Distinguished Faculty
Mike Grunwald, Colonel (R), USAF
As a USAF intelligence officer, Mike led analytical efforts as ISR Director of Operations and Squadron Commander, and Chief of the ISR Division at Al Udeid, built solid analytical foundations for the US Air Force as the 17th Training Group Commander, and ultimately as the AETC Director of Intelligence, Innovation, and Analysis. Mike was critical to intelligence operations across nine deployments and consistently delivered – and trained his Airmen and Joint service personnel to deliver– high quality predictive intelligence analysis and full spectrum support to multi-domain operations. In addition to teaching at ISR University, Mr Grunwald is also a current instructor for the US Air War College. Mike holds of Master of Strategic Studies from National War College, a Master of Military Operational Air and Science from Air Command and Staff College, and a Master of Arts in Air Power History from American Military University. He is a graduate of the US Air Force Weapons School and holds a Bachelor of Science in History from the US Air Force Academy.
Jon Kimminau, Defense Intelligence Senior Leader / Colonel (R), USAF
Jon “Doc” Kimminau has nearly 40 years of Air Force Intelligence experience. After serving 30 years active duty in AF signals intelligence, reconnaissance, and command roles from squadron up to two different Centers, he served eight years as a Defense Intelligence Senior Leader (DISL) and a the principal advisor to the DCS/ISR on analytic tradecraft, substantive intelligence capabilities, acquisition of analysis technology, human capital and standards. He formulated and established analysis doctrine; liaised with intelligence analysis focal points in the Intelligence Community, and established mechanisms to enhance USAF analytic capabilities. His last assignment was joint duty as the Special Advisor to the Director of Operations, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Kimberlee Shaneyfelt, nee Joos, Colonel (R), USAF
Kimberlee Shaneyfelt served 23 years in the USAF. Her primary military specialty was intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, commanding the AMC Air Intelligence Squadron, the Misawa Security Operations Center/373rd ISR Group, and, ultimately, the 17th Training Wing, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southeast Missouri State University, a Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University, a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategy from Air University, and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University. She was appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott as a Commissioner for the Texas Veterans Commission in 2018 and is also involved in volunteer work with the Denton County Master Gardener Association and St Mark Catholic Church in Denton, TX.
Senior Instructors
Jack Anthony, Colonel (R), USAF
Jack Anthony served 44 years in many space research, engineering, operations, leadership, program management and education roles, including 26 years in the US Air Force. He worked in the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and in many roles with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Notable assignments include US Air Force Academy astronautics teacher, squadron commander, program manager for the development and flight of space vehicles, aircraft flight test engineer, space control system operations officer. In 2003, he served as the Department of Defense liaison deployed to NASA Johnson Space Center in support of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident investigation. In 1984 he was selected to be a visiting educator at the USAF Test Pilot School for AF Shuttle payload specialist. Jack has 18 years as a contractor supporting the Air Force and Space Force. He’s served as a spacecraft operations leader and technical advisor for orbit maneuvering and rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) missions. He was the operations leader for USAF Academy FalconSAT spacecraft operations with the cadet crew force. He served in the Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP) as a technical advisor, program manager and engineer leading several space defense and satellite protection related studies and analyses. Presently he serves as an advisor in the National Space Defense Center/Joint Task Force-Space Defense and mentor space and intelligence experts standing watch at this critical space defense operations center. In this role, he is “on-call” advisor called in when his experience and know-how are deemed helpful to current situations. He teaches military personnel understand orbit mechanics, RPO and other sometimes confusing spaceflight dynamics situations. He earned the call sign “Sensei” and tries to live up to its meaning as an operator, engineer and teacher. Recently he was selected to be a consultant for the Royal Australian Air Force space operations program. Jack is also on the Board of Directors for the Alaska Aerospace Corporation which operates the Kodiak Space Launch Complex.
Dr. Joe Bassi, Lieutenant Colonel (R), USAF
Dr. Joseph P. (Joe) Bassi is a senior space instructor at ISR University, adjunct professor at Angelo State University and adjunct lecturer at the University of Texas/El Paso (National Security Studies). He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and specializes in the history of space sciences, and US science policy. His is also an elected life member of Clare Hall, Cambridge University. During his PhD program at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Dr. Bassi was a Guggenheim pre-doctoral fellow in Space History at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. He has also been a NASA Space Grant research fellow at the Space Policy Institute/George Washington University and was at one time employed by the Aerospace Corporation as an advisor to JFCC-Space/J2 at Vandenberg AFB. From 2010 until 2017 retirement, he was an assistant professor of arts and science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University/Worldwide. Joe served twenty-six years on active duty, including space-related command, staff, operational, and teaching assignments. He also has Masters degrees in Meteorology (Penn State), Astrophysics (University of Colorado), and History (George Washington University). He graduated from Manhattan College in the Bronx, New York with a BS in Physics (Phi Beta Kappa) and was a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program and has completed many professional military education programs.
