James Travis - Defense Security Cooperation University

Faculty

Practice & Capability

James Travis, PhD, joined the Institute for Security Governance (ISG) in February 2022 as a Senior Lecturer for the Cyber Capacity Building within the Practice & Capability Divison. He works with Partner Nations on Institutional Capacity Building, specifically in Cyber and Secure Information Technology. In his support of both the Joint Cyber Enterprise and the Geographic Combatant Commands, Dr. Travis works to improve the resilience and integration of complex systems to address the strategic, operational, and tactical levels of war with a focus on existing capabilities and future defense needs. He addresses both immediate tactical benefits while moving as fast as the mission partner requires and can resource to more advanced Department of Defense information networks (DODIN) equivalent operations and Defensive Cyber Operations consistent with the National Disclosure Policy.

Prior to joining ISG, Dr. Travis spent 24 years as a U.S. Army Officer and 22 years as a DoD civilian. As a DoD civilian, he served with the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) as an Information Technology Specialist, a Computer Scientist, and a Communications Manager with dual concentrations in Teleprocessing Operations and Research Development Test and Evaluation. At DISA, Dr. Travis led numerous projects, including creating and leading major elements of the Global Information Grid-Bandwidth Expansion program, led the multi-billion dollar Global Information Grid Services Management Acquisition of Services, led the development of the foundational requirements for the FirstNet Authority National Public Safety Broadband Network, served as the Division Chief for DISA's Cyber Situational Awareness/CyberNetOps Solutions Division, spent 13 months as the Ministry of Defense Advisor (Cyber) in Romania, and then led multiple study groups at DISA addressing DoD's Public Safety Ecosystem, DISA's Cyberspace Operations Data Driven Operations, and Strategic Planner for JFHQ-DODIN. As a U.S. Army Officer, his service included responsibilities as the U.S. Army Systems Architect for battlefield digitization, Deputy Director J6 for JTF-Noble Anvil, Communications Operations Officer J38/Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Branch Chief for the Switch and Control Branch in the Directorate of Combat Developments (USASIGCEN) and included overseas assignments in Korea, Panama, Germany, and Italy as well as numerous locations in the USA.

Dr. Travis has more than 45 years of government service with key roles including:  Strategic Planner, JFHQ-DODIN, Ministry of Defense Adviser (Cyber), Division Chief, Cyber Situational Awareness/CyberNetOps, Program Manager for DISA's Acquisition Support to the Department of Commerce's FirstNet Authority, and Program Manager, Global Services Management.

Dr. Travis holds a PhD in Operations Management (Information Technology) from Capella University, a Master of Science Degree in National Security Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower College of the National Defense University, an MBA from Liberty University with additional computer science, software engineering, and systems engineering from George Mason University, a teleprocessing operations Certificate from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor's Degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point New York with a concentration in Electrical Engineering. He also holds a current certification as a Certified Information Security Manager, Data Analytics for Acquisition Professionals Certificate, and as Advanced Practitioner in Program Management. From the U.S. Army, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and numerous other awards and decorations and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School. As a DoD civilian, he was awarded the Joint Civilian Meritorious Achievement Medal for service in Romania, in addition to numerous other civilian awards. Dr. Travis lives in Virginia with his wife and enjoys playing guitar in worship bands and refereeing High School soccer.