Ronald E. Keys

Director at SPA

General Ron Keys retired from the Air Force after completing a career of over forty years and command of eight different organizations including operational, staff, and international units. His last assignment was as Commander, Air Combat Command, at the time the Air Force’s largest major command. As the ACC Commander, Gen. Keys was responsible for organizing, training, equipping and maintaining combat-ready forces for rapid deployment and employment. Under his leadership, ACC organized and stood up the Air Force’s first Remotely Piloted Vehicle Wing and first Network Warfare Wing.

Gen. Keys holds a Bachelor of Science from Kansas State University and a Master’s degree in business administration from Golden Gate University. He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in fighter aircraft.

Gen. Keys has consulted for SPA for several years, providing operational context for work SPA has done for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and for pilot experience-level studies conducted for Air Combat Command. He owns RK Solution Enterprises, LLC, a consulting firm advising various DoD and Non-DoD clients on advanced technologies, energy alternatives, marketing opportunities, strategic planning, and policy development issues.

In addition, Gen. Keys is the Chair of CNA’s Advisory Board on DoD Energy and Climate Change; member of the Center for Climate and Security Advisory Board; member of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Board of Trustees; and member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s National Security Advisory Council.

Timeline

  • Director

    Current role