Dak HardwickVice President, International Affairs
Dak Hardwick currently serves as the Vice President, International Affairs at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). His primary responsibilities include international defense, industrial cooperation, space trade and technology security issues.
Before joining AIA, Hardwick worked at Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company. At Harris, he was the primary interface with the U.S. Government for a variety of Harris government communication programs, including national airspace modernization, intelligence, and meteorological ground system programs. He was also responsible for working with U.S. Government and international officials to ensure export of Harris radio communications products for U.S.-allied and partner nations.
A former Presidential Management Fellow, Hardwick began his career at Headquarters, Marine Corps as an appropriations budget analyst. He later transitioned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense where he helped establish the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense after September 11, 2001 and later held a variety of critical national security positions, including serving as the country director for Georgia and the Republic of Moldova and director for Peacekeeping Operations.
Hardwick currently serves as the AIA representative and vice chair to the Department of Commerce’s Industry Trade Advisory Committee for Aerospace Equipment (ITAC-1), appointed jointly by the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative.
Hardwick is a member and vice chair of the Virginia Aviation Board, having been appointed by both Governor Terry McAuliffe and Governor Ralph Northam. In this role, he is responsible for representing airports in the Northern Virginia region before the Board, including Washington Dulles International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and seven general aviation airports.
A resident of Alexandria, Virginia, Hardwick currently serves as a director on the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority and was previously the chair of the Board of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and the City of Alexandria’s Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee, appointed by the members of the Alexandria City Council.
Hardwick holds a B.S. in public affairs from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and a Master of Public Administration from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. He is also a graduate of the Sorensen Institute’s Political Leaders Program at the University of Virginia.
