Mr. David J. Shaffer
Inducted: 2018
Service and Career
Mr. David J. Shaffer, a distinguished Army operations research professional, was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Logistics Management, graduated from the U.S. Army War College, and completed the Senior Management Executive Development Program, among other professional accomplishments.
Mr. Shaffer began his Army career in 1974 as an operations analyst at the Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity (AMSAA) after a short time in private industry. He went on to serve as the Chief of the Logistics Analysis Division, and in 1997 was appointed to the Senior Executive Service (SES) as Chief of AMSAA’s Combat Evaluation Division. From March 1998 until July 2006, Mr. Shaffer served as the Director of AMSAA, before becoming the Deputy to the Commander, U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM), where he served until his retirement in 2008.
Achievements
- Over three decades of leadership in operations research, logistics analysis, and systems evaluation
- Directed AMSAA during a period of significant growth in Army materiel and systems analysis capabilities
- Served as Deputy to the Commander of RDECOM, shaping Army research and development priorities at the enterprise level
- Mentored and developed the next generation of analysts, leaving a lasting influence on the Army’s analytic community
“Mr. Shaffer’s career stands as an example of technical excellence, visionary leadership, and dedicated service to the Army’s mission.”
Source: U.S. Army – ORSA Hall of Fame