Allan C. Polley, senior lecturer and retired lieutenant colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, received a B.A. in economics from Texas Tech University, an M.S. in defense systems analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, and an M.A. in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (Tufts University). He was an F-4 Radar Intercept Officer with VMFA-232 for over six years, attending the Navy Fighter Weapons School (“Topgun”; pre-Hollywood) and the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course, and making three WestPac deployments. After a “headquarters" tour where he served consecutively as the Manpower and Procurement Analyst for POM 94-99 and as Aide-de- Camp for the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, he joined the DRMI faculty for the first time in September 1992. In June 1995 he departed for F/A- 18D Weapons and Sensors Officer (WSO) training, with follow-on service as the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Officer for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS El Toro. He rejoined the DRMI faculty in June 1997 and retired from active duty in October 2000. Mr. Polley retired (again!) in June 2016 but rejoined the DRMI faculty in August 2021.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Colonel Andre L. Brown, U.S. Army, senior military lecturer, earned a B.S. in finance from Alabama State University in 1998 and an M.B.A. from Webster University in 2012. He was commissioned in 1988 as a 2nd lieutenant through the reserve officers’ training corps (ROTC) program at Auburn University Montgomery. His military education includes , Armor Officer Basic Course, Airborne and Air Assault Schools, Finance Captain’s Career Course, and the Command General Staff College.

COL Brown has served in various assignments within the U.S. Army as a financial manager and comptroller to include Battalion Disbursing Officer, 3rd Soldier Support Battalion, Stabilization Force 8, Bosnia; Finance Detachment Commander, 5th Brigade Combat Team, Iraq; Budget Analyst, Combined Security Transition Command–Afghanistan; Financial Management Support Operations Officer, 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Afghanistan; Comptroller, 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Fort Knox, Ky.; Director, Financial Operational Support Team, United States Army Financial Management Command, Indianapolis, Ind.; and Operations Officer, United States Army Financial Management Command, Indianapolis, Ind.

COL Brown’s decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, U.S. Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, U.S. Army Service Ribbon, U.S. Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Airborne Badge, and Air Assault Badge. He joined the DRMI faculty in August of 2019.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Anke Richter, professor, received a B.A. in mathematics and French from Dartmouth College (1991) and a Ph.D. in operations research from Stanford University (1996). A grant from the Office of Naval Research supported her graduate work. Dr. Richter was previously a director of health outcomes at RTI-Health Solutions, RTI International. Her research interests include resource allocation for epidemic control, disease modelling and economic impact assessment, and bio terrorism. Dr. Richter is a member of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS). She has published in numerous, peer-reviewed journals including, the Journal of the American Medical Association, Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, Homeland Security Affairs Journal, Medical Decision Making, Disaster Medicine, and Journal of Emergency Management. While English is Dr. Richter’s first language, she is also fluent in German and French. She joined the DRMI faculty in August of 2003.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

C. J. LaCivita, professor emeritus of economics, graduated from the University of Detroit with a B.S. in electrical engineering in 1969. Upon receiving his bachelor’s degree, he was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force and served as a pilot for five years. After leaving the air force, he earned an M.B.A. from Valdosta State University in 1975 and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1981. From 1981 to 1985, he was assistant professor of economics at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

In May 1985, Dr. LaCivita joined the DRMI faculty as an assistant professor. He served as the DRMI assistant director for academic programs from 1988 to 1991, DRMI deputy executive director from 1991 to 1993 and DRMI executive director from 1993 to 2011. From October 1, 2001 to October 15, 2002, he served as the acting dean of the School of International Graduate Studies at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). In January 2009, he was appointed as the founding chair of the Global Public Policy Academic Group. He also served as a member of the oversight commission for the Certified Defense Financial Manager program from its inception through 2008. 

He has published widely in a number of areas in economics and defense resources management. His work has appeared in the Journal of Business, Journal of Urban Economics, National Tax Journal, International Journal of Forecasting, Southern Economic Journal, Journal of Development Economics, Armed Forces Comptroller, and Defence Analysis among others.

