Slade Gardner

Slade Gardner is an accomplished professional in the field of engineering and advanced manufacturing, currently serving as President and Founder of Big Metal Additive since April 2016. Prior to this role, Slade was Chief Engineer and Founding Partner at Center Street Technologies from January 2017 to January 2021. Slade's extensive experience at Lockheed Martin from November 1999 to March 2016 included positions as LM Fellow in Advanced Manufacturing and Materials and Group Leader at LM Aeronautics Skunk Works, where Slade led projects in advanced technology. Slade began a professional career as a Research Engineer in Carbon Fibers at BP Amoco from January 1998 to November 1999. Educational qualifications include a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech and a BS in Chemical Engineering from Lafayette College.