Scott Brodeur, Colonel (R), USAF
Scott Brodeur served over 25 years in the United States Space Force and Air Force. He is a space command and control expert and the only officer to command the Joint Space Operations Center, Combined Space Operations Center, and National Space Defense Center. He strengthened our coalition partner relationships, space situational awareness, data sharing and interoperability between US and coalition/allied space operations centers in the UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, South Korea, and NATO. He normalized commercial space integration and information sharing through USSPACECOM’s Commercial Integration Cell and JTF-Space Defense Commercial Office. He served in a variety of operational assignments in space electronic warfare, space defense, space battle management, space command and control, special programs, and he deployed numerous times in support of contingency operations worldwide to include I Marine Expeditionary Force surge in Fallujah, Iraq 2007-08. He commanded the 4th Space Control Squadron, 1st Expeditionary Space Control Squadron (Afghanistan), and the 614th Air Operations Center. Mr. Brodeur is a graduate of the College of Charleston in South Carolina earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He is a USAF Weapons School graduate and Weapons School instructor and earned master’s degrees from Central Michigan University, Air Command and Staff College, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, and US Army War College. Additionally, he completed a leadership and decision-making executive leadership program at Harvard Kennedy School. Mr. Brodeur is a Non-resident Senior Space Fellow at the Mitchell Institute, a non-partisan think tank in Washington, D.C. where he provides space operations expertise and thought leadership on current space issues. He is writing a book on space command and control. Scott is also the co-founder of Trifecta Space Solutions, LLC providing strategic consulting to a variety of clients on strategic communications, coalition space integration and space operations center interoperability, commercial space integration, and space professional education, exercises, and wargames. He is a retired USSF Colonel.
Jason Dean, Master Sergeant (R), USAF
Jason Dean has over 20 years of space experience focusing on Electronic Warfare, systems Acquisitions and Satellite Rendezvous and Proximity Operations. Jason retired from the Air Force in June 2019 as the Strategy Division Branch Chief for the National Space Defense Center. While there, he was the enlisted lead for space defense strategy development and recommendations to US Strategic Command. Prior to that, Jason served as the Section Chief for Plans and Architecture at the 16th Space Control Squadron where he led a team responsible for acquiring Air Force Space Commands (AFSPC) newest Defensive Space Control systems. Jason also served as the Flight Chief of operations support for the 1st Space Operations Squadron where he helped lead an 8-man team responsible for the acquisition and operationalization of the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program and the mission planning and orbital analysis for AFSPC’s sole space based SSA sensors (GSSAP, SBSS and ATRR). Jason also served as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Operations Training for the Upgraded Early Warning Solid-State Phased Array Radar at the 12th Space Warning Squadron in Thule AB, Greenland and the NCOIC of the Advanced Capabilities Environment for the 25th Space Range Squadron responsible for Tactics and Technique development and training for tailored Electronic Warfare (EW) systems. During this time, he deployed to Al Udeid, Qatar, and led strategy development for EW systems. His earliest assignments include Operations Training NCO and Subject Matter Expert for the 4th Space Control Squadron developing operations and training for the Counter Communications Systems over 40 operators as well as a Data Systems Supervisor and line instructor for Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) and the Defense Support Program’s (DSP) satellite constellations of space-based Missile Warning sensors. Currently, Jason is the Space Team Lead for ISR University. Jason is a graduate of the Advanced Orbital Mechanics, Advanced Space Situational Awareness and Space 200 courses from the National Security Space Institute, is Acquisitions certified from Defense Acquisition University and holds a degree in Space Operations Technology. He is a retired Air Force Master Sergeant.
