RIADA executive director is ready to further RIA’s position in our nation’s defense and QC economy

Mike Hutchison, SES (Ret.), Executive Director of the Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance (RIADA), has returned to the Quad Cities to lead initiatives to support and grow one of our region’s top employers, the Rock Island Arsenal, and the QC defense industry.

With 37 years of military experience and an extensive background in Department of Defense contracting and logistics, he is expertly positioned to further RIA’s position in supporting our nation’s defense and our region’s economy.

“My goal is not only to protect the Arsenal and the blue-collar work that goes on there, but also grow the Arsenal for the region; to expand the white-collar workforce,” Hutchison said. “I’ve returned to the Quad Cities because I like this community, the people and the mission we are working to achieve,” he said.

Hutchison served the past three years as Deputy to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Scott Air Force Base. He led a workforce of 7,000 civilian and Active Duty and Reserve Component military personnel providing transportation services to the Army, Joint Force and Foreign Military Sales customers.

Previously, he served as:

• Deputy to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal, 2015 – 2019
• Deputy to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, 2013 –2015
• Executive Director, U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, 2011 – 2013
• Deputy Director, U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, 2005 –2011
• Division Chief, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, 2002 – 2005

Throughout Hutchison’s military career, which began in 1985, he’s gained expertise in procurement, logistics, financial management, personnel management and strategic planning.

RIADA is a Chamber-affiliated 501(c)(6) nonprofit corporation that works to align the activities at Rock Island Arsenal with the National Defense Strategy and Army modernization priorities. It includes local elected officials, private sector leaders, education officials and community leaders whose advocacy priorities include:

• Innovation at the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence
• Sustaining workload at RIA-JMTC (Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center)
• Support sustaining missions for other components of Rock Island Arsenal to include Joint Munitions Command (JMC), First Army and Army Sustainment Command (ASC)
• Support adequate facilities and resiliency on Rock Island Arsenal
• Support further investment in workforce development and enhancement opportunities for defense manufacturing communities