Center for Strategy and Technology Faculty
Mr. Benjamin D. Phillips — Managing Director
Ben "Dabs" Phillips has over 25 years with the active duty and reserves as a fighter pilot and acquisition specialist. His private sector roles include as chief financial officer, strategy consultant, founder and board member across a variety of industries. Senior staff positions include program management and security oversight roles within the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, as lab director in the Air Force Research Laboratory, and as chief of current operations at a combatant command. He holds a BS in Physics, an MA in Political Science, and an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management. Interests include ancient languages, old truck maintenance, and the subtle art of growing entrepreneurs, among others.
Colonel Daniel Ruttenber — Deputy Director
Colonel Daniel “Sunday” Ruttenber is a mobility pilot, weapons school graduate, political military affairs strategist, and seasoned air advisor who has commanded at the squadron and group levels and has worldwide operational and strategic staff experience in USFK, NATO, and USAFE-AFAFRICA. Colonel Ruttenber’s academic experience encompasses an undergraduate degree in computer science and various graduate degrees including management, military arts, and national resource strategy. His acquisition experience includes service as the Chief, Global Mobility Division, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. His joint experience includes service as Presidential Nuclear Strike Advisor, National Military Command Center, Joint Chiefs of Staff. Married to a retired Air Force pilot turned non-profit entrepreneur/advocate with three minions, in his free time he enjoys smoking BBQ, surfing, swimming, biking, and coaching youth sports for the minions.
Dr. Eric Keels — Professor
Dr. Eric Keels is a professor in the Blue Horizons program and conducts policy-relevant research on issues related to global security. His research focuses on civil war dynamics, human rights, international conflict management, post-war processes, and rebel group organizations/ideology. Outside of research, he's crazy about BBQ.
Mr. Anthony Franks — Professor
Tony Franks has over 23 years with the active duty and reserves as a bomber/tactical airlift pilot and cyberspace operations officer. He currently serves as a reserve vice wing commander. He has served in multiple major and combatant commands, deploying 7 times worldwide. He holds a BS in Business, MS in Theology, and a MA in Strategic Studies. He has been teaching at Air University for 5 years. Prior to that, he was an airline pilot for 7 years. Interests include mentorship, keeping up with his 3 children, and camping.
Mr. John Carter — Adjunct Professor
Mr. Carter works collaboratively in the execution of AU's education, research and doctrine missions. Mr. Carter retired as a Colonel, spending the majority of his career in flight operations with 3400 hours in the O-2, A-10, and F-16. He commanded an A-10 squadron, was Commandant of the Air Force Weapons School, Vice Commander of a Fighter Wing and Vice Commandant of the Air War College. Mr. Carter holds a Bachelor's degree from Duke University, Masters Degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and SAASS, and spent a year as a National Security Fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
Major Eric Kordus – Operations Officer
Maj Eric “Zigzag” Kordus is a Senior Pilot with over 1,200 flight hours, including over 150 combat hours. He completed three assignments as an instructor pilot in the F-22A and graduated from the US Air Force Weapons School. Maj Kordus also served as the Operations Branch Chief, Next Generation Air Dominance System Management Office, Air Combat Command, responsible for developing Next Generation Air Dominance requirements. Maj Kordus is a graduate of the Blue Horizons program and serves as the Blue Horizons Operations Officer. He was commissioned in 2012 from ROTC at the University of North Dakota and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, a Master's degree in Military Operational Art and Science, and a Master’s degree in Airpower Strategy and Technology Integration.
Master Sergeant Israel Navarro – Operations NCO
MSgt Israel “Izzy” Navarro is a Cyber Operations NCO with a core background in network infrastructure and secure communications. He has experience in multiple aspects of communications to include assignments with deployable communications units, Air Control Squadron, Distributed Common Ground System, Joint Air Defense Operations Center, and multiple base communication squadrons. His hobbies include woodworking, laser engraving, 3d printing, CNC engraving, pen turning, archery, hunting and shooting sports.
