Brig Gen Max J. Stitzer, USAF (Ret.) is a Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

Background: Brigadier General Max J. Stitzer (USAF, ret.) held multiple leadership positions, including squadron commander, deputy group commander, and group commander. He commanded four squadrons, including the largest USAF squadron in Afghanistan; was deputy commander of an Air Control Group, and Maintenance Group, and a Fighter Group. As a colonel, Stitzer was selected and assigned to the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, where he developed policy and doctrine for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Department of Defense in logistics, materiel readiness, combat support, and organic and commercial defense industrial base. He was then selected and assigned as deputy commander (chief operating officer) for an Air Force maintenance, repair, and overhaul depot in Georgia. He subsequently served as Director of Staff to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection, a role in which he was nominated and confirmed for promotion to Brigadier General. He was then again competitively selected and assigned as the deputy to the Air Staff Director of Staff, overseeing the daily operations of the HQ USAF staff and global operations of the service. At the same time, he served as the Air Force supply chain current operations subject-matter expert and liaison to the federal interagency Operation WARP SPEED during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before concluding his service, he filled a critical vacancy in the Joint Staff as Principal Deputy Director for Logistics—a role for which he was requested by name by the Joint Staff Director for Logistics. Stitzer is currently the owner and principal consultant at Mentorprise Advisors, LLC, connecting private sector innovators and producers with military and government organizations, as well as academic institutions to speed capabilities to warfighters.

Areas of Focus: Logistics, engineering and capability development, managing the industrial base and supply chains.

Academic and Professional Titles: General Stitzer completed his studies at Weber State University with a baccalaureate degree in Supply Chain Management (Logistics Management) and a Master of Science degree with distinction at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He completed technical training as a target intelligence specialist and was recognized early in his enlisted career for his expertise, talent, and dedication to his craft, for which he was named the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Intelligence Airman of the Year for 1985 and subsequently selected for Air Force Officer Training School. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors for two technology companies and on the Board of Directors for Utah Honor Flight.