Richard Matlock

B.S., Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Virginia Tech 1976

Mr. Richard Matlock is the owner and principal of Matlock Strategies for Technology Innovation, a limited liability corporation providing consultation and other executive services to government, corporate and academic entities for creating innovative technology development strategies.  Retired from the Missile Defense Agency in 2017, Mr. Matlock was the Program Executive for Advanced Technology, one of the Department of Defense’s six Science and Technology Executives reporting to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Development.  In this position, Mr. Matlock led the development of the next generation of cutting-edge missile defense technologies, proving their benefit to the Warfighter through realistic experiments in relevant environments. Mr. Matlock’s portfolio included high energy lasers, small satellites for space and missile defense, advanced airborne sensors for discrimination and future anti-ballistic missile interceptors and rail guns. In May 2015 he was appointed by the Deputy Secretary of Defense to direct a Department-wide special program tackling a high priority national security issue.     

His broad based, 40 year career in government service included major acquisition and scientific positions within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Office of the Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, the Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command, the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization and the U.S. Air Force.  During his tenure with Naval Sea Systems Command, he led the development and implementation of a joint missile defense research program with the Japan Defense Agency.  Prior to employment with the Navy, Mr. Matlock was the Program Manager for Interceptor Technology Integration in the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.  Mr. Matlock developed the Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile (LEAP), a primary building block for the Nation’s missile defense programs.  As Program Manager for the BMDO/Navy Terrier LEAP Technology Demonstration Program he established the experimental pathfinder for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program.  Mr. Matlock also built, launched and operated several earth observing satellites, proving the value of micro-satellites for complex missile defense and space control missions.

In addition to eight years in the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, Mr. Matlock held several positions in the Department of the Air Force, both as an officer and civil servant.

Mr. Matlock’s major awards include Air Force Systems Command’s Aerospace Primus Award (1987), the Outstanding Technical Achievement Award for Missile Defense (1989), The Navy Superior Civilian Service Award (2000), the inaugural Missile Defense Technology Pioneer Award (2006), Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service (2014), the Undersecretary of Defense Acquisition, Technology and Logistics’ Award of Excellence (2016), the Director’s Pinnacle Award (2017), and the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service (2017).