The University of Texas at San Antonio today announced the selection of David Brown as the new executive director of its National Security Collaboration Center (NSCC) and professor of practice. Brown will join UTSA with decades of experience leading collaborative research and development ecosystems supporting U.S. national defense strategies.
Brown is a trusted, well-connected leader in civilian and military communities nationwide who has especially strong relationships within U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) organizations, laboratories and commands and has gained national recognition for his transformative leadership in federal research and development (R&D) initiatives and projects. He will join UTSA from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where, as an employee of Battelle Memorial Institute, he served in senior defense program leadership, government affairs and laboratory strategy roles.
“As we continue to expand our knowledge enterprise and grow our R1 culture, the NSCC will play a critical role in realizing federal opportunities in research, workforce and economic development to elevate UTSA as a national security leader,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “Dave’s extensive experience, paired with his vision for the future of the NSCC, aligns exceptionally well with our strategic destination to become a great public research university. I look forward to collaborating with him and witnessing the center’s evolution under his leadership.”
The NSCC is Texas’ largest hub for government, university and industry partners in national security. Members of the center advance research and innovation in forensics, visualization, cybersecurity, data analytics, post-quantum cryptography, attack and threat modeling and mitigation, machine learning and artificial intelligence, and software, hardware and platform integrity. Additional areas of collaboration include training and exercise evaluation, workforce development and educational opportunities for students and the broader military community.
At the same time, the NSCC provides experiential learning opportunities for UTSA students who are interested in national defense careers. This living laboratory is one of the ways that UTSA is developing a highly competitive talent pipeline that is well-prepared to solve society’s evolving security challenges.
“We’re excited to welcome Dr. Brown to UTSA as the NSCC’s newest leader. His broad experience developing new research areas of national importance creates an ideal foundation for developing opportunities for faculty, staff and students while advancing the NSCC’s mission,” said JoAnn Browning, UTSA interim vice president for research, economic development, and knowledge enterprise. “Under Dave’s leadership, we will continue to grow UTSA’s reputation nationally as a trusted research partner and a sandbox for innovative R&D solutions in cybersecurity and national defense.”
As the NSCC’s director, Brown will shape an enhanced strategy that aligns with UTSA’s recently refreshed strategic plan and is deeply connected with partners in the federal landscape. In collaboration with university leadership, he will extend the center’s educational and programmatic offerings, develop deeper and broader partnerships with innovators in the national defense sector, and further position UTSA as a prominent thought leader in national and international security.
San Antonio is home to the largest concentration of cybersecurity experts and industry leaders outside of Washington, D.C., which uniquely positions the city and UTSA to lead the nation in cybersecurity research and workforce and economic development.
“San Antonio’s rich history and unbounded future, paired with the drive and support of UTSA’s entrepreneurial spirit and Tier One culture, provide an exceptional foundation for the NSCC’s success,” said Brown. “I’m eager to join the NSCC to establish new partnerships that build upon the university’s cyber prominence, tackling the leading national security challenges of our time. Abundant opportunities lie ahead for UTSA and NSCC on this exciting journey.”
