James I. Finley

James I. Finley, of Ghanhassen, Minnesota, was nominated December 19, 2005, by President George W. Bush to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology in the Department of Defense. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 19, 2006.

Profiles
When nominated, Finley was serving "as President of The Finley Group, LLC, a consulting company he formed in 2002. Prior to this, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of SMARTSKIN, Inc. Mr. Finley has served in a managerial capacity for General Electric, Singer, Lear Siegler, United Technologies and General Dynamics, where he was a Corporate Officer, President of Information Systems and Chair of the Business Development Council. Mr. Finley received his bachelor's degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and his master's degree from California State University." 

Written statement by Senator Warner printed in the Congressional Record: "James I. Finley

Jim has over 30 years of multi-national business leadership and management experience. Programs span air, land. sea and space for the DoD, all services and DARPA, and include the FAA Automatic Surface Detection Radar systems and the NASA Space Shuttle Program. Systems and subsystems experience includes mission analysis, design. development and deployment of weapon delivery, flight control, navigation, information management, C4ISR, battle space management, chem/bio defense systems. His education includes a Masters of Business Administration, MBA, and Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering, BSEE.

With a background that includes marketing, finance. program management, engineering and manufacturing. he brings a broad experience base of technology including international technology transfer, outsourcing, product development, multi-plant operations management, lean manufacturing implementation, demand flow technology programs, six sigma/black belt systems, information technology systems, purchasing, logistics, facilities, security, product support and total quality management.

His leadership and strategic planning abilities have led many companies. including large and small operations, to achieve double-digit financial growth. Jim has also participated in many acquisitions and divestitures providing business analysis including strategic fit, organizational alignment, marketing assessments, project evaluations and manufacturing audits.

Jim has achieved significant operational recognition and success through progressive, increasing management responsibilities at General Electric, Singer. Lear Siegler, United Technologies and General Dynamics, where he was a Corporate Officer, President of Information Systems and Chair of the Business Development Council. In 2002, Jim formed his own consulting company, The Finley Group, LLC, that provides business assistance and advice for all facets of the business cycle including start-up, growth, acquisition and divestiture.

He resides in Ghanhassen, Minnesota, and enjoys golf, cycling, fishing, reading and volunteer's work." Congressional Record, Senate - February 17, 2006

SourceWatch Resources

 * Bush administration cronyism and incompetence
 * government-industry revolving door