Patrick Rhoads, MS

Patrick Rhoads is the Research Director for the Nuclear Programs at the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska, the University Affiliated Research Center designated by the U.S. Department of War and sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command.

Since joining NSRI in 2020, Rhoads has led, executed and delivered research and development projects for several federal government sponsors, including the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of State, and agencies within the Department of War, including the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and Strategic Command. Efforts have included policy recommendations, arms control technologies, nuclear forensics, wargames and tabletop exercises.

Rhoads started his career fresh from the University of Nebraska. Coming to NSRI reunites him with his roots. He graduated as a regent’s scholar in three years. He studied chemical engineering at the University of Nebraska at Omaha before completing his degree at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

After graduating, Rhoads was commissioned in the U.S. Navy.  He served six years at the headquarters of the prestigious Naval Reactors Program. He excelled there as a systems engineer for nuclear submarines and prototypes.

In his civilian career, Rhoads held many managerial and technical positions in what would become NNSA, which stood up in 2000. Some of his accomplishments include:

• directing the operations of the production facilities in the Nuclear Weapons Complex, costing more than $1 billion per year;
• acting as the program manager for the acquisition of three different nuclear facility acquisitions, each over $1 billion;
• performing services as the Chief of Staff in three different organizations;
• standing up a new office with budget authority over greater than $2 billion a year;
• acting as a leader in the formulation of nuclear safety and project management standards;
• leading the Office of Policy

In his 38-year federal career, Rhoads rose to the executive level in 2004 and retired at this level 16 years later.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree at UNL, Rhoads went on to earn master's degrees in nuclear reactor engineering, engineering management and national security strategy.

Rhoads met his bride, Stasia, while serving as naval officer in the Washington, DC area.  They have made their home there since they married in 1987. They have three grown children and four grandchildren.  

Beyond work life, Rhoads has been a community leader in youth basketball programs and youth ministry. He published a book entitled "The Gospel Truth: You Can’t Make This Up."