Dr. Mark Mehalic selected as executive director of AEDC

  • Published
  • By Deidre Ortiz
  • AEDC/PA
Arnold Air Force Base, TENN. --  A new executive director has been chosen to assist in leading the mission of Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC).

It was announced recently that Dr. Mark Mehalic accepted the position, officially beginning in his new role earlier this month.

Mehalic stated that he's glad to be at AEDC and is ready to assist in its mission. 

"I chose AEDC because I wanted to be part of the outstanding work that the Complex does for the Air Force and the nation," he said. "The reputation of AEDC is well known and greatly respected throughout the Air Force and the aerospace community, and being part of this organization is a great privilege."

Mehalic is making the transition to Arnold Air Force Base (AAFB) from Kirtland AFB, N.M., where he was serving as director for Engineering and Technology Management at the base's Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. As the director, he led a team of 40 people working engineering-related issues for the Center.

These issues included workforce development, test and evaluation, engineering policy, and technical advice to the Center Commander and Program Executive Officer for Strategic Systems.

In his role at Kirtland AFB, Mehalic was also responsible for ensuring implementation and execution of sound systems engineering practices across the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center portfolio, which included the Minuteman III ICBM, the Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM), the B61 and B83 gravity bombs.

"I believe my experiences will help AEDC as we approach the changes ahead of us," Mehalic said. "The Air Force, and the test and evaluation community in particular, are going through a time of change. My experiences, especially those in the nuclear enterprise, have given me the tools to lead and manage change in a highly technical organization. In addition, my experiences have taught me that we must take care of our people. Caring for our workforce is the foundation of a vibrant organization." 

AEDC Commander Col. Raymond Toth stated he's confident that Mehalic will be a great addition to leadership at Arnold AFB and asks all personnel to join in making him feel welcome.

"[Mehalic] has a strong engineering background with a PhD in electrical engineering, is a retired Air Force colonel and has been much of his career on both active duty and as a government civilian in Air Force Materiel Command and the acquisition community," Toth said. "Please welcome him as warmly as you welcome all newcomers to Middle Tennessee and AEDC."

Starting a new job in a new place has its challenges, but Mehalic said he hopes he'll make a positive impact and help AEDC continue to be successful.

"My personal goal is to learn as much as I can about AEDC and its great mission," he said. "My goal for AEDC is to help the Commander take the Complex to the next level of preeminence technically, in customer satisfaction and in workforce pride. I want to help make AEDC a place where people want to come and work, and a place where customers want to come and test. I really look forward to engaging with the AEDC team. I am sure that, as a team, we can overcome whatever challenges come at us."