Dr. Thomas H. Killion
Director, Office of Transition
Dr. Thomas Killion was designated as director of the Office of Naval Research Office of Transition in July 2012. In this role, he is responsible for policy, planning, resourcing and execution management for a substantial portion of the Department of the Navy science and technology (S&T) budget, including the Future Naval Capabilities, the Navy’s Small Business Innovation Research and Manufacturing Technology programs.
Before joining ONR, Killion served as director of the Biometrics Identity Management Agency (BIMA). As director and biometrics executive manager for the Department of Defense (DoD), Killion carried out the secretary of the Army’s executive agent responsibilities for DoD biometrics in order to deny anonymity to adversaries and enable identity management. He led DoD activities to program, coordinate, integrate and synchronize biometrics technologies and capabilities, and operated and maintained the DoD authoritative biometrics database.
Prior to joining BIMA in October 2010, Killion was detailed to the Joint Improvised Explosive Devise Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) as science advisor to the director in July 2010. In this capacity, he provided S&T advice on programs, developed a systematic S&T strategy and roadmap to help guide JIEDDO investments, and engaged with S&T organizations within DoD, other departments, industry, academia as well as international stakeholders to leverage their efforts in countering IED threats.
Killion served as the deputy assistant secretary of the Army for research and technology [DASA(R&T)] and chief scientist [DASA(R&T)/Chief Scientist] from March 2004 through June 2010. He was 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 six-year budget of more than $11 billion. Under his leadership, the program developed an S&T strategy responsive to Army needs, from the near-term (less than five years) to longer term projects stretching out more than 20 years. He was also the principal scientific advisor to both the secretary of the Army and the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics, and technology. In support of major acquisition, Killion was responsible for providing independent assessments on the readiness of critical technologies for weapon systems programs approaching key program decision points, both to the Army leadership and to DoD decision-makers.
Prior to becoming the DASA(R&T)/chief scientist, Killion served as the director for technology, responsible for the oversight and coordination for most of the Army’s Applied Research Program and its Advanced Development Program. He also co-chaired the Warfighter Technical Council and managed the S&T objective and advanced technology demonstration approval process.
Previous key assignments have included director for personnel technologies in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), G-1; U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) liaison to the Office of the DASA(R&T); manager for the Army’s Dual Use S&T Program; 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.
Killion has been a member of the Senior Executive Service since 2002 and is a recipient of the Meritorious Presidential Rank Award and of the Exceptional Civilian Service Award from the Department of the Army. He earned a dual bachelor’s of arts in psychology and English from Saint Mary’s College, and later received his master’s and doctoral degrees in experimental psychology from the University of Oregon. Killion graduated with highest distinction from the Naval War College.