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Experienced Experts

NSRI is led by experienced strategists and scientists. In total, NSRI’s leadership team totals more than 400 years of experience in or working in support of the Department of Defense.

NSRI Leadership Team

Richard Evans, NSRI Deputy Executive Director

Rick Evans, USAF, Maj. Gen. (Ret.)

Executive Director

Josh Santarpia

Joshua Santarpia, Ph.D.

Science & Technology Advisor

Marty Sikes, Jr.

Marty Sikes, MS

Associate Executive Director

Chemical & Biological Defense

John Tencer

John Tencer, MBA

Associate Executive Director

Operations

Neal Woollen

Neal Woollen, DVM, Ph.D., MSS

Associate Executive Director

CWMD Allied Programs

Chris Yeaw

Christopher Yeaw, Ph.D.

Associate Executive Director

Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Programs

Misty Bensman Headshot

Misty Bensman, MS

Director, Program Operations

Chemical & Biological Defense Programs

Wes Carter

Wes Carter

Research Director

Field Operations & Training

Dillan Cunningham

Dillon Cunningham

Research Director

Biological Defense Programs

Thomas DiNanno headshot

Thomas DiNanno

Director

Strategic Resiliency & Wargaming

Allen Geist

Allen Geist, MAS

Director

Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) Programs

Katelyn Ideus

Katelyn Ideus, MA

Director

Communications & PR

Thomas Mueller

Thomas Mueller, Ph.D.

Research Director

Chemical Defense Programs

Anna Ravnholdt

Anna Ravnholdt, MPA

Director

Security Compliance

Patrick Rhoads

Patrick Rhoads, MS

Research Director

Nuclear Enterprise Support

Dave Robert headshot

David Roberts

Research Director, Special Programs

Chemical and Biological Defense Programs

headshot of Dr. Terry Thiem

Terry Thiem, Ph.D.

Director

Medical Countermeasures

Tami Thompson

Tami Thompson, Ph.D.

Strategic Advisor

NSRI Board of Directors

ted carter close up headshot

Ted Carter

Chairman of the Board

Navy Vice Admiral (Ret.)

President, University of Nebraska System

Roosevelt Mercer Jr.

Roosevelt "Ted" Mercer Jr.

Vice Chairman of the Board

Air Force Major General (Ret.)

Ken Bayles headshot

Kenneth Bayles, Ph.D.

Vice Chancellor for Research

University of Nebraska Medical Center
Gary Gates

Gary Gates

Past President & CEO

Omaha Public Power District
David Jackson

David Jackson, Ph.D.

Vice Provost

University of Nebraska 
Chris Kabourek

Chris Kabourek, MBA

Treasurer to the Board

Vice President for Business & Finance

University of Nebraska
VADM (Ret.) David Kriete

David Kriete

Navy Vice Admiral (Ret.)

Carl V. Mauney

Carl V. Mauney

Navy Vice Admiral (Ret.)

Honorable Benjamin “Ben” Nelson

Honorable Benjamin "Ben" Nelson

Senator for Nebraska

2001 - 2013
Stacia Palser

Stacia Palser, J.D.

Secretary and General Counsel to the Board 

Deputy General Counsel

University of Nebraska
Robert Wilhelm

Robert Wilhelm, Ph.D.

Vice Chancellor for Research & Economic Development

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Connect With NSRI

As USSTRATCOM’s University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska provides an invaluable understanding of strategic deterrence and CWMD mission requirements gaps. Our institute’s rapid-response capabilities can help meet critical research and development needs. Connect with us to learn more.

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