The Company History and Founders

Defense Systems Support, LLC was founded in 2008 by Dr. Jerry R. McMahan and his son Jerry L. “Mac” McMahan.  Dr. McMahan has over 35 years of experience in this industry as a program manager/logistician, military officer, and defense contractor vice president.  Mac McMahan has 8 years of hands-on experience managing a defense contractor field office supporting 70+ people including: human resources, accounting, finance, payroll, marketing, and bid support.  Mrs. Louise A. McMahan joined the firm full-time in 2012 as the Chief Financial Officer.  She has over 15 year’s experience as a line and staff manager and mid-level executive for the largest tax firm in the U.S. In 2020, Daryl Martin joined the firm as CIO as was immediately promoted to Vice President. 

Defense Systems Support, is a Limited Liability Company established and governed under the laws of Oklahoma.  The associates membership is limited to the principles Dr. Jerry R. McMahan, President & CEO; Jerry L. “Mac” McMahan Vice President, COO; and Louise A. McMahan, Vice President CFO; and Daryl Martin, Vice President CIO along with the immediate McMahan family—Rhonda Skallan, Joy Martin, and Julie Rials.  Those associates without a title are all participating associates, but at a lower level with less direct involvement in day-to-day business operations. The CEO/President has final authority on all operational and contractual matters.  In his absence the Vice President and CFO has that authority.   Should neither the CEO nor CFO be available, the COO has full authority to act on behalf of and serve as the leader for the LLC.

Since 1970, Dr. McMahan has been directly involved in this industry and has led all the elements of defense support contracting.  His experience includes a 24-year career in the United States Air Force where he led major defense programs including Air-to-Air Missiles, and served as the KC-10, C-9 and KDC-10 System Program Manager.  He also has 20 years as a defense contractor rising to the rank of Vice President in 2003.  Dr. McMahan has extensive profit and loss responsibility including managing a $7 million core area of business for his employer at the time, Engineering Management Concepts.  He also has extensive supervisory experience leading 10 separate field tasks with significantly different skill sets and workloads at Tinker Air Force Base.  Additionally, Dr. McMahan is a USAF certified logistician and program manager at the highest level and became an initial member of the Air Force Acquisition Corp after graduating from Defense Systems Management College.  He also has an extensive quality background where he led the foundational program—Operation Listening Post­­ which Air Force Logistics Command used as the hallmark program in their successful bid for the National Quality Award (Malcolm Baldrige Award).  In 1999, Dr. McMahan earned his doctorate in Aviation and Aerospace.  His dissertation focused on quality implementation among small businesses in Oklahoma.  He was a key leader for a joint DOD-Oklahoma program to upgrade the Oklahoma Defense Industry infrastructure (Computer-Aided Technology Transfer) which worked with small enterprises, state agencies, and the USAF to pioneer electronic commerce methods in parts manufacturing. 

Since 2000, Mac McMahan has been involved in day-to-day operations running a defense contractor’s field office.  He worked in the field office during three key junctures (1) at the onset when rapid growth was occurring, (2) when the small defense company was acquired by a major defense contractor with over $1.8 billion in sales, and (3) when much of the work transitioned to small business with the prime contractor having to reduce their share to less than half per project.  His hands-on expertise in the areas of defense contractor accounting, contracts, financial management, and payroll were honed in two environments—a small and a large defense contractor setting.  He earned four significant achievement awards for professional accomplishment during tenure as a defense contactor.  Additionally, Mac McMahan has further sharpened his skills with a college degree in business with a concentration on entrepreneurship. 

Louise McMahan has over 15 years tax experience and in supervising franchise operations for 40 tax offices throughout Oklahoma.  A key part of her job was to ensure each franchise follows accepted business practices and was oriented toward growth of the business.  She has hands on experience with multiple areas of business accounting including profit & loss, depreciation, and she understands the tax implications for individual, as well as small business tax situations.  Additionally, she has over 10 years supervisory/benefits experience in the medical field where she was an office manager for physicians, dentists, and worked as an insurance benefits quality analyst for Blue Cross, Blue Shield.  Based on her extensive benefits experience, she also worked supporting the benefits part of human resources for Anaconda Copper.  Mrs. McMahan retired from H&R Block in 2012.  She is now a Full-time vice president with DSS. 

Daryl Martin is our Chief Information Officer (CIO) with 22 years of subject matter expertise, artistic skill, and design layout ability in the execution and formatting of visual material such as graphics, illustrations, photographs, briefing slides, logos, maps, user manuals, annual reports, and challenge coins. Highly proficient in Adobe Suite of applications. Experience in photography, videography, and video editing. Motivated self-starter that can work independently or in collaborative environments. Currently has Top Secret security clearance. 

 The other associates—Rhonda Skallan, Joy Martin and Julie Rials—in the LLC have earned college degrees and have attained professional credentials in their respective fields—construction/program management, aerospace, and defense contracting/program management (for the US Army) and medical profession.