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Leading into the future

The JT4 leadership team consists of dedicated individuals who collectively share decades of experience across diverse backgrounds in contracting, the civil service and the armed forces.

Executive team

We are proudly led by a team of experienced professionals who are committed to the highest standards of customer service, integrity and ethics.

Dirk Jordan

President

Pat Duffy

Senior Vice President of Cross-Range Initiatives & Chief Engineer

Traci Rushakoff image

Traci Rushakoff

Vice President of Finance

Mark Wierzbicki

Vice President & Chief Information Officer

Sandra Harrison

Vice President of Human Resources

Alan Driver

Vice President of Operations

Rey Garza

Vice President & Range Manager (412 TW)

Ralph Decker

Vice President & Range Manager (NTTR / NSTTC / GFW)

Jeff Snell

Vice President & Range Manager (UTTR)

Darryl Johnson

Vice President & Range Manager (CLR / PMSR)

Senior staff

Our management team ensures that our annexes have the tools, resources and support necessary to build a positive and productive work environment for all employees.

Kara Waters

Talent Acquisition Manager

Chuck Walker

Director of Technical Operations

Mike Russell

Environmental, Safety & Health Manager

Kelly Smith

Director of Contracts

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Our Mission

Partner with our customers to develop and maintain integrated test and training range environments by providing highly skilled scientific, engineering, technical, and support personnel. We prepare our nation’s Warfighters for the missions of today while building new capabilities to meet the global challenges of tomorrow.

© JT4, LLC 2024
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Dirk Jordan

President

Dirk Jordan was selected President of JT4 in 2019 following a 12-year tenure as Senior Vice President of Operations. Dirk works closely with each Range Manager to ensure the company successfully fulfills the requirements of the J-Tech II Contract at each annex. 

Prior to his employment at JT4, Dirk retired as a Colonel from the U.S. Air Force after 27 years of active duty. Dirk earned his pilot wings at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas. During his service, he flew many different aircraft including the F-15A/B/C/D, F-16C/D and the F/A-18A/B (as an Exchange Officer to the Royal Australian Air Force). Dirk enjoyed assignments in combat aviation, tactics development, test, training, cyber and acquisition. His final assignment with the U.S. Air Force was as the Commander of the 414th Combat Training Squadron (Red Flag) at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

Dirk holds bachelor of science degrees in aeronautical engineering and political science from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is also a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force F-15C Fighter Weapons School, the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College and the National War College.

Pat Duffy

Senior Vice President of Cross-Range Initiatives & Chief Engineer

Pat Duffy joined the J-Tech Contract in 2013 following very successful careers in both government and industry. His extensive operational and test experience, technical engineering expertise and industry background makes him an ideal Chief Engineer and leader of JT4’s cross-range initiatives. Pat works closely with the Range Managers to introduce innovative technologies and provide cross-range synergies, capabilities and expertise.

A retired Colonel from the U.S. Air Force, Pat had an impressive 27-year service career as a senior leader, test pilot, fighter pilot and instructor pilot. He has over 3,500 hours of flight time in over 60 aircraft types, including the F-15, F-16 and F-18, and was the U.S. Exchange Test Pilot in Canada. Pat successfully led a variety of large organizations as a commander at the Squadron, Group and Wing levels. After leaving the U.S. Air Force, Pat became the Vice President of Engineering and Product Development at Eclipse Aviation. He later joined Applied Research Associates (ARA) as Director of Strategic Defense Programs before coming to JT4. 

Pat is a Distinguished Graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Naval War College where he earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering sciences and his master’s degree in national security and strategic studies, respectively. In addition, Pat was the Top Graduate from the U.S. Test Pilot School and holds a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from the University of Washington. Pat is an Associate Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots where he has served on the Board of Directors. He also sits on the Advisory Board for UNLV’s Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering.

Traci Rushakoff

Vice President of Finance

Traci Rushakoff assists in overseeing the finance, accounting, treasury, audit, and procurement functions of JT4, LLC. 

Traci has 25 years of experience in both finance and accounting functions for privately held businesses, which includes time as CAO at BMM International, LLC, VP of Operations at Lakeview Cheese, LLC, and Financial Controller at Arcata Associates, Inc. 

Traci holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Montevallo, an AACSB-accredited program from which she graduated Cum Laude.  Traci was a member of Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society during her time at UM. Traci is currently serving on the CFO Advisory Panel for the Federal Reserve Banks of Richmond and Atlanta in partnership with Duke University.

Mark Wierzbicki

Vice President & Chief Information Officer

Mark Wierzbicki leads JT4 Information Technology (IT) organizations across the company. As CIO, he is responsible for JT4’s IT strategy, Information Security (IS) and computer systems support. Mark further directs the implementation of a comprehensive cybersecurity approach across the entire J-Tech II Enterprise, including risk analysis, risk management and risk mitigation. 

Having joined the J-Tech contract in 2001, Mark has held multiple positions of increasing responsibility in the IT departments of JT3 and JT4 and has supported both the J-Tech and J-Tech II Contracts. He has over 25 years of experience in the IT sector and carries a background in computer science, engineering and business.

