Inter-American Defense College
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Major General Richard J. Heitkamp
Director and Commandant
Major General Richard Heitkamp serves as the 27th Director and Commandant of the Inter-American Defense College (IADC) at Ft. Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C. The IADC is an international war college accredited to award Master of Science degrees in Inter-American Defense and Security to uniformed and civilian officials from the 34 member nations of the Organization of American States. These graduates return to their home countries to serve in military, security, and diplomatic positions advising strategic leaders within their governments. The IADC nurtures continued relationships between graduates to create a regional alumni network of highly capable security and defense professionals.
Prior to this assignment, MG Heitkamp served as the Deputy Chief of Engineers & Deputy Commanding General U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). As USACE’s second in command, he was responsible for more than 36,000 civilian employees and 800 military personnel who provided project management and construction support to 250 Army and Air Force installations, and construction expertise to more than 110 countries.
Other previous assignments include National Program Manager for the Southwest Border Infrastructure Program; deputy director J5 (Western Hemisphere), Chairman’s Joint Staff, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; deputy J5, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; commander, 420th Engineer Brigade, Bryan, Texas; G3, 416th Theater Engineer Command, Darien, Illinois; deputy commander, Transatlantic Division, Winchester, Virginia; Kabul Area OIC, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Afghanistan; commander, 12/104th Engineer Battalion and later 1/95th Engineer Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; assistant S3 and later company commander, 27th Engineer Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, NC. He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He holds degrees in civil engineering, environmental engineering, engineering management, military arts & sciences, and strategic studies.
General de Brigada Carlos Eduardo Barbosa da Costa
Vice Director
Brigadier General Carlos Eduardo B. da Costa was born in 1970, in the city of Rio de Janeiro (RJ). He joined the ranks of the Army in February 1985, and later joined the Agulhas Negras Military Academy. He became an aspiring artillery officer in November 1991.
After graduating and having completed higher military studies courses throughout his career, he fulfilled the requirements of a combat officer and furthered his education with specialization courses in military intelligence and psychological operations. Abroad, he attended the Joint Staff Advanced Course, in the United Kingdom (2009-10), and the National Defense Master, in the Argentine Republic, in 2017.
His academic studies include a post-graduation course in Human Resource Management and an MBA in Project Management.
During his military service, he served in military organizations throughout Brazil. Furthermore, he worked as an instructor at the main educational institutions of the Brazilian Army, and as a direct assistant to the Eastern Military Commander and the Army Chief of Staff. In 2018, he became Chief of Staff of the Security Secretariat of the State of Rio de Janeiro, during the period of Federal Intervention in Public Security.
He led the 31st Field Artillery Group (school) with headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, in the 2013-14 biennium.
General Carlos Eduardo was promoted to his current rank on July 31st 2020, when he became Chief of Staff of the Southeast Military Command in the city of São Paulo. Prior to joining the Inter-American Defense College as its Vice-Director, General Carlos Eduardo served as the commander of the Brazilian Army Officer Training School.
General Carlos Eduardo is married with Ms. Adriana and the couple has a son called Arthur.
General de Grupo Piloto Aviador Abel Martínez García
Chief of Studies
El ciudadano general de grupo piloto aviador, diplomado de estado mayor aéreo abel martínez garcía, nació el 10 de junio de 1969 en la ciudad de méxico.
Causó alta en el ejercito y fuerza aérea mexicanos como cadete de la escuela militar de aviación el primero de septiembre de 1987; y egreso como subteniente de fuerza aérea piloto aviador el 01 septiembre de 1990., durante su carrera militar destacan las siguientes comisiones:
En el ámbito académico, ha realizado los cursos de formación de piloto aviador en la escuela militar de aviación, de mando y estado mayor en la escuela superior de guerra, obteniendo la licenciatura en administración militar y en ese mismo plantel militar la especialidad en estado mayor conjunto en el curso superior de guerra. En el centro de estudios superiores navales obtuvo la maestría en administración naval y en el colegio de defensa se graduó con la maestría en seguridad nacional.
Además de lo anterior, ha realizado diversos cursos de especialización como son el curso de capacitación docente, curso básico de inteligencia y curso de capacitación de instructor del idioma ingles.
