Adam Sanderson
Alexandria,VA
Summary
Senior military strategist with over 2 decades of experience in guiding strategic operations within the US Army and Department of Defense. Demonstrated expertise in crafting strategic documents shaping DoD decisions, mitigating global risks, and influencing future resource requirements. Extensive experience working with NATO and European allies and partners in building collaborative approaches to security challenges. Adept at developing comprehensive strategic plans and directing operations, ensuring the successful implementation of military strategy and crisis management initiatives.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Operations, Plans, and Strategy
Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, Logistics, and Technology
08.2023 - 09.2025
- Led planning and synchronizing of complex Army acquisition operations across an enterprise of 30,000 with 7 major Program Executive Offices, ensuring robust cost management and operational efficiency.
- Led the ASA(ALT) strategic planning and communications outreach for executives.
- Directly responsible for translating enterprise guidance into discreet executable acquisition efforts in support of the Army and DOD strategy, leveraging strong organizational skills and leadership.
- Provided strategic advice and context to Army senior government officials and political appointees to enhance the Army's ability to develop, procure, test, and field the best capabilities for 1 million members of the total Army.
- Executed $40 billion worth of material support to Ukraine; and obtained $30 billion worth of replenishment funding from Congress to restock the U.S. Army capabilities, ensuring accurate financial analysis and risk management.
- Oversaw the reception, processing, and response to all Freedom of Information Act requests.
Director, Strategy and Plans (G5)
Headquarters, I Corps, U.S. Army
07.2020 - 07.2023
- Developed operational plans and initiatives for the Army in the Indo-Pacific region impacting 30,000 U.S. personnel.
- Developed support plans for two Presidentially directed operational plans (OPLANS) in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Led annual negotiations with 5 allied and 7 partner militaries for 26 bilateral and multilateral exercises to enable integrated operations, demonstrating communication skills and leadership.
- Led I Corps participation in war games and simulations at regional and national levels to ensure organizational capabilities were properly incorporated.
- Executed and managed a $50 million budget for annual military exercises, orchestrating transportation, logistics, and life support efforts to sustain distributed operations across the Indo-Pacific theater.
Senior Army Fellow
Georgetown University
06.2019 - 06.2020
- Contributed to research activities by providing specialist input based on professional expertise, practice, experience, and qualifications.
- As a visiting fellow, developed and taught an undergraduate course on strategy development and campaigning (strategy implementation) to 20 Georgetown students.
- Taught a graduate course on the Tools of U.S. Statecraft to 20 Georgetown graduate students.
Chief, Plans Development Branch
Joint Chiefs of Staff, Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J5)
07.2017 - 06.2019
- Led the implementation of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's Department of Defense Readiness Review Process for North Korea, Russia, and China threats.
- Managed a joint planning team from across the Department of Defense to recommend global priorities during conflict with peer adversaries, identify risk to combatant commanders, and articulate decisions for the Secretary of Defense and the President of the United States.
- Coordinated war plan analysis and facilitated development of 86 directed plans across the Department of Defense and other government agencies, ensuring comprehensive financial planning and execution.
- Managed the Department of Defense (JPEC) reviews of deliberate plans for concept feasibility, associated risk, and timely transition from steady state operations to execution, with a focus on financial risk assessment and mitigation.
- Produced strategic briefs for the President, Congress, and Cabinet Secretaries, delivering critical insights into war planning, risk assessments, and budgetary considerations to elevate the strategic acumen of decision-makers.
Chief, Strategy and Policy Branch
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Directorate for Strategy, Policy, and Plans (J5)
05.2016 - 07.2017
- Responsible for implementation of the commander's vision, guidance and intent through the development of the U.S. Pacific Command Theater Strategy and Theater Campaign Plan
- Led the Theater Strategy and Theater Campaign Plan Joint Planning Teams
- Led the formulation and development of the Southeast Asia Maritime Security Strategy, optimizing the employment of $250 million in Congressionally authorized funding to bolster maritime security efforts, ensuring effective budgeting and resource allocation.
- Coordinated with Security Cooperation Offices (SCOs) and Defense Attache Offices to establish Security Cooperation objectives for over 30 countries in the Indo-Pacific in support of U.S. national security.
- Coordinated theater strategy and policy with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, defense agencies, and members of other U.S. government agencies, leveraging communication skills and strategic planning expertise.
Director of Staff
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy, J5
09.2014 - 05.2016
- Synchronized efforts of the six divisions within the J5 directorate to ensure the demanding policy, strategy, and planning requirements are met, demonstrating robust organizational skills and leadership.
- Coordinated schedules for 4 General Officers/Flag Officers in the J5 directorate through their executive assistants, in order to meet Indo-Pacific Command battle rhythm requirements.
- Facilitated J5 internal meetings to provide senior leaders maximum time to interact with the staff.
Education
No Degree - Chief Strategy Officer Executive Education Progam
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA01-2025
Master of Arts - National Security And Strategic Studies
Navy War College
Newport, RI01-2008
Bachelor of Arts - Business Adminstration
Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS08-1996
Skills
- Operational Planning
- Joint Planning Process
- Military Decision Making Process
- Strategy Formulation
- Strategic Communication
- Operational Assessment
- Data Driven Decision Making
- Campaign Planning
- Security Cooperation Planning
- Joint Exercise Life Cycle and Planning
- Headquarters Training and Exercises
- Senior Staff Coordination
- Active Top Secret Security Clearance
- Negotiation with Foreign Militaries
Affiliations
- Military Officer Association of America
- Association of the U.S. Army
- The American Legion
- Army Strategists Association
Certification
- Joint Professional Military Education II
- U.S. Army Basic Strategic Arts Program
- Navy War College
- Defense Strategist Course
- Foundations of Interagency Planning
- Joint Humanitarian Operations Course
Timeline
Director, Operations, Plans, and Strategy
Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, Logistics, and Technology
08.2023 - 09.2025
Director, Strategy and Plans (G5)
Headquarters, I Corps, U.S. Army
07.2020 - 07.2023
Senior Army Fellow
Georgetown University
06.2019 - 06.2020
Chief, Plans Development Branch
Joint Chiefs of Staff, Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J5)
07.2017 - 06.2019
Chief, Strategy and Policy Branch
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Directorate for Strategy, Policy, and Plans (J5)
05.2016 - 07.2017
Director of Staff
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy, J5
09.2014 - 05.2016
No Degree - Chief Strategy Officer Executive Education Progam
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Master of Arts - National Security And Strategic Studies
Navy War College
Bachelor of Arts - Business Adminstration
Mississippi State University
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