Kori Johnston

Kori Johnston serves as a key procurement professional at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (N00164), where they manage acquisitions critical to the development, testing, and sustainment of advanced electronic, electro-optical, and ordnance systems for naval warfare platforms. Their work directly supports the Department of the Navy’s mission to enhance precision sensing, signal processing, communications, and electronic warfare capabilities for surface and expeditionary forces. Johnston specializes in research and development contracts under NAICS 541715, overseeing complex technical procurements for next-generation radar, signal intelligence, and electronic attack systems that require high-fidelity engineering and rapid prototyping. Johnston maintains established relationships with leading defense contractors including Lockheed Martin Corporation, Programs Management Analytics & Technologies Inc., and Black Hills Ammunition Inc., partnering with firms capable of delivering classified, mission-critical technologies under stringent DoD compliance frameworks. Their contracting approach favors established industry leaders with proven track records in systems integration, test and evaluation, and ordnance lifecycle support, reflecting a preference for mature, high-reliability vendors capable of meeting rigorous military specifications. There is no preference for socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of acquisitions conducted as full and open competitions. This reflects a mission-driven focus on technical capability over socioeconomic targeting, prioritizing performance, readiness, and operational urgency. Small business participation is not formally incentivized in this portfolio, as requirements demand specialized expertise typically found in large, cleared defense contractors. The primary technical domain centers on R&D in physical and engineering sciences, with acquisitions focused on advanced electronic warfare suites, electromagnetic spectrum operations, ruggedized signal processors, and next-generation munitions control systems. Johnston’s expertise lies in navigating the intersection of classified defense requirements, rapid innovation cycles, and systems engineering rigor to deliver mission-critical capabilities to the fleet.