“A Strategic View of Defense Research and Engineering”

Zachary J. Lemnios, Keynote Speaker

Director, Defense Research & Engineering (DDR&E)
Department of Defense

The Honorable Zachary J. Lemnios was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 19, 2009, and sworn in as Director, Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E) on July 2, 2009. The DDR&E is the principal staff advisor for research and engineering matters to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD(AT&L)) and the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense. In this capacity, Mr. Lemnios serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the Department of Defense charged with the development and oversight of DoD technology strategy in concert with the Department’s current and future requirements. The goal of DDR&E is to extend the capabilities of current war fighting systems, develop breakthrough capabilities, hedge against an uncertain future through a set of scientific and engineering options and counter strategic surprise. In cooperation with the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology (DUSD(A&T)), DDR&E also provides advice and assistance in developing policies for rapid technology transition.

Mr. Lemnios is a Principal member, Committee on Technology of the National Science and Technology Council; Advisor, Defense Acquisition Board; Chairman, Radiation Hardened Oversight Council (RHOC); Chairman, Defense Science and Technology Advisory Group (DSTAG); Chairman, Armed Services Biomedical Research Evaluation and Management Committee; Chairman, DoD Combat Feeding Research and Engineering Board (CFREB); and Chairman, DoD Biometrics Executive Committee.

Before assuming this position, Mr. Lemnios was the Chief Technology Officer of MIT Lincoln Laboratory, responsible for coordinating technology strategy across the organization and for establishing and growing external strategic relationships to support current and future Laboratory missions. He also served as Assistant Division Head of the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Solid State Division, as a member of the Laboratory's Senior Management Council and as the Co-Chair of the Laboratory's New Technology Initiative (NTI) Board.

Between 2002 and 2005, while at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Mr. Lemnios was Director of the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), and previous to that, the Deputy Director of the Information Processing Technology Office (IPTO). In these positions, he oversaw the development of future research thrusts, analyzed and evaluated program proposals and engagements with commercial, academic organizations and represented DARPA on various national committees.

Mr. Lemnios held various positions within industry at Hughes Aircraft Company, Westinghouse Electric Corporation and Ford Microelectronics, Inc. that led to the development and demonstration of advanced microelectronic components. He has served on numerous DoD, industry and academic committees.

Mr. Lemnios received his BSEE from the University of Michigan and his MSEE from Washington University in St. Louis. He has authored over 40 papers, holds 4 patents in advanced GaAs device and MMIC technology and is a Senior Member of the IEEE.