1. RALPH Q. SMITH
ralph.smith.gt@gmail.mil
143 Sage Willow Drive SW | Madison, AL 35756 | W: 256-450-2212 |C: 571-216-5680
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
PM & DPM
Proven leader with 25+ years of DoD Program Management experience — including 5+ years of direct
PM/Deputy PM/APM experience in MDA Targets and Countermeasures. Effectively develop, lead, and
sustain organizations to achieve success. Consistently successful in managing simultaneous complex
technical programs. Active Secret Security Clearance.
Core Competencies
Project Management
Strategic Planning
Operations & Engineering
Acquisition & Contracting
Budget Planning
Earned Value Management
Public Relations
Presentations & Briefings
Operational Improvements
System Engineering
Information Systems
HONORS & AWARDS
 MDA/DP Note for L-3/Coleman Target Leadership: 2015.
 MDA Program Manager Certificate (7) 2011-2013.
 Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Awards: 1997, 2011.
 NAVSEA Special Act Award: (8): 2001-2009.
 Space and Naval Warfare Command System Center - D-40 Distinguished Achievement in Project
Management/Accomplishment: 1999.
 SPAWAR Command Exemplary Achievement Award (2) 1993, 1996.
 2-Star Letter of Appreciation from SPAWARSYSCOM for Space and Electronics Warfare Concept
Development: 1993.
 USAF Letter of Appreciation for Joint Air Operations Architecture: 1992.
 Recognized for: 10 years of outstanding performance in government service at SPAWAR Systems
Center.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY - Huntsville, AL 2011-Present
PM & DPM - Short-Medium Range Air Launched Targets: 2013-Present
November 2015: Became PM. Issued prime contractor cure notice for program management
deficiencies. Conducted over-target baseline to reset earned value management baseline.
Oct 2013: Assumed Deputy Program Manager duties across L-3/Coleman targets, which included 6-
target MRBM T1/T2 portfolio of ~$160M. Established program team; determined budget and schedule;
identified technical, schedule, and management challenges. Grew organization from 1 person, to
effective 25-person team in 6 weeks for completion of 2 targets. Expanded team to 47 to manage building
of 8 targets on 2 contracts.
 Successfully conducted major Program Reviews — SRALT (SRR, Delta CDR, MDR) and MRBM
(SRR & PDR) — all on time. Achieved first-time pass from Review Boards.
 MDA/DP 2-Star Note for exceptional performance: November 2014.
 Within 2 months, led transfer of 2 missile target contracts from USAF to MDA. In less than 6 months,
revised contract from Cost-Plus to Firm Fixed Price. Executed Firm Fixed Price contract for
completion of 2 complex targets. Achieved test execution cycle within program budget of ~$60M.
Program Manager - MDA/TCS: 2012-2013
For Extended Long Range Air Launched Target and Short Range Air Launched Target produced by
Coleman Aerospace Corp. Initiated shutdown activities on 2 contracts of ~$100M each. Shutdown
activities terminated by senior management 2 weeks before completion with restart of SRALT and E-
LRALT.
Deputy Program Manager for Short Range Ballistic Missile Targets: 2011-2012
Led and mentored 45 engineers and acquisition professionals across product lines. Took over 2 product
teams; briefed senior leadership and worked with industry teams to correct schedule and integration
issues. Led conduct of program Integrated Baseline Reviews and Total Program Reviews with industry
and government suppliers to ensure meeting schedule requirements. Led development and
implementation of cross-service memorandum at senior level between Navy and MDA.

2. RALPH Q. SMITH  Page 2
 Successfully delivered 14 short-range targets, < 1000 KM, for missile defense tests on time from 2
industry teams and 1 government agency.
 Expended < 10% of target and countermeasure budget. All targets met or exceeded requirements
and stayed within budget.
NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMANDS - Washington, DC 2007-2011
PEO-LMW
Surface Warfare (SUW) Assistant Program Manager (APM) for Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Executed
budget authority for > $60M in 4th major acquisition program. Successfully deployed first-generation
prototype gun system on first LCS for operational deployment within 4 months of notification. Briefed
Fleet Forces Command and Vice CNO on deployment readiness — crew training, system readiness,
operational safety.
