Vercher to Lead Strategic Deterrence Mission Area at Johns Hopkins APL

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, has named Robert Vercher as the Strategic Deterrence Mission Area Executive.

Vercher will lead a mission area that provides key engineering capabilities and technical analyses and evaluations to ensure the performance and reliability of U.S. Navy and Air Force strategic systems. The mission area also provides technical leadership in the development of hypersonic technologies and system capabilities. A key focus of the mission area is to partner with government and industry to transform and evolve legacy strategic deterrence systems and capabilities into new, innovative platforms able to address current and future national security challenges.

“Rob possesses a rare combination of technical expertise, operational experience and strategic vision that positions him to excel in this critical role,” said Lisa Blodgett, head of APL’s Force Projection Sector. “With his exceptional leadership abilities, I am confident he will inspire and effectively lead high-performing teams, strengthening APL’s commitment to strategic deterrence and continuing to advance our mission to support the warfighter.”

In this role, Vercher will tap into his experience as manager of APL’s Air Force Strategic Systems Program Area, which included establishing a field office at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, to better enable the Laboratory to drive critical technical advancements in key programs such as Sentinel.

Vercher began his APL career in 2016 as an analyst for nuclear command, control and communications and served in various program leadership roles before his promotion to program area manager. He joined APL after 24 years of service in the U.S. Air Force as a missile and space officer, attaining the rank of colonel. Among his many leadership positions in the Air Force, he was an ICBM Wing Commander and later served as director of current operations and deputy director of mission assessment and analysis for U.S. Strategic Command. His appointment is effective as of May 19.

“I am extremely excited and honored to have the opportunity to serve APL and our nation in this new capacity,” Vercher said. “It’s a privilege to lead such a talented team at the forefront of the nation’s nuclear modernization programs, and I am proud to build on the vital contributions that our mission area has delivered for many decades.”

Vercher holds a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and master’s degrees from Webster University, George Washington University, Air University and National Defense University.

Vercher succeeds Steve Lewia, who successfully led the mission area for nearly 10 years.