Patrick M. “Mike” Shortsleeve is a distinguished national security and intelligence professional whose 35-year career bridges military service and defense industry leadership. His expertise spans intelligence operations, strategic planning, and unmanned systems integration across multiple theaters of operation. Mr. Shortsleeve began his career as an intelligence officer in the United States Air Force, where he served for 28 years. His assignments took him across the globe, including the Pacific, Europe, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as well as staff positions at NATO and the Pentagon.
Following his retirement as a Colonel from the Air Force in 2019, he joined General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a global leader in unmanned aerial systems. As Vice President of Strategic Development, Mr. Shortsleeve leads a team of business professionals in developing and executing strategies that advance the company’s comprehensive portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems and associated technologies to U.S. Government customers. He oversees a diverse range of platforms and capabilities, including Collaborative Combat Aircraft, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian, MQ-9A Reaper, MQ-20 Avenger, mission sensors and payloads, autonomy solutions, and next-generation UAS concepts.
Mr. Shortsleeve holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cartography and Photogrammetry from Texas State University and a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He is a distinguished graduate of Air University, where he earned a Master’s degree in Military Operational Art and Science, and served as a National Defense Fellow at Georgetown University.