Center for Strategy and Technology Fellows
Lt Col Breezy Long
Lt Col Breezy Long has 20 years in uniform, and still loves being on the team. Her operational experience spans intelligence collection operations, cyber capability development, threat assessment support to space acquisitions, planning and execution from within an Air and Space Operations Center, and unit-level integration for security forces, air mobility and refueling, and ground special operations forces. While much of her service has been in joint and multinational arenas, Breezy also briefly led portions of Air Force-level culture and language programs and doctrine development. She earned her BS in Political Science and Latin American Studies and MA in Diplomacy with a concentration in conflict management and resolution, and she actively pursues lifelong learning well beyond the classroom. When not at work, Breezy and her husband enjoy music, hiking, watching movies, and laughing at British gameshows...anything that offers time together. She's also a grateful aunt and godmother, happy to trot the globe to connect with those family and friends.
Lt Col Ryan Wilson
Lieutenant Colonel Ryan W. Wilson is a mobility pilot with operational experience in two Major Weapon Systems: C-130J and KC-135R/T. He is a command pilot with more than 2,000 flying hours, including 400 combat hours. Before his selection as a Blue Horizons Fellow, Lt Col Wilson served as the Executive Officer to the Commander, Air Education and Training Command. Additionally, he has commanded at the squadron level and has joint staff experience at USSTRATCOM, where he was assigned as a Team Chief for Nuclear Contingency Planning and the Chief of NATO Plans and Integration. Lieutenant Colonel Wilson was commissioned in 2006 from ROTC at the University of Arkansas and holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and various Master’s degrees to include M.S. Aviation and M.S. in Military Strategy. He is married with three children and enjoys hiking, running, and traveling with his family.
Maj Geoffrey “BANDIT” Andersen
Maj Geoffrey Andersen is a Special Operations Pilot with over 2,600 flight hours, including over 445 combat hours. He has completed three operational flying assignments in the MC-130H and MC-130J while being stationed at Kadena AB, Japan, Cannon AFB, NM and RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom. Maj Andersen received his commission through ROTC at the University of Delaware in 2010 where he studied Mechanical Engineering. He is a graduate of the US Air Force Weapons School and has a Masters in Military Operational Arts and Science. Prior to selection as a Blue Horizons Fellow, Maj Andersen served as Assistant Operations Officer and Evaluator Pilot at the 67th Special Operation Squadron where he was responsible for ensuring the squadron’s preparedness for Special Operations Command Europe’s rapid crisis response capability. Maj Andersen is married with two children (8 and 10 years old) and enjoys woodworking and spending time with his family.
Maj Alexandra “Brassy” Bissey
Major Alexandra "Brassy" Bissey is a Senior Air Battle Manager with 11 years of service in the U.S. Air Force. She has over 750 flight hours including 52 combat hours. Her assignments include Tyndall AFB as an Undergraduate Air Battle Manager Training (UABMT) instructor, Robins AFB flying on JSTARS, and Nellis AFB as an 8th WPS Instructor at the United States Air Force Weapons School. She graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a BA in Communications Technology, is a 2019 graduate of the USAF Weapons School, and holds a Masters degree in Operational Warfare. Prior to Blue Horizons, Maj Bissey served as the Command and Control Chief in the Commandant's Office of Integration, leading the integration of Command and Control for the DoD's largest and most advanced exercise, Weapons School Integration (WSINT). Maj Bissey is married with two daughters, and enjoys camping, reading sci-fi books, fishing, and spending time with her husband and kids.
Maj Andrew “SWOL” Bergeris
Major Andrew "SWOL" Bergeris is a Developmental Engineer with thirteen years of service in the U.S. Air Force. Over the course of his career, he spent ten years as a flight test engineer, accumulating 115 flight test hours across six different aircraft, and completed a three-year operational exchange as an intelligence officer. His operational experience includes deployments to the Middle East for contingency operations. In his most recent role as Assistant Director of Operations, Advanced Projects, Maj. Bergeris led a 44-person team responsible for high-priority space, cyber, and electronic warfare testing for the USAF, Department of Defense, and national agencies. Maj. Bergeris earned his commission through ROTC at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he completed an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering, and holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University. Outside of his professional career, he is married and enjoys hiking, deep-sea fishing, and traveling.
