John H . Gibson John Holden Gibson II ( born 15 February 1959 ) is a Texas businessman and former senior official in the United States Department of Defense . He has been chief financial officer , chief operating officer , and managing director for several companies including a national consulting group . Gibson has served as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Management Reform , and as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller . Education . Gibson attended the University of Texas at Austin , graduating in 1981 . He received two undergraduate degrees , a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialty in finance and a Bachelor of Arts in economics . In 1994 , Gibson earned a master ' s degree in Business Administration from the University of Dallas . Business career . Gibson began his executive career with Westgate Fabrics , Inc . He served as chief financial officer , chief operating officer , and executive vice president . In these positions Gibson was responsible for company finances , operational performance , and strategic planning . Gibson then moved to Galbraith Electric Company where he went through the same job progression of chief financial officer to chief operating officer to vice president . As vice president , Gibson led the company through a business merger . After the merger , he remained with the new company , assisting with business operations and acquisition strategy . Prior to entering public service , Gibson was managing director of the DK Consulting Group of Abilene , Texas , where he helped large corporations plan business acquisitions and mergers . As a consultant , he specialized in banking , construction , distribution , retail sales , and health care acquisitions and mergers . Gibson was also a member of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce ’ s Military Affairs Committee from 1998 until 2006 . Public service . In February 2006 , President George W . Bush appointed Gibson to the position of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Management Reform . In this role , he was responsible for promoting management efficiency and streamlining financial operations within the Department of Defense . To accomplish this , he worked closely with the Department of Defense Inspector General , the Government Accountability Office , the Office of Management and Budget , and the United States Congress . Gibson also served as acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Financial Management from July 2006 through July 2007 . On 24 October 2007 , President Bush nominated Gibson to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller . The United States Senate confirmed his nomination on 20 December 2007 . On 15 January 2008 , Gibson was sworn in as the 20th Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller by Secretary of the Air Force Michael W . Wynne . During his tenure as the Air Force ’ s chief financial officer , Gibson was responsible for managing an annual operating budget of $ 124 billion . He supported professional training and education programs to help financial managers produce better cost estimates , budget projections and financial analysis for decision makers throughout the Air Force . Gibson also expanded the Air Force Financial Services Center , opening a customer call center to provide financial services to 700 , 000 Airmen and civilian employees around the world . Professional associations . Gibson is a member of the Air Force Association and the American Society of Military Comptrollers . In addition , he actively supports the Association of Government Accountants .