Roy Nickerson

About Roy Nickerson

Civilian Acquisition Program Manager for the U.S. Air Force focused on delivering results in complex government environments. My experience spans project and program management, corporate training, university teaching, and leading large, diverse teams. I specialize in turning strategy into execution, aligning stakeholders, and driving operational outcomes. I’m a people-focused leader who values trust, clarity, and accountability, and I’m known for building strong working relationships that get meaningful work done.

Experience

1. Acquisition Program Manager

   Air Force Civilian Service

   Dec 2022 — Present · Dayton, OH, US

   U.S. Air Force Acquisition Program Manager leading mission-critical digital infrastructure that supports mission readiness and enterprise objectives. Currently serve as Lead PM for a digitally integrated program enabling combined and joint partners across protected networks and multiple security domains—driving delivery from strategy and requirements translation through contracting, cybersecurity/compliance, integration, and fielding at scale.Previously served as Deputy Security Assistance Program Manager on an F-16 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, coordinating U.S. and partner-nation stakeholders to deliver high-visibility capability with disciplined cost, schedule, and performance management.Key Responsibilities / Experience• Program leadership & governance: set objectives, metrics, decision cadence, and resolve tradeoffs• End-to-end acquisition execution: shape acquisition strategy/contracting and manage scope, schedule, cost, and performance• Secure mission enablement: deliver fieldable, supportable EUD capability in sensitive operational environments• Cybersecurity & risk management: integrate compliance requirements; manage risks, dependencies, and issues with mitigation plans• Cross-functional integration: synchronize ops, engineering, logistics, finance, cyber, and contracting teams• Stakeholder engagement & team leadership: brief senior leaders/partners; mentor diverse government/industry teams

Education

• University of Notre Dame - Mendoza College of Business

  Executive Certificates

  2014 — 2017

• US Army Command and General Staff College

  Diploma, Level 4 Education, Military Joint Operations Planning and Strategy

  2009 — 2009

• MIT Sloan School of Management

  Executive Certificate, Strategy & Innovation

  2015 — 2017

• University of Pittsburgh

  Master's Degree

  2005 — 2007

• Cornell University

  Master Certificate

  2016 — 2016

• USAF Air War College

  Military Security Policy and Strategy

• Villanova University

  Master's Certificates

  2014 — 2015

• Western Kentucky University

  Bachelor's Degree, History

  1994 — 1997

• Harvard Business School Online

  Executive Certificate, Disruptive Strategy with Clayton Christensen

  2016 — 2016

Skills

• Analysis
• Platform Design
• Leadership
• Business Strategy
• Coaching
• Systems Thinking
• Program Management
• Six Sigma
• Risk Management
• Business Modeling
• Performance Management
• Public Speaking
• Innovation Management
• Business Development
• Instructional Design
• Critical Thinking
• Process Improvement
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Lead Change
• Organizational Learning
• Organizational Effectiveness
• Change Management
• Strategic Planning
• Organizational Development
• Consulting
• Project Management
• Organizational Design
• Project Planning
• Leadership Development
• Business Process Improvement
• Problem Solving
• Operations Management
• Leadership Training
• Human Resources
• Training
• Strategic Leadership
• Strategy
• Systems Design
• Management Coaching
• Operational Planning