Asimismo, llevo a cabo actividades de docencia, siendo profesor de la materia de liderazgo en la escuela militar de aviación, jefe del curso de mando y estado mayor en la escuela superior de guerra y coordinador académico en el colegio de defensa nacional.
En el ámbito operativo ha estado encuadrado en los escuadrones aéreos 203 y 202, como oficial piloto aviador, en la escuela militar de aviación siendo instructor de vuelo en los escuadrones preparatorio y primario, además de oficial de operaciones en el escuadrón avanzado, de igual forma fungió como comandante de la primera compañía de cadetes de ese plantel militar.
Ha sido comandante en los diferentes niveles de mandos en la fuerza aérea mexicana como son del escuadrón aéreo 108, de la estación aérea militar numero nueve, del segundo grupo aéreo y de la base aérea militar numero seis.
En el ámbito administrativo fue el jefe de la mesa de autorizaciones y sobrevuelos de la s-2 (inteligencia) del estado mayor de la defensa nacional, jefe del grupo de enlace en la oficina de enlace con el comando norte de los e.u.a. en la subsecretaria de la defensa nacional y posteriormente jefe del grupo de enlace en la oficina de enlace de la sedena con el departamento de defensa de los e.u.a., del estado mayor de la defensa nacional. Fue jefe de estado mayor en el tercer grupo aéreo y jefe de la a-4 (logística) en el estado mayor de la fuerza aérea mexicana.
En actividades con el extranjero, fue agregado militar adjunto en la embajada de mexico en los e.u.a. fungiendo como oficial de enlace en el comando norte de los e.u.a. y participó en la secretaria general de la junta interamericana de defensa como asesor.
Actualmente se desempeña como jefe de estudios en el colegio interamericano de defensa.
Se ha hecho merecedor a las condecoraciones de perseverancia de 5/a., 4/a., 3/a., 2/a. 1/a. Clases y especial, por contar con mas de 35 años de servicios ininterrumpidos. Ha recibido en dos ocasiones el merito facultativo de segunda clase, por haber obtenido segundos lugares en aprovechamiento académico en el curso de mando y estado mayor aéreo, así como en la maestría en seguridad nacional, además se le otorgo el merito docente, legión de honor y alas de piloto aviador con estrella por tener mas de 1500 horas de vuelo.
Respecto a condecoraciones en el extranjero ha recibido la medalla de servicio meritorios otorgada por el departamento de defensa de los e.u.a. y la medalla especial y cintillo con estrella y laurel. Otorgada por la junta interamericana de defensa.
Dr. Mark Hamilton, PhD
Professor & Faculty Coordinator
Dr. Mark Hamilton, originally of Rochester, New York and Concord, Michigan, received his B.A. in Spanish from Taylor University, where he graduated summa cum laude. He later earned his M.A. in International Development and Ph.D. in International Relations at American University. While pursuing his graduate studies, Dr. Hamilton received several awards recognizing outstanding research and teaching in his field. His doctoral dissertation, honored with distinction, examined why and how young people are mobilized into violent and non-violent movements, grounded by Dr. Hamilton’s systems modeling and diverse field experiences in Latin America, South Asia, and Middle East.
Dr. Mark Hamilton now serves as an inaugural member of the Inter-American Defense College’s permanent faculty. Core academic courses developed and taught at IADC include Multidimensional Security in the Americas and Conflict Analysis and Resolution. He also provides instructional and advisory support for the annual Faculty and Staff Orientation, Advanced Research and Writing Workshop, and targeted study trips and student academic seminars. Professor Hamilton conducts his classes at the College in Spanish and English, reflecting to some extent the linguistic diversity that characterizes this unique international educational institution.
Prior to his current faculty role, Dr. Hamilton served at the IADC for several years as an academic consultant and visiting professor, contributing to strategic updates of the academic curriculum and related program developments. He helped to introduce a more active teaching methodology at the College and organize joint academic seminars in collaboration with the Committee on Hemispheric Security and the Secretariat of Multidimensional Security of the Organization of American States (OAS).
Outside the IADC, Professor Hamilton has taught graduate and professional courses at American University, among other institutions, and has developed significant expertise facilitating workshops for senior-level officials. He was selected as keynote speaker for a UNESCO forum in Paris and has consulted for diverse inter-governmental, non-profit, and academic institutions on themes including curriculum design, program evaluation, conflict analysis and peacebuilding, youth engagement, cyber security, and security sector reform.
