CIV Christopher Melkonian

Mr. Melkonian has over 20 years of federal service spanning program management and systems engineering, and has served in leadership positions on complex acquisition and sustainment programs for the Navy and Marine Corps including joint programs with the Army and Air Force. He is currently the Program Manager for the USMC’s Advanced Amphibious Assault (PM AAA).

Prior to this assignment he served as the Deputy Program Manager for In-Service Attack Submarines at PEO. He worked alongside the Program Manager to lead and integrate all aspects of lifecycle management for in-service LOS ANGELES, SEAWOLF, and VIRGINIA Class Attack Submarines. Prior to a recent Team Submarine realignment, Mr. Melkonian also managed OHIO Class SSBN/GN sustainment and modernization, and submarine inactivations.

Mr. Melkonian served as the Chief Engineer and then Deputy Program Manager for PMW 230, which comprises a portfolio of logistics IT including the Business Category Global Combat Support System–Marine Corps program supporting worldwide USMC operations. He led organizational change to shift the IT culture to a system of systems mindset leveraging the latest in DEVSECOPs and agile development to quicken capability delivery. He received the MCSC award for Excellence in Marine Air-Ground Task Force Engineering in 2015 for his numerous contributions. He was the Engineering Division Head for Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) where he was responsible for leading all aspects of systems engineering policy, additive manufacturing, IT portfolio modernization, independent technical risk assessments, and obsolescence management for MCSC and affiliated Program Executive Offices.

In 2009, he conducted a rotation at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition while attending the Executive Potential Program. He prepared congressional testimony, worked with Program Managers to prepare for Gate reviews, and led a team to develop modernization strategies for command and control aboard aircraft carriers and surface ships.

Mr. Melkonian served in several leadership positions at the PM AAA program office including Director of Systems Engineering. He was responsible for managing development, testing, and transition to production activities for the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle Acquisition Category (ACAT I), and subsequently the Assault Amphibious Vehicle, Marine Personnel Carrier ACAT I, and Amphibious Combat Vehicle ACAT I programs.

Mr. Melkonian holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Old Dominion University, and a Master of Science Degree in Executive Systems Engineering Management from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a graduate of the Defense Acquisition University’s Executive Program Manager Course and the Graduate School’s Executive Potential Program. Mr. Melkonian is the recipient of the Navy Superior Civilian Service award.