His current research centers on quantitative analysis and modeling of social systems and self-organizing social networks. In August 2012, he retired as a senior executive from the Department of Defense (DOD), where he had a number of assignments, culminating as deputy director of the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO). His work was featured in an article in the 31 March 2011 article of Nature, entitled “Web of War.” He also served five years as a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine officer, and 22 years as an analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency. He holds a Ph.D. in systems engineering and operations research (from George Mason) and master’s degrees from The George Washington University and Georgetown University and a B.S. from Cornell.