Professor Hamilton is a member of the International Studies Association and American Political Science Association, among other professional groups, and has served on the advisory board for multiple education and youth-focused foundations and non-profits. He publishes actively, and has presented his research at several global conferences.
Dr. Daniel Masís, PhD
Professor
Dr. Daniel Masís received his degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Licentiate in Political Science (with distinction), and his J.D. degree (with distinction) from the University of Costa Rica. His Ph. D. in International Relations (with distinction) is from American University, in Washington, D.C.
Professionally, Dr. Masís has been a government official, a consultant, and an academic. In his early career, he worked in the Office of National Planning and Economic Policy of the Government of Costa Rica, and then at the Central American Institute for Public Administration (ICAP), one of the oldest intergovernmental organizations of Central America. He has also been a consultant for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Foundation for Peace and Democracy (FUNPADEM, Costa Rica), and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).
As an academic, he taught in the School of Political Science of the University of Costa Rica from 1977 to 2003, achieving the rank of associate professor. He was the director of the school from 1992 to 1996. From 1987 until 2001 he was also a guest professor, in the areas of U.S.-Latin American relations, and Latin American and Central American history and politics at American University and George Washington University (in D.C.) and the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, Florida State University, Linfield College, St. Cloud State University, Union College, and the University of Delaware (in Costa Rica).
From 1994 to 2002 he was also a professor and researcher of the Centro de Investigación y Adiestramiento Político y Administrativo (Center for Research and Administrative and Political Training, CIAPA, an independent private institute affiliated with Tulane University).
In 2003 he came to American University’s School of International Service as a visiting assistant professor, moving in 2007 to the position of scholar-in-residence and director of American University’s Master’s Program with the Inter-American Defense College. In 2008 he also became the director of American University’s Master in International Service Program, until July 2013. Since August of that year he has been a full-time professor at the Inter-American Defense College.
Dr. Masís is also a contributing editor of the Handbook of Latin American Studies, an annual publication of the Library of Congress of the United States., PhD
Dr. Mirlis Reyes, PhD
Professor
Dr. Mirlis Reyes Salarichs, originally from Havana, Cuba, earned her Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Macerata, Italy. Her area of expertise as a researcher has been in the defense industry, illicit economy, and local development in Latin America. She earned her Bachelor’s in Economic Science at the University of Havana.
Mr. Manuel Lora
Professor
(Retired) Rear Admiral, Master of Science in Security Studies, Georgetown University. Manuel Lora graduated with a degree in Naval Sciences from the Peruvian Naval Academy and served in the Peruvian Navy for 36 years where he retired with the rank of Rear Admiral.
Professor Lora received a Master’s degree in Security Studies specializing in International Security from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University in Washington DC. Professor Lora completed his doctorate studies in International Peace and Security at the General Gutiérrez Mellado University in Madrid.
Professor Lora also received a Leadership Training Certificate in Distance Learning from the University of Maryland University College. Manuel Lora was a professor of National Security Issues at the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies from 2005 until 2014 and also served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs since 2011.
His main areas of academic research focus on: International, Regional and Hemispheric Security; Defense Policy and Strategy; Decision Making Processes, Political Violence and Distance Learning and Teaching.[:es]Contralmirante (Retirado) Maestría en Ciencias en Estudios de Seguridad, Universidad de Georgetown. Manuel Lora obtuvo su licenciatura en ciencias navales de la Escuela Naval del Perú y sirvió en la Marina de Guerra del Perú por 36 años, retirándose con el grado de Contralmirante.
Ms. Katherine J. Almeida Ramos, M. S.
Professor
Ms. Katherine Almeida, Professor of Practice, is a former diplomat originally from the Dominican Republic. She received her B.A. from the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), where she graduated summa cum laude. She earned a M.A. in Development, Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the University of Salamanca, Spain; a M.A. in Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation from the Universidade da Beira Interior, Portugal, with a level of excellence; a M.S. in Defense and Inter-American Security, as a distinguished graduate, from the Inter-American Defense College, Washington, D.C., and is a Ph.D. candidate from the University of Salamanca.
