# Swami Iyer

> Swami B. Iyer is CEO of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), an Alaska Native regional corporation. A retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and test pilot with more than 3,500 military flight hours, he previously led aerospace, defense and cybersecurity businesses, including Virgin Galactic's Aerospace Systems division. He became CIRI CEO on January 1, 2024, and is directing its shift toward active investments and cash-generating operations for shareholder benefit.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI)
- **Organizations:** Cook Inlet Region, Inc., Virgin Galactic, GKN Advanced Defense Systems, IAI North America, Ultra Electronics 3eTI, Honeywell Aerospace, United States Air Force
- **From:** New York, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science and Engineering in Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Master of Science and Engineering in Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Master's degree in Flight Test Engineering, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
- **Known for:** Logged more than 3,500 military flight hours, including 105 combat hours, according to Virgin Galactic's appointment announcement., Oversaw a $25 billion Foreign Military Sales portfolio across 21 countries during Air Force service, according to CIRI's biography., Led manufacturing, engineering and program management in Virgin Galactic's Aerospace Systems division.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Commissioned through University of Michigan Air Force ROTC; trained at Vance Air Force Base and became a B-52 pilot.
- **—** — Attended U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and served in flight-test leadership and Pentagon international affairs roles.
- **—** — Served as Vice President, Defense & Space at Honeywell Aerospace.
- **2017** — Appointed president of Ultra Electronics 3eTI in May.
- **2018** — Appointed CEO of IAI North America in June.
- **—** — Led GKN Advanced Defense Systems before joining Virgin Galactic.
- **2021** — Appointed president of Aerospace Systems at Virgin Galactic, with a late-March start announced.
- **2023** — Became CIRI CEO-elect on October 16.
- **2024** — Began serving as CIRI CEO on January 1.

## Achievements

- Logged more than 3,500 military flight hours, including 105 combat hours, according to Virgin Galactic's appointment announcement.
- Oversaw a $25 billion Foreign Military Sales portfolio across 21 countries during Air Force service, according to CIRI's biography.
- Led manufacturing, engineering and program management in Virgin Galactic's Aerospace Systems division.
- Led CIRI during its December 2024 acquisition of OSC Edge and January 2026 acquisitions of HABCO Industries and I2X Technologies.
- CIRI reported a 60% increase in consolidated net income for 2025 in Iyer and President Tabetha Toloff's June 2026 message.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Co-signed a September 21 message with President Tabetha Toloff emphasizing shareholder engagement, long-term strategy, leadership opportunities and land stewardship.
- **2026-06** — Co-signed a June 17 message reporting a 60% increase in 2025 consolidated net income, $79 million in new cybersecurity and IT revenue, and the launch of the first Nułyah leadership-program cohort.
- **2026-04** — CIRI described its January acquisitions of HABCO Industries and I2X Technologies and plans to advance shared services and active investments.

## Links

- Website: https://www.ciri.com/about/leadership/swami-iyer/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swamibiyer/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/swami-iyer
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-08