Dr. Rob Spalding, Brig Gen, USAF (Ret)

Dr. Rob Spalding, Brig Gen, USAF (Ret), has a diverse and extensive work experience. Dr. Rob is currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer at SEMPRE (Secure EMP-Resistant Edge) since January 2019. Additionally, they hold the position of Board Member at the Jamestown Foundation since January 2020.

Dr. Spalding has also worked as a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, starting from January 2019. Dr. Rob joined the Institute of World Politics as a Research Professor in August 2021 and became a Senior Adviser at the Center for American Defense Studies in February 2021.

Dr. Rob served in the United States Air Force, first as the Special Assistant to the Vice Chief of Staff from February 2018 to November 2018. Prior to this, Dr. Spalding held a significant role as the Senior Director for Strategic Planning at the National Security Council, The White House, from June 2017 to January 2018. Here, they led research, analysis, and framing of President Donald J. Trump’s National Security Strategy, along with various initiatives focused on strategic competition. Dr. Rob also negotiated and collaborated with industry associations, think tank experts, and academic stakeholders.

Their work at the US Embassy as the Senior Defense Official and Defense Attache to China, from December 2016 to May 2017, involved negotiating with the Chinese PLA for the return of an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) to avert an impending international crisis. During this time, they also developed consensus around strategic competition and maintained extensive contacts in the Washington defense and foreign policy communities.

Dr. Spalding served in the Joint Staff as the Senior Advisor on China to the Chairman from July 2014 to December 2016. Dr. Rob led a high-performing team focused on strategic competition with China and advised the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in preparation for National Security Council meetings and Congressional testimony. Additionally, they played a pivotal role in shaping the first classified National Military Strategy since the end of the Cold War.

Earlier in their career, Dr. Spalding served in the United States Air Force, notably as a Senior Military Fellow to the Council on Foreign Relations from July 2013 to July 2014. Dr. Rob also held various leadership roles, including Vice Commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, Commander of the 509th Operations Group, and Chief of Safety for the 509th Bomb Wing. During their tenure, they led strikes in Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya, orchestrated the first B-2 mission in South Korea, and developed a global communications solution for the B-2 aircraft at almost zero cost to the government.

Dr. Rob Spalding, Brig Gen, USAF (Ret) has a diverse education history. Dr. Rob began their academic journey at California State University, Fresno, where they pursued a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics from 1985 to 1993. Following this, they attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where they obtained a PhD in Economics and Mathematics from 1998 to 2007. In 2012, Dr. Spalding enrolled in the Executive Leadership Development Program at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, N.C.