Lieutenant Colonel Dax Battaglia, U.S. Marine Corps, military lecturer, earned a B.S. in finance from Loyola University (1995) and an M.S. in management from the Naval Postgraduate School (2003).  Lt Col Battaglia is a graduate of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warfare School, Command & Staff College, and Advanced Financial Management Officer’s Course.  As a Department of Defense (DoD) financial management officer, he has experience in all fiscal functions as the deputy comptroller of 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, deputy comptroller of I Marine Expeditionary Force Multi-National Force West Iraq, comptroller of 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Bahrain, congressional fellow for Representative Moran VA-8, congressional liaison for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, financial analyst at Headquarters Marine Corps Programs and Resources (Accounting, Execution, Budget) and branch head for ground financial management at Marine Forces Pacific.  Lt Col Battaglia is DoD Financial Management Level 3 (DODFM3) accredited. He joined the DRMI faculty in January of 2019.

Diana Angelis, professor emerita, studied accounting at the University of Florida and received a B.S. in business administration in 1977 and a B.S. in electrical engineering in 1985. She received a Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Florida in 1996. Her research interests include cost accounting, activity-based costing, valuation of research and development, and acquisition innovation. She was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Air Force in 1984 and served as a program engineer until 1989. Dr. Angelis is a Certified Public Accountant and retired in 2009 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. She joined the DRMI faculty in 1996 and retired in 2018, after 21 years of service. Provost and Academic Dean Robert F. Dell granted Dr. Angelis emerita status in July 2020.

Douglas Burton, senior lecturer and retired commander, U.S. Navy, earned a B.S. in aerospace engineering from the United States Naval Academy (1985), an M.S. in operations research from the Naval Postgraduate School (1993) and an M.A. in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College (2001). During 33 years of service in the U.S. Navy, Doug was designated as a naval aviator (1986), then aircraft commander for light airborne multi-purpose system (LAMPS) SH-2F (Sea Sprite) and SH-60B (Sea Hawk) helicopters operating from frigates, destroyers and cruisers. His deployments included Operations Earnest Will, Desert Shield, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. Mr. Burton retired from the U.S. Navy on 1 June 2013, after serving in assignments that included LAMPS officer in charge, LAMPS squadron maintenance officer, force structure analyst for the Chief of Naval Operations (N81), commanding officer of navy recruiting district Chicago, director of coalition campaign analysis for U.S. Fifth Fleet, lead analyst for U.S. Second Marine Division Forward (Anbar Province, Iraq), military associate professor of operations research, and chair of applied systems analysis at the Naval Postgraduate School. He earned a Bronze Star from the U.S. Marine Corps for exceptionally meritorious service as a combat analyst (2007), four Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals and many service and campaign awards. Doug’s research interests center on applied decision science that includes probability, statistics, optimization, risk management, and simulation. After retiring from the U.S. Navy, Doug joined Sabre Global as a senior principal, operations research and subsequently joined the DRMI faculty in January of 2017.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Erich Morman, assistant professor, received a B.A. in mathematics and economics (1996) from the University of Dayton, an M.S. in systems engineering and operations research (2003), and a Ph.D. in systems engineering and operations research (2013) from George Mason University. Prior to joining the DRMI faculty in August of 2017, Dr. Morman spent 17 years with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) supporting various weapon system program offices in the area of planning, programming, budgeting, and execution (PPBE). Additionally, Dr. Morman spent nearly two years working for the Department of Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) as a data analyst. His research interests include areas of applied reinforcement learning, portfolio optimization, and enterprise risk management. Dr. Morman is a member of the Military Operations Research Society (MORS) and Institute for Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS).

