Damon Dixon, MBA
About Damon Dixon, MBA
Damon Dixon, MBA, serves as the Director of Business Transformation at Kite Pharma, where he focuses on improving human performance and delivering results in complex environments. With a background in the US Navy, he has held various leadership roles and possesses extensive experience in team culture, change management, and operational excellence.
Work at Kite Pharma
Damon Dixon currently serves as the Director of Business Transformation at Kite Pharma, a role he has held since 2023. He works remotely and focuses on enhancing operational efficiency within the organization. Prior to this position, he was a Fellow in Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and Program Management at Kite Pharma for three months in 2023, located in Oceanside, California. His experience at Kite Pharma emphasizes his commitment to driving business transformation and operational improvements.
Education and Expertise
Damon Dixon holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California, Irvine - The Paul Merage School of Business, which he completed from 2001 to 2004. He also earned a Master of Science in Meteorology and Oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School, studying from 1998 to 2000. Earlier, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography from the United States Naval Academy, where he studied from 1991 to 1995. His educational background supports his expertise in both technical and business domains.
Background in the US Navy
Damon Dixon has extensive experience in the US Navy, where he held various leadership positions. He served as the Director of Operations at the Meteorology and Oceanography Command from 2016 to 2020 at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi. Prior to that, he was the Deputy Director of Naval Oceanography Special Warfare in Coronado, California, from 2007 to 2010. He also worked as the Deputy Operations Chief for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon from 2012 to 2016 and served as the Deputy Director for Missile Defense, Strike & Counter Terrorism in Naples, Italy, from 2010 to 2012.
Achievements in Program Management
During his tenure in the US Navy, Damon Dixon worked in Program Management for PEO C4I from 2020 to 2023 in San Diego, California. His role involved delivering results for multiple stakeholders while managing evolving priorities in complex environments. He is recognized for his hands-on experience in fast-paced settings and his ability to establish team culture, manage budgets, and reduce costs. His leadership style is characterized by inspiring team members and fostering their growth and promotion.