Dennis M. Cantwell
Dennis M. Cantwell
Highlights of Qualifications
Three years’ NATO military experience analyzing grand strategic policy, formulating strategic concepts, and implementing operational plans.
NATO (volunteer) civil expert in consequence management supporting NATO Crisis Management Arrangements for the Civil Emergency Planning staff.
Seven years’ experience in international security, treaty verification, and defense policy and plans.
Security Clearance: USA TS, NATO Secret, 2004.
Professional Experience
2007 – Present President, Salient Strategies, Inc. a consulting company focused on providing advice and networking for governmental, private and business partners within the NATO and EU environment.
-From September 2007 to July 2008, provided Business Development Management for Bruhn Newtech, an international software engineering company providing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) command management solutions for military and first responder capabilities.
2004 – 2007 Senior Plans & Operations Officer for all CBRN defense within a strategic, multinational staff of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization):
-Analyzed current requirements, matched capabilities to requirements, plans operations, and supervised operations to ensure plans were executed and goals were met.
-Represented the senior military officer in NATO (Supreme Commander Allied Powers Europe) to the senior defense group on proliferation, providing military advice to this executive policy-making body. In doing so, helps draft the policy, then translates the policy to operational requirements and develops concepts and procedures to achieve the policy goals.
-Chaired a working group consisting of representatives from all 26 member nations that develops and publishes operational procedures and standards for NATO.
-Liaised with senior NATO civil authorities and working groups to assist them with developing standards and procedures for CBRN defense.
-Analyzed long-term (10-15 year) military capability needs and assigns nations goals and objectives to meet functional and organizational requirements.
2002 – 2004 Commander, Bluegrass Chemical Activity, a chemical weapons storage and destruction facility:
-Ensured the safe and secure storage and maintenance of 500 tons of various chemical weapons.
-As a member of the contracting team, established the contract for the United States’ last chemical weapons destruction facility. This contract is worth an estimated two billion dollars over a 10-15 year execution period.
-Worked closely with the selected prime contractor, Bechtel-Parsons, to integrate their design with the existing facilities infrastructure to ensure safety, maximize efficiency, and reduce cost.
-Improved relations between the local community and Bluegrass through an aggressive public relations program and personal contact with senior local and state public officials. This fostered acceptance within the community of the implementation of highly sensitive technology used in chemical weapons destruction.
-Transformed an organization characterized by systematic failure by developing and implementing reforms in programs, procedures and budgets. This led the organization to successfully pass both national military and independent, international verification inspections, which demonstrated a program fully compliant with US treaty obligations.
2000 – 2002 Exchange Officerto theBritish Armed Forces’ CBRN Defense Center:
-Mentored British officers and advised organizational planners on structure and strategic vision.
- Developed and published joint CBRN defense doctrine for the armed forces.
-Supervised the field-testing of new equipment and procedures in support of major procurement initiatives, which significantly improved the UK’s ability to protect their deployed forces.
-Advised the UK in the development of their CBRN defense for the police and first-responder training establishment. Improved interoperability and training between the UK military and civilian forces.
1999 – 2000 Executive Officer, 83d Chemical Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps serving asdeputy commander for the Army’s highest-readiness CBRN defense battalion:
-Supervised a staff of fifty and coordinated among them to meet operational planning requirements, training objectives, and equipment readiness goals. Successfully passed all inspections conducted by one of the Army’s premier, high readiness combat formations.
-Developed the operational and tactical joint CBRN defense plan for Southwest Asia, which was implemented during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mentored subordinate officers on the intricacies of planning detailed operations in foreign countries.
-Planned and executed the relocation of the battalion (personnel, families and equipment) from Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Fort Polk, Louisiana ahead of schedule, below budget, and safely.
1998 – 1999 Deputy Corps Chemical Officer, XVIII Airborne Corps managing all CBRN support staff coordination:
-Developed plans and policies for Corps (numbering 80,000 soldiers) and Joint Task Force (incorporating other branches of service) operations.
-Supervised a staff of 15, which integrated the Corps’ operational planning, training, and logistics.
1997 – 1998 Student Command and General Staff College, a selective, master’s-level course for mid-level career officers.
1995 – 1997 Course Director and Instructor, Department of Military Instruction, United States Military Academy, West Point
-Developed, wrote, and published the student text for an accredited, military science course.
-Supervised over 70 instructors who taught the course to over 900 third-year cadet students.
-Voluntarily mentored cadets and coached a team which competed with other military academies in competitive sport.
-Completed a Master’s degree program while accomplishing required and voluntary work.
1984 – 1995: III Corps CBRN Plans Officer; Company Commander, HHC, 1st Brigade, 2d Armored Division; Research, Development and Material Acquisition Specialist, Human Engineering Laboratory, Army Material Command; Platoon Leader / Company Executive Officer, 95th Chemical Company.
Education
Master of Public Administration, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration (Finance), University of Maryland
Command and General Staff College, United States Army
Material Acquisition Management Course, United States Army