Maj Casey “CG” Garner
Maj Casey Garner is a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Officer, and has served extensively in the TACP community, all at the operational Squadron level. His positions include Chief of Current Operations, Flight Commander, Assistant Director of Operations, and Detachment Commander. Maj Garner’s career includes assignments aligning with, and directly supporting, the 1st Armored Division, the 3rd Infantry Division, Joint Special Operations Command, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the 11th Airborne Division. Maj Garner is a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Instructor and Evaluator. He has also served as a Senior Air Director in the Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) and Joint Air Ground Integration Center (JAGIC). Maj Garner is a graduate of Army Ranger School and has deployed 5 times as a TACP Special Warfare Officer. He is married with 2 boys and loves anything outdoors.
Maj Daniel “Rocket” Liu
Major Daniel Liu is a Senior Weapon Systems Officer in the F-15E with over 1,500 hours, to include over 400 combat hours. His last assignment was at Air Combat Command staff at Joint Base Langley-Eustis where he served as the branch chief for all F-15 requirements. He earned his bachelor’s in political science and was commissioned in 2011 from the Air Force Academy. He is married to his wife, Jennifer, and they have three children, ages 7, 5, and 2.
Maj Ellis “GOVERNOR” Moser
Major Ellis Moser is a Senior Pilot with over 1,000 hours in the A-10C and the F-35. He has completed deployments to EUCOM and CENTCOM, and most recently served as the 53d Wing’s Chief of Future Operations and Integration which allowed him to return to his test roots at Eglin AFB. Prior to commissioning through Officer Training School, Maj Moser earned his BS and MS in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech and served as a developmental test engineer in the civil service. He is continually amazed by the patience of his wife of over 16 years, Jenny, as they raise their three children (5, 7, and 9). Interests include coaching, woodworking, and keeping up with his children.
Maj Jacob “ACE” Thomas
Maj Jacob "Ace" Thomas is a space operations officer who has spent the majority of his career executing operations and theory of victory development for Orbital Warfare and orbital force design. He received his B.S. in Nuclear Physics from Purdue University and is a graduate of the Air Force Weapons School where he also served as an instructor. As an Airman, he completed deployments in support of US CENTCOM. As a Guardian, he recently completed an assignment as the Operations Officer for the 10th Delta Operations Squadron at the United States Air Force Academy, where his team facilitated the development of doctrine, futures concepts, lessons learned, and wargames for the United States Space Force. In his free time he enjoys biking, hiking, chess, training artificial intelligence, and securing his next big score on Facebook marketplace.
Maj Lacey “HOPPS” Koelling
Major Lacey Koelling is an Aircraft Maintenance Officer with experience spanning across many platforms and MAJCOMs including ACC, AFGSC, AFCENT, AETC, and AMC. Her most recent assignment was as Commander of the 2 MXS at Barksdale AFB, the largest MXS in AFGSC. She was also the first Branch Chief for the B-21 Weapons System Team and is a graduate of AMMOS. Maj Koelling earned her commission at the United States Air Force Academy and her masters in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle. She is married to her active-duty husband, a B-1 WSO, and together they have the sweetest daughter. Together they enjoy anything outdoors, reading, watching football, and toddler activities.
Maj Patrick “Shrink” Vinge
Maj “Shrink” Vinge is an Offensive Cyberspace Operations Weapons Officer with over a thousand operational hours supporting USCENTCOM and INDOPACOM. His previous assignments included Director of Operations at the 32 WPS, 105 CMT Team Lead at the 305 COS, 503 CMT Mission Commander at the 352 COS, and Crew Commander / Operator on 001 CMT at the 91 COS. He earned his MBA from the University of the Incarnate Word, and his undergraduate degree in Information Systems from the University of North Dakota. He is married to Maj Jessica “Ultra” Davidson, while not working they enjoy camping and hunting with their German Shorthair Pointer, Kona.
Maj George Severson
Major George Severson is a Contracting Officer with over 11 years of extensive acquisition experience. His expertise encompasses R&D, large-scale weapon systems, multiple joint deployments, and the development of innovative acquisition strategies. As an Education with Industry fellow, he gained valuable experience as an investment analyst at an Austin-based venture capital firm. Additionally, Major Severson acquired operational experience by establishing AB 201 in Agadez, Niger, and managing a significant contracting portfolio directly supporting U.S. Forces-Afghanistan and the NATO Resolute Support mission. Most recently, he served as the Contracting Branch Chief of Platform One. Major Severson began his Air Force career in 2013 after graduating from ROTC Detachment 420 at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He also earned his MBA from Webster University. In his free time, he enjoys traveling the world, building businesses, and playing golf.