Ron Kadish, a Booz Allen Hamilton Executive Vice President, is responsible for all operations of the firm’s Defense Group. Previously he led Booz Allen’s Engineering & Operations capability providing professional services in engineering, acquisition, program management, logistics, and enterprise integration. He drove Booz Allen’s delivery of engineering and operations support for the firm’s government clients in the civil, defense, and security market sectors, as well as its commercial and international markets. During his tenure with Booz Allen, Mr. Kadish served as chairman of the Defense Acquisition Performance Assessment (DAPA), a Federal Advisory Commission that examined the strengths and weaknesses of the defense acquisition process. The Commission’s recommendations were published in 2006. Before joining Booz Allen in 2005, Mr. Kadish spent 34 years on active duty with the United States Air Force, achieving the rank of Lieutenant General. His last assignment before leaving active duty was as Director of the Missile Defense Agency, which was presidentially chartered and congressionally mandated to acquire highly effective ballistic missile defense systems for defense of US allies and deployed forces. Mr. Kadish entered the Air Force in 1970 and spent his early years in operational assignments. As a senior pilot, he logged more than 2,500 flying hours. Later, he held key senior acquisition assignments as program director for the F-15, F-16, and C-17 System Program offices. He also commanded the Electronic Systems Center, and was responsible for the Air Force Center of Excellence for command and control systems, handling more than $3 billion in programs annually. Throughout his service in the Air Force, Mr. Kadish received numerous awards and decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and National Defense Service Medal with two bronze stars. Mr. Kadish holds a B.S. degree from St. Joseph’s University and an M.B.A. from the University of Utah. He is a graduate of the Squadron Officer School and the Air Command and Staff College, both at Maxwell Air Force Base. He also graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair and the Defense Systems Management College at Fort Belvoir.