Professor Almeida is a faculty member of the Inter-American Defense College, where she serves as Professor for the Conflict Analysis and Resolution core academic course, at the Master and Diploma programs, serving as the first Dominican member of the faculty. Outside the IADC, Professor Almeida has taught graduate and professional programs at the University of Salamanca, the Inter-American Development Bank, among other security, defense and international cooperation institutions.
She has participated as mentor on programs for public sector leaders and NGOs on Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria. Her professional experience includes adult education and instructional design; international cooperation; and international business development in private sector. She has supported organizations as SME on conflict analysis, cross/section team building, transformational leadership, and stakeholders’ strategies. Serving from the educational field on defense colleges and national police forces of several countries in the Western Hemisphere.
Col Eduardo Cunha
Professor
Brazilian Army Colonel Eduardo Cunha received his commission as an Artillery Officer in 1995 after graduating from the Brazilian Military Academy at Agulhas Negras (AMAN) located in Rio de Janeiro. His first assignment was to 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group in Southeastern Brazil where he commanded an anti-aircraft gun section.
In 1999, he attended the Coastal Artillery and Anti-Aircraft Course. After completing the course, he was assigned to 3rd Missile and Rocket Battery in the Southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. Over the next three years he provided fire support for various exercises throughout the region.
After his promotion to captain, COL Eduardo Cunha attended the Brazilian Army Officer’s Advanced School. Next, in 2004 he was assigned to serve as an operations officer in 6th Missile and Rocket Group. Next, in 2007 he returned to the Coastal Artillery and Anti-Aircraft School to serve as an instructor for the next four years. He then attended the Brazilian Army’s Command and General Staff College (ECEME) located in Rio de Janeiro.
At the conclusion of his studies at ECEME, COL Eduardo Cunha transferred to 1st Division Artillery (AD1) where he served as an Operations Officer and Intelligence Advisor. During this assignment, he coordinated the deployments of units providing security for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, World Youth Day, and 2014 FIFA World Cup. In addition, he served as a training exercise planner.
In 2015, he was assigned to the 11th Military Region in the capital, Brasília. Over the next two years he served as a logistics officer. Next, in 2017 he was assigned to the Army Headquarters managing troop readiness in the Ground Operations Command.
In 2018, COL Eduardo Cunha returned to the Southeast to command 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group for two years. During command he led his unit during a federal intervention geared towards improving security in Rio de Janeiro. He also oversaw the execution of several live-fire exercises and the certification of two cohorts of new sergeants.
After Command, he returned to AD1 to serve as its Chief of Staff. After a year in this position, he attended the Higher Studies Course in Politics and Strategy at the Escola Superior de Guerra (the Brazilian War College) in Rio de Janeiro.
At the end of the course, he was assigned to the Cyber Defense Command in Brasília where he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Brazil Cyber Defense Command, in addition to the planned , he was the strategic of the Brazil team in the EXERCISE LOCKED SHIELDS and EXERCISE CYBER GUARDIAN in 2021.
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Southeast Brazil), COL Eduardo Cunha is married to his wife Graziele. He has two children, Luiz Eduardo (21) and Alicia (13).
Col Hiarlley G. Cruz Landim, PhD
Professor
Col (Dr.) Landim, a Brazilian Army Staff Officer, earned his Ph.D. in Military Science at the Meira Mattos Institute of the Brazilian Army Staff College (ECEME), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2015. His area of knowledge and interest has been in security and defense, with an emphasis on strategic studies, foreign affairs and military diplomacy. He holds a degree in Military Science from the Military Academy of Agulhas Negras and has over 31 years of service, in which more than 10 years were serving in the Amazon region and another 10 years as instructor and professor at the Military Academy and Command and General Staff College.
He also earned a Master’s degree in Operational Studies, with an emphasis on Military Operations at the Brazilian Army Captain’s Advanced Training School. He joined the United Nations as Military Observer for the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), in 2008.
Col Landim is graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, where he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies (MOSS), from the Strategic Studies Program.
Col Landim was appointed by the Brazilian Army Commander to serve as Military Advisor to the Presidency of the Republic, within the Institutional Security Office (GSI-PR), a period in his career during which he learned extensively about Public Policies and Governance, as well as Foreign Policy and Statecraft and Diplomacy.
