Careers for Veterans & Reservists

After joining the Army, Steve graduated from Infantry OSUT, the Basic Airborne Course, the Ranger Indoctrination Program (currently the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program), and was assigned to the 1st Ranger Battalion. During his nine years of service, he attended a variety of regular Army and Special Operations-peculiar courses, earning leadership and honor graduate awards in several courses, including the distinguished honor graduate award of his Ranger School class. He held positions from Rifleman to Platoon Sergeant, finishing out his service years in a senior instructor position.

Upon leaving the Army, Steve returned to school, eventually earning a Ph.D. in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Over the intervening years, Dr. Patterson has held positions from Research Scientist to North American Vice President to CEO and General Manager across multiple prominent laser companies. Currently, he serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Leonardo Electronics Inc., Laser Solutions.

Steve joined Leonardo in October of 2022 as the CTO for its Laser Solutions business unit. His primary responsibility is the planning, implementing, and managing all Laser Solutions technology and technological resources. He establishes the business unit’s technology vision, strategies, and plans for growth. He enjoys the unique technical and executive challenges the position brings, as well as the opportunity to help mentor the next generation of laser engineers. 

Teresa supported Aircraft maintenance and communication units that supported fighter jets, including F15 and F16. Her Supply Chain experience included assignments in Hampton, VA, at Langley Airforce Base. While at Langley, she was part of the Honor Guard team that would travel and honor veterans at their funerals. She was awarded an opportunity to fly in the F/15 fighter jet. Her next assignment landed her in Korea at Suwon Airbase, where she supported Communication units. Teresa was in Korea for one year. During that time, she played on Suwon’s girl basketball team. She was chosen as the best female player on that team and had the opportunity to travel to different locations in Korea to play basketball. Teresa served her last years of active duty at Moody AFB in Valdosta, GA. During that assignment, she worked in a high visibility unit called MICAP (Mission Impaired Cause Awaiting Parts), responsible for sourcing and ordering high-priority parts for fighter jets to stay mission-ready. While at Moody AFB, she supported logistics and aircraft maintenance units during Desert Storm.

While serving in the USAF, Teresa earned 2 AS degrees and graduated with a BBA from Valdosta State University.

Teresa’s active-duty career ended in 1991, and she served the rest of her Air Force career as a reservist and supported Supply Chain Operations at Robins AFB.

Teresa joined Leonardo in December 2007, working in SCMS as a Procurement Supervisor. Teresa enjoys her job because it has allowed her to travel to countries she did not visit during her military career, and she always enjoys meeting new people. As the Procurement Manager, she feels honored to work with a loyal and dependable team.

His operational experience included assignments in South Korea with 1/506th IN (Currahee) and the 82nd Airborne Division, where he commanded a Rifle Company as well as a Headquarters Company. He spent time at the 3rd IN Regiment, The Old Guard, based at Ft Myer, VA, and served his operational assignments in Air Assault and Airborne units. He served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Company Commander and a Military Transition Team (MITT) member.

His acquisition experience included program management for the Army’s Night Vision goggles fleet, which included the development of the next-generation Enhanced Night Vision Goggle (ENVG) and sustainment of fielded systems for Special Operations, Aviation, and Infantry units. He spent time in the Pentagon managing funding across the Army’s programs of record as well as operations and maintenance funding for system sustainment. While stationed at Redstone Arsenal, AL, he managed the MQ- 1C Grey Eagle Unmanned Aerial System program for three years. 

Clif joined Leonardo Electronics (LEI) in 2020 and is responsible for the Sensor Solutions business. He enjoys working on many of the challenging activities within the LEI portfolio and continues to be amazed by the talented teammates he gets to interact with in Huntsville.  In his free time, he enjoys general aviation flying, golf, and mission work for the local church.