Vice President, Gun Systems
General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products
Charlotte, NC
Mike O'Brien was appointed Vice President, Gun Systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products in January 2005. Prior to his current assignment, Mike served as Vice President, Business Development, where he was responsible for developing and executing a business development plan responsive to the strategic goals of the company and the dynamics of the customer and the marketplace.
Before joining GDATP, Mike was Corporate Director, Customer and Congressional Relations, Land Warfare Programs at General Dynamics corporate headquarters in Falls Church, Va. Assuming this position in January 1997, Mike was responsible for the coordination of General Dynamic programs with both the United States Congress and the Department of Defense.
In October 1995, Mike joined Lockheed Martin as Director of Government Operations and Artillery Systems Development for its Pittsfield, Mass.-based unit. From 1994 to 1995, Mike served as Manager of Business Development, Eastern Region for Talley Defense Systems.
Mike began his career in 1968, serving his country in the United States Army. As a U.S. Army Officer, Mike served as the Deputy Commander of the Combat Maneuver Training Center in Germany and was the Commander of the 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, XVIII Airborne Corps. In his last assignment, he served as the Deputy Chief of Congressional Liaison for the U.S. Army and, as such, served as the Secretary of the Army's representative responsible for all Army issues and budget coordination with the United States Congress. Mike retired at the rank of Colonel in 1994.
A graduate of Louisiana Tech University, Mike received his bachelor's degree in marketing and management. Mike has also earned master's degrees in national security and strategy and in international relations from the U.S. Naval War College and Salve Regina University, respectively. During his Army career, he graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Naval War College.