John Illgen, CEO, Santa Barbara Modeling and Simulation Technologies Inc., is a pioneer in the establishment of Modeling and Simulation in the Defense System Acquisition Process. Prior to this position, he was the Sector Director, Modeling and Simulation, Northrop Grumman Information Systems. Mr. Illgen developed and applied models and simulations to the defense, civil and commercial communities.  He was responsible for injecting simulation technologies across NGIS and, assisting across all sectors, developing and applying Modeling and Simulation by fostering DoD, Industry, Academic Best Simulation Practices and Technologies.  He continued enhancement of open ended software architecture for integration and interoperation of models and simulations for distributed applications, including LVC (Live, Virtual, Constructive). At NGIS Mr. Illgen led the development of a Modeling and Simulation Community of Practice to collaborate, facilitate, and coordinate M&S development and applications throughout NGIS key programs.  He also managed the development of online processes to maintain a library of models, simulations, M&S points of contact, and other resources to further foster the use and rapid application of M&S. 

Prior to joining Northrop Grumman Corporation, Mr. Illgen was the founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Illgen Simulation Technologies, Inc. (ISTI) for 15 years.  He founded ISTI in March 1988, with the assistance of Dr. William J. Perry (former Secretary of Defence under Pres. Clinton) and Dr. Paul Kaminski (former Under Secretary of Defence for Acquisition and Technology).  During this time he led the development of an “Open Ended Architecture” using Web and Internet based technologies to integrate and interoperate distributed systems and simulations.  Mr. Illgen was nominated “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst and Young two consecutive years (1996 and 1997) for unique (development of complex Sensor(s) to Shooter(s) simulations and software architectures) M&S technology development and rapid growth of Illgen Simulation Technologies, Inc.  Northrop Grumman acquired ISTI in 2003.  Mr. Illgen has provided and successfully executed time critical projects throughout his 40+ year career.

Mr. Illgen has a national and international reputation for his Modeling and Simulation experience and leadership in a broad spectrum of technical domains that include Network Enabled Systems, Communications, Architectures, Information Systems, Threat Evaluations, Command and Control, Sensors, and Weapons Systems.  Recently he has been focusing his M&S expertise on both Cyber Security, Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and training.

Mr. Illgen served a two year term as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Defense Industrial Association from November 2009 to November 2011, and during his tenure has provided his support for the establishment of a Cyber Division within NDIA.   He served as Associate Editor for the Society of Computer Simulation’s (SCS) monthly journal, “Simulation”; was a member of the Board of Directors for SCS; and the Board of Trustees of NDIA (National Defense Industrial Association). He is a past chairman of the Santa Barbara Council of the American Electronics Association (AEA), and is also past president of the Santa Barbara Science and Engineering Council.

Prior to founding Illgen Simulation Technologies, he held positions at Kaman Sciences Corporation (Assistant Vice President), General Electric Company Center for Advanced Studies (Program Manager), and Computer Sciences Corporation (Principal Staff Engineer).

He was selected as an “Industry Expert” for Information Systems and Simulation and served as a co-host on several TV shows in this capacity on “World Business Review”, hosted by the late General Alexander Haig.

Mr. Illgen has chaired and served on numerous panels and committees that focus on the application of modeling and simulation, telecommunications, information systems, command and control, weapon systems, ISR, electronic defense, and military training systems. He has published and presented scores of papers in the information systems, telecommunications command and control, C4I, including sensor to shooter simulation arenas.  He has received numerous commendations, medals and awards for his M&S technical, management, and policy contributions for defense, civil, and commercial applications over the past forty-plus years.

Mr. Illgen received the 2012 BEYA STEM International Modern Day Technology Leader Award.

During his career, Mr. Illgen has presented and published over 60 technical papers in Modeling and Simulation for different technical domains.  Mr. Illgen has provided keynote addresses and plenary talks at numerous major conferences and has served as “Conference Chair” on several occasions.

Academic:
• MSEE equivalent, Royal Technical University of Denmark, 1967 
• Electromagnetic Propagation Summer Courses, University of Colorado, 1968
• Graduated from the Stanford University/AEA Business Management Program, 1985
• Received certification from University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, 2004

In his academic affiliations, he has served on the Dean’s Cabinet at the University of California, Santa Barbara’s College of Engineering and Computer Science.  Mr. Illgen was also a member of Stanford University’s Affiliates Program and was a participant at the Center for International Security and Cooperation.

Mr. Illgen was a lecturer at the Engineering Economic Systems and Operations Research Colloquium Series, televised throughout the Silicon Valley on Stanford University’s Educational Channel on January 19, 1999.  He has lectured internationally addressing the subject of simulation technologies.