John Kessler

John Kessler has an extensive background in defense and aerospace, having served in various leadership roles within the United States Air Force from March 2016 to March 2017. Key positions included Special Projects Flight Test Director, where direction of a 14-member team focused on next-generation electronic warfare test programs, and Program Manager for the Rapid Capabilities Office, overseeing a 350-person team and managing a $1B+ budget for a classified combat system. Kessler also held roles as Area Denial Flight Commander and Chief Engineer, leading significant cross-functional test programs and advising on operations with a $72M budget for flight testing. Subsequent to military service, Kessler completed a Skillbridge program at Google as a Corporate Fellow, working with executive leadership on global strategy and operations. Kessler's education includes a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Science in Operations Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.