C. Douglas Ebersole
Executive Director
Air Force Research Laboratory
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
BSAAE '82
For his extraordinary career in technical, policy and managerial leadership, and his accomplishments in weapon systems efforts for the US Air Force.
Ask Douglas Ebersole what he loves most
about his job, and he will proudly tell you,
"the mission of the Air Force."
"It's seeing the impact that we can have
on our war fighters," Ebersole says. "In
the Air Force Research Lab we provide the
emerging technologies for our airmen.
Our job is to make sure they never enter
a mission with a fair fight."
An accomplished member of the Senior
Executive Service in the Air Force Research
Lab (AFRL), Ebersole is executive director of
the lab at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He has served in a variety of roles,
holding titles that range from lead flight
technology engineer and platform
integration team lead, to chief and director
of engineering for numerous programs.
Before assuming his current position, he
led the Air Force’s science and technology
program in propulsion, power, and air
vehicles for advanced next-generation
space, missile and aircraft applications. He
oversaw a workforce of 1,800 from military,
civilian and contractor areas, and an annual
budget of nearly $700 million.
Reflecting on why he chose his profession,
Ebersole says he discovered his love for
flying at a young age – acquiring his
student pilot’s license before he even had
a driver’s license. And for this lover of
aircraft, choosing Purdue Engineering was
a "no-brainer" – it was actually the only
school to which he applied. He credits
Purdueâs "demanding" program with
helping teach discipline and preparation,
along with the value of hard work.
"It has an expansive curriculum," he says.
"It allowed me to establish a foundation, but
also a niche in the ’aero’ domain so I could
be a little step ahead of the other people
coming out of college."
He mentions that he always felt as though
he had full access to faculty and that they
always put students first. As mentors,
he specifically calls out Professor George
Palmer, "a legend" Professor Winthrop Gustafson, "who provided more mentorship
outside of the classroom than inside" and
Professor John Sullivan, whom he still sees
a couple times each year.
Some of Ebersole’s most prominent
Purdue memories include showing up to
class in the dead of winter in a T-shirt
and shorts because he lived just across the
street from Grissom Hall. He also recalls
fondly the all-night Euchre tournaments
with his fraternity brothers, and starting
a life with his wife, whom he wed during
their junior year.
However, the real benefit of being a
Boilermaker, he says, came after graduation.
"There’s such a strong family in both
accomplishment and numbers," he says.
"I can't go to one engineering event where
I don’t run into at least one Purdue
engineer. It binds you together."
Ebersole also serves as the Department of
Defense’s liaison to the Steering Advisory
Council for the School of Aeronautics and
Astronautics – established to identify
needs and opportunities of the aerospace
sector and explore how Purdue can
contribute and lead in addressing these
needs with curricula and programs for
generations of students to come.
Career Highlights
| 2015-present | Executive Director, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base |
|---|---|
| 2013–2015 | Director, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base |
| 2010–2013 | Director of Engineering, Joint Strike Fighter Program Office, Ofice of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics |
| 2007–2010 | Director of Engineering, 478th Aeronautics Systems Wing (F-22), Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base |
| 2004–2007 | Chief Engineer, F-22 SPO, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base |
| 2003–2004 | Chief, Special Test Mission Division, Directorate of Operations, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base |
| 1999–2003 | Chief Engineer, Aeronautical Enterprise Program Office, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base |
| 1998–1999 | Deputy Director of Engineering and Mission Systems Integrated Product Team Lead, Joint Strike Fighter Support Office, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base |
| 1996–1998 | Platform Integration Team Lead, Joint Airborne Signals Intelligence Program Office, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base |
| 1982–1996 | Numerous assignments in Air Force systems program offices, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base |
| 2001 | MBA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| 1987 | MSAE, University of Dayton |
| 1982 | BSAAE, Purdue University |