SOAA proudly appoints Luis Avila to its Board of Advisors. A seasoned leader in technology-enabled transformation, Luis has over two decades of experience guiding Aerospace & Defense (A&D) organizations through complex, enterprise-wide change. His expertise at the nexus of strategy, compliance, and innovation will bolster SOAA’s mission to serve operators and advance national security.
As Managing Director of BDO USA’s Technology & Transformation practice, Luis partners with manufacturers, defense contractors, and aerospace suppliers to modernize enterprise systems, strengthen compliance, and unlock performance gains in highly regulated environments. He has led transformative initiatives including building a new space division for a global defense enterprise, advising on supplier cost claim compliance, and redesigning systems and processes for aerospace manufacturers to enhance transparency and competitiveness.
Recognized as one of Financier Worldwide’s Exceptional Experts on Government Contracts in 2024, Luis is a frequent author and speaker on defense innovation, with insights appearing in Forbes, Washington Technology 360, and BDO Insights—particularly on technology-enabled business transformation. He also moderates high-level industry panels, including recent discussions with the Northern Virginia Technology Council on the responsible adoption of AI.
Luis holds a B.S. in Commerce (Finance & International Business) from the University of Virginia and executive education in Leadership & Strategy from Cornell University.
His appointment reflects SOAA’s broader commitment to equipping operators and policymakers with actionable insights. Recent SOAA features such as “Adversary Networks and Open Source Intelligence” explore how emerging technologies and open-source data shape the modern operating environment, while “America Must Rediscover Political Warfare: The Pen Dictates the Sword” underscores the importance of strategic communication and influence in safeguarding national interests. Together with the expertise of new advisors like Luis Avila, these efforts reinforce SOAA’s role as a trusted voice advancing innovation, readiness, and national security.
Daniel Elkins, SOAA Founder, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Luis Avila to the SOAA Board of Advisors. His unique ability to bridge innovation with compliance and strategy in the defense sector will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission.”
Luis Avila echoed Daniel’s response: “I am honored to join SOAA’s Board of Advisors and contribute to an organization that stands at the intersection of service, advocacy, and innovation. Supporting SOAA’s mission is deeply meaningful to me, and I look forward to helping advance opportunities for operators and the greater veteran community.”