Mark holds a bachelor of science degree in computer science with a minor in business from the engineering college at Michigan State University. He is also a certified Project Management Professional and an IBM-certified Solutions Designer, Deployment Professional and Advanced Deployment Professional for Maximo. Mark has a certification in Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL).

Sandra Harrison

Vice President of Human Resources

Sandra Harrison leads the JT4 human resources and training functions across the company. As HRIS Director, she is responsible for JT4’s HR and training strategies and human resource systems.

Having joined the organization in 2002, Sandra has supported both the J-Tech and J-Tech II Contracts. During this time, she has held multiple positions of increasing responsibility in the data analyst, system testing, finance, training and HR departments within the company. Sandra has over 30 years of experience in the technical and business operations sector and carries a background in computer science, test engineering and business. Her professional background also includes several years in the NASA space program as a test engineer at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company and Scitor Corporation.

Sandra has a bachelor of science in computer science and a master of science in information systems management from the National University. She is also a certified Project Management Professional.

Alan Driver

Vice President of Operations

Alan Driver assumed the duties of the Vice President of Operations in October of 2021, after serving as the JT4 Deputy of Operations for one year prior. Alan provides direct support to customer operations and facilitates enterprise-wide engineering collaboration to maximize the company’s ability to successfully meet mission needs at all JT4 locations. 

Prior to his employment with JT4, Alan was a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force and retired on 30 September 2020. During his impressive 21-year career, he led and commanded a variety of organizations within the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom AFB, the Air Force Test Center at Edwards AFB and the U.S. Special Operations Command headquartered at MacDill AFB. Throughout his career and at Test Pilot School, Alan flew over 30 aircraft types to include the mighty Good Year blimp.

Alan holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a master of business administration degree from Boston College and a master of science degree in experimental flight test engineering from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.

Rey Garza

Vice President & Range Manager (412 TW)

Rey Garza has more than 30 years of technical and managerial experience supporting the 412th Test Wing at Edwards AFB near Lancaster, California. As Range Manager, he leads a dedicated team of professionals who provide technical support services for many critical defense systems such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, F-22 Raptor and B-2 Bomber. 

After 8 years of active duty service in the U.S. Air Force, Rey made his home in the Antelope Valley and held various contractor and government positions at Edwards AFB to include electronic technician, systems engineer and range safety officer. In 2002, Rey left government service to join JT3 on the J-Tech Contract. He held management positions leading the Range and Technical Operations Departments. By 2009, Rey was promoted to Range Manager. Never satisfied with business as usual, Rey takes great pride in implementing process improvements and identifying cost savings for our U.S. Air Force customer. He always looks forward to the next level of performance, innovation and employee development.

Rey holds a bachelor of science in industrial technology from Southern Illinois University. He also earned a Project Management Certificate from the California Institute of Technology. Rey is an active member of the International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA). He has served as President of the Antelope Valley Chapter of the organization.

Ralph Decker

Vice President & Range Manager (NTTR / STTR / GFW)

Ralph Decker oversees support of test and training operations at Nellis AFB, the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) and the National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC), which includes operations near Tonopah, Nevada; Beatty, Nevada; Las Vegas, Nevada; Fort Irwin, California and Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

Ralph has been working on the Nellis Range since 1983, when he transferred from Holloman AFB as part of the U.S. Air Force Systems Command test team. A few years later, he started his life as a video technician with Arcata Associates, eventually taking over as the supervisor of the video department. Ralph went on to become Arcata’s Director of Operations and later accepted the position of Program Manager for one of J-Tech’s legacy contracts—Arcata’s technical and engineering support services contract at Nellis AFB. Under that contract, Ralph and his team achieved the highest levels of customer satisfaction. In 2002, Ralph joined JT3 and took over the NTTR side of the J-Tech Contract.

Ralph is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and his extensive educational background includes an associate degree in electronics engineering, a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a master’s degree in human resources management and a master’s degree in information systems management. Ralph is a member of the Association of Old Crows and serves on the UNLV College of Engineering Advisory Board.

Jeff Snell

Vice President & Range Manager (UTTR)

Jeff Snell joined JT4 (then JT3) in 2016 as the Range Manager for the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) near Hill AFB. Jeff leads efforts to provide world-class support of government range operations such as the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP). 

Before becoming a contractor, Jeff had a distinguished 29-year career in the U.S. Air Force. He attended pilot training at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas, and went on to fly the A-10A, the F-16CJ, the T-37 and all three models of the venerable T-38. A retired Colonel, Jeff is a two-time commander and has over 3,000 hours of flying time, including over 170 hours of combat in Southwest Asia operations. Jeff spent the last 5 years of his military career in International Affairs as the Defense Attaché and Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, as well as Head of International Engagement for the Missile Defense Agency’s European Phased Adaptive Approach to Missile Defense at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. His final assignment with the U.S. Air Force was as Chief of the U.S. Air Force’s Foreign Liaison Office at the Pentagon, Virginia.

Jeff has a bachelor of science degree in architecture from Auburn University. Additionally, Jeff earned a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Air Force Air War College, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and holds a second master’s degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle University.

