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.

Beth Manning, CRA

Senior Director, Finance and Administration

Beth Manning is a senior finance and operations executive with more than twenty years of experience leading complex, research-driven organizations within higher education and government-funded environments. As Senior Director of Finance and Administration for the National Security Collaboration Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio), she oversees financial strategy, operational execution, and regulatory compliance for a rapidly growing national security research portfolio.

Beth has extensive expertise in financial management, sponsored programs administration, risk management, and organizational operations. Throughout her career, she has led initiatives that strengthened financial stewardship, improved operational efficiency, enhanced data-driven decision-making, and reinforced institutional compliance and oversight. She previously served as Assistant Vice President for Research Finance and Operations at UT San Antonio, where she established and led a centralized organization integrating grants accounting, audit and risk management, and research systems. Recognized for translating complex financial information into strategic insight, Beth is known for building collaborative partnerships across executive leadership, faculty, researchers, and external stakeholders. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Research Administrator.

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).