Preston E. Johnson II is a proven business development and strategy executive with over three decades of experience driving growth, innovation, and competitive positioning within the defense and aerospace sectors. With a career spanning leadership roles at Collins Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, and distinguished service as a U.S. Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel, Preston brings a unique blend of military insight, strategic acumen, and market foresight to complex business environments.

As Director of Strategy for Mission Systems at Collins Aerospace, Preston served as the focal point for competitive intelligence and market behavior analysis. He led strategic guidance efforts for senior leadership, informed by deep assessments of emerging market trends and competitive dynamics. His work helped shape strategic and financial planning processes critical to sustaining the company’s leadership in mission systems technologies.

Previously, as Director of Business Development for Tactical Communications, Preston led a global team operating across the U.S., U.K., France, and the UAE with responsibility for a $3 billion orders forecast. His leadership was instrumental in growing orders from $320 million in 2018 to $484 million in 2022, consistently surpassing annual targets. He was known for building deep customer relationships, rapidly translating requirements into innovative, high-value solutions, and influencing marketing and engineering strategies to align with customer needs.

Before joining Collins Aerospace, Preston spent more than a decade at Rockwell Collins, where he held multiple senior leadership roles. As Director of Strategy for Communications, Navigation, and Electronic Warfare Solutions, he drove growth from $700 million to over $1.3 billion in three years and managed a strategic investment portfolio of $80 million annually. He was also a key figure in successful pursuits such as the U.S. Army HMS-Manpack Radio and the U.S. Navy TCTS Increment 2 Program, contributing over $135 million in new business.

Earlier in his career, Preston demonstrated visionary leadership in market expansion and product innovation, including strategic entry into the law enforcement market and the development of groundbreaking soldier vision systems through external partnerships. His marketing and strategy roles resulted in wins totaling nearly $1 billion and opened new market segments through both technical insight and strategic foresight.

Preston’s foundation as a leader began with a 20-year career in the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Special Forces. His operational and command experience in elite units informs his practical understanding of defense technology requirements and strengthens his credibility with military and government stakeholders.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business Management from Rice University and is a graduate of the USMC Command and Staff College. He currently holds a SECRET clearance and has previously held TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph.

Preston E. Johnson II is widely recognized for his integrity, analytical rigor, and collaborative leadership. His career reflects a consistent ability to translate complex challenges into strategic opportunities, delivering measurable results in both growth and innovation for industry leaders in aerospace and defense.

Character
Preston Johnson II is a principled and mission-driven leader whose distinguished military service and corporate tenure reflect a deep commitment to integrity, accountability, and results. His ability to lead with honor and build trust across cultures and teams has made him a respected figure in both defense and business circles.

Knowledge
With decades of experience spanning global business development, market strategy, and defense systems, Preston possesses a rare depth of insight into the aerospace and national security sectors. His expertise includes competitive intelligence, product innovation, acquisition due diligence, and strategic planning across multi-billion-dollar portfolios.

Strategic
Preston has consistently demonstrated a forward-looking approach to growth by identifying market trends, shaping product roadmaps, and influencing customer requirements to align with emerging opportunities. His strategic vision has led to significant market expansion, new business wins, and long-term value creation in highly competitive environments.

Communication
A natural communicator and trusted advisor, Preston excels at translating complex technical and operational concepts into clear, actionable strategies for stakeholders at all levels. He builds lasting partnerships through credibility, clarity, and responsiveness, ensuring alignment between customer needs and business goals.