Recently, Col Landim attended the Advanced Studies in Defense Course at the Higher School of Defense (ESD) of the Brazilian Ministry of Defense, where he earned the title of Specialist in National Security and Defense Studies.
Col Landim currently serves as Inter-American Defense College’s faculty member. He is developing and teaching Strategic Thinking for Defense and Hemispheric Security and overseeing the World and Western Hemispheric Situation Conferences and Committees.
Capt Antonio Carlos Rebelo Loureiro
Professor
Captain Loureiro is a Brazilian Navy Officer. He entered the Naval College on 19JAN1991, went to the Naval Academy on 17JAN1994 and was declared Navy Guard on 13DEC1997. He was appointed Second Lieutenant on 17JAN1999, when he embarked to serve on the Frigate Niterói, where he was promoted to First Lieutenant (25DEC2000) and Lieutenant (25DEC2003), having disembarked to command the Patrol Ship Guaratuba in 2007, in Salvador. In JUL09 he embarked at the Almirante Marques de Leão Training Center, specifically at the Department of Inspection and Training Advice (DIAsA), being promoted to Lieutenant Commander on DEC 25, 2009.
He took the Command and General Staff Course at the Naval War College in 2014 and, in 2015, he joined the Navy General Staff, specifically in the Policy and Strategic Planning Division, He was promoted to Commander on DEC 25, 2015 and disembarked to assume the Command of Frigate Independência in JUL, 2018. In JAN2020, after passing Command, he joined the General Staff of the Navy, specifically in the Division of Analysis and Development of Concepts, Strategies and Doctrines, where he worked with Force Planning and Force Design. He was promoted to Captain on 25DEC2020.
From July 2023 to June 2024, Captain Loureiro completed his Master’s Degree in Hemispheric Security and Defense at the Inter-American Defense College and, since June 2024, he has been teaching Strategic Planning (Country Study) and Forecasting Methodology.
Mr. Sparks Tyler
Professor
Tyler Sparks is a career member of the United Staes Foreign Service, and has served as a member of the IADC faculty since 2024. He is lead professor for courses on Civil-Military Relations, Human Rights, Gender in the Military, and domestic and international field studies. Previously, he served as U.S. Embassy Bogota’s Deputy Political Counselor (2021-2024), following a position in the State Department’s Office of Crisis Management and Strategy. In that role he was the Deputy Lead of the Department’s COVID-19 Interim Review (CIR), which examined the Department’s performance during the first year of the pandemic. Other past assignments include Acting Deputy Director and Senior Brazil Desk Officer in the Office of Brazil and Southern Cone Affairs (2018-2020), Senior Serbia Desk Officer in the State Department’s Bureau of European Affairs (2016-2018), Deputy Political Counselor in Ecuador (2013-2016), Political Officer in Nicaragua (2010-2013), Consular-Political rotation in Costa Rica (2008-2010) and Political/Military Officer in Malawi (2005-2007).
Mr. Sparks joined the U.S. Department of State in 2005. He has a bachelor’s in Political Science, Journalism and History from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Chicago. He speaks Spanish and Bulgarian, and is married with two children.
Col Jose Luis Rodriguez Gonzalez
Assistant Professor
El Crl del Ejercito de Perú. José Luis Rodriguez Gonzáles ingreso a la Escuela Militar de Chorrillos-Perú en 1994 y se graduó como sub teniente de infantería el 18 de noviembre de 1997. Ha ascendido al grado del Coronel del Ejército de Perú el 1 de enero del 2021. Ha sido el comandante del batallón contraterrorista “Moquegua” N° 42 Canayre, Ayacucho, en la zona de emergencia de PERU durante 2017-2018. Ha sido el comandante de la Fuerza Especial Conjunta del Comando de Inteligencia y Operaciones Especiales Conjuntas del Comando Conjunto de las FFAA de Perú. Donde ha comandado con resultados positivos varias operaciones especiales sobre los blancos estratégicos de la organización terrorista de Sendero Luminoso, para contribuir a la construcción de una paz positiva en el VRAEM (valle de los ríos Apurímac, Ene y Mantaro) de Perú.
