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Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of War for Acquisition
Mr. James Ruocco, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is currently performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of War for Acquisition (ASW(A)). In this position, he advises the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment (USW(A&S)), the Deputy Secretary of War, and the Secretary of War on matters relating to the Department of War (DoW) Acquisition System, acquisition program management, and the development of strategic, space, intelligence, tactical warfare, command and control, and business systems.
Most recently, Mr. Ruocco served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategic, Space, and Intelligence Portfolio Management (SSIPM). He is responsible for acquisition shaping, analysis, and oversight of warfighter capability portfolios across the Department of Defense associated with nuclear weapons systems; nuclear command, control, and communications; space; missile defense; and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance domains.
Previously, he served as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense for Platform and Weapon Portfolio Management and was responsible for assessing and analyzing major platforms and weapons capability portfolios across the Department, covering all cyber, electronic warfare, aircraft, ship, submarine, ground vehicle and weapons & munitions programs. Additionally, he served as Director for Air Platforms and Weapons and was responsible for portfolio and acquisition management, policy, and investments in all Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft-related missions and capabilities.
Mr. Ruocco was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in September 2018 as Director, Air Vehicle Engineering Department at Naval Air Systems Command. He served as technical authority and organizational leader for all engineering, technical policy, and strategy matters. During this time, he also served as Director for the Air Systems and System Acquisition Groups at Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division and led a workforce of engineers and logisticians responsible for the development, testing, production and sustainment of all Naval Aviation systems and related programs.
Mr. Ruocco was the Assistant Program Executive Officer for Engineering and Chief Engineer for the F-35 Joint Program Office from April 2016 to September 2018. He also served two previous tours with F-35 from April 2006 to February 2014, and in 2010, he led the Technical Baseline Review that reset and restructured the $55B F-35 development program.
Mr. Ruocco holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a master’s degree in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University. Additionally, he graduated from the Federal Executive Institute, and holds certificates from the University of Virginia and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Acquisition Professional Community with certifications in Program Management and Systems Engineering. Mr. Ruocco has received numerous Command-level recognitions and awards, as well as being a three-time recipient of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Medal.
