Phil Burkholder President, Defense Programs, Rolls-Royce

Phil Burkholder is currently the President, Defense Programs for Rolls-Royce where he is accountable for Rolls-Royce Defense programs globally. He is also the Chairman of the LibertyWorks board and is accountable to assure the business is properly positioned with technology for future products.

Prior to this role he was President, Defense Aerospace, North America where he was accountable for the Rolls-Royce North America Defense Aerospace business.

From 2010 to 2015 he was Executive Vice President, Engineering and Technology for the Defense Sector of Rolls-Royce plc. Rolls-Royce is a global provider of defense engine products and services with 18,000 engines in service for 160 customers in over 100 countries. These engines power aircraft in all key market areas: transport, combat, reconnaissance, training, and helicopter.

From 2005 to 2010, Phil was the Chief Operating Officer of Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc., also known as LibertyWorks®, where the focus is advanced and innovative technology enabling solutions for the customer.

Mr. Burkholder joined Rolls-Royce in 1986 and moved through a series of assignments over the past 30 years: Vice President of Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc., Chief Engineer of JSF F-35B Rolls-Royce STOVL, Engineering Director of Propulsion Systems for Rolls-Royce Corp., Engineering Director for Rolls-Royce Defense North America, Chief Design Engineer for the AE 3007, and Design Engineer for turbine components.

He has contributed to the propulsion system solutions for aircraft such as the V-22 Osprey, C-130J, Cessna Citation X, Embraer RJ-145, RQ-4 Global Hawk, SAAB-2000, the F-35 Lightning II, T-45 Goshawk, A400M Atlas, Harrier, Bell 407, and others. He has five patented inventions.

Mr. Burkholder graduated summa cum laude from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. In 2006, he completed The Executive Program from the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration.

He is a chartered engineer and a Royal Aeronautical Society Fellow. He currently serves on the board for the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana Aerospace and Defense Council, the Indiana Innovation Institute, and the RR-Purdue UTP Executive Governance Board. He served on the Virginia Tech Advisory Board for the College of Engineering 2008-2012. He is active in his community and serves on the board of his local church.