 Successfully instituted Earned Value Management for the government warfare center responsible for
LCS SUW module development.
 Delivered first modular weapon system to US Navy with open architecture baseline that maximized
commercial software methodology at CMMI Level 3 that enabled weapon system to be operational in
24 hours.
NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMANDS: PEO SHIPS - Washington, DC 2001-2007
Ship Integration Manager: 2002-2007
3rd major acquisition program. Oversaw requirements, certification, acquisition, and technical aspects of
information assurance, information technology, combat systems, Air Traffic Control, AT/FP systems, and
systems integration for multi-billion-dollar Naval Amphibious Ship. Briefed senior government officials;
authored congressional white papers and briefs covering information technology infrastructure,
commercial trends, requirement effectiveness and budget and contract shortfalls.
 Served in SES (flag-level) group and initiated 2 streamlined information technology policies on
information assurance and architecture. Worked directly with Department of Navy CIO. Effort saved
Navy acquisition programs millions of dollars.
Joint Command & Control Ship C4I Manager: 2001-2002
Information Infrastructure Development Manager for major ship acquisition program for multi-billion-dollar
next-generation Command and Control ship. Developed ship’s information technology infrastructure with
senior uniform commanders. Briefed senior leadership on resulting products. Supervised development
of Request for Proposal and oversaw selection of 31 contractors to participate in 2-year multi-million-
dollar engineering risk-reduction studies.
SPACE and Naval Warfare Command - San Diego, CA 1989-2001
Joint Command & Control Ship C4I (assigned from SPAWAR): 1999-2001
Mission package manager/engineer. Managed 30-person team in Washington, DC, and San Diego.
Oversaw cost analysis for Analysis of Alternative and early milestone assessment. Interfaced directly
with OSD, Joint Staff, CINCs, and service war fighters. Spoke for ACAT-1D program at senior
government (flag-level) meetings. Supervised development of Mission Package inputs to the program’s
Mission Needs Statement (MNS). MNS approved by JROC: August 2000.
SPAWAR System Center Battle Force System Engineer: 1998-1999
Selected for information technology position to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), tests, and
timelines to ensure naval battle groups were ready for development. Multi-disciplinary team authored,
reviewed, and published SOPs with end-user and acquisition community input. SOPs in use across the
Navy since 1999.
Information Architecture Business Manager: 1994-1998
Used DOD’s architecture framework to lead team that authored architecture products for US Navy’s Third
Fleet, Joint Air Strike Planning Program, and Theater Ballistic Missile Defense. Third Fleet used these
products to build information infrastructure for its command and control ship. Authored standard
procedures and products to analyze and write requirements for information technology requirements
within DOD.
Combat System Program Manager: 1989-1993

3. RALPH Q. SMITH  Page 3
UNITED STATES NAVY 1980-1998
Active Duty: 1980-1989
Nuclear Submarine Officer on 3 Attack Submarines. Served twice as Chief Engineer. Deep selected for
Chief Engineer with 2-day notice for critical operation: 1985.
Reservist: 1989-1998
Commanding Officer for 90-man reserve unit; multiple other assignments. Retired as O4/LCDR.
CERTIFICATION
DIAWA Level III Program Management 2002
Acquisition Professional Community: 1994
DIAWA Level III Systems Engineering 1992
MDA Program Manager (7)
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Naval Post-Graduate School
Master of Science - Information Systems
Georgia Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Nuclear Engineering
Leadership in a Dynamic Environment - MDA: 2012
George Washington University - Leading Complex Projects: 2006
George Washington University - Congressional Operations Seminar: 2005
Naval Postgraduate School - Technology Update Course: 2003
Defense Acquisition University - DOD Program Manager’s Course: 2002
Georgia Tech - Modeling, Simulation, and Gaming of Warfare: 1995
San Diego State University Management Development - “The Executive Challenge”: 1996