John Gutierrez, retired Colonel of the U.S. Marine Corps, currently serves as the Executive Director for the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation. In this capacity, he is dedicated to catalyzing growth within the state’s defense and aerospace sectors while advancing innovation and defense research opportunities that benefit Michigan.
Gutierrez brings over 30 years of experience in joint, operational, and acquisition roles within the military. He began his service in 1990 as a Hospital Corpsman in the U.S. Naval Reserve, serving until 1995. In 1996, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served with distinction until his retirement in 2024.
His notable joint and acquisition assignments include: Portfolio Manager for Logistics Combat Element Systems at the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command, Chief of Staff and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy; Joint Product Manager at the Joint Program Office for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles at the Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support; and Secretary of Defense Executive Fellow at Dynamic Aviation. He has participated in numerous named operations, including Operations Iraqi Freedom, Secure Tomorrow (Haiti), and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).
Gutierrez earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Arizona State University, a Master of Science in Management from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, a Master of Military Studies from the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He is also a graduate of executive education programs at Stanford University, the University of Virginia, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.