Mr. David Koch leads the Defense Logistics Agency’s Research and Development program, managing an annual budget valued over $100M. He oversees programs focused on castings, forgings, batteries, additive manufacturing, military uniforms, combat rations, micro-electronics, energy, storage and distribution, and other areas charged with fostering innovation in logistics and supply chain management. In January 2024, Mr. Koch became the first DLA Principal to chair the Defense Department’s Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel as part of a three-year rotation.
Prior to this assignment, Mr. Koch served as the Deputy Executive Director of Mission Support in DLA’s Logistics Operations directorate, where he was responsible for early engagements with major defense acquisition programs and DLA’s support to the Joint Strike Fighter program.
Mr. Koch is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and received a commission in 1989. He earned his first master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Nebraska (1997), his second masters in Logistics Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology (2004), and a third master’s degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (2008).
Prior to his assignment at DLA, he served on the Air Staff as the Strategic Initiatives Branch Chief, where he was responsible for managing the Air Force Maintenance Strategy (Air Force maintenance for the 21st century) and leading the Air Force’s Repair Network Integration Initiative. This initiative completely transformed the Air Force’s approach to off-equipment maintenance and streamlined valuable maintenance resources. Mr. Koch retired in 2012 after 23 years of active-duty service, having served in a variety of positions in maintenance and logistics at the squadron, major command and headquarters Air Force levels.
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