ASC's top civilian executive retires, new senior civilian leader begins work

  • Published
  • By Chris McGee
  • Aeronautical Systems Center Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE --  The executive director for Aeronautical Systems Center here retired from federal service Tuesday during a formal ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. 

A member of the Senior Executive Service, Robert May retired after a career spanning more than 37 years in both the active-duty Air Force and civil service. 

As ASC's senior civilian, he assisted the ASC commander and program executive officer for aircraft procurement and modernization in leading the Air Force's center of excellence for the development and acquisition of aeronautical systems. Mr. May helped lead an organization managing more than 420 Air Force, joint and international aircraft and acquisition programs and related projects, executing a $19 billion annual budget and employing a workforce of nearly 11,000 people. 

"I'm thankful to have been part of the world's most respected air, space and cyber force," Mr. May said. "Everyday I had the privilege of working alongside the world's most talented and dedicated men and women, people who exemplified dedication, excellence and integrity." 

Mr. May first entered the Air Force in 1969 as a second lieutenant assigned to the Aeronautical Systems Division where he worked in the turbine engine division of the Aero Propulsion Laboratory. 

He earned a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from Notre Dame in 1968, a master of science degree in engineering from Purdue University in 1974 and a master of arts degree in business management from Central Michigan University in 1978. 

Effective Monday, Diane Wright began work as ASC's deputy program executive officer for aircraft. Ms. Wright joined ASC from her position as deputy director of air warfare in the office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. 

Ms. Wright entered federal civil service in 1980. She graduated from the University of Dayton in 1984 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering, earned a master of science in management from Troy State University in 1990 and completed the Senior Executive Fellows Program at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government in 1999.