MIU Activation Ceremony Panelist Biographies
Sergeant Major Robert K. Lusk
Robert Lusk was born in Los Angeles, California and enlisted in the Marine Corps on 1 July 1996 from his home town of Roseville, California. Upon completion of recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, Private Lusk attend Marine Combat Training, Infantry Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California. Upon completion, he was promoted to Private First Class.
Private First Class Lusk then attended the Ground Radio Repair Course, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, 29 Palms California, where upon completion he obtained the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)2841(Ground Radio Repairman) and was promoted to Lance Corporal.
Upon completion from school, Lance Corporal Lusk was transferred to 4th Motor Transport Maintenance Battalion, Sacramento California. In February 1999, he was promoted to Corporal.
In March 1999, Corporal Lusk was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 473 Fresno, California, where he served as Ground Radio Repairman. He filled additional billets such as Assistant Training Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). On 1 January 2001, he was promoted to Sergeant and in March was recognized as the NCO of the Quarter.
In January 2002 Sergeant Lusk was assigned to 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, Reno. Nevada, where he served as Headquarters Platoon Sergeant and Company Armorer. In July of 2003 he was reassigned to fill the billet of Company Radio Chief.
In June of 2005, Sergeant Lusk was activated and attached to 2d Force Reconnaissance Company and deployed forward in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sergeant Lusk was assigned as 7th Reconnaissance Platoon Communications Chief. On 1 September 2005 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.
In August of 2007 Staff Sergeant Lusk was again activated in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and in April of 2008 was deployed forward and attached to 3d Reconnaissance Battalion. Staff Sergeant Lusk was assigned as 1st Platoon, Echo Company, Communications Chief.
In March of 2009 Staff Sergeant Lusk completed the Radio Chief Course in 29 Palms, California where he earned the 0629 MOS.
Promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in June of 2009, he served as the Communications Chief, 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, Alameda, California. In May of 2011 Gunnery Sergeant Lusk was assigned as the Communications Chief and stood up Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 12 Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. During the deployment he served as Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Commander, deploying forward to Africa in support Operation Enduring Freedom.
In May of 2013 he was promoted to First Sergeant and reported to Company D, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In May of 2017 First Sergeant Lusk was assigned as Company First Sergeant, Headquarters Company, 23d Marine Regiment, San Bruno, California.
In May of 2018 he was promoted to Sergeant Major and assigned to 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division, Alameda, California.
In March of 2020 Sergeant Major Lusk was assigned to 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division, Mobile, Alabama.
In June of 2022 Sergeant Major Lusk was assigned to stand up the Marine Innovation Unit, Marine Forces Reserve, Newburgh, New York.
Sergeant Major Lusk’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat distinguishing device, Combat Action Ribbon and Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
Colonel Matthew “Matt” Swindle
Colonel Swindle is a native of Potomac, Maryland and has served in enlisted and
officer positions over a 29-year career. Colonel Swindle is a career infantry and
intelligence Marine serving in infantry, reconnaissance, and intelligence leadership
positions within the Marine Corps, Special Operations, and the Joint Force.
Colonel Swindle graduated Parris Island Recruit Training in 1993 and designated
as a machine gunner with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines attaining the
rank of Corporal. He was commissioned in 1996 through the Platoon Leader’s Course
serving as an anti-armor and heavy machinegun platoon commander. Transitioning to
active duty, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, he served as a boat raid
Platoon Commander, 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander, Weapons Co. Executive
Officer, and Company Commander. He deployed to Arabian Gulf with the 31st Marine
Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (31st MEU(SOC)) in support of combat
operation for Operation DESERT FOX in 1998 and subsequent deployment with the
31st MEU(SOC) in 1999-2000 ending his initial active duty tour in September 2001.
Colonel Swindle was activated for Operation Enduring Freedom serving at
Marine Barracks, Washington, DC, then transitioning to the reserves in 2002. Colonel
Swindle was activated again from 2003 to 2007 for Operation Iraqi Freedom as an
intelligence officer, serving with the Marine Corps Intelligence Agency (MCIA) and the
Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, co-creating the Support and Stability Operations
(SASO) exercise, the precursor to Mojave Viper. While with the he deployed to Fallujah
in serving with Joint Special Operations Command and I-MEF G-2 in 2006. While
deployed, Colonel Swindle created the Joint Prosecution and Exploitation Cell (JPEC),
now a doctrinal unit, and the Corps’ Site Exploitation SOP.
