E. GENE AUSTIN
Gene is a Director for GBA in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. He is an independent consultant. His experience is summarized:
Mr. Edward G. Austin is an internationally renowned Defense Industry Consultant with over 25 years experience and currently representing companies in the Middle East and Asia. He is a retired US Air Force Officer and a recognized Former-USAF Tactical Fighter Pilot. During his career with the US Air Force, Mr. Austin provided his services in Combat Tactics Development, Flight Testing and Chief Engineering and International Technical Director for acquisition of the Royal Saudi Air Force C3 program, Peace Shield, Electronic System Command, Hanscom AFB, MA. He was also responsible for the development of Royal Saudi Air Force Peace Shield Acquisition Strategy that led to a successful $3.6 Billion Foreign Military government-to-government Sales agreement.
Mr. Austin developed a Red Flag Training and Deployment plan and Trained, in Saudi Arabia and at Nellis AFB, a 96 member team, 12 Pilots & 84 Maintenance, of the Royal Saudi Air Force to successfully participate in Red Flag 81-1. He managed the USAF F-15 Tactical Fighter Program, providing direction to the USAF Tactical Fighter Weapons Center on all the technical and operational activities.
After his retirement from the USAF, Mr. Austin has served as Orbital Science Corporation/Fairchild Defense representative to Matra Defense in development of the International Strategic Business Plan for C3I and Air Defense Programs, which is continuing to be successful. He has also participated as member of Rockwell International’s Corporate-level Strategic Defenses Scientific Advisory Group.
Although Mr. Austin specializes in the Military industry, his recent assignments primarily focus on the Restructure Program of Iraq, where he was invited to join as a Business Development Director of the Iraqi Business Development Group (IBDG) and provided support to the Global Trading Group (GTG), a subsidiary of the Iraqi Business Development Group. Mr. Austin, due to his experience, was selected to lead an Iraqi/American Team in defining Projects in Iraq totaling $800 Million USD for Iraq Reconstruction that qualified for a Japanese Government Grant of $1.5 Billion USD for “Basic Humanitarian Needs” to be obligated in FY 2003 plus another $3.5 Billion to follow in FY 2004.
Mr. Austin has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University and a Masters of Science in Public Administration from University of Northern Colorado.
Most recent Activities:
International Business Development Consultant
Al Qatara Equipment Co., President
Smiths Aerospace, Regional Marketing Director, Middle-East, Africa & Thailand
Orbital Science Fairchild Defense, International Business Development, Middle-
East, Africa & Asia
Matra Fairchild Defense, International Business Development
Rockwell International, International Business Development