HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The Electronic Systems Directorate welcomed Dr. Deniz Erdoğmuş as its new honorary director during an Honorary Commander and Director Induction Ceremony here April 29.
Erdoğmuş will partner with Lea Kirkwood, program executive officer of the Electronic Systems Directorate.
“We’re excited to welcome Dr. Erdoğmuş as our honorary director and to build a strong, collaborative partnership that connects our mission with his innovation and expertise,” said Kirkwood.
The Honorary Commander and Director Program pairs community leaders with installation and mission leaders to increase understanding of Air Force operations and build partnerships that support innovation, workforce development and mission success.
“I feel honored and privileged to be part of the Honorary Commanders and Directors Program, and I look forward to contributing to the directorate's mission in this capacity,” said Erdoğmuş.
Erdoğmuş, who serves as senior director of research, innovation and partnerships at Northeastern University’s Innovation Campus in Burlington, Mass., brings extensive experience in electrical engineering, research leadership and technology development.
Following the ceremony, the new honorary director visited the directorate’s headquarters, where he received an overview of its mission and toured the Software Integration Laboratory and Weather Engineering Facility.
“My visit to the Electronic Systems Directorate led by Ms. Kirkwood was highly informative and professionally stimulating,” said Erdoğmuş. “I was impressed by the technical breadth and depth of the directorate's activities, and moved by the diverse expertise and strong commitment of the entire team to its mission.”
The visit provided a firsthand look at how the directorate develops and integrates capabilities that support operational decision-making for joint and allied forces.
During the overview briefing, leaders highlighted the directorate’s role in delivering advanced sensing capabilities critical to military operations.
The directorate’s portfolio includes airspace management, long-range radar, battle control systems, force protection technologies, and advanced electronic warfare capabilities that enhance survivability and effectiveness in contested environments.
By engaging with leaders like Erdoğmuş, Hanscom AFB strengthens partnerships that help accelerate innovation and ensure access to cutting-edge expertise from across the region’s technology and academic communities.
“This creates a meaningful opportunity to share what we do, strengthen relationships, and work together to advance capabilities that support our military,” said Kirkwood.
Selections for the program are based on professional expertise and regional connections.
As he begins his tenure, Erdoğmuş will provide an external perspective informed by his background in academia and technology, helping deepen collaboration between the directorate and the broader Massachusetts innovation ecosystem.
During the ceremony, Carolyn Kirk, executive director of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, was recognized for her service as the outgoing honorary director for Electronic Systems.
Officials said the program’s continued success reflects the strong partnerships between Hanscom AFB and the surrounding community, helping ensure the organizations on base remain connected to the expertise and innovation needed to meet evolving mission demands.