Bob Work

Bob Work was the Deputy Secretary of Defense from 2014-2017. He is an expert in defense strategy, planning, programming and budgeting, dual-use technologies, and defense transformation. He is a Distinguished Senior Fellow in Defense and National Security at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), a Senior Counselor at the Telemus Group, a Senior Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and a member of the Enlightenment Capital Advisory Board.

Following a 27-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he attained the rank of Colonel, Bob was a Senior Fellow and Vice President for Strategic Studies at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA). In 2008, he served on President-elect Barack Obama’s Department of Defense Transition Team as leader of the Department of the Navy issues team. From 2009-2013, he was the Undersecretary of the Navy, responsible for the day-to-day management of the Department of the Navy. Following a year as CEO of CNAS, President Obama appointed Bob as the 31st Deputy Secretary of Defense. During his three years as Deputy Secretary, Bob oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Department of Defense and the development of its $600 billion programs and budget for three different Secretaries of Defense. He was an adjunct professor at George Washington University and is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Bob earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Illinois, a Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, a Master of Science in Space System Operations from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master in International Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).