Eric Sterner, MA

DSS 797 Cyberspace and American Power

Professional Experience

Faculty, Missouri State University, Graduate Department of Defense and Strategic Studies Faculty, 2012-Present

Fellow, George C. Marshall Institute, 2009-Present

Research, analysis, writing, and media commentary focus on the political, military, and economic impact of new technologies, particularly information, communication, and space technologies, with attention to WMD proliferation problems.

Vice President, Federal Services, Terrestar Networks, Inc., 2007-2008

Responsible for strategic partnerships in satellite/terrestrial networks focusing on Homeland Security/Defense and emergency responder requirements.

Associate Deputy Administrator for Policy and Planning/Chief of Strategic Communications, NASA, 2006-2007

Principal advisor to Deputy Administrator on all aspects of managing the $17 billion agency with science and technology programs in the areas of aeronautics, human spaceflight and robotic spaceflight.
Led Office of Strategic Communications (OSC), comprising nineteen SES-rank senior managers, 150 personnel, a $28 million institutional budget, and a $150 million program budget. OSC handled all outreach activities for ANSA, including the agency's interaction with Congress, state and local governments, the media, trade associations, grass roots organizations, other U.S. government agencies and departments, and foreign governments.
Served as NASA representative on the Interagency Space Industrial Base Council, chaired by space leaders from the USAF and NRO.

Senior Professional Staff Member, House Armed Services Committee, 2003-2006

Responsible for all aspects of defense policy, including: weapon of mass destruction proliferation, nonproliferation, strategic posture, global posture, strategy, doctrine, force structure, operations, relations with other countries, defense trade, alliance interoperability, foreign military assistance and sales, organization of the Department of Defense, and technology security/export controls.
Lead Staff member for assessing WMD proliferation and non-proliferation policies and developing relevant legislation, including authorization/oversight of DOD Cooperative Threat Reduction programs.
Principal Liaison to House International Relations Committee on non-proliferation legislation and programs.

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, Special Assistant, 2001-2003

Advisor to senior DOD official responsible for policies on strategic forces/missile defense, nuclear weapons, NATO/Europe, Eurasia, international negotiations, technology security, counter-proliferation, and nonproliferation

Staff Director, Professional Staff Member, House Science Committee,Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, 1995-2001

Legislative authorization and oversight of U.S. civil and commercial space programs and activities.
Worked on non-proliferation measures related to Committee jurisdiction

Education