Evan Dertien is the Chief Technology and Growth Officer (CTGO) at XSTAR Aviation, responsible for driving technology innovation and strategic growth. As an engineer and test pilot, he combines deep technical expertise with hands-on operational experience to deliver scalable, mission-focused solutions that enable organizational and customer success.

Evan served for 32 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a Major General. In his final assignment, he served as the Commander of the Air Force Test Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Edwards Air Force Base, California. The Air Force Test Center executes 800+ test programs utilizing an annual budget of $2 billion, $42 billion of specialized infrastructure, and over 19,000 personnel across 30 sites. As Commander, Evan was responsible for the development, testing and evaluation of air, space, and cyber capabilities including new aircraft, weapons, artificial intelligence, hypersonic systems, datalinks, cyber systems, and many other emerging technologies.

Evan was commissioned in 1993 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, earned a M.S in Aeronautical Sciences from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a M.S. in National Security and Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School. In addition, Evan attended numerous professional and continuing education courses including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Artificial Intelligence Course and John Hopkins University’s Leading Data and AI-Enable Organizations. He is also Defense Acquisition University certified in Program Management, Engineering & Technical Management, and Test & Evaluation.

Evan was a Distinguished Graduate of USAF Test Pilot School and served as a fighter pilot and test pilot accumulating over 3,300 flying hours in more than 50 different aircraft types. He served in a variety of flying and staff assignments including command at the squadron level and three Test Wing commands. He also served as commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory and as Director, HQ AFMC A/3/6, Air, Space, and Cyber Operations.