Darryl Johnson

Vice President & Range Manager (CLR / PMSR)

Darryl Johnson directs operations, maintenance and engineering support for the NAWCWD test and training missions at the China Lake Ranges (CLR) and Point Mugu Sea Range (PMSR). Darryl has over 34 years of test experience supporting developmental and operational test programs across multiple technologies and mission areas including electronic warfare, low observables and aircraft survivability, directed energy weapons, advanced tactical data link operations, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and counter-UAS operations. 

A retired Major from the U.S. Air Force, Darryl has served in various positions supporting the test and evaluation and tactics development for the SR-71, U-2, B-1, B-2, B-52, advanced cruise missile, F-16 and F-22. He later served as a test director for the AWACS 30/35 and E-767 programs and as the test manager for the Airborne Laser program. After leaving the U.S. Air Force, Darryl joined the Joint Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence at Creech AFB as the site lead for 5D Systems where he led UAS and C-UAS concept design, experimentation and test support infrastructure development for the Joint Warfighter. He then joined Scientific Research Corporation (SRC), where he continued to assist in the development of counter-UAS systems and operations. In 2015, Darryl joined the J-Tech contract as a teammate, serving as the Spectrum Relocation Fund project manager. Darryl transferred to JT4 in 2019.

Darryl is a Distinguished Graduate from Tuskegee University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Darryl is a Certified Test and Evaluation Professional, a three-time Association of Old Crows (AOC) award winner and an International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA) award winner. Darryl currently serves on the ITEA Board of Directors.

Kara Waters

Talent Acquisition Manager

Kara Waters leads recruiting and hiring initiatives across the JT4 Enterprise. As Talent Acquisition Manager, she is responsible for developing strategies for attracting and retaining highly qualified technical talent, creating channels for jobseekers to learn about JT4, unifying enterprise recruiting processes and best practices and ensuring that all recruiting practices are aligned with JT4’s strategic objectives. Kara joined JT4 in March 2019, concurrent with the inception of the Talent Acquisition Department.

With a mixed background in agency, contract and in-house (corporate) recruiting, Kara has extensive experience recruiting technical talent in a variety of fields, industries and markets, including the tech industry in Silicon Valley. Kara’s passion for helping others find meaningful work has become the centerpiece of her career in the talent acquisition field.  

Kara holds a bachelor of arts in international relations and political science from the University of San Diego, where she graduated with Honors.  In addition, she has a master of science in human resources management from Colorado State University.  Kara also has several recruiting certifications from Advanced Internet Recruitment Strategies and is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management.

Chuck Walker

Director of Technical Operations

Chuck Walker leads the JT4 Technical Operations organization, which provides systems engineering, project management, application development, quality assurance, configuration and data management and other specialized technical support across the company. Known as “Tech Ops,” Chuck and his team work directly with both corporate and range leadership to support customer projects and company initiatives across the enterprise.

Chuck joined the J-Tech contract in 2014, and previously served as the JT4 Lead Project Manager and the Systems Engineering Office (SEO) Lead. Prior to his time with JT4, Chuck provided consulting and project management services to the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical Biological Defense (JPEO-CBD), and served as a Division Manager and Business Unit Vice President at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). In addition to his commercial experience, Chuck served in the United States Navy for 21 years where he completed four major deployments and supported operations in Southwest Asia, South America, Korea and the North Atlantic.

Chuck received his bachelor of science degree in industrial management from Auburn University and earned a master of science degree in information systems and telecommunications from the Naval Postgraduate School. Chuck is a certified Project Management Professional and has completed the Systems Planning Research Development and Engineering (SPRDE) Level 3 program at Defense Acquisition University.

Mike Russell

Environmental, Safety & Health Manager

Mike Russell joined the J-Tech contract in 2006 as an Environmental, Safety and Health supervisor and was selected to be the Corporate Environmental, Safety and Health Manager in 2015. Mike works with the management teams at each annex to ensure the safety and health of all employees on the J-Tech II contract.

Mike retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2006 after 23 years of active duty. He began his Air Force career as a precision measurement equipment specialist, with a focus in frequency generation and measurement equipment and physical, dimensional, optical and radiation measurement equipment. Mike spent the last 7 years of his military career as an occupational safety and health specialist.

Mike’s educational background includes a master of science in occupational safety and health.

Kelly Smith

Director of Contracts

Kelly Smith manages, administers and oversees the cradle-to-grave process for over 30 Warfighter Support Sector prime contracts and major subcontracts for JT4 and its parent company, Amentum. She has extensive experience in developing, implementing and managing prime contracts and subcontracts to ensure quality services at fair and reasonable prices, as well as compliance with contract terms.

Kelly has over 12 years of experience overseeing prime contracts and major subcontracts. Her career in government contracts began with the Department of Veterans Affairs through an internship program while attending the University of Central Florida. Shortly after graduating, Kelly joined the J-Tech team in Las Vegas, NV under URS Federal Services, Inc. Her positions continued to grow with the company, eventually leading her to her present role with JT4 and Amentum.

Kelly received her bachelor’s degree in health administration from the University of Central Florida and went on to obtain a level one warrant, a requirement for becoming a contracting officer with the U.S. Government.