Managing Director, Vertical Lift Consortium

Dr. Gerry Graves is Managing Director of the Vertical Lift Consortium (VLC), a role he began with the transition of the VLC to ATI as the Consortium Administrative Organization in 2012. The VLC mission is to work collaboratively with the U.S. Government to develop and transition innovative vertical lift technologies. With over 110 member organizations representing the full spectrum of the defense aviation industry and leading universities, the VLC provides unparalleled collective experience and capabilities to join with the Government in achieving U.S. leadership in the advance of defense aviation. These organizations provide an effective mix of large and small businesses, world-class research universities, and innovative, non-traditional technology firms. As the Managing Director and Secretary/Treasurer, Dr. Graves is responsible for the day-to-day operations. This includes providing the interface between the VLC and its customers, managing the Corporation’s financial and accounting processes, and managing the Corporation’s membership dues. He is a member of the VLC Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.

Dr. Graves has more than 30 years experience in forming and leading collaborative R&D programs while working with Advanced Technology International. He has provided technical program management for variety of government customers, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, DARPA, MDA, DLA, OSD, NASA and NIST. These development efforts spanned the product development lifecycle from concept and design to manufacturing and sustainment. His technical expertise includes computer integrated manufacturing technologies, systems engineering, and computer system architectures and software. While with ATI Dr. Graves has taught Graduate-Level Systems Engineering and Program Management courses for The Citadel. Prior to joining ATI, Dr. Graves was an Associate Professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering at Louisiana State University. He served for five years as an F-14 Flight Officer in the U.S.