BSAE ’92, MSAE ‘96
George D. Lockett’s career is rooted in national security and federal service.
He attended The University of Alabama where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1992 and master’s degree in 1996, both in aerospace engineering. During his studies, he was awarded the NASA Graduate Student Research Program Fellowship. Currently, Lockett is working on a master’s degree in systems engineering at George Washington University.
A native of Aliceville, his career began at the Office of Naval Intelligence’s, or ONI, Strike and Air Warfare Department as an aerospace engineer and technical intelligence analyst. In this position, Lockett specialized in foreign naval air platforms and weapon systems.
For two years, he worked as a senior software and system test engineer for defense programs at Lockheed Martin Missile and Space Corporation. Lockett designed and tested algorithms, conducted simulations and analyzed results for the National Ballistic Missile and Theater High-Altitude Area Defense Programs.
On Sept. 11, 2001, while on sabbatical from Lockheed and serving in ONI’s Maritime Weapon System Department, he stood in disbelief having learned that one of the hijacked planes had flown into the Pentagon. The attack on the homeland reinforced his commitment to a career as a civil servant in national security. Before the events of that day, Lockett had intended to return to private industry. He was personally impacted by the lives lost and now serves in their memory.
Over the years, Lockett has served in various leadership capacities within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, or OUSD(I&S), at the Pentagon, including senior program analyst and subject matter expert. OUSD(I&S) is a U.S. Department of Defense organization that provides advocacy, oversight and policy guidance for defense intelligence and security activities.
Lockett was later named a Military Intelligence Program component manager and represented the OUSD(I&S) in senior-level engagements. He then served as division chief where he led OUSD(I&S) oversight of defense intelligence agencies and was responsible for annual budgeting decisions.
For four years, Lockett served as the special assistant and chief of staff to the Director for Defense Intelligence for Intelligence and Security Programs and Resources, providing strategic analysis and policy counsel to the director and his senior managers.
Today, he serves the Deputy Director for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Enterprise Capabilities. He provides oversight, planning, development and integration of the Department of Defense’s multi-billion dollar ISR-related infrastructure.
Lockett, who now lives outside Washington, D.C., enjoys running, math puzzles, gardening, coding, anime and Crimson Tide football.