Chris Warack

Chris Warack has over 30 years of work experience in various roles related to aerospace and defense. Chris began their career as a Ground Systems Engineer/Project Manager in the Space Division, where they were responsible for leading major ground station engineering development. Chris then served as an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the US Air Force Academy, where they developed lesson plans and instructed students in various computer science topics.

Following this role, Chris worked at the National Reconnaissance Office as the Chief of Operational Imagery Processing Systems, where they managed operations and led a support team for a critical imagery spacecraft program. Chris implemented agile software development practices and directed a large team of operators, engineers, and senior scientists.

Chris later joined the United States Air Force as the Deputy Chair of the Innovation Panel at the Pentagon. In this role, they brought information on Air Force innovation to leadership and operated the Warfighter Rapid Acquisition Program. Chris also served as the Special Advisor for Space and C4ISR at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where they provided recommendations on mergers and acquisitions in the space and C4ISR industrial base.

Prior to joining the aerospace industry, Chris also held leadership positions at the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Industrial Policy and the Space Radar Integrated Program Office.

Currently, Chris Warack is employed at The Aerospace Corporation as a Principal Engineer and Ground Architect, where they utilize their extensive experience and expertise in the field.

Chris Warack has a strong education background in computer science and engineering. Chris obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with a focus on Computer Science & Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, completing their studies from 1981 to 1985. Chris later pursued further education at the University of Michigan, where they earned a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in the field of Computer Science & Engineering. Their time at the University of Michigan spanned from 1990 to 1991.

In addition to their formal education, Chris Warack has also pursued professional certifications. Chris is a Certified SAFe® 4 Government Practitioner, having completed this certification through Scaled Agile, Inc. The specific timing of when they obtained this certification is not provided. Additionally, they hold a DAWIA Level 3 Program Management Certification and an NRO Level 3 System Engineering Certification, though the institutions and dates for obtaining these certifications are not specified.

Outside of their academic and certification achievements, Chris Warack has also completed additional training programs. Chris attended the Defense Acquisition University to complete the Program Managers Course, a course focused on program management. The duration of this course is not provided. Chris also attended the Joint Forces Staff College in 2004, completing the Joint & Combined Warfighting School, which emphasizes joint military operations.

Overall, Chris Warack has built a strong educational foundation in computer science and engineering and has supplemented their knowledge through professional certifications and specialized training programs in program management and joint military operations.