Ryan Finlayson
Test Pilot, Program Manager, Retiring USAF Officer - Available Aug 2026
- Role
- Program Office - Fighters and Advanced Aircraft at United States Air Force
- Location
- Dayton, OH, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Ryan Finlayson
Building an amazing team starts with knowing yourself, knowing your people, and empowering your people to carry out the organization\'s mission and vision. The last ingredient is to create an environment where the team is able to thrive. I am a USAF Lieutenant Colonel with 20+ years of military service. I have been an RPA Test Pilot, Program Manager, Executive Staff Officer, and Squadron Commander leading teams of 100+ people in the context of flight test operations, engineering, technical writing, experimental aircraft modification, resource allocation, and program management. Beyond the professional world, I’m fueled by creativity and connection. You’ll often find me spending time with family, experimenting in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors through hunting, fishing, or hiking, doing volunteer work, or behind the drum kit rockin\' with my church’s praise band. These passions keep me grounded, inspired, and balanced to bring fresh perspective to my work.
Experience
Program Office - Fighters and Advanced Aircraft
Jul 2025 — Present · Dayton, OH, US
Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Machine Learning Course
2024 — 2024
American Military University
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Finance
2010 — 2013
USAF Air Command and Staff College
Master of Arts - MA, Miltary Operational Art and Science
2017 — 2018
United States Air Force Test Pilot School
Master of Science (M.S.), Flight Test Engineering
2014 — 2014
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Aerospace Engineering
2000 — 2005
Find verified contacts for anyone on LinkedIn
Unifers gives sales teams verified emails and direct dials, enriched profiles, and outreach that lands in the inbox.
Free plan included · No credit card required
This profile is compiled from publicly available professional sources. Unifers is not affiliated with or endorsed by LinkedIn. Request removal of this profile.