ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 18, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) today announced that Craig R. McKinley has been named the association's next President and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2015. McKinley is currently President of the Air Force Association, where he is the senior staff executive responsible for the management and operations of the association.
McKinley, a 38-year-veteran of the Air Force, retired as the first four-star Chief of the National Guard Bureau, where he also served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this capacity, he was a military adviser to the President, the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council and was the Department of Defense's official channel of communication to the Governors and to State Adjutants General on all matters pertaining to the National Guard.
"The board conducted an extensive search for the most qualified individual to serve as our next President and CEO," said NDIA Chairman Arnold Punaro. "With Gen. McKinley, we will have the leadership in place to help introduce a new era at NDIA. In addition to his outstanding military career — which included leading the National Guard during a period when they were extensively committed to combat operations overseas as well as major disaster relief operations at home — he brings a successful track record leading a large defense and aerospace association. Craig is well-known and highly respected by Congress, the Executive Branch, and industry."
McKinley succeeds current NDIA President and CEO Larry Farrell who announced his retirement after serving in that capacity since 2001.
"I am honored to be selected to lead NDIA, an organization I have admired and worked with throughout my career," said McKinley. "NDIA's mission is more important than ever as our nation faces hard decisions in the national security and defense arenas. I look forward to building on the association's solid foundation and working with the outstanding staff to ensure NDIA continues to provide the key links between industry and government, and to broaden our impact."
McKinley graduated with a Bachelor's degree in business administration at Southern Methodist University and received his Master's degree in management and economics at Webster College and at the National War College, National Defense University.
Punaro said that other leadership initiatives at NDIA include the hiring for the first time of a chief operating officer to strengthen the internal management of an organization that supports 1,600 member companies and 90,000 individual members. NDIA will soon announce the first time hiring of a senior director for the affiliated organization, Women in Defense. The association is also completing two studies — one on the defense industrial base led by Brett Lambert and a second on acquisition reform led by Jon Etherton – two nationally recognized experts in these areas.
About NDIA
The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) is America's leading Defense Industry association promoting national security. NDIA provides a legal and ethical forum for the exchange of information between Industry and Government on National Security issues. NDIA members foster the development of the most innovative and superior equipment, training and support for warfighters and first responders through our divisions, local chapters, affiliated associations and events.
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