Special Assistant
Directors Office
Col. David “Schwartz” Clementi, U.S. Air Force, joined DARPA in 2025 as special assistant to the director and Air Force operational liaison. Prior to assuming his current position, Clementi was a student at the National War College, and prior to that he commanded the 29th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin AFB, Florida.
In his role as special assistant, he advises the director on military technology matters as they relate to mission of DARPA. In his role as the Air Force operational liaison, he supports the agency in Air Force matters including mentorship of agency technology experts, transition of technology to the Air Force, and shaping future programs toward Air Force missions.
Clementi earned his commission in 2006 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Florida State University.
He is a command pilot with more than 2,000 flying hours in the F-35A, A-10C, T-38A, T-38C, and T-37. He has 330 combat hours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Military Training
- Air Command and Staff College
- Squadron Officer School
- Air and Space Basic Course
Education
- M.S., National Security Strategy, Naval War College
- M.I.P.P., Johns Hopkins University
- MBA, Trident University
- B.S., Applied Mathematics, Florida State University
Areas of expertise
- Air Force air dominance and technology transition to the warfighter
- Air Force capability development and operational test
- Artificial intelligence
- Electronic warfare
- National security strategy
- Air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry and employment