Summary
Mike Jiru serves as the Director of the Aerospace and Defense Academy and Principal Lecturer, Economics. The Academy--in partnerships with various educational and government organizations, private foundations, professional organizations, and industry--enhances the development of a skilled workforce and fosters small business growth for the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry in Nevada.
Prior to joining the University, Mike completed a 29-year career as an officer in the US Air Force, retiring as a Colonel. In his last assignment, he served as the Program Director of the Medium Altitude Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) Program Office. In that role he led a 510+ person organization across 12 operating locations executing research, development, engineering, contracting, production, ground and flight testing, logistics and sustainment of several UAS programs for the U.S. Air Force and 7 International partners. He was the designated program manager of record of a $21.9B Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP), directly responsible for cost, schedule, performance to Headquarters Air Force, the Dept of Defense, and the US Congress.
Mike has held various positions in executive leadership, program management, aerospace engineering, logistics support, developmental planning, systems engineering, and budgeting, across a wide spectrum of aerospace and defense systems ranging from manned and unmanned aircraft, advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance sensors and systems, command and control systems, mission and enterprise software systems, and space systems at the Squadron, Center, Headquarters Air Force - Air Staff, and Joint Agency levels. He’s also held assignments leading various foreign military sales and security cooperation efforts supporting allies, partners, and NATO.
Education
- Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Master of Science, Project and Systems Management, Golden Gate University
- Master of Science, Systems Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology
Professional certifications
- Acquisition Professional Development Program - Program Manager Level III
- Acquisition Professional Development Program - System Planning, Research, Development, Engineering, Level II
- Defense Acquisition University – Senior Program Managers Course (PMT 401)
- Defense Acquisition University – Executive Program Managers Course (PMT 402)