Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
HONORS & AWARDS
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Timeline
Generic

Brian William Smith

Gainesville

Summary

Strategic emergency management executive with over 20 years of experience leading enterprise preparedness and multiagency operations. Directs multimillion-dollar preparedness programs and serves as a senior advisor to Department of Defense leadership, enhancing operational readiness and strengthening national security through collaborative partnerships and effective policy development.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

Chief, Medical CBRN & Homeland Defense | Program Manager

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
01.2022 - Current
  • Direct Air Force enterprise programs supporting homeland defense, emergency preparedness, biodefense, medical consequence management, and operational readiness across multiple mission areas.
  • Key Accomplishments
  • Direct a $24 million enterprise preparedness portfolio, integrating strategic planning, capability development, policy, training, and operational readiness across the U.S. Air Force.
  • Led modernization initiatives closing capability gaps in CBRN preparedness, emergency response planning, and medical readiness.
  • Serve as senior advisor to Department of Defense leadership on homeland defense, biodefense, emergency preparedness, and medical consequence management.
  • Lead cross-functional initiatives involving the Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Defense agencies, and federal interagency partners to strengthen national preparedness capabilities.
  • Chaired executive working groups driving strategic planning, policy implementation, capability development, and operational integration.
  • Developed emergency management policy, doctrine, operational guidance, and standardized procedures enhancing continuity, resilience, and crisis response.
  • Represent Air Force leadership during executive-level engagements supporting national preparedness and homeland security initiatives.

Deputy Chief, Medical Preparedness & Response

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
01.2018 - 01.2022
  • Directed enterprise preparedness initiatives for public health emergencies and pandemic planning.
  • Led development of Air Force installation medical all-hazards response framework, enhancing operational readiness.
  • Designed executive-level pandemic tabletop exercises, integrating continuity operations and incident management.
  • Developed Air Force public health incident command system, utilized during COVID-19 response.
  • Conducted enterprise-wide preparedness assessments, identifying critical gaps and implementing corrective actions to enhance overall readiness.
  • Produced capability assessments that identified $6 million in cost savings while maintaining mission readiness.
  • Created standardized emergency management training programs adopted across Department of Defense, improving response consistency.

Chief, Expeditionary Medical Operations

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
01.2009 - 01.2018
  • Managed medical counter-CBRN initiatives for Air National Guard, safeguarding more than 108,000 personnel globally.
  • Developed strategic preparedness programs, strengthening emergency response capabilities in 14 partner nations.
  • Coordinated interagency planning, improving support for homeland security and disaster response operations.
  • Directed emergency preparedness programs for 89 installations across 54 states and territories, impacting over 5,700 personnel.
  • Enhanced enterprise readiness through capability development, modernizing emergency planning policies.

Senior Counterterrorism Analyst

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS
01.2005 - 01.2009
  • Executed strategic assessments to strengthen terrorism prevention and emergency response capabilities.
  • Conducted threat vulnerability and risk assessments to inform homeland security initiatives.
  • Formulated recommendations that improved emergency preparedness and consequence management capabilities.
  • Supported interagency planning exercises and operational enhancements to improve collaboration and readiness.

Adjunct Professor

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix
12.2017 - Current
  • Delivered undergraduate and graduate emergency management coursework focused on preparedness, homeland security, incident management, and disaster response, fostering student engagement and knowledge application.

Education

Master of Arts - Homeland Security (Counterterrorism)

American Military University
Charles Town, WV
11-2015

Bachelor of Science - Emergency & Disaster Management

American Military University
Charles Town, WV
02-2013

Skills

  • Emergency management leadership
  • Homeland security and preparedness
  • Emergency operations centers (EOC)
  • Incident command system (ICS)
  • National incident management system (NIMS)
  • Continuity of operations (COOP)
  • Emergency planning and response
  • CBRN defense and medical response
  • Public health emergency management
  • Strategic and operational planning
  • Preparedness program management
  • Program and portfolio management
  • Training and exercise (HSEEP)
  • Capability assessments
  • Crisis and consequence management
  • Multiagency coordination
  • Policy development
  • Executive advising
  • Budget and resource management
  • Team leadership and staff development

HONORS & AWARDS

Air Force Surgeon General Civilian of the Quarter (2023), Air National Guard Civilian of the Year (2018), Instructor of the Year, John L. Levitow Award, Outstanding Performer of the Year

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

  • FEMA & Emergency Management
  • Incident Command System (ICS 100, 200, 700, 701, 702, 703)
  • Emergency Program Management
  • Emergency Planning
  • Leadership & Influence
  • Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
  • Exercise Design & Evaluation
  • Radiological Emergency Management
  • Community Disaster Exercises
  • Public Information Systems
  • Specialized Training
  • CBRN Response
  • Public Health Emergency Management
  • Incident Command
  • Terrorism Response
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Pandemic Preparedness

Timeline

Chief, Medical CBRN & Homeland Defense | Program Manager

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
01.2022 - Current

Deputy Chief, Medical Preparedness & Response

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
01.2018 - 01.2022

Adjunct Professor

Grand Canyon University
12.2017 - Current

Chief, Expeditionary Medical Operations

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
01.2009 - 01.2018

Senior Counterterrorism Analyst

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS
01.2005 - 01.2009

Master of Arts - Homeland Security (Counterterrorism)

American Military University

Bachelor of Science - Emergency & Disaster Management

American Military University
Brian William Smith