Mr. Christopher J. Ristich leads the Digital and Systems Engineering Sector's strategic direction, operational excellence, and growth, driving research excellence and technological advancement by building strategic partnerships to develop innovative technical solutions for government and commercial clients.
Before joining the University of Dayton Research Institute, he was a member of the Senior Executive Service as the Director of the Integrated Capabilities Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. In this role, he oversaw broad mission areas ranging from transformational science and technology to operational prototyping and experimentation campaigns.
Before that, he was the Technical Director of the AFRL Plans and Programs Directorate, where he shaped strategic engagements across the Air Force, integrating Science and Technology into high-level decision-making.
With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Ristich held numerous leadership roles, including Chief of the Layered Sensing Exploitation Division. He contributed to programs across air, space, and cyber domains and led initiatives such as Space Capabilities Protection and the Directed Energy Task Force. A recognized expert in directed energy effects, his insights directly informed Air Force senior leadership on critical vulnerabilities.