Lieutenant Colonel Robert Solano - Commander at DCMA Boeing Mesa
Tuesday Mentor
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Solano is an accomplished officer in the United States Army, currently serving as the Commander of the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) at Boeing in Mesa, AZ. He leads a team responsible for ensuring the timely delivery of the AH-64 Apache helicopter and other aircraft components, managing $25 billion in government contracts. His leadership supports the Arizona economy, creating thousands of jobs spread across 45 local companies.
With over a decade of experience, Robert is an expert in program management, government contracting, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, aviation, and advanced weapons systems development. His impressive career history includes assignments with the Army Artificial Intelligence Integration Center, Palantir Technologies, U.S. Special Operations Command, and the Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulations, Training, and Instrumentation. A senior Army Aviator and Blackhawk helicopter pilot, he has multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan under his belt.
Robert holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a Master’s Certificate in Aviation Doctoral Studies (ABD) from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
A multifaceted individual, Robert is an accomplished author, business coach, and angel investor with the Arizona Tech Investors group. He currently resides in Scottsdale with his wife and two daughters.