace symposiums, specializing in briefings on “COTS Development & Integration in a Military Environment”, including several articles and publications for Military & Aerospace, COTS Journal, AFCEA.
- Several large scale Product Solutions deliver3ed on scheudle, on cost, and with expected performance
- Manager & Supervisor of the Year awards
Charity:
USO, Inc.; Various Local Charities; Local Thrift Stores / Church, local little league and high school coach & volunteer for over 25 years, County Government volunteer roles in Planning and Zoning, Board of Adjustments
Number Of Years In Profession:
31
Number Of Years In Current Position:
3
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
He attributes his success to his dedication and willingness to face significant challenges and problem solving within the aerospace industry.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
He became involved in his profession through his lifelong interest in engineering to provide innovative solutions to our customers to perform their jobs to the best of their ability. He has held various positions in the industry from hardware / software design in ground based systems, aerospace design and development to several management capacities with roles of increasing levels of responsibility.
Extended Bio Profile:
Vice president and IPT lead for the Lighter-Than-Air business area. Leads a team of over 1000 indusprofessionals designing and delivering the world’s largest, most persistent lighter-than-air unmanned surveillance airship. Alan is also defining a new market for LTA technology by leveraging his capture wins into other adjacent enterprise markets.
Alan has over 30 years of experience in the Aerospace industry, with expertise in Large Scale Integration Programs. For the past several years, Alan had been responsible for creating and guiding next-generation growth opportunities, technology development and evolution strategies, and the capture and execution of C4ISR market segment opportunities. Prior to his role as vice president and program manager, Alan served as capture director and chief engineer for several multi-billion dollar company pursuits for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems.
In 2001, Alan was appointed as Chief Engineer / Director for the Joint STARS Program. During this time, Alan provided technical and programmatic direction to the 700+ staff of Engineering Program Managers, Senior Technical Advisors, and Engineers through the development, production, and support phases of the product lifecycle. He was responsible for technical, administrative, cost/schedule performance, system architecture & design principles, ensuring compliance to both Company and Government standards through effective communication and coordination across disciplines, and ensuring operational suitability, safety and system effectiveness of final products.
Alan previous held ppositions in Development & Support Programs, primarily responsible for activities associated with the Operational User community in software maintenance, logistics sparing philosophies, training and publications, world-wide product fielding, engineering and system interoperability. Alan led a Support Team, where industry precedence was established for performance based logistics that included maximizing availability and minimize cyclic replacement impacts to operational fleet. This contributed to Northrop Grumman being selected for the David Packard Award for DOD Acquisition Excellence.
Alan also led a team through a revolutionary COTS-based Acquisition Reform Initiative responsible for nearly $1.1B life cycle cost savings to a DOD customer. This reform initiative has proven to facilitate weapon system enhancements extending into the foreseeable future.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Provide strategies for securing new business contracts in both domestic and international marktplace; Overseeing program execution for existing contracts; Responsible for directing the team that is building long endurance, persistence intelligence hybrid vehicles for the U.S. Army; Implementing this new technology to create an enterprise expansion opportunity to other customers; Dealing with domestic and international executive leaders to secure new business opportunities and deliver superior program performance while fostering an environment of innovation, collaboration, and trust
Education Certifications:
Various Industry-Related Training Courses and Certifications in both technical disciplines and program management
Awards/Honors:
Who's Who VIP of the Year 2012
Presidents Award for Innovation
Various Publications and Articles
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Mr. Metzger will have expanded his existing business area and grow to lead a Division or Sector of similar productline with increased responsibility. Alternate plans include CEO, CIO, or President opportunity within a similar industry company with emphasis on strategic growth objectives leveraging industry expertise, while providing guidance and expertise to a next generation of individuals looking to excel in this field.