John H. Gibson
Encyclopedia
John Holden Gibson II is a Texas businessman and former senior official in the United States Department of Defense
. He has been chief financial officer, chief operating officer, and managing director for several companies including a national consulting group. Gibson has served as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Management Reform, and as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force
for Financial Management and Comptroller.
, graduating in 1981. He received two undergraduate degrees, a Bachelor of Business Administration
with a specialty in finance and a Bachelor of Arts in economics. In 1994, Gibson earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Dallas
.
, where he helped large corporations plan business acquisitions and mergers. As a consultant, he specialized in banking, construction, distribution, retail sales, and health care acquisitions and mergers. Gibson was also a member of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce
’s Military Affairs Committee from 1998 until 2006.
appointed Gibson to the position of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Management Reform. In this role, he was responsible for promoting management efficiency and streamlining financial operations within the Department of Defense. To accomplish this, he worked closely with the Department of Defense Inspector General, the Government Accountability Office
, the Office of Management and Budget, and the United States Congress
. Gibson also served as acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Financial Management from July 2006 through July 2007.
On 24 October 2007, President Bush nominated Gibson to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller. The United States Senate
confirmed his nomination on 20 December 2007. On 15 January 2008, Gibson was sworn in as the 20th Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller by Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne.
During his tenure as the Air Force’s chief financial officer, Gibson was responsible for managing an annual operating budget of $124 billion. He supported professional training and education programs to help financial managers produce better cost estimates, budget projections and financial analysis for decision makers throughout the Air Force. Gibson also expanded the Air Force Financial Services Center
, opening a customer call center to provide financial services to 700,000 Airmen and civilian employees around the world.
and the American Society of Military Comptrollers
. In addition, he actively supports the Association of Government Accountants
.
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
. He has been chief financial officer, chief operating officer, and managing director for several companies including a national consulting group. Gibson has served as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Management Reform, and as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
for Financial Management and Comptroller.
Education
Gibson attended the University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, graduating in 1981. He received two undergraduate degrees, a Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration
The Bachelor of Business Administration is a bachelor's degree in Commerce and business administration. In most universities, the degree is conferred upon a student after four years of full-time study in one or more areas of business concentrations; see below...
with a specialty in finance and a Bachelor of Arts in economics. In 1994, Gibson earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Dallas
University of Dallas
The University of Dallas is a private, independent Catholic regional university located in Irving, Texas, established in 1956, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. According to U.S...
.
Business career
Gibson began his executive career with Westgate Fabrics, Inc. He served as chief financial officer, chief operating officer, and executive vice president. In these positions Gibson was responsible for company finances, operational performance, and strategic planning. Gibson then moved to Galbraith Electric Company where he went through the same job progression of chief financial officer to chief operating officer to vice president. As vice president, Gibson led the company through a business merger. After the merger, he remained with the new company, assisting with business operations and acquisition strategy. Prior to entering public service, Gibson was managing director of the DK Consulting Group of Abilene, TexasAbilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
, where he helped large corporations plan business acquisitions and mergers. As a consultant, he specialized in banking, construction, distribution, retail sales, and health care acquisitions and mergers. Gibson was also a member of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
’s Military Affairs Committee from 1998 until 2006.
Public service
In February 2006, President George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
appointed Gibson to the position of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Management Reform. In this role, he was responsible for promoting management efficiency and streamlining financial operations within the Department of Defense. To accomplish this, he worked closely with the Department of Defense Inspector General, the Government Accountability Office
Government Accountability Office
The Government Accountability Office is the audit, evaluation, and investigative arm of the United States Congress. It is located in the legislative branch of the United States government.-History:...
, the Office of Management and Budget, and the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
. Gibson also served as acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Financial Management from July 2006 through July 2007.
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
confirmed his nomination on 20 December 2007. On 15 January 2008, Gibson was sworn in as the 20th Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller by Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne.
During his tenure as the Air Force’s chief financial officer, Gibson was responsible for managing an annual operating budget of $124 billion. He supported professional training and education programs to help financial managers produce better cost estimates, budget projections and financial analysis for decision makers throughout the Air Force. Gibson also expanded the Air Force Financial Services Center
Air Force Financial Services Center
The Air Force Financial Services Center is a Field Operating Agency of the United States Air Force. The center is located at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota...
, opening a customer call center to provide financial services to 700,000 Airmen and civilian employees around the world.
Professional associations
Gibson is a member of the Air Force AssociationAir Force Association
The Air Force Association is an independent, 501 non-profit, civilian education organization, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia...
and the American Society of Military Comptrollers
American Society of Military Comptrollers
The American Society of Military Comptrollers is a non-profit profession educational and training organization for military and civilian financial managers who support United States military organizations. The society sponsors research, provides professional development programs to keep members...
. In addition, he actively supports the Association of Government Accountants
Association of Government Accountants
The Association of Government Accountants was founded on September 14, 1950. AGA serves Federal, State and local government accounting professionals by providing education, encouraging professional development, providing Government Accounting certification, and supporting standards and research to...
.