Members

Dr. Leland has an extensive background working with: aerospace industry in Ohio and internationally; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and NASA Glenn Research Center; nearly all of the state's research universities; local and international aerospace advocacy groups; and local, state and federal public and private economic development organizations.

He has served as Vice President for Research, University of Dayton, and Executive Director of the University's Research Institute since 2014. Prior to that, he served as Director of the Research Institute for 10 years. Under his leadership, the University expanded its already robust aerospace research portfolio and became a major Ohio contributor to technology-based economic development. He was a key member of the team that brought to campus the GE EPISCenter, which won the 2013 Ohio Economic Development Association's best project award.

Throughout his career at the University, Dr. Leland has worked with many of the State's aerospace companies to develop technologies or initiatives to improve their competitiveness. These include large companies such as GE Aviation, UTC (formerly Goodrich Aerospace) and Parker-Hannifin; large defense contractors such as Ball, SAIC and Alion; and scores of commercial and defense small businesses. He also contributed to numerous local and State task forces and initiatives focused on economic development, base realignment and closure and the expansion of aviation and aerospace industry.

At the national level, Dr. Leland has contributed to the development of policy and laws that support Wright-Patterson AFB and the nation's aerospace industry. Prior to joining the University, he served as a Fellow and staff member in the U.S. Congress, where he took the lead in drafting legislation that eventually allowed Wright-Patterson AFB greater flexibility in managing its technical workforce. He has written and given Congressional testimony on numerous occasions in support of our nation's aerospace workforce and enterprise.

Dr. Leland's experience working with our nation's aviation and aerospace industry started with the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. During his 16 years with the Air Force, he worked professionally with multiple divisions of aerospace industry giants such as Lockheed, Boeing, GE, UTC, Raytheon, Northrop, Honeywell, General Dynamics and many others to develop next generation technologies for aircraft and spacecraft.