James A. Sweeney III currently serves as the Department of the Air Force (DAF) SBIR/STTR, Division Engagement Lead  

His background consists of both U.S. Air Force (USAF) and Industry experience.  He has held multiple positions at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH to include: Department of the Air Force (DAF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR/STTR): Division Engagement Lead, Chief Defense Focused Technologies, Chief Strategic Communications Officer, SBIR Commercialization Readiness Program (CRP) Program Manager

Program Management:  F119 engine Flight Test Program Manager for the F-22, F-22 Pilot Training Program Manager, International Flight Simulator Programs Program Manager for the Turkish, Israeli and Egyptian Air Forces, and began his government career as a Contract Negotiator for the F-16 Block 40 Multi-year buy program.  His industry experience includes  Program Manager for:  the Royal Saudi Air Force Airborne Rangeless Training System, Nellis Air Combat Training System (NACTS) Program Manager,  B-52 Airborne Infrared Camera – Fleet Retrofit, Rangeless Airborne Instrumentation & Debriefing System (RAIDS) – British/French joint Development / Production / International deployment program, and for miniature antennae development and manufacturing a couple surveillance organizations in Washington DC.

He has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Marketing/Business Administration from San Diego State University, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University.   

His background includes growing up in a Small Business family and readily understands and appreciates the full spectrum of challenges and rewards the Small Business community undergoes.  He successfully constructed and flies an FAA approved, RV-6A, Experimental airplane.