There is an idea in the military that logistics wins wars, not strategy, not heroics, but logistics. Cedric George knows this because he lived it. Over 32 years in the U.S. Air Force (USAF), including a tenure as Director of Logistics at the Pentagon, George moved parts and people at a scale most Americans would find incomprehensible.
At MetroStar, as the Vice President of Strategy and Growth, he is working to remake that system, not by tearing it down but by quietly and methodically pulling it forward, one technological advancement at a time. His work has earned him recognition as a finalist for WashingtonExec’s Department of Defense (DoD) Exec of the Year.
Last year, George helped push through the USAF’s adoption of the Integrated Respirator Information System, or IRIS: a wearable platform designed to make hazardous maintenance work safer and faster. The device, a technology solution co-developed with ActionStreamer, allows maintainers to safely conduct inspections inside fuel tanks—areas historically known for their hazards and time-consuming procedures.
IRIS is expected to save over 35,000 work hours annually and return 7,000 aircraft availability days per year to the USAF fleet. In a military where minutes can shape outcomes, these gains are more than logistical. The true impact cannot be measured in spreadsheets. It will be felt in the lives spared, the families kept whole, and the missions completed safely.
At MetroStar, George's impact has been similarly quantifiable. He redesigned the company's approach to account planning, expanding the USAF portfolio by nearly $800 million and securing critical modernization contracts. He was promoted from Director to Vice President of Strategy and Growth within months, a recognition of how quickly he can transform theory into operational success.
Leadership, for George, is not about accolades. It’s about legacy and lifting others as you climb. His mentorship has already opened doors for the next generation, with two mentees earning nominations to prestigious military academies. And when the call came to ride 304 miles to raise money for wounded warriors, he didn’t hesitate. He got on the bike.
George demonstrates daily that the mission and the people it protects come first. His leadership makes him more than deserving of his upcoming recognition with WashingtonExec. The DoD Executive of the Year Award will be announced on June 4. Follow MetroStar on LinkedIn for updates on the awards and other stories of defense innovation.