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.

Senior Director, Operations

Dr. John Huggins currently serves as the Senior Director of Operations at 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.

Senior Director, Strategy

Jason Ellis is the Senior Director of Strategy 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

Senior Director, Technology 

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 Senior Director of Technology, 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 earned her B.B.A. in Accounting from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Research Financial 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 Texas A&M University System as senior accountant preparing state and federal financial reports, overseeing grants administration, and providing system-wide training of fiscal policies and reporting procedures.

Ms. Manning joined UTSA in 2006 and has led many diverse teams in the Office of the Vice President for Research 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 is currently Senior Director for Finance and Administration and provides leadership, development, administrative and financial management for the National Security Collaboration Center.

Sarah Spencer

Senior Director, Communications

Sarah Spencer is the Senior Director of Communications 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).