Lt Col Jesse P. Somann is the Director of Plan and Programs and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition to his teaching duties, Lt Col Somann directs critical assessment and initiatives for 23 faculty, staff, and researchers in the instruction of over 1,250 cadets per year. The department also uses state-of-the-art laboratories to aid in research efforts supporting a variety of industry and DoD partners.

Lt Col Somann entered the Air Force in 2004 through Air Force ROTC at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Indiana. He has led in various positions in Air Force acquisitions, instructing, and recruiting. Lt Col Somann has previously deployed as a staff officer at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa, taught and recruited at both the U.S. Air Force Academy and the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and was Director of Operations for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s largest division of approximately 600 personnel.

Prior to his current position, Lt Col Somann served as Commander, 367th Recruiting Squadron, Colorado Springs, CO, where he was responsible for 10 flights and 113 personnel throughout eight states in the Western United States between Wyoming and Texas.

Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Ind. (2004)

Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2004)

Master of Science, Electrical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wrght-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2006)

Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2010)

Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence (2014)

Doctor of Philosophy, Electrical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. (2018)

Air War College, by correspondence (2020)

Masters Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (July 2004 – March 2006)

Electronic Warfare Engineer, Air Force Research Lab, Sensors Directorate, WPAFB, Ohio (April 2006 – March 2008)

Avionics Program Manager, A-10 Program Office, WPAFB, Ohio (March 2008 – June 2009)

Recruiting Flight Commander, Air Force ROTC Detachment 925, Madison, Wis. (Contracting Officer Representative, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa, December 2010 – June 2011) (July 2009 – July 2012)

Resource Director / Instructor of Electrical Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo. (July 2012 – July 2014)

Division Chief / Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo (July 2014 – July 2015)

Doctorate Student, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. (July 2015 – August 2018)

Principal Investigator, AFRL Applied Biotech Branch, WPAFB, Ohio (August 2018 – January 2019)

Deputy Chief, AFRL Applied Biotech Branch, WPAFB, Ohio (February 2019 – June 2020)

Director of Operation, AFRL Warfighter Interactions & Readiness Division, WPAFB, Ohio (June 2020 – June 2021)

Deputy Head, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo. (June 2021 – June 2022)

Commander, 367th Recruiting Squadron, Colorado Springs, Colo. (June 2022 – June 2024)

Director of Plans & Programs, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo (June 2024 – Present)

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Navy Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal