John Burton

John Burton is the Division Director of Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA)’s Strategic Division, bringing more than 35 years of experience with SPA, where he began his career as a college intern. He leads growth strategy, capability development, customer engagement, business operations, and staff development for a division that delivers a wide range of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help clients make informed decisions on their most complex challenges.

Over his long SPA career, Mr. Burton has provided program management, policy assessment, and technical and analytical support to the design, development, and operation of tactical and strategic weapons systems. This support includes evaluating programmatic and technical options for extending the lifespan of the TRIDENT strategic weapon system. He has also supported the Nuclear Weapons Surety and Nuclear Weapons Security programs for the Navy and the National Nuclear Security Administration, contributing to program planning, systems engineering, policy assessment, vulnerabilities and countermeasures analyses, and risk management.

As leader of SPA’s Naval Surface Warfare Division, he oversaw profit and loss, growth, and quality for SPA’s Navy surface warfare, PEO IWS 2.0 Above Water Sensors and Lasers, and OPNAV N1 MPT&E business areas. He also served in SPA’s Corporate Development organization, leading major captures, IDIQ strategy, and the establishment of SPA’s Government-Wide Acquisition Center.

Mr. Burton holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Virginia and a Master of Science in Operations Research from George Mason University.