Ha sido ayudante del Comandante General del Ejercito de Perú en el 2005; ha estudiado el curso de analistas de inteligencia en la Escuela de Inteligencia del Ejército de Chile en el 2006; ha estudiado el diplomado de inteligencia económica para la defensa en la Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins de Chile en el 2006; ha realizado la maestría en planeamiento estratégico en la Escuela de post grado del Ejercito de Perú en el 2011; ha realizado el Programa de Comando y Estado Mayor Conjunto en la Escuela de Guerra Conjunta de Perú en el 2012; ha realizado la maestría en Gestión de Recursos Humanos y Comportamiento Organizacional en la Universidad Ricardo Palma de Perú en el 2015; ha sido profesor master de nivel Comando general y staff de WHINSEC en EEUU 2015 y 2016; ha sido profesor principal en la Escuela de pos grado del Ejercito de Perú; ha realizado la maestría en Relaciones Internacionales en la Universidad de Troy-Alabama EEUU en el 2017; ha realizado el doctorado en Gestión de Estado y Políticas Publicas en el Centro de Altos Estudios Nacionales del 2021 hasta el 2023. Se incorporó al Comando de Inteligencia y Operaciones Conjuntas el 1 de enero del 2019 hasta diciembre del 2022.
Desde julio del 2023 a junio del 2024 ha realizado la maestría en Defensa y Seguridad interamericana en el Colegio Interamericano de Defensa y se desempeña como profesor asistente en la facultad, para la asignatura de Pensamiento Estratégico, Economía Política para la Defensa y Seguridad, Análisis y Resolución de conflictos, Políticas de Defensa y Seguridad Hemisférica, entre otros cursos.
Él está casado con Giuliana y tiene 2 hermosos hijos, Rafaella y Juan Pablo.
Col Adamilca Emelinda Rodriguez Martinez
Assistant Professor
Coronel Pedagoga Adamilca E. Rodríguez Martínez nació el 5 de noviembre en Sosúa, provincia de Puerto Plata, República Dominicana. Miembro de la Fuerza Aérea y del Ministerio de Educación de República Dominicana desde el año 2000, ha tenido una destacada formación académica, con cinco maestrías, dos especialidades y dos licenciaturas. Entre sus logros más destacados se encuentran la Maestría en Ciencias en Defensa y Seguridad Hemisférica del Colegio Interamericano de Defensa, la Maestría en Defensa y Seguridad Nacional en la Universidad Nacional para la Defensa Juan Pablo Duarte y Diez, donde fue la primera mujer militar en obtener el mayor índice académico, Maestría Profesionalizante en Administración y Gestión de Centros Educativos de la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) y una Maestría en Evaluación Educativa con doble titulación de la Universidad de Barcelona y el Instituto Nacional Tecnológico (INTEC). Además, cuenta con una Licenciatura en Derecho y otra en Educación, Mención Ciencias Sociales, además de más de 50 cursos, diplomados y talleres de actualización en el área militar, educativa, derecho, interrogatorio y contra interrogatorio de testigos, comunicación, defensa, seguridad, ciberseguridad, derechos humanos y derecho internacional humanitario
En su carrera profesional, la Coronel Rodríguez ha ocupado diversos cargos en la Fuerza Aérea y en el ámbito educativo. Actualmente, se desempeña como asesora y profesora asistente en el Colegio Interamericano de Defensa, además de ser enlace entre la agregaduría militar dominicana en Washington D.C. y dicho colegio. También ha sido Directora y actualmente asesora Regional de Educación en Puerto Plata; ha sido directora de centro educativo del nivel secundario del Ministerio de Educación y la Fuerza Aérea, además de encargada de los departamentos de protocolos, relaciones públicas y personal de la base Aérea de Puerto Plata, igualmente abogada ayudante de la Procuraduría Fiscal de Niños, Niñas y Adolescente, de Distrito Judicial de Puerto Plata, en otro orden, ha sido docente en varias universidades dominicanas, dentro de la que se encuentran, la Universidad Nacional para la Defensa, el Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) y la Universidad Dominicana O & M. Fue la primera latina invitada como profesora observadora al ejercicio Trial Advocacy Workshop en la Universidad de Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ha sido invitada por varias instituciones públicas, privadas, nacionales e internacionales a dar charlas, conferencias, seminarios y talleres en área de derecho, educativa, de defensa, de seguridad y de ciberseguridad.