Greg Gillinger, Colonel (R), USAF
Greg Gillinger has over 26 years of ISR experience with a focus on the information (cyber) and space domains. Greg’s last Air Force assignment was as the ISR Director for 14th AF (the Space NAF) as well as the Chief of the ISR Directorate in the Combined Space Operations Center. While at Vandenberg he led the creation of the first ISR mission qualification training program. Greg also served as the Vice Wing Commander of the 70th ISR Wing at Fort Meade MD, where he helped lead a 5,700 member organization to two consecutive Air Force Outstanding Unit awards. Greg also was selected to serve in the National Security Council under President Obama. There he advised and authored cyber, space and ISR policy recommendations and coordinated whole of government responses to international events such as the North Korean hacking of Sony Pictures and the Russian invasion of Eastern Ukraine. He deployed to Al Udeid, Qatar, and led analytical efforts as the Deputy Chief of the ISR Division and coordinated the intelligence response to an Iranian attempt to shoot down a US unmanned aerial vehicle. In addition to teaching at ISR University, Mr Gillinger is a program manager for AT&T and delivers connectivity solutions and intelligence professional services across the Air Force. Greg holds of Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence from National Intelligence University, and a Master of Science in Telecommunications from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara where he majored in Political Science and History.
Instructors
Dr. Larissa Beavers, Master Sergeant (R), USAF
Dr. Larissa Beavers is a retired U.S. Air Force Intelligence Professional with a focus on signals and cyber intelligence, and also served as a First Sergeant. Her space experience includes Senior Space Curriculum Developer and Instructor for the 533rd Training Squadron, Vandenberg AFB. As a mother of 3 boys, she understands the importance of teaching and leading with enthusiasm and compassion. Larissa holds a Doctorate in Strategic Intelligence from American Public University, a Master of Arts in Intelligence Collection Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Intelligence Studies. Larissa has utilized her professional and academic skills to connect theory to practice by drawing connections between academic literature and professional implementation, publishing multiple articles in Modern Diplomacy.
Jayci Cachuela
Jayci Cachuela has extensive ISR experience with a focus on UAV operations and the space domain. Jayci’s last military assignment was as the Chief of the Space Analysis Branch at the Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSCC) where she developed the first CFSCC/CJ2 training program. While at Vandenberg, she also led the Analysis, Correlation, Fusion team at the Combined Space Operations Center providing adversary use of space updates to five combatant commands, the Combined Space Operations Center, CFSCC, and Coalition Space Operations Centers. Jayci also served as the Assistant Director of Operations at the 94th Intelligence Squadron and was responsible for providing global threat warning to troops on the ground through the use of UAVs and manned reconnaissance flights. Her earliest assignments include Flight Commander for the Standardization and Evaluation Team and Mission Operations Commander for both UAVs and manned aerial vehicle flights at the 13th Intelligence Squadron. She has been deployed to Al Udeid as an Intelligence Engagement Officer. While there, she stood up the first intelligence tactical coordinator program for partner nations. Jayci has also been deployed to Mali, where she worked as a UN Military Intelligence Advisor for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali mentoring 21 partner nations to combat the very extremist organization situation in West Africa. She holds a Master of Science in Intelligence Studies from the American Military University and is a graduate of the University of California at San Diego where she majored in Political Science/International Relations. Jayci is a former U.S. Air Force officer.
Bryan Card
Bryan Card, PMP, is assigned to the International Partnerships Branch of the United States Space Force. Recently, Bryan served as the Assistant Director of Operations at the 533 Training Squadron, where he helped lead the transformation of Undergraduate Space Training by instilling warfighting context and culture into the course. Bryan also served as the chief of weapons and tactics for the 710th Combat Operations Squadron, where he was responsible for training and tactics development for the 110-member operational command and control squadron. Prior to joining the Air Force Reserves, Bryan spent five years in the US Army, serving as an air defense officer and infantryman. Bryan has been deployed to the Combined Air Operations Center in Al Udeid, where he served as a nonkinetic duty officer, integrating air, space, and cyber capabilities into joint operations against ISIS. He also deployed to Afghanistan in 2005 as part of Task Force Bayonet. In addition to being adjunct faculty at ISR University, Bryan is contract support to Air Combat Command’s Weapons and Tactics Branch. Bryan is a graduate of the US Air Force Weapons School and the Joint Interface Control Officer Course. He holds a Master of Science in Intelligence and National Security Studies from the University of Texas at El Paso and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stanford University. Bryan is a reserve officer in the U.S. Air Force.
