Douglas A. Birkey is the Executive Director for the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

Background: As Executive Director, Mr. Birkey guides the research agenda and stakeholder strategy for Mitchell Institute. He also executes research projects, hosts aerospace forums, shapes public programming, and engages leaders in Congress, the Department of Defense, as well as the broader policy and budget community. He is a routine contributor to the defense dialogue, with a regular presence in a range of publications ranging from the Washington Post and Financial Times to Defense News and Aviation Week.  Prior to this position, Birkey served as the Air Force Association’s Director of Government Relations. He was responsible for developing strategies to advance aerospace policy positions with Members of Congress, their staffs, officials within the Air Force, and the broader defense industry. Birkey was also the cofounder of the Washington, DC Airpower Working Group, which afforded the foundation from which Mitchell Institute was launched. Birkey began his Washington, DC career as a defense staffer in the office of Senator Lieberman (D-CT), assisting the Senator with his duties on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Areas of focus: Air Force modernization, defense policy and budget decisions, airpower strategy, aerospace power history, and congressional defense issues.

Academic and professional titles: He received his undergraduate degree from the College of Wooster, majoring in history, and was awarded a graduate degree from Georgetown University. He is also active in the restoration and operation of vintage aircraft for several private organizations.