As a field grade officer, Colonel Swindle served as a Defense Attaché with the
Defense Intelligence Agency with tours to the Middle East and Europe. He served as
the Operations Officer of 4th Force Reconnaissance Company and Officer-In-Charge of
a newly formed counterintelligence unit focused on domestic issues for MCIA, which
became the template for active duty counterintelligence detachments. Colonel Swindle
served as a Special Projects officer with the 4th Marine Division focused on the
development of Marine Forces Reserve cold weather policy and training.
As a Colonel, he founded the USMC IMA detachment with the Defense
Innovation Unit, leads the Joint Reserve Detachment and created the Advanced Energy
and Materials Portfolio, DIU’s sixth and largest portfolio. In 2021, Colonel Swindle was
selected to serve as the founder and Commanding Officer of the Marine Innovation Unit,
where he currently serves.
Colonel Swindle is the recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze
Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps
Commendation Medal (second award), Army Commendation Medal, and the Navy and
Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Colonel Swindle is the recipient of the 2006 James
L. Jones “Intelligence Officer of the Year award.
Colonel Swindle received a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic
Studies from the Naval War College in 2005 and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from
West Virginia University. In his civilian career, Colonel Swindle is the Chairman, CEO,
and Founder of NLine Energy, Inc., a clean and renewable energy developer focused
on small hydropower and thermal energy recovery projects, with offices in California,
Oregon, Wyoming, Maine, and Pennsylvania.
Colonel Swindle resides in Swarthmore, PA with his wife, Jennifer, and their son,
Cameron.
Karen Roth
Air Force Research Laboratory – Chief Engineer, Information Directorate
Ms. Karen Roth is the Chief Engineer, Information Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, NY. The Information Directorate leads the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting information technologies for air, space and cyberspace forces. It consists of more than 800 military and civilian scientists, engineers, and administrative and support personnel pursuing a wide variety of research and development projects with an annual budget of more than $1.5 billion. Ms. Roth serves as the directorate’s technical engineering authority where she provides advice and counsel to the entire directorate on systems engineering and programmatic matters.
Terry Clas
New York Empire State Development, Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation – Business Development Executive
Mr. Terence J. Clas is a Business Development Executive within NY State’s Empire State Development Division of Science, Technology and Innovation. His responsibilities include supporting the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program; specifically, the MEP Advanced Technology Team project providing support to industry, government and academic institutions by offering technical resources, funding mechanisms, workforce development, and collaboration opportunities available through the National MEP Network, Manufacturing USA Institutes and NY State resources.
Brian Alapatt
Chainalysis Government Solutions – Technical Product Manager
Mr. Brian Alapatt is a Technical Product Marketing Manager at Chainalysis where he is responsible for showing the value of Chainalysis solutions to the public and private sector. Chainalysis provides expertise in cryptocurrency investigations, analysis, advisory, cybersecurity, and data engineering to United States defense, intelligence, law enforcement, and civilian agencies to disrupt criminal operations, reduce illicit activity, recover funds for victims, and investigate cases. Previously serving as a Chainalysis Trainer for 2.5 years, he taught regulators, law enforcement, financial institutions and private businesses all over the world about crypto, compliance and investigating crypto crime. Prior to joining Chainalysis, Mr. Alapatt served as a Legislative Director at the New York State Senate.
Dr. James Hendler
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) – Director, Rensselaer Institute for Data Exploration and Applications
Dr. James Hendler is the Director of the Future of Computing Institute and the Tetherless World Professor of Computer, Web and Cognitive Sciences at RPI. He is a data scientist with specific interests in open government and scientific data, AI and machine learning, semantic data integration and the datapolicy in government. One of the originators of the Semantic Web, he authored over 450 books, technical papers, and articles in the areas of Open Data, the Semantic Web, AI, and data policy and governance. He is also the former Chief Scientist of the Information Systems Office at the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).