NICEVILLE, Fla., Sept. 15, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is pleased to announce that John S. Wilcox, Ph.D. has joined ARA as Division Manager. Wilcox will serve as the Manager for ARA's Emerald Coast Division in Niceville, Florida. The Division leverages experimentation, computer science and analysis to generate models and simulations of weapons effects. The models and resulting analyses support development and acquisition, and operational use of systems for the warfighter.
"ARA is very pleased to have Dr. Wilcox join our team," said ARA Senior Vice President Glen McDonald. "John brings a very unique perspective, having been an officer, pilot, civilian, and R &D champion for weapons development."
Wilcox is formerly a member of the U.S. Air Force Senior Executive Service and Director of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Munitions Directorate at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where he led a staff of more than 500 scientists and engineers in developing air-launched conventional munitions technology. Wilcox was selected by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to be the Executive Chair for Weapons Science & Technology for the Five Eye Nations – US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. He was the U.S. Air Force's senior representative to the Joint Weapons Community of Interest for collaborative research and engineering at the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Wilcox served on active duty in the Air Force for more than 25 years, retiring as a colonel. He began his operational flying career in the F-111 and went on to fly the Royal Air Force and German Tornado as well as the F-4 and F-15E fighter aircraft. He is a graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada and served there as an instructor. He commanded the 28th Test Squadron at Eglin AFB, and he was the Chief of Advanced Air Supremacy while assigned to the Directorate of Requirements at Headquarters Air Combat Command.
While assigned to the Pentagon, Wilcox served as the military assistant for airpower in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. He later served as Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Precision Engagement and Director of the Joint Capability Technology Demonstration Program. During Operation Desert Storm, Wilcox served on the Targeting Team for the strategic air campaign and was the Chief, Time Sensitive Targeting, for Operation Enduring Freedom in Southwest Asia. He also served as the Director for Night Fist operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2002.
Wilcox received a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Oxford University, England, and holds a doctorate in Information System Technology from the University of Maryland.
Wilcox is a decorated veteran, having earned the Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and the Aerial Achievement Medal, in addition to several others. He is a member of multiple professional organizations including the Air Force Association, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, where he is the recipient of the Collier Trophy – awarded for the greatest achievement in aeronautics in America. Wilcox is a certified Systems Planning, Research, Development and Engineering professional and also is certified in Program Management and Test and Evaluation.
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Media Contacts:
Ellen Gallegos, ARA Marketing Director 505.881.8074
About Applied Research Associates, Inc.
Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically excellent solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. Our mission is to provide in-depth and diversified research, engineering, and technical support services. We have a broad range of technical expertise in biomedical engineering, defense technologies, civil engineering, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, and environmental technologies. For additional information, please visit http://www.ara.com.
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