Mr. Stanley Stafira, Jr. is the BMDS Architect for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).  In this capacity, he develops the vision for the future architecture for the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), assesses new concepts, and develops the BMDS Strategic Roadmap.  

Mr. Stafira assumed the duties as Director for External Technical Interface in the Directorate of Engineering, MDA on September 24, 2012. He serves as the single point of contact to the warfighter for all engineering and technical issues related to the BMDS.  He is responsible for being the agency’s technical lead for all engineering aspects of MDA’s international acquisition and international cooperative programs.  He also serves as the Engineering lead for managing congressional interactions such as Government Accounting Office (GAO) activities, Questions for the Record (QFRs), Reports to Congress (RTCs) and interfaces with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and the White House on executive-level Ballistic Missile Defense analysis.

Mr. Stafira earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1988, a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University in 1993, a Masters degree in Operations Analysis from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1995, a Masters degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the College of Naval Command and Staff in 2002 and a Masters degree in National Security Studies from the Air War College in 2008.

Mr Stafira was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1988 and retired as a Colonel from the United States Air Force in September 2012.  During his military career, he has held a variety of assignments at squadron, major command, headquarters U.S. Air Force and DOD levels Mr Stafira's operational space assignments include Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and Air Force Satellite Control Network operations.  From July 2005 to July 2007, he commanded the 23rd Space Operations Squadron at New Boston Air Force Station in New Hampshire where he was responsible for the command and control of over 150 U.S. military and civil satellites.  In June 2008, he was assigned to the Missile Defense Agency as the Assistant Deputy for International Engineering where he worked as the U.S. technical representative to NATO’s Strategic Studies Group.  He then became the Chief of Staff for MDA’s Director for Engineering in July 2009.  In June 2011, he culminated his military career as the Vice Wing Commander of the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters.