Dr. Frederick A. Tarantino

Dr. Frederick A. (Fred) Tarantino is President and CEO of the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), a scientific research and advanced technology company at the forefront of space-related investigations.  In this capacity, Fred manages an array of research activities and programs that together span the breadth of disciplines in space research and related technologies: astronomy and astrophysics, life sciences, earth sciences, microgravity, computer sciences, space technology, advanced concepts, and space nuclear power. The USRA Houston Center houses the Lunar and Planetary Institute, the Division of Space Life Sciences, and a suite of regional and national educational programs. All USRA programs have a strong connection to university research, and the organizations 104 research university members.

Fred previously served as the Principal Associate Director for Weapons Programs at Los Alamos National Laboratory, with overall responsibility for all aspects of the Laboratory’s science based weapons stewardship program. Prior to joining Los Alamos, Fred was a Principal Vice President of Bechtel National, Inc., the government contracting arm of Bechtel Group.  He joined Bechtel in 1996 as a project manager, and performed both operations and business development assignments. Fred led the successful Bechtel business development effort to win award of the $750M Aberdeen Chemical Weapons Disposal Facility. 

From 1999 to 2001, he was Bechtel’s space and defense operations manager, providing services to commercial space customers, NASA and the Department of Defense on a variety of projects in the U.S. and in Europe, South America and Asia.  From 2001 to 2004, he served as President of Bechtel Nevada, the 2,900 persons, $460M annual revenue management and operations contractor for the DOE/NNSA’s Nevada Operations Office. 

While on active duty with the U.S. Army, Fred served on a number of space, arms control and missile defense interagency teams and international delegations, including discussions with Russia on anti-ballistic missile treaty modifications and Nunn-Lugar program negotiations to reduce the risks from Russian nuclear capabilities. An infantry officer by training, Fred commanded rifle units overseas and in the U.S. In 1992, while at the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, Fred led a Department of Defense mission to Russia to procure over 100 tons of advanced Soviet space hardware; then operated a special test facility for it in the United States.  He served as defense liaison to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from 1992-1995. Fred’s last active duty assignment was Chief, Air and Missile Defense Branch in the Office of the Secretary of the Army.

Fred received his B.S. degree in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a M.S. in Nuclear Science from the Air Force Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in Nuclear Reactor Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition to his distinguished management career, he is a graduate of the Wharton Business School’s Advanced Management Program and a member of both the National Scientific and Engineering Honor Societies. He and his wife Jasmine live in Clarksville, MD. They have three children, including two sons in the U.S. Air Force.

Mr. Scott Williamson

Mr. Williamson has more than 30 years of successful career experience and an outstanding set of qualifications. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and earned a Juris Doctor (cum laude) from Wake Forest University. Most recently he has served as the senior legal advisor to a multi-billion-dollar revenue division of Northrop Grumman with responsibilities that included developing strategic plans to expand the division's business base and structuring contracts to optimize return and minimize risk. His achievements prior to that include leading successful capture efforts that resulted in multi-billion-dollar awards, developing plans for the successful penetration of strategic markets, and implementing a Contractor Assurance System to ensure quality work execution.

Mr. Timothy Tuttle

Mr. Tuttle has more than 30 years of experience in financial management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from University of Washington and is a certified public accountant. His previous career experience includes Senior Financial Manager at Los Alamos National Laboratory and various positions at Battelle Memorial Institute. Since joining USRA in January 2008 as a business manager, Mr. Tuttle was instrumental in capturing a multi-million dollar contract. Mr. Tuttle also has experience in procurement, contract management, budget management, and auditing.

Mr. Alan Marchant

Mr. Marchant has more than 20 years of senior executive and general management experience in a number of industries, including aerospace, defense, consulting, and telecommunications. Prior to joining USRA, he held the CIO and other senior IT leadership positions at Union Telephone Company and Thiokol Propulsion, a major aerospace contractor involved in the development of rocket motors for satellite propulsion, missiles, and the space shuttle. Mr. Marchant received his Bachelor of Science degree in Design Engineering and Computer-Aided Design from Brigham Young University. He joined USRA in 2006.