Biographies

Dr. Thomas H. Killion
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology/Chief Scientist, U.S. Army

In March 2004, Dr. Killion was designated as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology and Chief Scientist. He is responsible for the entire Army Research and Technology program, spanning 21 laboratories and research, development, and engineering centers, more than 10,000 scientists and engineers, and a 6-year budget of more than $11 billion. He is responsible for developing a science and technology (S&T) strategy responsive to Army needs from the near-term (5 years) stretching out through the far-term (>20 years). The Basic Research, Applied Research, and Advanced Technology Development programs and budgets that Dr. Killion builds for this strategy must be defended within the Army, to DOD, and to Congress. He is also the principal scientific advisor (PSA) to both the Secretary of the Army and the Assistant Secretary of the Army (ASA) for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology. As an example of the latter role, Dr. Killion is responsible for providing independent assessments on the readiness of critical technologies for weapon systems programs approaching key program decision points (Milestones B and C), both to the Army leadership and to DOD decision makers.

Prior to his designation, Dr. Killion served as the Director for Technology under the Deputy ASA for Research and Technology (DASA(R&T)). In this position, he was responsible for oversight and coordination for most of the Army’s Applied Research (6.2) Program and its Advanced Development (6.3) Program. He also co-chaired the Warfighter Technical Council and managed the S&T Objective and Advanced Technology Demonstration approval process.
Prior to this assignment, Dr. Killion served as the Director for Personnel Technologies in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), G-1, where he was responsible for policy, guidance, oversight, and advocacy of the Army’s MANpower and PeRsonnel INTegration (MANPRINT) and Soldier Oriented Research and Development in Personnel and Training Programs. Dr. Killion also served as the PSA to the DCS, G-1.

Previously, Dr. Killion served as the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Liaison to the Office of the DASA(R&T), where he assisted in shaping, advocating, and defending Army S&T program investments and priorities to senior leaders in the Army, DOD, and Congress. He also served as the Acting Deputy Director for Research, with responsibility for overseeing the Army’s Basic Research (6.1) Program and substantial portions of the Applied Research (6.2) Program. He also served as the manager for the Army’s Dual Use S&T Program.

Dr. Killion’s other key assignments include Technical Advisor in the Advanced Systems and Concepts Office at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, ARL Liaison to the MANPRINT Directorate, Executive Assistant to the Director of ARL, Technology Team Leader for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Joint Project, and Principal Scientist for Electronic Combat Training at the Air Force Human Resources Laboratory.

Dr. Killion earned dual B.A.s in psychology and English from Saint Mary’s College. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the University of Oregon. Dr. Killion also graduated with highest distinction from the Naval War College.