Ben Large, Wing Commander (R), RAF (UK)
Ben Large has over 21 years of Air C2, Space and ISR experience. He is a Combat-proven warfighter, and has served on operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, the South Atlantic, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. An Air Battle Manager by background, he flew over 2500 hours on AWACS between 2004 and 2013 as a Weapons controller, Senior Director and Mission Crew Commander, instructor and evaluator. During this time, he was also a Qualified Multi-Engine Tactics Instructor (RAF Weapons School Graduate), specializing in Air C2 and ISR, and deployed as the RAF’s ISR and RPA specialist to CAOC CENTCOM. In 2013 he undertook an assignment to HQ NATO Air Command as a NATO operational planner and Air C2 Systems expert; here he led a Crisis Action Team for the HQ in response to the Ukraine crises. In 2015 Ben returned to the UK to assume the role of National Representative; he held Tactical Command of the UK’s air defense system, providing military advice to the highest levels of Government. In 2016, he was appointed as an Exchange Officer with US Air and Space Forces at Vandenberg SFB, a position he held for 5 years. He was a Space operations strategist and planner, and the first UK Chief of Current Operations to serve at the Combined Space Operations Center. Ben is an instructor and course developer, in addition to being an Air & Space C2 consultant and RAF Reservist. Ben is a graduate of Imperial College, London, where he studied Geology.
Jeff Montgomery, Lieutenant Colonel (R), USAF
Jeff Montgomery is a USAF veteran with 20 years’ experience in multiple tactical and theater operations and large scale exercises. His experience ranges from ground tactical air control systems, F-16 operations, C-130 operations, air operations center, targeting, counter-insurgency operations, and analysis. Mr. Montgomery’s training experience includes USAF and foreign military course design, development, and execution since 2009, including over 2500 AETC contact hours in the following technical training course: USAF Intelligence Officer Applications Course, USAF Intelligence Analyst Course, and the USAF Targeting Analysis Course. He’s well- versed across multiple training delivery methods: guided discussion, formal lecture, exercise, and distance learning. Mr. Montgomery currently resides in Texas with his wife Ginger, daughter Erin, and son Jackson.
Todd Morris, Master Sergeant (R), USAF
After a successful 22-year career with the USAF, Todd has spent the last decade instructing hundreds of US and foreign military students in Critical Thinking, Targeting, ISR Operations, and Unit Operations as a defense contractor. While in service, Todd held positions at the Unit, Wing, MAJCOM, Unified, Joint, and AOC levels of operations, ultimately serving as the Flight Chief for Intelligence Operations at the 95 Reconnaissance Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom. Todd currently resides in San Angelo, TX with his wife, Lea Ann, and his youngest daughter, Emily.
Rob Sullivan, Master Sergeant (R), USAF
“Sully” Sullivan is the Director of International Training. He is a seasoned intelligence expert with a strong background in unit-level intelligence training and analysis. Throughout his U.S. Air Force career, Sully held critical positions building and training high performance intelligence teams supporting F-16 and A-10 operations around the world, including 10 combat related deployments and four deployments in support of humanitarian and disaster relief operations. As the Intelligence Superintendent at Red Flag – Alaska, he oversaw the development of training curriculum and execution of the intelligence training scenario for over 15 Large Force Exercises that included coalition and international partners. His breadth of experience includes security management for the Ground Based Missile Defense program in Alaska, being a credentialed Field Intelligence Officer for the Transportation Security Administration, and most recently an international intelligence instructor developing curriculum and teaching international students from places such as Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Cameroon, and Iraq.
Thomas “Dee” Zimmerman, Lieutenant Colonel (R), USAF
Dee Zimmerman is a former enlisted Cryptologic Linguist, C-130 Navigator, Theater Airlift Liaison Officer (TALO), and Intelligence Officer. A graduate of the Defense Language Institute of Monterey, where he was immersed in Arabic language and cultural studies, he was later selected early in his career to become a classroom and airborne instructor for the Compass Call, EC-130 jamming system. After selection for OTS, he held positions as a C-130 navigator, where he routinely flew the RC-130 “Senior Scout” aircraft in Central and South America. After moving to the Tanker Airlift Control Squadron, he became an Operations Officer and TALO and joined 13th ASOS supporting the US Army during the initial invasion of Iraq. After returning from Iraq, Dee became an instructor for the TALO program before joining the USAF Reserves as an Intelligence Officer. He held positions as Chief of Targeting for the JIOWC, Senior Intelligence Officer at the squadron level, and Senior Intelligence Duty Officer for AMC/TACC. He has deployed to the CENTCOM, SOUTHCOM, and EUCOM theaters multiple times in support of the Kosovo Campaign, Operation Southern Watch, the War on Drugs, and OIF.
Adjunct Instructors
Kevin Wooten, Brigadier General (R), USAF
Kevin Wooton is owner and principal of Wooton Consulting Group, LLC, providing strategic direction and support in cybersecurity and intelligence issues across the spectrum of commercial and federal organizations. Wooton Consulting’s clients range from Fortune 500 companies to new small business start-ups. Kevin is a retired brigadier general of the United States Air Force with nearly 29 years of military service, culminating in the Principal Deputy Director of Air, Space, and Cyberspace Operations at Air Force Space Command where he oversaw the organizing, training, and equipping of Air Force Space Command units for globally integrated space, cyberspace, and ISR operations. Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in geophysics from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University. The Hoover Institution at Stanford University also named him a National Security Fellow.
