Leadership and Staff
David Brown, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Dave Brown, Ph.D. currently serves as the Executive Director of the National Security Collaboration Center (NSCC) at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA). With decades of experience leading collaborative research and development (R&D) ecosystems supporting U.S. national defense strategies, Brown is a trusted, well-connected leader in civilian and military communities nationwide. Brown’s network of strong relationships within U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) organizations, laboratories and industry has gained him national recognition for his transformative leadership in federal R&D initiatives and projects.
Before the NSCC, he served as the Defense Program Development Director at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where, as an employee of Battelle Memorial Institute, he served in several senior leadership roles focused on supporting government affairs and laboratory strategy. Several key initiatives from these programs include; technology development and tech transfer, threat detection & risk deterrence, infrastructure sustainability & security, and countering cyberattacks. In addition to his experience, Brown holds a doctorate in microbiology (immunology) from Ohio State University.
John Huggins, Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer
Dr. John Huggins currently serves as the Technology Officer of the National Security Collaboration Center (NSCC) at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), leading the center’s technical research thrusts including cybersecurity, electromagnetic spectrum operations, and artificial intelligence/machine learning. He has over twenty years of research and operational experience with the Department of Defense and other Federal programs, including as a Principal Research Engineer at Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) and a U.S. Naval Flight Officer.
During his employment at GTRI, Dr. Huggins led a systems engineering research-focused branch and directed research and technical activities in support of multiple Federal sponsors. Prior to his employment at GTRI, Dr. Huggins served as a naval flight officer flying in the EA-6B Prowler and the EA-18G Growler aircraft, leading personnel in the execution of their duties ranging from aircraft maintenance to flight test. In addition, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.
Jason Ellis, Ph.D.
Chief Strategy Officer
Jason Ellis is Chief Strategy Officer with the National Security Collaboration Center (NSCC), University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Dr. Ellis has a quarter-century of public and private sector experience at the intersection of national security policy, research and development, and higher education. Among his prior assignments, he served as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, as Deputy Program Director for Defense and Intelligence with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, as Senior Research Professor with the National Defense University, and as Senior Director for Asymmetric Strategies with Hicks & Associates, Inc.
He earned a Ph.D. in International Relations from American University, an Executive MBA from St. Mary's College, and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego. He has served on the faculty of the National War College and American University and has held research appointments with the Center for a New American Security, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C., and with the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, a research component within the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
Nalu Kaahaaina
Chief Technology Officer
Nalu Kaahaaina brings over twenty years of research and development experience to the University of Texas at San Antonio, having served in leadership, technology, and teaching roles. As Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Kaahaaina partners with customers to identify, develop, and deploy technologies that enhance national security. Before UTSA, Mr. Kaahaaina worked for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), where he held various positions in defense and energy, all focused on strategy, program management, and business development. As part of his LLNL duties, Mr. Kaahaaina embedded with a Department of Defense Joint Acquisition Task Force and, separately, a U.S. Special Operations unit, to develop technologies for defense applications.
Mr. Kaahaaina also studied technology startups and finance during an LLNL sabbatical at Mohr Davidow Ventures. Previously, Nalu worked at Stanford University with a dual appointment as both faculty and technical staff where he managed a joint engine research project with General Motors and Bosch. Prior to Stanford, Nalu was a consultant at TIAX, LLC where he specialized in automotive technology and policy.
Beth Manning, CFRA
Senior Director, Finance and Administration
Beth Manning is Senior Director for Finance and Administration at the University of Texas at San Antonio and provides leadership, development, administrative and financial management for the National Security Collaboration Center. In her current position, Ms. Manning is responsible for managing administrative and financial activities, including budget and restructuring research financial plans to ensure alignment with strategic initiatives.
Ms. Manning earned her B.B.A. in Accounting from Texas A&M University in 1990 and is a Certified Financial Research Administrator. She began her career in higher education as a post-award research administrator with the Texas A&M Research Foundation and spent several years with the Texas Engineering Experiment Station in contract negotiation and administration. Ms. Manning also worked six years for The A&M University System Office of Budgets and Accounting as a senior accountant preparing a variety of state and federal financial reports, overseeing grants administration, and providing system-wide training of fiscal policies and procedures.
She joined UTSA’s Office of Research in 2006 after spending fourteen years serving the Texas A&M community. Ms. Manning was UTSA’s first research contract negotiator responsible for the negotiation of all sponsored contracts, agreements and subcontracts with various federal, state and private entities, including MOUs, MOAs, Material Transfer Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreement, Teaming Agreements and Consortia Agreements. Her extensive financial and accounting background enabled her to move into the VP’s office as its Director for Finance and then Assistant Vice President for Research Finance and Operations. Ms. Manning has led many diverse teams including Research Finance, Grants and Contracts Financial Services, Quality Assurance and Risk Management, Research Infrastructure Support and the Research Computing and Business Intelligence units. She also served as UTSA’s representative on the UT System Research Core Governance Committee.
