General Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) from March 2017 to April 2022, following a 39-year career in the United States Air Force, from which he retired as a four-star general.
His last Air Force assignment was as Commander, Air Company Command at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Prior to that, he was the Commander of the Pacific Air Forces, the air component Commander for the U.S. Pacific Command, and served as executive director of Pacific Air Combat Operations staff, Joint Base Harbor in Hawaii, following various operational and staff assignments throughout the Air Force, including as chief of air operations, U.S. Central Command Forward in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During that time, General Carlisle participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia.
He also served as deputy director and, later, as director of legislative liaison at the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.
Board Committees:
- Audit and Risk
- Compensation and Leadership Development
Skills and Qualifications
General Carlisle’s qualifications include his executive leadership experience as a senior military official, his legislative and government experience and his experience and knowledge in the aerospace and defense fields.