Joan Smith currently serves as the Integration Lead for the US Army’s Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), supporting the future development of US Army Aviation. She is responsible for program management of multiple efforts that will enable a higher powered, more fuel efficient engine in the next generation of Black Hawk and Apache helicopters. ITEP has been identified as the Army’s highest priority modernization effort. These developments will ensure US armed forces remain the best equipped and most technologically advanced military well into the 21st century.
Her career with the Department of Defense began following her graduation from the University of Alabama in 2008 with a degree in Metallurgical and Materials engineering. First working as a Materials Engineer, she specialized in materials characterization, failure analysis, and mechanical testing of aviation and missile structures at the Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC). Joan then became a missile research lead responsible for all component testing and materials selection required for incorporating multi-functional electronics into composite structures. In 2012, she was selected as the first civilian to serve as Executive Officer to the AMRDEC Director, helping manage an organization of 9,000 employees and budget of $2.5B. She began working for Utility Helicopter Project Office (UHPO) in 2013 where she was responsible for the management of multiple programs that facilitated improvements to the Black Hawk Fleet.
Joan’s community involvement began with her work in Leadership Huntsville’s Connect program for young professionals. Through Connect, she became involved in leading community impact projects ranging from fundraising for the victims of the F5 Hackleburg, Alabama tornado to serving as the overall Connect Advisory Council Co-chair, helping impart the same “call to action” that she has to fifty young professionals who are also Connect graduates. Joan is also involved in the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, Junior League of Huntsville, and the Committee of 100. Joan also serves on the Committee of 100 political action committee (PAC), BizPac, whose mission is to identify, develop, and encourage visionary business-oriented candidates with a commitment to cooperative government to run for local public office, and support them as they serve the community.
As an alumnus of the University of Alabama’s College of Engineering, Joan is proud to serve on the Capstone Engineering Society’s Board of Directors where she helps support the College of Engineering recruiting, program development, and alumni involvement. She also serves on the University of Alabama’s Blackburn Institute Advisory Board where she works to develop a network of leaders across Alabama devoted to understanding the challenges which face our state and act as agents of change.
Joan and her husband, Will, live in Huntsville with their five-year-old daughter, Kayleigh, and one-year-old son, Wilson. In her spare time, Joan enjoys cooking from her garden, hiking, and college sports.