Erin Reeder, senior lecturer and retired lieutenant colonel, U.S. Army, earned his B.A. in business administration (BSBA) with a concentration in finance from Northern Arizona University in 1994. He was commissioned by the U.S. Army through the Officer Candidate School in Ft. Benning, Ga. in 1997. He received his M.B.A. and M.P.A. through the Defense Comptroller Program at Syracuse University in 2009. His prior command and staff experience includes the following: Military Police Company Commander, Ft. Carson, Colo.; Kuwait Defense Cooperation Agreement Branch Chief, Army Central Command, Ft. McPherson, Ga.; Resource Manager, Area Support Group- Kuwait, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait; and Tactical Execution Branch Chief U.S. Army Europe, Wiesbaden, Germany. His most recent assignment was as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Deputy Financial Controller, Resolute Support Mission, Kabul, Afghanistan, where he provided oversight for direct contributions from the 28 NATO nations. His international staff included military and civilian personnel from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the United States. He holds the Defense Financial Management Certification Level III (DFMCLIII), is a Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM), and is a Certified Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing (SAP) Systems Integration Associate. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Joint Commendation Medal (two awards), U.S. Army Commendation Medal, and various campaign and unit commendations. He joined the DRMI faculty in December 2015 and retired from the U.S. Army in 2019.Erin Reeder, senior lecturer and retired lieutenant colonel, U.S. Army, earned his B.A. in business administration (BSBA) with a concentration in finance from Northern Arizona University in 1994. He was commissioned by the U.S. Army through the Officer Candidate School in Ft. Benning, Ga. in 1997. He received his M.B.A. and M.P.A. through the Defense Comptroller Program at Syracuse University in 2009. His prior command and staff experience includes the following: Military Police Company Commander, Ft. Carson, Colo.; Kuwait Defense Cooperation Agreement Branch Chief, Army Central Command, Ft. McPherson, Ga.; Resource Manager, Area Support Group- Kuwait, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait; and Tactical Execution Branch Chief U.S. Army Europe, Wiesbaden, Germany. His most recent assignment was as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Deputy Financial Controller, Resolute Support Mission, Kabul, Afghanistan, where he provided oversight for direct contributions from the 28 NATO nations. His international staff included military and civilian personnel from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the United States. He holds the Defense Financial Management Certification Level III (DFMCLIII), is a Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM), and is a Certified Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing (SAP) Systems Integration Associate. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Joint Commendation Medal (two awards), U.S. Army Commendation Medal, and various campaign and unit commendations. He joined the DRMI faculty in December 2015 and retired from the U.S. Army in 2019.

Erin D. Reeder, senior lecturer and retired lieutenant colonel, U.S. Army, earned a B.A. in business administration (BSBA) with a concentration in finance from Northern Arizona University in 1994. He was commissioned by the U.S. Army through the Officer Candidate School in Ft. Benning, Ga. in 1997. He earned an M.B.A. and M.P.A. through the Defense Comptroller Program at Syracuse University in 2009. His prior command and staff experience includes the following: Military Police Company Commander, Ft. Carson, Colo.; Kuwait Defense Cooperation Agreement Branch Chief, Army Central Command, Ft. McPherson, Ga.; Resource Manager, Area Support Group- Kuwait, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait; and Tactical Execution Branch Chief U.S. Army Europe, Wiesbaden, Germany. His most recent assignment was as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Deputy Financial Controller, Resolute Support Mission, Kabul, Afghanistan, where he provided oversight for direct contributions from the 28 NATO nations. His international staff included military and civilian personnel from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the United States. He holds the Defense Financial Management Certification Level III (DFMCLIII), is a Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM), and is a Certified Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing (SAP) Systems Integration Associate. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Joint Commendation Medal (two awards), U.S. Army Commendation Medal, and various campaign and unit commendations. He joined the DRMI faculty in December of 2015 and retired from the U.S. Army in 2019.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Francois Melese, professor and former DRMI executive director, has over 30 years of experience conducting courses and workshops for U.S. and international civilian and military officials. He received his B.A. in economics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1977, M.A. in Economics from the University of British Columbia, Canada in 1979, and Ph.D. from the University of Louvain, Belgium in June 1987. Prior to joining the DRMI faculty in September of 1987, Dr. Melese was an assistant professor of economics at Auburn University. In 2005, Dr. Melese participated in the Defense Department’s (DoD’s) Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), and in 2008 contributed to DoD’s first Strategic Management Plan. More recently he has served as panel member or consultant/advisor for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (Comptroller), the RAND Corporation, the U.S. Navy Seals, DoD’s Defense Business Board, and Canada’s Defense Forces. Dr. Melese has also represented the United States as a speaker and moderator at NATO meetings, and helped launch NATO’s new “Building Integrity” program. He is a member of the American Economic Association, Southern Economic Association, American Society of Military Comptrollers, and the Research Society of American Scientists-Sigma XI. He is an author and co-editor of the book, Military Cost-Benefit Analysis: Theory & Practice.

James S. Blandin, professor emeritus, graduated with a B.A. in economics from the University of Santa Barbara in 1968, an M.B.A. from University of Oregon in 1972, and a Ph.D. in management from the University of Oregon in 1974. Prior to serving active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1969-1971, Dr. Blandin worked as an assistant program manager for Raytheon and as a systems analyst for Litton Industries. He joined the DRMI faculty as an assistant professor in 1974. He became an associate professor in 1979, and became a full professor in 1987. During his career at NPS, Dr. Blandin held many different management positions. He served as the DRMI executive director from 1983-1992, the director of the Center for Civil-Military Relations from 1992-1996, the president of the Defense Business Management University (Office of the Secretary of Defense in Washington, D.C.) from 1992-1996, and the Dean of Management and Security Studies from 1995-1997. Dr. Blandin has published widely in areas of labor economics, applied statistics, and organization theory. His work has appeared in International Public Management Review, Defense Economics, Armed Forces & Society, Academy of Management Journal, and  Sociology of Education, among others. Dr. Blandin retired in 2008, after 34 years of service. Provost and Academic Dean Robert F. Dell granted Dr. Blandin emeritus status in July 2020.