A lo largo de su carrera, ha recibido más de 80 reconocimientos y condecoraciones, tanto nacionales como internacionales, por su labor en la defensa, la educación y los derechos humanos. Entre estos reconocimientos destacan condecoración Joint Service Comendation Medial del Departamento de Defensa de los Estados Unidos, Condecoración de la Junta Interamericana de Defensa con grado de distinción de una Estrella Dorada, Medalla de dos Estrellas y Medalla Honiris del Colegio Interamericano de Defensa, reconocimiento por la Secretaria de Marina de México y galardonada como funcionaria del años en la provincia de Puerto Plata en el 2019, reconocimiento como egresada destacada de la Universidad Nacional para la Defensa (UNADE), entre otras placas de reconocimiento por sus valiosos aportes y dedicación al servicio de la Fuerza Aérea y Ministerio de Educación de República Dominicana, así como de instituciones públicos, privadas, nacionales e internacionales. Sus contribuciones académicas incluyen publicaciones en revistas nacionales e internacionales sobre temas educativos, derechos humanos, derecho internacional humanitario, defensa, seguridad, ciberseguridad e inteligencia artificial.
Col Lieutenant Colonel Andy Ubiera
Assistant Professor
Lieutenant Colonel Andy Ronard Ramirez Ubiera is originally from El Seibo, Dominican Republic. He entered the Army of the Dominican Republic (ERD) in 1999, at the Military Academy of the Armed Forces (AMFA), he completed the Cadet Leadership course in Georgia, USA, graduating in 2002, with the title of Bachelor of Military Sciences. , with mention in Infantry “Distinguished Graduate”. He has a Law Degree from the Open University for Adults (UAPA) “Magna Cum Laude”, a Specialty in Human Rights and a Specialty in Command and Joint Chiefs of Staff “Graduate of Honor”, from the National University for Defense “General Juan Pablo Duarte y Diaz.” As a Junior Officer, he performed the functions of platoon commander in charge of security at the Public Prison of the Hermanas Mirabal province, commander of several Infantry Companies, administrator of the ERD Medium Infantry Course, administrator of the Eastern National Park, among others. Upon being promoted to Senior Officer, he served as deputy director of the Peace Operations and Humanitarian Aid Center of the Armed Forces, assistant to the Commander of the 1st ñ. Infantry Brigade of the Army, commander of the 2nd. Infantry Battalion of the Army and deputy director of the General Inspectorate of the Army, this being his last position in the Dominican Republic.
Lieutenant Colonel Andy Ubiera is married to Mónica M. Capellán and they have 4 children, Andy, Haniel, Hansel and Hadiel. He also graduated from the Master’s Degree in Inter-American Defense and Security “Class 61 La Mejor!”Lieutenant Colonel Andy Ubiera
Col Alexandre Ribeiro
Chief, Institucional Effectiveness
Colonel Alexandre is originally from the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He joined the Brazilian Air Force in January 1994. He is a graduate in Aeronautical Sciences (Brazilian Air Force Academy, AFA, 1997) and post-graduation in Aerospace Military Sciences, with emphasis on Air Force preparation and employment (Brazilian Air Force University, UNIFA, 2015). He has two MBA degree: Public Management – UFF and Logistics in Organizations – UNINASSAU. And an Extension Courses: Course of Fundamentals of Public Logistics Management – ENAP, Project Management Course – Estácio de Sá, Superior Course on Defense – ESG, Command and General Staff Course – ECEMAR and Advanced English Language Course – Concordia University – Montreal/Canada. Before he has been designated as a Head of the Effectiveness Institute at the Inter-American Defense College for two years, he attended the Brazilian War College during 2022, being graduated in High Studies Course in Politics and Strategy.
Main positions:
– Head of the Programming and Control Subsection of the Puma Squadron- 3rd/8th GAV;
– Head of the Social Communication Section of the Smoke Squadron (Esquadrilha da Fumaça);
– Head of the Operations Sections of the 2nd Air Training Squadron, the Air Force
Academy and the Smoke Squadron (Esquadrilha da Fumaça);
– Assistant to the Head of Staff of the Air Force Commander’s Office (GABAER);
– Commander of the Helicopter Operational Training Squadron – 1st/11thGAV;
– Head of GABAER’s Information Technology and Communications Advisory;
– Air Transport Officer of the Presidency of the Republic;
– Commander of Galeão Air Base;
– Deputy Officer of the Joint Operations Doctrine Institute of Brazilian War College (ESG).
