Rear Admiral Dave Oliver

Dave Oliver's diverse career has included extensive experience in government and industry as well as the military. He served the Clinton Administration as Principal Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and the Bush Administration in Iraq as the Director of Management and Budget for the Coalition Forces. In industry Dave was the CEO of the EADS, North America Defense Company as well as Chief Operating Officer of the main American organization. He was an...See more

Dave Oliver's diverse career has included extensive experience in government and industry as well as the military. He served the Clinton Administration as Principal Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and the Bush Administration in Iraq as the Director of Management and Budget for the Coalition Forces. In industry Dave was the CEO of the EADS, North America Defense Company as well as Chief Operating Officer of the main American organization. He was an executive at Northrop Grumman and at Westinghouse. Dave spent thirty-two years in the navy, retiring as a Rear Admiral (Upper Half). He served at sea aboard both diesel-electric and nuclear submarines, commanded a nuclear submarine as well as the submarine groups in Japan and a second in San Diego; and served as Chief of Staff of the Seventh Fleet. His final military tour was as Principal Deputy to the civilian Navy Acquisition Executive. Dave's military decorations include the Defense and Navy Distinguished Service Medals as well as six awards of the Legion of Merit. His awards for public service include two Department of Defense Awards for Distinguished Public Service, and similar awards from the Departments of the Army and the Navy. Dave's undergraduate training was from the United States Naval Academy. He subsequently received a Master of Arts in Political Science and International Affairs (specializing in the Middle East) from American University. He is also the author of Making It in Washington which deals with serving as a political appointee, as well as his wife's biography, Wide Blue Ribbon, and an earlier leadership book, Lead On. See less