The National Center for Defense Manufacturing & Machining Board of Directors
Mark Gordon

Director
National Center for Advanced Technologies

Mark Gordon joined the National Center for Advanced Technologies in 1996 as manager of IPPD Programs, and is currently Director, Defense Program for the Center. Mr. Gordon serves as the senior program manager for the Defense segment, including all technology, manufacturing, and R&D policy topics. He sits on the Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel as the industry representative. He also heads the Evolutionary Acquisition Team at NCAT, which provides an industry function to DoD technical and policy groups. He has expertise in defense program strategic development, including R&D portfolio review, technology transition mechanisms, acquisition framework elements, and funding mechanisms through the PPBE.

His current work includes the development and implementation of Manufacturing Readiness Levels within the defense acquisition framework. He has previous experience as project manager for training with the US Navy Acquisition Reform Office; course development for DoD program managers in both Acquisition and Science and Technology communities. This course, and a one-day executive awareness workshop, have been adopted for Navy IPPD training and used in other government agencies. Mr. Gordon also directed the development of a twelve-hour interactive video series on IPPD.

Prior to joining NCAT, Mr. Gordon worked at the Georgia Institute of Technology as a Research Engineer and instructor for several subjects, including Concurrent Engineering, Rotorcraft Design, and Quality Engineering Tools. He had been involved in systems integration of autonomous aerial vehicles for eight years, leading a team to a first place finish at the AUVS Aerial Robotics Challenge in 1992. He then became the leader for applying the IPPD methodology to the design and development of an Autonomous Helicopter for the US Army from 1993 through 1996. Mr. Gordon's activities at Georgia Tech included the development of a new curriculum for involving multi-disciplinary students in practical engineering projects, through a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Mr. Gordon received his bachelor's degree from University of Rochester in Mechanical Engineering, a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, and is currently working on his doctoral thesis in Aerospace Systems Design. He has worked within the Sikorsky Aircraft Advanced Design Department, the sonar noise testing area at Booz Allen & Hamilton, and began his engineering career at a U.S. Navy R&D Center.

Mr. Gordon is an author of many papers dealing with Rotorcraft Design, Complex Systems Integration using Concurrent Engineering, and Application of Integrated Product and Process Development using both management and technical tools.