Executive Fellows

Mr. Steven J. Morani
_{SES (Ret)}

Steven J. Morani is a retired member of the Senior Executive Service, last serving as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment. In this capacity he served as the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment in the oversight the Department’s $190 billion sustainment enterprise.  His responsibilities included sustainment policies, strategy, resourcing, and performance oversight. His portfolio included maintenance, supply, distribution, international logistics, weapon system product support, and logistics workforce development. He assumed this position in October 2020 and retired in July 2025 completing over 42 years combined military and federal civilian service.

Mr. Morani served as the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment from August 2021 to May 2022 and again from September 2024 until July 2025. From January 2025 until May 2025, he performed the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.  In this role he was responsible to the Secretary of Defense for all matters pertaining to acquisition; contract administration; logistics and materiel readiness; installations and environment; operational energy; nuclear deterrence, chemical, and biological defense; the acquisition workforce; and the defense industrial base. 

Mr. Morani enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in June 1983 as a heating and ventilation mechanic. In 1987 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Officer Training School program where he served in a variety of maintenance and logistics assignments at tactical, operational and strategic levels.  He commanded at multiple echelons and served in operational and strategic staff assignments to include  NATO, the staff of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Headquarters Air Force staff. After completing more than 28 years of active military service, he retired at the rank of colonel, last serving as the Chief, Materiel Support Division, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. He transitioned to the federal civilian service in June 2011.