Mr. Francis M. Cevasco
President
Cevasco International, LLC
Mr. Francis M. Cevasco founded Cevasco International LLC in March 2004.
Mr. Cevasco advises domestic and international aerospace and defense corporations about defense acquisition programs, strategic positioning, strategic acquisitions, and export issues with the US and foreign governments; prepares studies about prospects for ongoing and future weapon system programs; prepares defense issue-related opinion surveys of US and foreign government officials and industry executives; advises investment firms about defense industry consolidation; and, works with industry associations and think tanks to promote constructive change in government policies and practices. He also performs pro bono projects for the Department of Defense in areas of transatlantic security, cooperative defense RD&A programs, export control reform, and export sales reform.
Mr. Cevasco previously held positions in several consulting firms including a Vice President of Hicks & Associates (1996-2004), a Vice President of the International Planning & Analysis Center (1993-1996), and co-founder and Managing Director of the International Partnerships Group (1990-1993) where he assisted companies in forming strategic alliances and teams tailored to succeed in international competitions.
Before joining INTERPAR, Mr. Cevasco served as a member of the Senior Executive Service in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (1979-1990). His last position in DoD was Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for International Development and Production Programs where he was responsible for land, sea, air and C3 armaments programs and technology initiatives with NATO, NATO member countries, European neutrals, the Mid-East, Japan, and Korea. He was principal resident advisor to several Under Secretaries of Defense for Acquisition & Technology regarding international program cooperation and international agreements. He previously held the position Director, NATO Affairs, where he implemented numerous administration and congressional initiatives, among them the NATO Cooperative R&D Program and NATO Conventional Armaments Planning System. Mr. Cevasco also managed DOD participation in numerous bilateral and multilateral committees and led U.S. negotiating teams.
Prior to his service at the Pentagon, Mr. Cevasco served in a progression of U.S. Army research, development, and program management-related positions (1967-1979). He also served as an Army officer in command and staff positions in the U.S. and South Vietnam (1964-1967).
His accomplishments won him recognition both domestically and internationally. The President of the U.S. designated him Meritorious Executive; the Queen of the Netherlands awarded him the Order of the House of Orange; and, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany awarded him the Order of Merit—the awards reflected his contributions to the success of several complex bilateral programs and strengthening NATO. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from what is now the NYU Tandon School of Engineering; consulted for OSD-International Security Affairs; chaired the National Defense Industrial Association’s International Division; and is an Executive Committee member of NDIA’s International and Missile Defense Divisions.
Mr. Cevasco holds an M.S. in Engineering from George Washington University and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from what is now the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Mr. Cevasco is a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College’s Program Management course and lectured at various Defense Acquisition University campuses for over two decades.