Chevalier Cleaves

Chevalier "Chevy" Cleaves is the assistant to the director of MIT Lincoln Laboratory. He is responsible for advancing Director’s Office priorities, particularly in the integration of cultural initiatives that intersect across strategic lines of effort. He cultivates internal and external networks and serves as a trusted advisor and change agent to further empower and operationalize the new Laboratory strategic plan. He is the Laboratory representative to the MIT Council on Community and Belonging.

Cleaves has over two decades of senior leader experience in national security. His roles have included evaluator pilot, commander, chief of staff, Headquarters (HQ) U.S. Air Force (USAF) strategist and directorate chief, and HQ U.S. Joint Staff strategist and division chief. He played a critical leadership role in the nation’s response to the 9/11 attacks as the CHECKMATE (HQ USAF Air/Space Strategy Division) team chief tasked with developing real-time global counterterrorism and search-and-rescue action plans. He commanded a total force flying squadron, and as an HQ Joint Staff division chief, he provided Integrated Joint Special Technical Operations capabilities to combatant commands and select allies while driving creation of the new Joint Information Operations Career Force.

As the Senate-confirmed head of the Air Force Academy Admissions Directorate, Cleaves led a global team that earned praise from the Air Force Chief of Staff and congressional leaders. Following active-duty service, Cleaves advanced to senior leadership roles in the private sector and government. As a vice president for Boston Scientific Corporation, he drove transformational competitive advantages across multiple lines of business and gained invaluable experience in industry business models.

Later selected to become a member of the Federal Senior Executive Service, Cleaves led USAF uniformed and civilian workforce transformation, shaping USAF’s new talent management strategy. This work resulted in the Office of The Secretary of War and the National Security Council recognizing USAF as an exemplar.

Cleaves is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Mass Technology Leadership Council Mosaic Award, the U.S. Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and the Department of Defense Superior Service Medal. He holds an MS degree in strategy and planning from the National Defense University (Joint Advanced Warfighting School), an MA degree from Webster University, and a BS degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy.