Matt Smithers

Professional Summary

Navy combat veteran and aerospace leader with 30+ years delivering high-stakes operational capabilities across fleet aviation, ISR/SIGINT operations, and advanced aerospace programs.

Combat-proven warfighter (OEF/OIF, 5th & 7th Fleet) who transitioned to enterprise program leadership at Northrop Grumman and NASA. Managed multimillion-dollar budgets, directed cross-functional teams, and shaped requirements with DoD stakeholders from the deckplate to the Pentagon.

Deep technical fluency in maritime patrol systems, sensor integration, airworthiness certification, and rapid prototyping. Active Navy network spanning fleet operators, PEO executives, and flag officers. Proven partnership with NAVAIR PMA-290 coordinating fleet requirements, operational testing, and capability integration.

Trusted partner who understands what warfighters actually need, how to translate operational gaps into program requirements, and how to navigate the DoD acquisition ecosystem to deliver mission-critical capabilities at speed.