NDIA C4ISR Luncheon featuring Ms. Candace Chesser, Program Manager, Air Combat Electronics Program Office

Candace “Candy” Chesser is the program manager for the Air Combat Electronics Program Office (PMA-209) at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

In that role, Chesser leads PMA-209 in the development, integration and cradle-to-grave sustainment for common avionics solutions in safety, connectivity, mission computing and interoperability.

She began her government career at the Naval Electronic Systems Engineering Activity (NESEA) at St. Inigoes, Md., in June 1981. In 1994, when NESEA was terminated as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure process, Chesser was transferred into a program analyst role in the Special Communications Requirements Branch of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). There, she provided support to the Level III team lead in the areas of financial and business management.

Chesser graduated from the University of Maryland University College in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in technology and management, and a minor in communications studies.  In February 2002, she accepted a position as the acquisition manager supporting the F/A-18 and EA-18 Program Office at NAVAIR.

Chesser moved to the operations officer position in the new Navy Unmanned Combat Air System (N-UCAS) Program Office (PMA 268) in May 2006 and became part of the core team of program office personnel. She was promoted to the position of the X-47B N-UCAS Demonstration Level I integrated product team lead for PMA- 268 in September 2007. In that position, she was responsible for all cost, schedule and performance attributes of the UCAS demonstration effort. Chesser successfully led her team through contract kick-off, Integrated Baseline Review, Critical Design Review and prepared them for their First Flight Readiness Review.

In July 2009, Chesser accepted a position with the Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs (PEO(A)) to participate in a rotation as an action officer for the deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for Air Programs. Her primary programs were the Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program and the Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Programs, but she also supported several weapons programs, such as Small Diameter Bomb, Tactical Tomahawk and AIM-9X.

From July 2010 to September 2013, Chesser served as the principal deputy program manager for the Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office (PMA 213). She led the team in supporting 70 systems in various stages of the acquisition life cycle with a total obligation authority of more than $3.5 billion.

In September 2013, Chesser became PMA-209’s principal deputy. She took command of the organization June 19, 2014.