James H. Morris, professor emeritus, graduated with a B.S. in human factors from San Diego State University in 1971, earned an M.S./M.B.A. from San Diego State University in 1973, and earned a Ph.D. in organization theory and behavior from the University of Oregon in 1976. Dr. Morris served as a medical service officer in the 40th Infantry Division and 146th Combat Support Hospital in the California Amy National Guard from 1979-1992 and was an instructor at the Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army Reserve School in San Francisco, Calif. From 1977-1982, Dr. Morris was an assistant professor and research associate at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. before joining the faculty as an assistant professor of management at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, Calif. In 1982, Dr. Morris joined the DRMI faculty as an assistant professor of Organization Theory and Behavior, where he received tenure and became an associate professor in 1985. Dr. Morris became a full professor in 1992 and taught at the DRMI until his retirement, following 31 years of service, in 2013. Provost and Academic Dean Robert F. Dell granted Dr. Morris emeritus status in July 2020.

Dr. Morris is a life member of the American Psychological Association and a retired member of the Academy of Management. He has published widely in areas of organizational commitment and work-related psychopathology. His work has appeared in Educational and Psychological Measurement, Journal of Vocational Behavior, Journal of Applied Psychology, Academy of Management Review, Academy of Management Journal, and the Journal of Occupational Psychology, among others.

Lieutenant Commander Jeremy Duke, U.S. Navy, military lecturer, earned a B.A. in education from Touro University (2004) and an M.B.A. in financial management from the Naval Postgraduate School (2017). LCDR Duke first entered the U.S. Navy as an enlisted hospital corpsman (navy medic), and served for eight years prior to being commissioned through Officer Candidate School as a naval supply corps officer. He has served as head of the Supply Department onboard USS ARDENT (MCM 12), USS CHIEF (MCM-14) and USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG 58). He also completed a tour on the USNS SACAGAWEA (T-AKE-2) as the assistant officer in charge. LCDR Duke has had six sea service deployments to the Mediterranean, and Persian Gulf. In 2009 he was selected to augment the army as a contracting officer to Iraq, where he wrote contracts in support of combat operations in both Balad Air Base and COB Speicher. 

In his tour prior to the Naval Postgraduate School he was sent on exchange to the Royal Navy (United Kingdom) through the personnel exchange program as a course instructor for the basic logistic officer course at Defense Maritime Logistics School. While there, he taught basic naval logistics to newly-commissioned logistics officers, with an emphasis on U.S. aircraft carrier logistics in order to prepare new logistics officers for the upcoming new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier. His personal decorations include the Joint Commendation Medal (two awards), U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), and various campaign and unit commendations. LCDR Duke joined the DRMI faculty in January of 2018.

Jerome T. (JT) Sebastyn, senior lecturer and retired captain, U.S. Navy, earned a B.A. in business administration from the University of Massachusetts (1985) and an M.A. in Strategic Studies from the Naval War College (2001). His previous work experience in the U.S. Navy Reserve included mobilization tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in 2007-2008, and in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in 2013-2015. He retired from the U.S. Navy in January of 2016. As a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian, he served as an advisor to the Government of Iraq (GoI) in Baghdad, Iraq and also served as an advisor to the Afghan National Army (ANA) in Kabul, Afghanistan. He has completed the following: the Project Management Professional (PMP) credential from the Project Management Institute (PMI), the Program Management Level III certification from the Defense Acquisition University (DAU), and the Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I and the Advanced JPME certificate from the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC). He joined the DRMI faculty in November of 2015.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Jomana Amara, professor, earned a B.S. in chemical engineering, an M.S. in industrial engineering, and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Houston. Dr. Amara has directed and managed educational and consultative programs in multiple locations in the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America, and Europe. The programs emphasize integrity and transparency, resources management, human capital development, women in defense and security, contracting best practices, and fiscal management. The programs introduce policies and procedures to achieve financial efficiency and operational effectiveness, democratic civil-military control, public accountability, and institutional transparency. She has created programs and intellectual content to meet needs and has maintained effective relationships with senior decision making officials.

