Haslam College of Business - Skipper Joins Aerospace & Defense at Haslam

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Haslam College of Business has hired a new executive director for aerospace and defense. Joseph ‘Ben’ Skipper brings more than twenty years of military and academic experience to his new role within Graduate and Executive Education.

“I was drawn to Haslam for many reasons,” Skipper says. “The faculty and staff are world-class and have an outstanding international reputation. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to the work being done here and help shape the strategy and direction for future growth.”

Bruce Behn, associate dean for graduate and executive education, says Skipper’s responsibilities will include management of the college’s aerospace and defense team, determination of new program offerings, reputational outreach in the field and teaching supply chain management courses.

“Ben has built multiple degree programs, as well as the capstone course for U.S. Air Force Material Command,” Behn says. “He also has held leadership positions in the Air Force, including serving as commander of the 440th Supply Chain Operations Squadron, one of the Air Force’s seven global supply chain operations, and as director of operations at Balad Airbase in Iraq.”

Skipper comes to Haslam after teaching at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Georgia Southern University and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He holds a doctorate in management from Auburn University and a master’s in logistics management from the Air Force Institute of Technology

“My initial focus will be to ensure we maintain our incredible foundation in the aerospace and defense industry,” Skipper says. “We will continue to support the spectrum of graduate and executive education programs offered by the college while selectively seeking out growth opportunities to increase our partner base and portfolio.