Mr Alan Shaffer serves as the Director, NATO STO Collaboration Support Office in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, coordinating a network of about 5000 scientists across NATO and partner nations. He previously served as the US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, from 2007–2015. Serving twice as the acting Secretary, he was responsible for all aspects of the $ 25 billion research and engineering program. He also held numerous special assignments, including the (acting) First Director, Operational Energy, Plans and Programs, and was Executive Director of the US DoD Energy Security and Mine Resistant Ambush Protection (MRAP) Task Forces. Mr Shaffer also served a 24-year United States Air Force career. He was awarded the DoD Distinguished Executive Presidential Rank Award in 2007 and 2015 and the Meritorious Rank Award in 2004.