John Luddy Named Interim Executive Director of U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE)
March 24, 2026 | Global Electronics AssociationEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
The Global Electronics Association announced that John Luddy has been appointed interim executive director of the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE), bringing decades of experience in national security policy, government relations, and defense industry leadership to the role. Luddy replaces the previous executive director, James Will.
USPAE is a subsidiary of the Global Electronics Association that focuses on partnerships with the U.S. Government to support a more robust defense electronics industrial base.
As interim executive director of USPAE, Luddy will engage industry and government leaders on the strategic opportunities and vulnerabilities facing the defense electronics industrial base, while advancing federal investment in critical research and development. The role is centered on education, dialogue, and partnership, aligning industry and government around priorities that strengthen the nation’s electronics ecosystem.
Luddy joins USPAE from Vector Strategies, a consulting practice providing strategic advisory, business development, market analysis, and legislative advocacy services to clients ranging from aerospace firms to technology companies. Previously, he served as vice president for national security policy at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), where he led the development of AIA’s national security policy agenda and played a leading role in public and government advocacy on national security and defense industrial base issues.
“I’m pleased to serve as Interim Executive Director of the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics,” said Luddy. “A secure and resilient electronics supply chain is critical to national security and to the strength of our defense industrial base. USPAE plays an important role in bringing together industry, government, and research partners to address these challenges, and I look forward to working with the board and our partners to strengthen this collaboration and advance practical solutions.”
“John brings a rare combination of policy expertise, industry insight, and leadership experience to this role,” said John W. Mitchell, USPAE Chairman of the Board. “His deep understanding of the intersection between government, national security, and advanced technology makes him exceptionally well-positioned to guide USPAE during this transition and continue strengthening its impact across the electronics and U.S. defense ecosystem.”
Luddy holds a master’s degree in international relations from Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, a bachelor’s degree in history from Bates College, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army’s Ranger and Airborne Schools. He served on active duty as a Marine Corps infantry officer and in Reserve policy, operations, and public affairs assignments.
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