U.S. NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – Martin R. Ahmad has been selected to succeed Capt. CJ Jaynes as the new Aircrew Systems program manager.
“When I got the word I was selected I was surprised, shocked, overwhelmed, I couldn’t believe it actually. I know it’s rare that civilians are selected as program managers in NAVAIR. I was humbled, honored and surprised,” said Ahmad.
Ahmad was the Aircrew Systems principal deputy since February 2006, all but three months of that time with Capt. Jaynes, who came aboard in June 2006. “Collectively we did a lot to define a new vision of our organization, laying out a plan on how to improve our processes, fostering a better team environment and focusing more on the warfighter,” said Ahmad.
“My plan is to follow the path set by Capt. Jaynes, continue to implement our business plan, and improve our processes,” added Ahmad. “With the Aircrew Systems Team I will establish the next series of detailed objectives, and make the next set of planned improvements a reality.”
“Capt. Jaynes set the vision for Aircrew Systems. She spent a lot of time on external relationships, focusing on the warfighter, making sure that we had support across the Fleet and the command, laying out our vision and making sure that we got there,” said Ahmad. “As the deputy I implemented the vision. Now I have to shift my focus from implementation to setting the vision for Aircrew Systems.”
Rising from an engineering co-operative student position with the former Naval Air Test Center, Ahmad’s 26-year federal career reflects his ability to lead teams, a strong work ethic and a dedication to naval aviation.
“I came out of high school in 1980 into an engineering cooperative program down here at Pax River; it was called the Pax-Tenn program. It was started in the mid-1970's to attract minorities into engineering and then it expanded to include everyone. I started here at the NATC, graduated from college, went to NAVAIR in Crystal City, Va., and have pretty much come full circle,” added Ahmad. “If it were not for that program I probably would not have gone to engineering school. I may have gone into architecture, which was my interest. It made it financially affordable to go to college and I owe a lot to that program and I want to give it acknowledgement that it was good program.” "I would also like to acknowledge the many years I spent in PMA209 Common Avionics learning from great leaders and mentors such as Capt. John Batog, Capt. Walter Rogers, Capt. Mike Williamson and their excellent deputies. Were it not for them all I doubt I would be in this position today."
A native of Washington, DC, Ahmad was selected as a GS-15 program manager in November 2002 after completing a one-year rotational assignment in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Air). Ahmad is also an AIRSpeed Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
Ahmad is married and has three children, graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1985 and earned a M.S. in Technology Systems Management in 1996 from the University of Maryland University College. He is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Management Development Program (SEMDP) and the Naval Corporate Business Course (NCBC). Ahmad’s awards include two Naval Meritorious Civilian Service Medals.