Rob Walker is the Executive Director, Homeland Security Experts Group where he is leading efforts to elevate the conversations around risks and opportunities within the homeland security enterprise. Previously he was the Executive Director of the Aspen Security Forum and the Aspen Institute’s Homeland Security Program. Rob led the Forum for three years, gaining the highest rate of news coverage in the history of the Institute.

Walker retired from the United States Army after serving for over 20 years in various worldwide assignments and leadership roles. He was instrumental in the return of the U.S. Army’s presence in Eastern Europe – an effort to assure NATO allies and deter further westward aggression by Russia. A career Field Artillery Officer, his career was marked by assignments and roles in military-to-military relationship building and fostering of interoperability.

Walker has received numerous military awards including two Bronze Star Medals, the Valorous Unit Award, five Meritorious Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with two stars, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Joint Service Achievement Medal.  He is also a holder of the prestigious U.S. Field Artillery Associations’ Order of St. Barbara.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a master’s degree in international relations from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the co-chair of the West Point Leadership and Ethics Conference in the Washington, DC area and sits on the advisory board of #NatSecGirlSquad, building competent diversity in national security and defense.