About Us
At Obsidian, we provide strategic consulting services designed to accelerate growth, enhance operational efficiency, and deliver mission-critical support to our Warfighters. Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, our firm is led by a team with more than 45 years of experience in defense program management and acquisition. We work in close partnership with each client to deliver tailored, results-oriented solutions that meet the demands of today’s complex defense landscape.
Dr. Patti Dare
president
Dr. Patti Dare is the President of Obsidian, bringing over 30 years of program management and business development experience in the defense industry. She excels at building strong customer relationships and driving mission success, with a deep commitment to equipping our Warfighters with the tools they need to protect our Homeland.
Her leadership background includes executive roles at Raytheon Technologies, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Honeywell International, where she led programs in strategic deterrence, integrated planning, and missile systems. With a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Dr. Dare combines technical insight with strategic vision, contributing to the successful execution of complex programs and major acquisitions.
She has enhanced her leadership skills through advanced training at institutions such as UCLA Anderson, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and the Defense Acquisition University. Dr. Dare has also served on several prestigious boards, including the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Foundation, the UAH Engineering Board, the Huntsville/Madison Chamber, and the Committee of 100.
Dr. Patti Dare
president
Dr. Patti Dare is the President of Obsidian, bringing over 30 years of program management and business development experience in the defense industry. She excels at building strong customer relationships and driving mission success, with a deep commitment to equipping our Warfighters with the tools they need to protect our Homeland.
Her leadership background includes executive roles at Raytheon Technologies, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Honeywell International, where she led programs in strategic deterrence, integrated planning, and missile systems. With a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Dr. Dare combines technical insight with strategic vision, contributing to the successful execution of complex programs and major acquisitions.
She has enhanced her leadership skills through advanced training at institutions such as UCLA Anderson, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and the Defense Acquisition University. Dr. Dare has also served on several prestigious boards, including the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Foundation, the UAH Engineering Board, the Huntsville/Madison Chamber, and the Committee of 100.
Sarah Neeley
vice president
Sarah is the Vice President of Obsidian with over 15 years of leadership experience in the defense industry. Known for her ability to quickly build camaraderie and align teams toward mission-critical goals, she consistently delivers results on schedule and within budget – always with a focus on supporting our Warfighters and strengthening homeland security.
Her career includes leadership roles at Raytheon Technologies and Boeing, where she led efforts across missile systems, strategic deterrence, integrated planning, and program operations. Sarah’s strong organizational skills and commitment to customer satisfaction have driven the successful execution of milestone-based programs. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University, an MBA from The University of Alabama in Huntsville, and multiple certifications in program management and business development.
Andrew Smith
Executive Director
of Operations
Dr. Joseph DiNoto, DSS
Executive Director
of Strategy
