The Alumni Connection August 2024 – Pierce Lehr (2001)

The August 2024 Alumni Connection

If there’s anyone working on the leading edge of technology and innovation, it’s Pierce Lehr (2001). He’s the vice president of Global Supply Chain for Space, Intelligence and Weapon Systems for Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) — the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems.

He leads the supply chain execution of the space exploration and launch programs, satellites, munitions, missiles, weapon systems, subsidiaries (BI&A, Millennium, Insitu, Liquid Robotics, Spectrolab, Argon and DRT) and Phantom Works Space.

“The field is ever evolving,” Lehr said. “Geopolitical issues, global conflicts and world events can dramatically change the supply chain landscape and navigating through these complex issues can be a challenge.”

After graduating from Vanguard, Lehr earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University, a Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University, an LLM from the University of Alabama, an MBA from Saint Louis University, an MS in Project Management from the University of Southern California and an MS in Supply Chain Management from Penn State University.

Lehr describes his own career path as “odd” — his education and interests took him, literally, all over the place.

“My first job was as a geologist managing drilling crews for an environmental consulting firm,” he said. “Following that I went to law school and worked at the Illinois Attorney General, US Environmental Protection Agency General Counsel and in private practice in St. Louis.”

After that, Lehr made a major career pivot and took an entry level procurement agent position at Boeing. During that time, he also was an adjunct professor in Webster University business school. Then he led supply chain activities for the Air Dominance division including F-15, F/A-18, EA-18, T-7A, Phantom Works, MQ-25, and MQ-28 programs, located in St. Louis.

Before that, he led the BDS Missile and Weapon Systems division and had functional responsibility for all supply chain activities in the Southeast Region. He led the Supplier Management organizations for the BDS Development Space Systems division, Boeing Space Exploration Division, Boeing Training Systems & Government Services division and the Phantom Works Ventures division. Through each of these assignments, he led all BDS contracting activity for Northrop Grumman, GKN, BAE, Moog, Collins Aerospace, General Dynamics, Parker Hannifin, Woodward, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Raytheon, Orbital/ATK, Harris, Thales, Com Dev., Lockheed Martin and BDS Global Supply Chain.

Ultimately, Lehr said, he wanted to do something that operated on a global scale — and that he did. Boeing supports airlines and U.S. allied government customers in 150 countries.

“The programs I have managed or been a part of play an important role in global aerospace and defense,” he said. “It has given me the opportunity to meet and work with companies and cultures all over the world, which has been an amazing experience. From a professional sense supply chain and procurement has a strong connection to my legal background since the foundation of the supply chain is largely based on the supplier contracts.”

In any company, big or small, there are challenges.

“Supply chain is unique because it interacts with so many different parts of a company,” Lehr said. “You have to learn how to interact with people from different functional groups — engineering, law, finance, program management, communications, government operations, — and people from different companies from around the world.”

Lehr said he values getting to be part of the process.

“I enjoy getting to be a part of these interesting programs,” he said. “In my current role my programs range from seabed to space and are a really important asset to the United States and our allies. Getting to participate and lead many of the larger negotiations with our suppliers is interesting as well.”

Lehr is married to Megan Capellupo Lehr and they live in Chicago with their five kids: Harrison, 15, Bennett, 13, Charles “Charlie,” 13, Frances “Francie,” 10, and Rhett, 7.

He said Vanguard helped open him up to a broader world view because the educational setting espoused different ideas and viewpoints. 

“This perspective became incredibly important for me later in life,” he said. “Vanguard, through both academics and athletics, instilled a sense of commitment and consistency, which are important values in whatever pursuit you follow later in life.”

He fondly remembers Brad Livingstone’s WWII class. 

“I had the honor and opportunity to have both of my grandfathers speak to the class [about] their war experiences both in the European and Pacific theater,” he said. “The class itself gave me true appreciation of what our veterans have sacrificed for our country.”

Lehr encourages current students to enjoy and make the most of their time at Vanguard. 

“There are not many places that give you the opportunity to grow like your time at Vanguard,” he said. “The relationships help give you an amazing perspective. Think broadly and try to understand the bigger picture. We live in an interconnected world and the ability to be adaptable to changes will take you a long way in life.”