Dr. Thompson is currently course director for the Industrial College of the Armed Forces' strategic leadership course at National Defense University. He brings extensive experience to the position having been an educational administrator in three different colleges, as well as having practical experience in leadership and organizational change. Professor Thompson's primary research interest is leadership development in terms of both one's personal development and growth as facilitated by executive development programs. Dr. Thompson holds a bachelors degree in communications from The College of the Ozarks, a masters degree in sociology from Pepperdine University, and a doctorate in human and organizational learning from The George Washington University. Additionally, he is a retired US Air Force colonel. Dr. Thompson will share his research on what are the best practices for developing executives in organizations and how the armed forces train their leaders for the rigors of war.