Robert Kelly Ortberg

A graduate of The University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, Ortberg began his professional journey in 1982 when he joined the Defense Electronics division at Texas Instruments in Lewisville, Texas. Not long after launching what has since proven to be a successful career, Ortberg was joined in Texas by his college sweetheart, Valerie, a dietitian whom he married on Aug. 13, 1983. Together, the Iowa natives settled into their one-bedroom apartment and began to adjust to the hustle and bustle of suburban Dallas. For the next six years, Ortberg served in various capacities within our company's Data Links area where he also was given an opportunity to hone his networking skills. In fact, it was during his time as program manager on the Swedish Ministry of Defense Data Link program known as Ra-90 that he met Nan Mattai, who was then the project's lead software engineer. In July 2001, when Rockwell Collins began trading as an independent company, Ortberg assumed the role of vice president and general manager of Communication Systems, which is where he remained until transitioning to the Commercial Systems side of our company in the fall of 2002. For the next four-and-a-half years, Ortberg worked hard to increase business in an area greatly affected by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. And, on Oct. 1, 2006, he was named executive vice president and chief operating officer of Commercial Systems, assuming the position previously held by a man for whom he has great respect, Bob Chiusano. Now the vice president of Commercial Systems Engineering, Nieuwsma reports directly to Ortberg, whom he describes as a man of high integrity and moral character. In addition, he says Ortberg has a great sense of humor. This August, Ortberg and his wife will celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary. At about the same time, their eldest daughter, Kaitlyn, will begin her junior year at the University of Michigan, and Abigail will begin her junior year at Cedar Rapids Washington High School.