Thomas DiNanno, MS, MA

Thomas DiNanno is Director for Strategic Resiliency and Wargaming within the Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Programs focus area at the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska, the DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Center sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command.

DiNanno leads the NSRI team in designing, developing and executing world-class wargames, specifically focusing on the areas of strategic deterrence and escalation control should potential adversaries choose to cross the nuclear threshold. He also leads the strategic resiliency portfolio in which NSRI explores how best to respond to strategic escalation and manage the consequences of strategic attacks against the U.S. homeland.

Prior to joining NSRI, DiNanno served as a professional staff member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and as assistant secretary of state of the Arms Control, Verification and Compliance Bureau from 2018 to 2021. In his roles focusing on deterrence and disarmament, he led or managed several dialogues and treaty negotiations on behalf of the U.S. on pressing foreign policy matters, such as:

• New Start Treaty extension negotiations in Vienna
• Implementation and oversight of missile defense and space policy
• U.S. delegation to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague and the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva

He also led U.S. extended deterrence engagement with Japan, the Republic of Korea and Australia and led the 2019 U.S.–China Space Security Dialogue in Beijing.

Previously, DiNanno was assistant administrator at the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency where he oversaw nearly $5 billion in counterterrorism programs and national preparedness initiatives that focused on resilient public safety communications systems, national continuity planning and cybersecurity initiatives.

DiNanno served as senior fellow for homeland security and critical infrastructure protection at the International Assessment and Strategy Center from 2008 to 2017. From 2004 to 2007, DiNanno served as deputy assistant secretary for critical infrastructure protection at DHS where he was responsible for homeland security initiatives to identify and protect the nation’s critical infrastructure, while also implementing executive orders and legislative initiatives.

He represented the U.S. in bilateral initiatives involving cooperation between the private sector and government counterterrorism initiatives in Latin America, Canada and Europe. He was also involved in the development and execution of Operation Liberty Shield, the national mobilization of homeland security and public safety resources in the lead-up to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004.

DiNanno served in the White House Office of Homeland Security as director of corporate relations from November 2001 to March 2003 and as senior advisor and acting chief of staff at the U.S. Small Business Administration from February 2001 to October 2001.

DiNanno received his master’s degree in business and urban planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a certificate in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics and Latin American studies from Middlebury College in Vermont.