She currently researches and publishes on defense industrial policy and offsets, economics of the public sector, health economics and international economics. She has addressed various national and international academic organizations, institutions and conferences. Dr. Amara is the co-editor of the book, Military Medicine: From Pre-Deployment to Post-Separation. She has published extensively in numerous peer-reviewed journals and is on the editorial board of Defence and Peace Economics. Dr. Amara is a member of the American Economic Association (AEA), the Society of Government Economists, and the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society (IUS). She was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Honor and Achievement of Civilians with the Department of Defense in 2012. Dr. Amara brings over 20 years of experience in research, consulting, and teaching. She joined the DRMI faculty in August of 2004.

Jonathan Lipow, professor of economics, received a B.A. in political science from University of California, Los Angeles (1984), an M.A. in international development from American University (1989), and a Ph.D. in agricultural and resource economics from University of California, Berkeley (1994). His research interests are primarily in public economics and in national security studies, and he has published papers on these topics in journals such the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, Economics Letters, Defense and Peace Economics, and World Development. In 2016, he published his first book, Survival: The Economic Foundations of American National Security. His current research focuses primarily on the role of economics in counter-insurgency and military manpower problems. Prior to joining the DRMI faculty in July of 2009, Dr. Lipow taught at a number of colleges and universities, including Berea College and Oberlin College. In addition to academic activities, Dr. Lipow has worked as a government consultant, investment banker, and journalist, and has published op-eds in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Currently, Dr. Lipow is a candidate for a commission as a U.S. Army Reserve major in Civil Affairs. His prior military service was as a combat engineer.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Kathleen S. Bailey, faculty associate-research, received a B.A. in English and environmental studies from Alfred University in 2001, an M.A. in international environmental policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies (now the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey) in 2005, and an M.A. in security studies: western hemisphere from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2011. Her security studies thesis employed an econometric model and examined whether Sino-Brazilian trade and investment significantly influenced Brazil’s voting affinity in the United Nations General Assembly. She has published in The DISAM Journal of International Security Assistance Management and in Security and Defense Studies Review. Ms. Bailey joined the DRMI faculty in June of 2004, receiving a promotion to faculty associate-research in January 2006. Ms. Bailey is a Ph.D. candidate in public affairs, with an emphasis on environmental policy and management, at the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Public Affairs. Her dissertation examines local government regulation of hydraulic fracturing in Colorado.

Kent D. Wall, professor emeritus, received a B.M.E. (1966), an M.S. in mechanical engineering (1967), and a Ph.D. in control sciences from the University of Minnesota (1971). After completing his studies, he was awarded two postdoctoral fellowships in England, the first with the University of Manchester, and the second with the University of London. While in the United Kingdom lectured at H.M. Treasury, the Bank of England, Queen Mary College, Imperial College, London School of Economics, and London Business School. He returned to the United States as a research sssociate with the National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge, Mass. Before joining the DRMI faculty he was an associate professor of systems engineering at the University of Virginia. 

His research interests focus on the development of quantitative aids in decision making. He has published his work in many scholarly journals, including the IEEE Transactions, Automatic Control, Automatica, Proceedings of the IEE, Communications in Statistics, Journal of Business and Economic Statistics, Journal of Time Series Analysis, Journal of Econometrics, and Journal of the American Statistical Association. 

He joined the faculty in August of 1985 and served as assistant Director for academic programs from 1993-1998. In 1995 he was invited to present a special course in time series modeling at the University of Paris IX (Dauphine). He retired in 2018 and received emeritus status in 2019.

Curriculum Vitae (in .PDF format)

Lieutenant Colonel Michael A. Kwasnoski, U.S. Air Force, military lecturer, earned a B.S. in business administration/finance from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania in 1995 and an M.B.A. in international business from St. Mary’s University (Texas) in 1999.  Lt Col Kwasnoski is a graduate of the United States Air Force Air War College, the Defense Financial Management Course, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Resource Management Education Program.  As a Department of Defense (DoD) financial management officer, he has served at the tactical, operational, and strategic level, with experience as a budget officer, financial services/disbursing officer, command inspector, assistant professor, staff officer, division chief, and as installation financial controller.  Lt Col Kwasnoski is DoD Financial Management Level 3 accredited (DODFM3) and is a Certified Defense Financial Manager with acquisitions expertise (CDFM-A).  He joined the DRMI faculty in July of 2021.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Burgess, U.S. Army, military lecturer, earned a B.S. in chemistry from East Tennessee State University in 2001 and an M.A. in economics from the University of South Carolina in 2008. He was commissioned through ROTC into the Armor Branch in 2001. His military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, Scout Platoon Leaders Course, Finance Officer Advanced Course, Advance Resource Management Course, Cost Management Certification Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Joint and Combined Warfighting School, SOC Jumpmaster Course, and the Army Executive Comptrollers Course. 

