2020 Dayton Aerospace Board of Directors (L-R): David Waite, Jim Ratti, Chris Coombs, Dwyer Dennis, and Tom Wells
Chris Coombs, Dayton Aerospace President
Dayton Aerospace is pleased to announce that Colonel Chris Coombs, USAF (retired), will become the company’s sixth president. Currently a member of the board of directors, effective 1 January 2020, Coombs will assume leadership of the firm, managing all operational and financial aspects of the business, as well as setting company goals, formulating policy, leading business development, and mentoring consultants.
Coombs is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of leadership and acquisition management experience in the Department of Defense (DOD) and Allied services for multi-billion-dollar defense acquisition programs, including the KC-46 aerial refueling tanker, MQ-1 Predator/MQ-9 Reaper and Global Hawk. As a consultant, Coombs has advised dozens of government and industry organizations on acquisition strategy development, capture strategy and proposal development, program management processes and tools, computer/cyber security initiatives, and more.
“Chris is an outstanding leader and has been a tremendous asset as both a consultant and a board member. He’s the perfect person to take Dayton Aerospace to the next level and I’m proud to be transitioning the president’s role into his capable hands. I’m confident he will lead the firm to continued success,” says current president, Jim Ratti. Following the transition, Ratti will remain on the company board as president emeritus and will be available to lend his expertise to various consulting projects.
In addition to Jim Ratti, Coombs succeeds previous Dayton Aerospace presidents Colonel Charlie Craw, USAF (retired), Colonel Bob Matthews, USAF (retired), Colonel Vic Barnett, USAF (retired), and company founder, Colonel Jim Waite, USAF (retired). Executive vice president Major General Dwyer Dennis, USAF (retired), and vice presidents, Mr. Tom Wells, SES, DAF (retired) and Mr. David Waite, round out the company’s board of directors.
For more information about Coombs, visit his bio here.