David R. Oliver, Jr. is the Chief Operating Officer of EADS North America, with responsibility for the full scope of company operations – including direct oversight of strategic planning, acquisition, and marketing and business development.
Dave’s diverse career has included extensive experience in government, industry, and the military. Immediately prior to joining EADS North America, Oliver served in Iraq as the Director of Management and Budget for the Coalition Forces. Previously, he served as Principal Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, a position he assumed after having worked as an executive at Northrop Grumman Corporation.
Oliver completed a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy in 1995, retiring as a Rear Admiral (Upper Half). He served at sea aboard both diesel-electric and nuclear submarines, and commanded a nuclear submarine as well as two submarine groups, one in Japan and one in San Diego. His final military tour was as Principal Deputy to the Navy Acquisition Executive.
Mr. Oliver’s military decorations include the Defense and Navy Distinguished Service Medals as well as six awards of the Legion of Merit. His awards for public service include the Bronze Palm to the Department of Defense Award for Distinguished Public Service.
Mr. Oliver’s undergraduate training was from the United States Naval Academy, subsequently he received a Master of Arts in Political Science and International Affairs (Middle East) from American University. He is the author of Making It in Washington, his wife’s biography, Wide Blue Ribbon, and Lead On.
