Dr. Charles H. Ward is Acting Director, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson. In this capacity, he leads the Department of the Air Force’s science and technology programs in functional materials, structural materials, manufacturing technology, and systems support for advanced, next-generation space, missile and aircraft applications. The Materials and Manufacturing Directorate consists of a workforce of more than 900 military members, civilians and contractors executing an annual budget in excess of $400 million. In his permanent role, he serves as Chief of the Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies Division, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory. He leads the Air Force’s $139 million annual investment in Manufacturing Technology, which seeks to increase producibility and reduce manufacturing cost and risk for technology insertion into Air Force weapon systems.  He also provides execution oversight of $2.2 billion in the Defense Production Act Title III program, which establishes, modernizes, and maintains critical industrial capabilities for the Department of Defense.

EDUCATION

1984 Bachelor of Science degree in metallurgical engineering and materials science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.

1985 Master of Science degree in metallurgical engineering and materials science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.

1992 Doctorate in materials science and engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

CAREER CHRONOLOGY

1986 – 1993, Metallurgical Engineer and Titanium Direction Manager, Air Force Materials Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

1991 – 1992, International Exchange Research Fellow, Air Force Materials Laboratory, Cologne, Germany

1993 –1997, Program Manager and Deputy Director, Aerospace and Materials Sciences, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.

1997 – 1999, Lead Integration Engineer, then Chief, Joint Strike Fighter Propulsion Technology Team, Propulsion Development Systems Office, Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md.

1999 – 2000, Program Element Monitor, Engine Component Improvement Program Element, and Chief, Test and Operations Branch, Directorate of Global Power Programs, Secretary of the Air Force Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

2000 –2001, Chief of Staff for the Air Force Acquisition Issues Team, Secretary of the Air Force Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

2001 – 2004, Chief, International Materials Programs, and Technical Director and Deputy Site Commander, European Office of Aerospace Research and Development, Air Force Research Laboratory, London, U.K.

2004 –2006, Assistant Chief Scientist and Acting Deputy Director, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

2006 – 2012, Chief, Metals, Ceramics and Nondestructive Evaluation Division, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

2012 – 2017, Integrated Computational Materials Science and Engineering Lead, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

2013 – 2014, Acting Deputy Director, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

2016 – 2017, Acting Deputy Director, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

2017 – present, Chief, Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies Division, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

2021 – present, Acting Director, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award

TMS/ASM International Distinguished Lectureship in Materials and Society

Fellow, ASM International

Vincent J. Russo Leadership Award, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, AFRL

Director’s Award, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, AFRL

Meritorous Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters

Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Award for Innovation

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Air Force Scientific Achievement Award