Nate Johnson has extensive experience in government contracting and program management. Nate retired from the federal government in January 2005 after serving more that 37 years.  After completing 3 years in the military where he served as communication specialist in the Army Signal Corp, he joined the Federal Aviation Administration as electronics technician. He rose from the entry level of GS-5 to that of senior executive GS-15 within a relative short period of time. Nate success in the government was primarily due to his willingness to accept all challenges and ability to plan and implement program and activities to accomplish his objectives. During this period, he has continually reinvented himself to operate effectively in the ever-changing environment during the 80s and 90s. The high tech revolution was just one of the challenges he face as an engineer trained in the late 1970s.  He served in a host of highly technical and visible programs in the FAA. These assignments ranged from that of an air traffic control equipment installation lead in the New England region; FAA Academy Instructor in Oklahoma City; Section Chief in Boston Regional office; Manager at Boston Logan International Airport; Project and Program Manager at the FAA headquarter in Washington, D.C.

Nate was a leader in ensuring that the FAA’s air traffic control communications systems were Year2000 ready during the changeover.  As a result of his leadership the transition went off without any glitches to the national communication infrastructure during the transition. In late 2000, Nate was assigned to the US Department of Sate as FAA representative to the Director, Office of Space and Advance Technology in Washington, DC. In that capacity, he provided consultation and advice to the department on all aviation related issue. He managed the United States Government (USG) international outreach program for global positioning satellite system. He planned, budgeted for and directed the participation of an interagency government team to support international space and science events. These actives spanned the globe but primary focus was that of Europe and Latin America. He also directed the development of an acquisition package to award a contract for a Branding effort for GPS.

Experience

2000-2005
Assigned to United States Department of State Science and Advance Technology Office.
Represent the United State Department of State (DoS) on aviation and related space policy deliberations at the White House.

Represent the DoS, Oceans, international Environmental and Science Office (OES) in preparatory activities for consultations with foreign governments regarding aviation and r space elated activities, in particular those relating to the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS).

Represented OES at interagency meetings and working groups.
Determine Space and Advance Technology office (SAT) position for proposed commercial launches and payload determinations, including whether a proposed commercial launch will jeopardize U.S. interests.

Coordinated GPS related spectrum positions with other DOS
bureaus and other government department.

Coordinated aviation a related space policy issues in areas
of interest to OES (e.g., ICAO GNSS).

Directed the US Government international outreach activities to promote closer ties to
international government and industry organizations to build broad support
for OES objectives and to keep SAT abreast of cutting edge issues.


1997- 2000
Federal Aviation Administration, Special assistant to the Director of Communications programs.

Provided day-to-day coordination of multiple air traffic control communication program requirements, development, acquisition and implementation needs.

Provided recommendation and management supports to the director on the organization strategic planning, program budget requirements, formulation and execution. 

1993 – 1997

Federal Aviation Administration, Program Manager

Managed the agency's air traffic control communication operational systems. Directed the development of national requirement, acquisition strategy, budget formulation, request for proposals, and evaluation of contractor proposal and final selection of potential vendor.

1988 – 19993

Federal Aviation administration, Project manager

Served as project manager of a $90 million national program to develop an independent Air traffic control microwave link communication system

1986 – 1988
Federal Aviation Administration,
Deputy Manager of the FAA’s General National Airspace System at Boston International Airport. Directed the daily maintenance and support of all air traffic control facilities and equipment in the state of Massachusetts Rhode Island and parts of Connecticut.

1971 – 1986
I served in numerous technical and managerial positions at various locations through the united state. These include assignment at the FAA training academy in Oklahoma city as a radar instructor; manager at the FAA regional office in Burlington Mass and a regional Spectrum management office for the 6-state New England region.

1968 – 1970
United States Army Signal Corp achieved the rank of specialist-5 class and served a communication shop chief while assigned to Korea.

Education

BS Engineering
Defense System Management, Program Manager Course
FAA Program Manager Course