Sarah Spencer
Engagement Manager
Sarah Spencer is the Engagement Manager for the National Security Collaboration Center at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA). With over 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors, Sarah has a background working with Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, startups, and federal & state agencies to establish operational standards and brand identities. Before joining UTSA, Sarah’s career began in K-12 education as an educator and administrator, later moving into business development and operational management for upscale hospitality brands. She successfully managed and secured a proposal for UTSA to launch a $110M institute focused on cybersecurity for U.S. manufacturing through the Department of Energy (DOE). Sarah has also contributed capture management support for a variety of other government proposals from the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Institute for Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department of Defense (DoD).
Charles 'Coz' Cosnowski, MSAE, MAS, MCW
Research Lead
Colonel (Ret.) Charles R. Cosnowski is the Research lead for the National Security Collaboration Center where he leads/manages the portfolio of research projects across the academic departments at UTSA, mainly in the areas of Computer Science and Cybersecurity.
He was formerly the Director of the Joint Electromagnetic Warfare Center (JEWC), at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He led a joint center that assesses electromagnetic warfare requirements, technology, and capabilities. Additionally in this position, Colonel Cosnowski advised the Joint Staff, NATO, and Services on electromagnetic warfare policy and doctrine, and identified requirement gaps and solutions. He oversaw center modeling & simulation, analysis, and electromagnetic spectrum activity coordination between Combatant Commands, OSD, the Joint Staff and other U.S. government agencies.
Before his time at the JEWC, Colonel Cosnowski served in various Joint and Air Force units at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. He is a command pilot with over 1800 hours, including 200 hours of combat time, in the F-16, F-117, T-38, and MQ-1 and was a graduate of and instructor at the United States Air Force Weapons School (USAFWS).
Michelle Atchison, Ph.D.
Director, Federal Relations
Senior National Security Strategist
Dr. Michelle Atchison serves as the Director of Federal Relations based in Washington DC and leads relations for the University of Texas System with the Department of Defense, focusing on research and collaborative opportunities. Her responsibilities include developing strategies, research partnerships, and formal agreement opportunities. Dr. Michelle Atchison held an appointment as the Federal Partners Group Chief for the Mission Integration Directorate within the National Counterintelligence and Security Center under the Office of the Direction of National Intelligence. Before joining UTSA, Dr. Atchison served as the University of Texas System as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Federal Relations for National Security.
Before joining the UT System, Michelle served in leadership positions with Lockheed Martin Corporation and the Military. In her corporate roles, Michelle led Strategic Partnership Development for Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories and Washington Operations focused on accelerating technology transition efforts. In her technical role she led the Corporate Technical Investment Program (LMTIP); developed and led the CET Research Portal to support integration and coordination of Internal R&D efforts across major corporate business areas; and served as the Chief Scientist for the Lockheed Martin Center for Innovation, the Corporation’s premier Experimentation and Modeling-Simulation.
In her military roles, Michelle served for 27 years in a variety of military command and senior staff positions including Chief, of Science, and Technology (S&T) Division, USJFCOM Experimentation; Chief Scientist for Air Force Experimentation Office and Science Advisor for the Air Force Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center. Michelle established and managed multi-service teams to support strategic and industrial plans to identify technology work among Services, DOD, Government agencies and commercial efforts. Her military-technical projects included: building the front-end analysis of concept development - adopted by NATO partners as their program template; the Military coordinator for the Congressionally-sponsored Scientist and Technology Conference; Technology Panel Chairman for the NATO Conference on Concept Development and Experimentation; and functioning as the DoD representative to the multinational Study on Warfighting and Technology sponsored by US Center for Research and Education in Strategy and Technology (USCREST).
Richard Rodriguez, MSDA, ITIL4
Director, Partnership Development
Richard Rodriguez holds an appointment as Director of Partnership Development for the National Security Collaboration Center (NSCC) at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) with a business intent to accelerate new ventures through academic research.
His prior appointments include; Director of Information Management and Technology at the UTSA College of Education and Human Development; Technology Analyst and Licensing Assistant at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio commercialization office, a.k.a., South Texas Technology Management; and as Director of Communications at Southwest Preparatory School District in San Antonio, Texas.
Richard earned his Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University, College Station, his Master of Science in Data Analytics from UTSA, and is a doctoral student researcher for the Information Systems and Cyber Security Department at UTSA focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) agentic systems for cyber threat intelligence and forensics.
Richard is the Immediate Past-President and Founder of Alamo Inventors Inc. (501c3), a community of individual inventors and independent entrepreneurs. He is often invited as a speaker at conferences and workshops on topics of invention and commercialization. His work and advocacy for this community has been written about in various publications, covered in radio and television and social media. He is a talented and experienced leader who is committed to using technology to make a positive difference in the world.