LTC Burgess’ assignment history includes: Assistant Chief of Staff, G8, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York; Director, J8, United Forces Afghanistan, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan; Branch Chief, Financial Execution Branch, U.S. Army Europe, Wiesbaden, Germany; Comptroller, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington; Deputy G8, Regional Command – South, Kandahar, Afghanistan; Deputy G8, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; Resource Manager, Multi-National Division Baghdad, Camp Victory, Iraq; Budget Analyst, I CORPS, Fort Lewis Washington; Detachment Commander, HHD, 9th Finance BN, Camp Anaconda, Iraq; Detachment Commander, HHD, 9th Finance BN, Fort Lewis, Washington; Battalion Automation Officer, HHD, 9th Finance BN, Fort Lewis, Washington; Scout Platoon Leader, A Troop, 1st Squadron, 14th ACR, Fort Lewis, Washington.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and Senior Parachutist Badge.

LTC Burgess is DoD Financial Management Certification Level 3 (DODFM3) accredited and is a Certified Defense Finance Manager (CDFM). He joined the DRMI faculty in July 2021. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G8 for the 10th Mountain Division and Director, J8, United States Forces – Afghanistan.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Lieutenant Colonel Adam Powers, U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), military lecturer, earned a B.S. in economics from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2004 and a M.B.A. from New England College in 2020. He was commissioned in 2004 as a 2nd Lieutenant via the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. His military education includes the USMC Basic Officer Course, Financial Management Officer’s Course, Information Operations Course, Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival, Expeditionary Warfare School, and USMC Command and Staff College. 

LtCol Powers has served in various assignments within the USMC to include: Budget Officer, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC; Commander’s Emergency Response Program Budget Officer, II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) (FWD), Iraq; Deputy Comptroller, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC; Series Commander and Company Commander, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego CA; Comptroller, I MEF Headquarters Group, Camp Pendleton, CA; Exercise Budget Officer and G-3 Operations Financial Liaison, Marine Corps Forces Pacific, Camp Smith, HI; and 3d Marine Division Comptroller, Okinawa, Japan.  

LtCol Powers’ personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Navy Commendation Medal (3), U.S. Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign and unit commendations. He is DoD Financial Management Certification Level 3 (DODFM3) accredited. He joined the DRMI faculty in June of 2021.

Natalie J. Webb, professor, and executive director of the DRMI, earned a B.S. in computer science from North Carolina State University in 1982, an M.B.A. from Meredith College in 1986, and a Ph.D. in economics from Duke University in 1992. Dr. Webb has taught and conducted research in defense, nonprofit, and other areas of applied economics and resources management, earning awards for both outstanding teaching and research. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholar Award in 1997 to research nonprofit and government relationships in Oslo, Norway; the U.S. Navy Superior Civilian Service Award in 2006 for her work with executive education for flag and general officers; and Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Award for Outstanding Achievement for exemplary performance as the DRMI executive director for the period December 2015 through January 2017. She has taught military and civilian officials from over 170 countries and has traveled to over 50 countries to teach, conduct workshops, and research issues related to defense resources management and economics. Dr. Webb has been an invited speaker at international conferences and has served on the board of Nonprofit Management and Leadership. She currently conducts research on defense economics, public finance and management, and nonprofit and voluntary organizations, including their interaction with defense and other government agencies and non-governmental organizations. Her research appears in the top nonprofit journals and in multiple economics and management journals. She joined the DRMI faculty in July of 1992. 

