July 2020 Virtual Luncheon

Date: 21 JUL 2020
Time: 11:30 AM
Medium: WebEx
Cost: Free

Scott Tait

Executive Director
National Security Innovation Catalyst

Scott Tait is Executive Director of the National Security Innovation Catalyst located at UC San Diego. The Catalyst pursues two related lines of effort: improving the transition of innovative commercial technology to national security users, and providing practical, effective policy recommendations to improve U.S. national security competitiveness. It is a broad, collaborative effort that compliments and supports existing national security innovation initiatives by leveraging San Diego’s unique security, technology, business and university environment.

Tait served in the U.S. Navy for 27 years. His assignments included positions leading strategy, policy and innovation efforts, working directly for 3 and 4-star commanders in the Indo-Pacific region and Washington, D.C. He also held senior policy positions, with a focus in Indo-Asia, on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (J-5), Pacific Fleet staff and U.S. Seventh Fleet staff. At sea he served in Cruiser and Destroyer ships,commanding USS Mustin (DDG 89) and, most recently, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000).

Tait holds masters degrees from Stanford University in international policy and the U.S. Naval War College in national security and strategic studies. At the U.S. Naval War College, he was a member of the Halsey Alfa Advanced Research and Wargaming Project.