Big Safari: US Air Force Fast Intervention Program

New Location this Month: CLU Overton Hall (map)

Abstract
For more than 50 years, Big Safari aircraft have performed dangerous and essential missions to collect intelligence, conduct surveillance and reconnaissance, and engage in special operations missions around the globe in the interest of national security. Big Safari represents a system designed for fast intervention that focuses on providing quick access to resources, efficient contracting engagements with suppliers and streamlined processes and distribution methods. Key personnel are trained for most efficient interventions. Jerry Knotts served 24 years in the US Air Force (USAF) and was a team member of the USAF Big Safari Program.

About the Speaker
Colonel Jerry E. Knotts (Ret.) was fourteen years in the Big Safari special reconnaissance program at General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas; E-Systems in Greenville, Texas; and Lockheed Aircraft Services in Ontario, California. Jerry was responsible for creating and flight testing a number of specially configured aircraft, including the Combat Sent, Combat Talon, Cobra Ball, Rivet Joint and many others. During 1968, he completed 112 missions over North Vietnam in an F-105 Wild Weasel.

Jerry retired from the Air Force with 24 years of service. His last assignment was as commander of the Washington Area Contracting Center at Andrews Air Force Base. He was responsible for Air Force procurement throughout the Nation's Capital, and a region from the Azores to Saint Louis, His responsibilities included the White House and the Presidential VIP aircraft fleet that included the aircraft now in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Hanger.

For his outstanding service to our nation, Jerry received the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 13 oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

For his remarkable public service, Jerry has received numerous awards. In 1996 he was honored by the Conejo Valley Historical Society. That same year, Jerry and his wife, Mary, both received the William E. Hamm Award from the California Lutheran University Community Leaders Club. Jerry also has been honored for his community service by having a seat designated in his name in the Thousand Oaks Civic Center Forum Theater. He previously received the Outstanding Service Award and the Silver Patrick Henry Medal from the Military Order of the World Wars.

Since retirement from the USAF, Jerry Knotts has been a serial entrepreneur, coach, angel investor and has worked with numerous entrepreneurs for over 30 years. Over this period of time, he started five companies and mentored over 400 start-ups.

Currently, Jerry is President, California Coast Venture Forum, Inc.(www.ccvf.org), parent of the Clean Business Investment Summit and Chairman, Entrepreneurs Without Borders. He serves as mentor/screener for SoCalBio and the LARTA Institute wherein he supports DARPA, NSF, and the NIH-CAP (National Institute of Health - Commercialization Assistance Program). As treasurer, Youth Enrichment Foundation, Alexandria, VA, he supports 28 Youth Leadership Conferences throughout the country. He is also Executive Secretary, Society of Wild Weasels and board member/Treasurer of the Air Warrior Courage Foundation (AWCF) / Wounded Warriors Emergency Support Fund that supports wounded warriors in areas not covered by government programs.

He is a member, Dean's Board of Advisors, California Lutheran University (CLU) School of Management, a mentor with CLU, UCLA, UCSF, Auburn, Penn State, CSUCI and UCSB Entrepreneur programs and a panel member for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Businesses Program at LACC and LBCC. His previous executive positions included Vice-President/General Manager, Government Electronics Division, California Microwave Inc. (CMI), Woodland Hills, CA; and Vice-President, American Nucleonics Corporation (ANC), Westlake Village, CA. These two companies provided specialized airborne electronic reconnaissance systems.

Jerry holds a BSEE (Electrical Engineering) from The Pennsylvania State University; and an MBA from Auburn University. In addition, he is a graduate of the Defense Acquisition University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College. He is a Senior Life Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE); Chairman, IEEE Buenaventura Life Member Affinity Group, and past Secretary, IEEE Buenaventura Section. Jerry is a pilot, licensed Registered Professional Engineer (PE), Amateur Radio operator (K3ZZO) and life member of the Texas, California, and National Society of Professional Engineers. He is also a life member of both the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association (River Rats) and the Society of Wild Weasels.

Agenda
Pizza and Networking: 6:30 PM
Presentation: 7:00 PM

New Location
CLU - Overton Hall
California Lutheran University
3163 Regent Avenue
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(map)

Parking: Visitors may park on CLU streets after 7 PM without a permit.  Before 7 PM, we recommend that you park in the G1 visitor lot on the southwest corner of Olsen and Mountclef, and walk to Overton Hall.  Do not park in the faculty/staff/reserved lots.

Presented By: IEEE Buenaventura Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society Chapter