DR. J. DOUGLAS BEASON

Dr. Beason is Deputy Associate Director (Defense Threat Reduction) at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, responsible for coordinating all defense, intelligence, space, sensor RD, and bio-threat programs, a $260M portfolio. He has over 25 years of R&D experience that spans conducting basic research to directing cross-disciplinary, applied-science national security programs in directed energy, plasmas, advanced optics, high performance computing, pulsed power and space. His experience includes acquiring cutting-edge S&T systems, to formulating and coordinating national policy, with management experience ranging from line (35 people) to senior executive (1,800+).

Dr. Beason previously served on the White House staff working for the President’s Science Advisor (Office of Science and Technology Policy) under both the Bush and Clinton Administrations, where he was an adjunct to the National Space Council. He has performed research at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; directed a plasma physics laboratory; taught as an associate professor of physics and director of Faculty Research; and is the member of numerous review committees, including a Vice-Presidential commission on space exploration. He retired after 24 years of active duty from the United States Air Force as a Colonel, where during his last assignment he commanded the Phillips Research Site.

Dr. Beason hold a PhD and MS in Physics (University of New Mexico), an MS in National Resource Strategy (National Defense University), and is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy (BS Physics and Mathematics). The author of over 12 books (one bought by Universal Studios and another optioned by ABC) and 50 scholarly papers, he is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, a distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the recipient of the National Defense University President’s Strategic Vision Award, and a Nebula Award finalist.