Jennifer Sovada, Colonel (R), USAF
Air Force innovation leader and Forbes Top 50 AI in Government Influencer Jen Sovada is the Chief Futures Officer and Senior Vice President / General Manager for the Defense market for the Intelligence Community (IC) start-up MissionTech Solutions. Jen is responsible to bring MissionTech’s model for integrating new technologies into government to defense clients. In her last job in the Air Force, Jen served as the Chief of Talent Management for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Cyber Effects Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, where she was responsible for the career development of over 35,000 Airmen across the Air Force ISR Enterprise including enlisted, officer and civilian. Prior to her work leading talent management, Jen served as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for ISR and conducted outreach to the private sector where she fostered communication and transparency to enable improved DoD, IC, and USAF strategy development, acquisition, tech advancements and operational capability. She previously served as the Wing Commander of the Air Force Technical Applications Center and as a Chief of Staff of the Air Force Fellow. As a fellow, she served one year at the Central Intelligence Agency and one year as the Air Force representative to Chief of Staff of the Army’s Strategic Studies Group.
Kent D. Benjamin, Supervisory Special Agent (R), Department of Commerce (DoC)
Kent D. Benjamin is the Vice President / Co-Founder of C2Integrations LLC, providing Tactical and Strategic consulting and support to Department of Defense (DoD), Inter-Agency (IA) and Law Enforcement (LE) Agencies both foreign and domestic. Mr. Benjamin has over twenty years of experience as a Special Agent working on complex CWMD critical technology cases. While serving as Unit Chief for DoC National Security Division Mr. Benjamin was responsible for facilitating investigative cases and joint operational initiatives, between the DoD, Intelligence Community, Foreign Governments, and other Law Enforcement Agencies. Mr. Benjamin served as a Supervisory Special Agent responsible for overseeing Special Agents working at locations in nine countries; his duties included managing strategic outreach engagement and foreign engagement programs. Mr. Benjamin is the recipient of two Gold Medals; Department of Commerce’s highest award for the “For Excellence in the disruption of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorist procurement networks.” From 2002-2003, Mr. Benjamin was deployed with the United States Army, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he was stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as a Senior Interrogator for High Value Detainees. He was again deployed from 2003-2004 in support of Iraqi Freedom as First Sergeant responsible for ten, four man tactical HUMNIT teams, stationed throughout Iraq. Mr. Benjamin retired from military service after twenty seven years.
Dr. Tom Ruby, Colonel (R), USAF
Tom Ruby is CEO of Bluegrass Critical Thinking Solutions, a business and defense consulting firm. He is a retired Air Force Colonel who served 26 years on active duty, with positions including Squadron Intelligence Officer, Chief of Doctrine for the AF ISR Enterprise, and Chief of Special Programs for the Air Force Materiel Command. He was Associate Dean of the Air Command and Staff College, where he developed exchange programs with the NATO School, the French École Militaire, the German General Staff College and Poland’s National Defense University. He served on General Petraeus’ Joint Strategic Assessment Team as well as in three combat deployments. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Kentucky and actively mentors graduate students through the American Political Science Association. He is morality in warfare.
Matt Crouse
Matt Crouse is an Independent Consultant and Data Analyst who assists companies and Senior Leaders develop and build-out robust analytical solutions that help drive company performance. Before becoming a consultant, Matt spent over 10 years as Business/Financial Analyst for several large Healthcare corporations, including CHS, HCA and Cigna. After a successful career creating reporting tools and analysis, Matt now focuses his time creating learning opportunities for young analysts as well as providing Business Analysis for State and National Government. Matt currently lives in Nashville, TN with his wife and 2 children and enjoys running, weightlifting, shenanigans, and tomfoolery.
Chris Phelps
Raised in a politically conscious family, Chris developed a love for international affairs and the discussion of complex problems at an early age. He served in the United States Air Force as a senior intelligence analyst for an around-the-clock intelligence center. After separation from service, Chris became a business intelligence and data analyst by day and a consultant, educator, and aspiring author by night. Chris currently works with a team of incredible people to tackle some of the foundational issues facing modern intelligence analysis. He also authors articles on geopolitical, military, environmental, and law enforcement topics. Chris is an outdoors enthusiast, residing in North Western Florida.