Captain McDermott supports clients with his international acquisition and operational expertise and vast network of government and commercial decision-makers. A career aviator with more than 5,000 hours in military and commercial aircraft, he can help clients rapidly identify the most critical warfighter requirements.
Prior to joining The SPECTRUM Group, Captain McDermott served a 30-year U.S. Navy and New York Air National Guard career, including as Commanding Officer of Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Japan, where he led the standing up of the Japanese Joint Strike Fighter program. He led the first FMS sale of the V-22 Osprey to the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force and the acquisition of the CMV-22 Osprey as the replacement aircraft for the C-2A Greyhound in the role of Carrier On-board Delivery. Additionally, he worked with numerous Japanese contractors in support of the Japanese Ministry of Defense and the procurement and production of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F-135 engine, including resolving logistics, security, production, and quality matters with Lockheed Martin and Mitsubishi (F-35) and Pratt & Whitney and Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (F-135).
Outside of his work at The SPECTRUM Group, Captain McDermott is a First Officer for American Airlines, 737. He is an Aviation Safety Officer and GFR-qualified CRM instructor. Captain McDermott holds an active Top Secret security clearance.