Richard "Ozzie" Nelson, Joins CSIS as Senior Fellow

WASHINGTON, October 1, 2009 – The Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) is pleased to announce that Richard “Ozzie” Nelson, former member of the National Counterterrorism Center’s (NCTC) Directorate of Strategic Operational Planning, has joined CSIS as a senior fellow focusing on counter-terrorism, homeland security, and defense-related issues.

“CSIS is proud to have a public servant of Richard "Ozzie" Nelson’s caliber join our International Security Program,” said CSIS President and CEO Dr. John J. Hamre.  “Ozzie's policy expertise and leadership are of great value to CSIS.”

Prior to joining CSIS, Mr. Nelson retired from the U.S. Navy, where he served in a variety of senior policy and operational positions. His last military assignment was with the Joint Special Operations Command. In 2005, he was selected to serve as an inaugural member in the National Counterterrorism Center’s (NCTC) Directorate of Strategic Operational Planning.  
 
Prior to his assignment at NCTC, Mr. Nelson served as associate director for maritime security in the Office of Combating Terrorism on the National Security Council staff at the White House, where he led the development of the National Strategy for Maritime Security. Other career assignments have included counterterrorism team leader in Deep Blue, the navy’s operational think tank created after September 11; navy legislative fellow for Senator Edward M. Kennedy; assistant aviation officer community manager; and flag aide in Okinawa, Japan, to the commander of naval amphibious forces in the Western Pacific.
 
Mr. Nelson is operationally trained in naval helicopter strike warfare in the SH-60B Seahawk and SH-2F Seasprite helicopters, and he has deployed around the world and flown in support of numerous operations.  Nelson graduated from the George Washington University in 1989 with a B.A. in political science, holds an M.A. in national security studies from Georgetown University, and is a graduate of the Naval War College.  He is also an adjunct lecturer at Georgetown University, where he teaches courses on homeland security and counterterrorism.