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Peter D. Bertelsen is a senior lecturer for the Defense Resources Management Institute (DRMI). The DRMI is a Department of Defense sponsored education component of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)’s Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU), located at the Naval Support Activity Monterey (NSAM) in Monterey, California. He earned a B.A. in history from the University of California at San Diego (1992) and an M.B.A. in international management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management (2001). He joined the DRMI faculty as a lecturer of management in October 2013. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he serves as the DRMI’s international programs and funds manager. Previously, he served as an education associate and a program manager (contractor) in the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Program Office for the U.S. Partnership for Peace Training and Education Center (USPTC) and the Global Public Policy Academic Group where he developed and managed security cooperation programs (workshops and short courses) engaging NPS faculty to address U.S. Combatant Command (COCOM) objectives in partner countries. He has taught in partner capacity building, defense institution building, and defense resources management programs in more than 17 partner nations. Prior to government service, he spent more than 18 years in program management roles, most recently with a regional economic development corporation in southwestern Montana, where he worked with federal, state, and local governments in managing multi-million-dollar community development revolving loan funds and a management consulting program focused on assisting high growth potential organizations with planning and strategy development. Having lived in both Spain and Denmark, he is conversant in Spanish and Danish. He was promoted to senior lecturer in 2021.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Mr. Peter D. Bertelsen is a senior lecturer for the Defense Resources Management Institute (DRMI). The DRMI is a Department of Defense sponsored education component of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)’s Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU), located at the Naval Support Activity Monterey (NSAM) in Monterey, California. He earned a B.A. in history from the University of California at San Diego (1992) and an M.B.A. in international management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management (2001). He joined the DRMI faculty as a lecturer of management in October 2013. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he serves as the DRMI’s international programs and funds manager. Previously, he served as an education associate and a program manager (contractor) in the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Program Office for the U.S. Partnership for Peace Training and Education Center (USPTC) and the Global Public Policy Academic Group where he developed and managed security cooperation programs (workshops and short courses) engaging NPS faculty to address U.S. Combatant Command (COCOM) objectives in partner countries. He has taught in partner capacity building, defense institution building, and defense resources management programs in more than 18 partner nations. Prior to government service, he spent more than 18 years in program management roles, most recently with a regional economic development corporation in southwestern Montana, where he worked with federal, state, and local governments in managing multi-million-dollar community development revolving loan funds and a management consulting program focused on assisting high growth potential organizations with planning and strategy development. Having lived in both Spain and Denmark, he is conversant in Spanish and Danish. He was promoted to senior lecturer in 2021.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Ryan Garcia, assistant professor, received a B.A. in political science and economics from the University of California at Los Angeles and a Ph.D. in political science from Yale University (2011). Prior to joining DRMI in August of 2016, Dr. Garcia was a faculty member at the Rochester Institute of Technology and a research fellow at the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events. His research interests include decision analysis, program evaluation, civil-military relations, and civic engagement. He currently serves as a Civil Affairs officer in the United States Army Reserve.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Troy D. Terronez, senior lecturer and retired commander, U.S. Navy, earned a B.S. in management science and computer systems from Oklahoma State University (1986) and an M.S. in information technology management from the Naval Postgraduate School (2000).  Prior to joining the DRMI faculty in May of 2017, he served in senior Department of Defense (DoD) civilian comptroller positions in the U.S. and Europe following a career as an active duty officer in the U.S. Navy (he retired in 2010).  Mr. Terronez is DoD Financial Management (DoDFM) Certification Program Level III certified, a member of the Department of Defense Acquisition Professional Community (DoD APC), is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III certified  in DoD Acquisition Logistics, a graduate of the Center of Excellence in Logistics and Technology (LOGTECH) from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, the Advanced Management Program (AMP) from The Tench Francis School of Business, and the U.S. Navy Senior Leader Seminar at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Executive Education.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Sean Webeck, assistant professor, received a B.A. in political science and Spanish (2003) from Wabash College, an A.A. in Arabic from the Defense Language Institute (2005), an M.P.A. in national security affairs from Troy University (2010), an M.A. in security studies from Kansas State University (2012), and a Ph.D. in public policy from Indiana University (2018). He was awarded a Boren Fellowship (2011-2012) to study Arabic in Amman, Jordan. Broadly, Dr. Webeck is interested in decision making in public sector organizations. More specifically, his research uses psychology to explain how public managers make decisions. Some of his current research explores how public managers respond to the performance metrics of public sector organizations. Other research seeks to understand how a shared identity affects military Veteran working in the U.S. government. Prior to joining the DRMI faculty in September of 2018, he served on active duty in the U.S. Army for five years as a cryptologic linguist (Arabic). He deployed with the 3rd armored calvary unit (ACR) to Mosul, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2007-2009.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)