John Plumb is the Principal Director for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy in the office of the Secretary of Defense.  In this role he helps provide Department of Defense policy oversight and guidance of both the nuclear weapons enterprise and ballistic missile defense programs.  Prior to this position, John served in the office of United States Senator Ken Salazar, first as a Congressional Science and Technology Fellow through the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and subsequently on the Senator’s personal staff as his Military Legislative Advisor.  He served over six years as a submarine officer in the United States Navy, qualifying as Officer of the Deckand Engineer Officer onboard the fast-attack Los Angeles class submarine U.S.S. San Juan (SSN-751).  Following his sea tour, he taught Aspects of Reactor Plant Operation at the Navy’s Nuclear Power School, where he was responsible for the instruction of hundreds of officer students each year.  His academic degrees include a B.S. in Physics from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado.  He remains active in the Navy Reserves, where he currently holds the rank of Commander.