Alan Easterling

Dr. Crawford Alan Easterling, III is a Professor of Progam Management at Defense Acqusition University (DAU) where he provides instruction of the Defense Acquisition workforce, consulting services to Acquisition Program Offices, conducts research, and develops executive curriculum materials.

Prior to joining DAU in 2019, he was a Corporate Director of Strategy at Northrop Grumman where he conducted strategic planning, supported the Corporate Policy Council, and sat on the Corporate Technology, Corporate Engineering and Corporate Strategic Action Councils. Before joining the Corporate Strategy Group, he was director of Strategic Development for Advanced Programs and Technology (AP&T), responsible for coordinating division strategy, analyzing strategic growth initiatives, and overseeing the strategic planning process.

Dr. Easterling joined Northrop Grumman in 2006 from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where he served as senior professional staff and systems engineer for Navy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

 A retired U.S. Navy captain and naval aviator, highlights of Dr. Easterling’s active duty include director, Special Programs, Naval Air Systems Command; Multimission Maritime Aircraft deputy program manager; Commanding Officer, Patrol Squadron Forty, Commander Task Group 72.4; and special assistant to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy. He was also a Brookings Institution Legislative Fellow, assigned to the personal staff of Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), where he was responsible for all military, technology and foreign affairs legislation.

Dr. Easterling earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master of Science in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College Advanced Program Management course and Advanced Systems Engineering Program.  He holds the degree Doctor of Engineering (Engineering Management) from George Washington University where he conducted research into sources of cost growth in major defense acquisition programs.