University of North Texas 
Center for National Security & Economic Strategy
The University of North Texas launched its National Security and Economic Strategy Initiative in 2025 to help address increasingly complex challenges at the intersection of national security, economic competitiveness, and global supply chain resilience. The initiative brings together experts across sectors to conduct forward-looking research, inform policy, and foster innovation that strengthens both national defense and economic leadership.
A Presidential Advisory Council, chaired by former Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, provides strategic oversight and guidance. Its leaders bring decades of experience in defense, government, industry, and public service.
2025
Initiative launched
5
Strategic focus areas
8
Presidential Advisory Council members
About the Center
The University of North Texas launched the Center for National Security and Economic Strategy in 2025 to help address increasingly complex challenges at the intersection of national security, economic competitiveness, and global supply chain resilience. The Center brings together experts across sectors to conduct forward-looking research, inform policy, and foster innovation that strengthens national defense and economic leadership.
The President’s Advisory Council is charged with sharing insights and expertise as the university builds its program and solidifies its expertise in these critical areas. Its leaders bring decades of experience in defense, government, industry, and public service.
The Program
- An undergraduate certificate program featuring interdisciplinary curriculum
- Events convening global leaders across relevant industries
- The Eagle, an online professional journal supporting research and thought leadership
Five pillars guide the initiative
Through these pillars, the initiative supports the development of actionable solutions to pressing national and global challenges.
01
Defense capabilities02
High-impact research & innovation03
Trade & economic growth04
Advanced technology development05
Sound fiscal & governance policyAs one of the fastest-growing Tier One research universities in the nation, UNT is committed to translating knowledge into impact. The Center for National Security and Economic Strategy is central to this mission — aligning academic strength with national priorities and advancing the university’s role as a convener of ideas, innovation, and leadership.
Leadership
David Hamilton
Executive Director
National Security & Economic Strategy
David Hamilton is a National Security expert, economist, entrepreneur, operational excellence leader, community leader and management consultant with experience in Strategy, M&A, Reward Theory, Change Management and Organizational Development. He is the original proponent of integrating Lean and Six Sigma creating LSS. David advises Congressional leaders on government efficiency and effectiveness.
The America's Future Series, a non-partisan think-tank and speaker series he created in 2009, was founded with support from T. Boone Pickens, Ross Perot, Sr. Randall Stephenson and Herb Kelleher. It has hosted and honored over 1500 prominent industry, government, military, investment community, and academic leaders including multiple Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs, Sir Richard Branson, Jamie Dimon, Marillyn Hewson, Jeff Bezos and GEN Petraeus. To date, it has raised over $7,000,000 in donations and proceeds for worthy military causes.
David received his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and studied both Business and Geology at Trinity University
The President's Advisory Council is charged with sharing insights and expertise as the university builds its program and solidifies its expertise in these critical areas. Council members' insights will be instrumental in helping UNT achieve the desired level of success in creating a program that sets UNT apart from other national security programs.
A Presidential Advisory Council, chaired by former Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, provides strategic oversight and guidance. Its leaders bring decades of experience in defense, government, industry, and public service.
Council members include
Honorable Gordon England
Former Sec Nav, Deputy Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security,
and President of Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company
Darcy Anderson
Vice Chairman of Hillwood
Admiral Michael Mullen
USN, Ret.
General David H. Petraeus
USN, Ret.
G. Brint Ryan
CEO of Ryan LLC
The Honorable Sara Martinez Tucker
Former Undersecretary of Education
General Tim Ray, USAF (Ret.)
President & CEO, Business
Executives for National Security
Adm. Patrick Walsh, Ph.D., USN (Ret.)
Former Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet; President, Cristo Rey Dallas
Chair
Stephen Ferris - Chair, Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Law Department
- Dr. Lisa Henry, Divisional Dean of Social Sciences
- Dr. John Ishiyama - Chair, Political Science and Economics Department
- Lt. Col. Greg LeClair, Chair, Military Science Department
- Dr. Vojin Majstorovic, Director of the Military History Center
- Dr. James Mueller - Dean of the Mayborn School of Journalism
- Dr. Matthew Painter, Chair, Sociology Department
- Dr. Terry Pohlen, Senior Associate Dean and Chair of Jim McNatt Institute for Logistics Research
- Dr. Brian Sauser, Chair, Supply Chain Management Department
- Dr. Anna Sidorova, Chair of Information Technology and Decision Sciences Department
- Dr. Michael Wise - Chair, History Department
Chair
Dr. Kenneth Cory
- George P. Bush
- Florent Groberg, AE Industrial Partners
- Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cameron Holt
- Stephen Rodriguez, DCVC
- Bob Arnold
- Dee Brown
- Stephen Bullard
- COL Arnel David
- Nick Fish
- Jim Hodgson
- Robert Katz
- PK Kelly
- Dan Mitchell
- Valmiki Mukherjee
- Secretary David Norquist
- Steve Roemerman
- Drew Scheberle
- Meredith Walker