Cory B.

About Cory B.

I serve at the intersection of national security, complex acquisition, and the ethical foundations of leadership. With over 28 years of experience with the United States Air Force and Industry, I have dedicated my career to the stewardship of national resources and the development of our Air Force\'s commanders and leaders.Currently, as a Vice President at Dayton Aerospace, I help navigate the complexities of the defense industrial base, ensuring that our nation’s most critical systems are managed with precision, integrity, and strategic foresight. My background spans the full lifecycle of acquisition, from the \"Decision Space\" of the Program Office to the production floors of our national depots to Industry board rooms and whiteboard sessions—all focused on delivering capability to the Joint Force.The Scholar-Practitioner PathBeyond the boardroom, I am deeply engaged in the synthesis of history, theology, and modern strategy. I am currently completing a master\'s in theological studies (M.T.S.) in Historical Theology, exploring how the Reformed tradition informs the \"Office of the Sword\" in a post-modern age. This research fuels my Substack, The Sovereign & The Sword, where I write for senior leaders and technical experts on:1. The Vocation of the Officer: Reframing military and civil service as a sacred calling.2. The Ethics of the Digital Forge: Integrating AI and emerging tech through a lens of human stewardship.3. Strategic Resource Management: Treating the defense budget as a moral declaration of priority.4. Driving the Future of Defense: I am a firm believer that the next generation of defense leadership requires more than technical fluency—it requires a robust moral compass. Whether I am architecting an AI upskilling roadmap for senior engineers or helping develop commanders, my goal is to ensure that the \"Sword\" of our national defense is always governed by a \"Sovereign\" commitment to justice and excellence.Let’s Connect: I’m always looking to engage with fellow \"Quiet Professionals\" in the acquisition community, military leaders navigating the \"Gray Zone,\" and thinkers interested in the intersection of faith and the state.

Experience

1. Vice President

   Dayton Aerospace

   Jan 2026 — Present

Education

• National Defense University

  Master of Science - MS, National Resource Strategy

  2017 — 2018

• Naval Postgraduate School

  MBA, Acquisition and Contracting Management

  2006 — 2007

• Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

  Master of Theological Studies, Historical Theology

• University of Wisconsin-Platteville

  Master of Science, Project Management

  2003 — 2005

• United States Air Force Academy

  Bachelor of Science, History

  1994 — 1998