Jessica joined Ignite as Vice President in June 2023. Her team supports The Research & Analysis Center (TRAC) at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), the Program Executive Office (PEO) Missiles and Space, and US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC).

Prior to joining Ignite, Ms. Wilkerson served as an Army civilian for 17 years. Most recently, she served as the Program Operations Director for the Integrated Fires Mission Command Project Office at PEO Missiles and Space, responsible for program acquisition activities, integration, and coordination. In this role, she led the Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense ACAT 1D program through successful Milestone decisions at the OSD level. Prior to this, she served as a Business Management Director at PEO Aviation, responsible for a $1B Foreign Military Sales portfolio of programs to support our allies. She served as a member of the US Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) Command Group and Executive Officer to the Deputy to the Commanding General. Prior to this assignment, Ms. Wilkerson held a Contracting Officer warrant as part of Army Contracting Command, supporting both PEO Aviation and PEO Missiles and Space and was responsible for negotiating and managing multi-million dollar weapon system and acquisition support contracts.

Ms. Wilkerson is an Ignite-certified Program Manager and holds Level III DAWIA certifications in Program Management, Contracting, and Business-Financial Management, with additional certifications in DoD Financial Management, Federal Financial Management, and International Affairs. Her awards include the Air Defense Artillery Order of St. Barbara, Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, and Commander’s Award for Civilian Service.

She lives in Madison, AL with her husband, Andy, and three children, Abigail, Riley, and Jacob.