BIO

Senior Advisor

Former Deputy Under Secretary of Homeland Security and Former White House National Security Council Director and Acting Senior Director

Ron brings over 25 years of national security experience ranging from service as a Deputy Under Secretary, to over a half decade in the White House with two Presidents, and leadership of units in combat overseas as a Marine Corps infantry officer.

As the former U.S. Department of Homeland Security Deputy Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (renamed in 2018 as the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)), Ron led 16,000 federal law enforcement, civilian and contracted personnel operating in 50 states and four territories, with an annual budget of $3.2 billion dollars. Ron focused on the protection of critical infrastructure (public and private), cybersecurity, counterterrorism and the integration of advanced national security technologies. As the Deputy Under Secretary, he led the offices of Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis, Infrastructure Protection, Biometrics and Identity Management and the Federal Protective Service. He also integrated the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications to create a holistic approach to infrastructure protection.

Ron previously served in the White House for over six years with President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush. With President Obama, he served in the White House on the National Security Council as a Director and later as acting Senior Director for Defense Policy and Strategy from 2009 to 2014.

Ron is a retired Marine Corps infantry and force reconnaissance officer who led units ranging in size from 40 to 7,200 personnel in combat overseas. He also served as a senior advisor to the Multi-National Forces Iraq Commander and to the Commander of U.S. Central Command.

Dr. Clark is an Adjunct Professor at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University whose current research focus is on the pandemic and resilience of vulnerable communities. Previously, he served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia specializing in military history, leadership and ethics. Ron participated in the NYC 9/11 Search and Rescue Operation and supported the launch of a Hurricane Katrina Emergency Operations Center in New Orleans. He serves on multiple boards and is also a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Ron is the recipient of numerous awards including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal and two National Security Council Outstanding Service Awards.

Ron is the CEO of Spartan Strategy and Risk Management serving U.S. private sector clients with differentiated strategic insights into business environments. Spartan Strategy focuses on solving complex problems across the threat spectrum ranging from cybersecurity, to the application of innovative technological solutions and advanced manufacturing. He is also a Senior Advisor with Adelphi Capitol focused on strategic investments.

Ron received a B.A. from the University of Rochester, as well as two M.Ed. degrees and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. His late wife Dr. Shannon Kula was a Congressional Candidate and Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski.