KEVIN “LANTA” HARMS
Chief Strategy Officer
Kevin Harms has served the United States for 30+ years as a Naval Aviator and Contract Service Support (CSS). He flew F/A-18s in a military career highlighted by time as a Landing Signals Officer (LSO), TOPGUN graduate, Tactics Instructor, Air Wing Mission Commander, Lead Operational Planner at U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and Commanding Officer of a strike-fighter squadron in combat overseas. Kevin was recognized as the 2004 U.S. Pacific Fleet Pilot of Year.
As CSS, Kevin served in the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program as a Product Lead for software to autonomously control naval strike-fighters, using agile scrum methods. After two years and successful demonstrations, he was selected as lead analyst for a major study of adversary support to air warfare mission area training, on behalf of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Director of Air Warfare.
The study examined requirements, gaps, and solution alternatives, including live, virtual, constructive, and combined LVC technologies. Findings and methods pioneered by the study informed the Red Air, Training, and Proficiency for Aerial Combat Analysis of Alternatives (RATPAC AoA), Secure LVC Advanced Training Environment (SLATE) demonstration, and the Training Analysis Program (TAP), which Kevin continued to support as a subject matter expert and advisor to study leadership.
Since then, Kevin has focused on analysis, derivation of requirements, and concept refinement for a next generation family of systems to replace the F/A-18, and corporate responsibilities as Director of Business Operations and Chief Strategy Officer.
Kevin holds BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering, and an MBA, from the University of Illinois and a MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
Kevin is happily married to his wife Pam, and a proud third-generation military aviator. He is a father of four, and a die-hard fan of the Illinois Fighting Illini.