Has over 5,100 flight hours, generally divided into 3,000 hours in airplanes, solo or as an instructor, 600 hours in jets, 1,200 hours in helicopters, and 300 hours as a student. Performing real searches and rescues, transporting Presidents of the Republic in airplanes and helicopters, aerial demonstrations in Brazil and abroad as an external right wing, and leading the Smoke Squadron. Besides leading squadrons and teaching all phases of aerial instruction at the Air Force Academy and at the Rotor Wing Operational Specialization Course at the 1st/11th GAV in Natal-RN.
Colonel Christopher M. Carson
Deputy Chief of Studies
Col. Christopher Carson is an accomplished c-17 pilot, professor, and the Deputy Chief of Studies at the Inter-American College (IADC). As the department head, he is responsible for the IADC’s academic program execution and providing expert advice to the IADC Director and Chief of Studies. Col. Carson leads a team of 30 permanent faculty, assistant faculty, and staff with an unwavering commitment to achieving the IADC strategic objectives.
Before his current position, Col. Carson served as the Director of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Southern Office for Office for Aerospace Research and Development (SOARD) in Santiago, Chile, where he also served as the U.S Air Force (USAF) science and technology attaché to the U.S. Embassy in Santiago.
Col. Carson has also served as the Chief of the Statistics Division at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, where he led the faculty in delivering six core curriculum courses to over 1000 cadets annually. He has over 2800 hours of flight experience in the T-37, T-1, C-17, and T-53.
Col Joshua Chambers
Chief, Administration
Col Joshua Chambers is Chief of Administration at the Inter-American Defense College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. As the senior U.S. operations, personnel, resource management, and information management officer on the international staff, he advises the Director, IADC and 200 international staff members and students on efforts involving administrative matters, to include employment laws, regulations, contracts, and benefits. The colonel also develops strategic level administrative, personnel and logistics guidance in support of the Organization of American States, Inter-American Defense Board, College, and US policies. He leads a multi-service and international directorate, providing administrative and personnel services to over 200 senior international military and civilian personnel from 34 member nations of the Western Hemisphere, and is responsible for communication and coordination with US Department of State, and United States Southern Command.
Col Chambers entered the Air Force in 2002 as a graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, N.Y. Col Chambers has served as a first-assignment instructor pilot at JSUPT in the T-1A and afterwards an instructor, evaluator, and weapons officer in the KC-135R/T, NATO staff officer, CAOC operations staff, headquarters air staff, and commanded a deployed squadron. Prior to his current position, the colonel was a student at the College of Information and Cyberspace at National Defense University.
Col Chambers is a Command Pilot with more than 3,600 flight hours in the T-37, T-1A, and KC-135R/T. He has flown over 800 hours of combat air refueling missions in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science, Information Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, N.Y.
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2007 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Fla.
2010 USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Masters of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2018 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2023 Master of Science, Strategic Information and Cyberspace Studies, National Defense University, Washington, D.C
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2016 – July 2017, Chief of Tanker Operations, Combat Operations Division, 609th Combined Air and Space Operations Center, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, as a lieutenant colonel
2. June 2023 – Present; Chief of Administration, Inter-American Defense College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., as a colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,600
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-1A, KC-135R/T
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with oaf leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 29, 2002
First Lieutenant May 29, 2004
Captain May 29, 2006
Major Aug. 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel May 1, 2017
Colonel Aug. 1, 2023
Col (Retired), United States Army, Ricardo Lebron
Director of External Relations
Ricardo Lebron, Colonel (Retired), United States Army, serves as the Director of External Relations for the Inter-American Defense College (IADC) since January 2024. Prior to assuming this position, he served the Infantry Branch, Logistics Branch, Quartermaster Corps, and the United States Army with distinction for over 34 years. His last active duty military assignment was with the IADC where he served as Chief of Staff from July 2019 to August 2022. In December 1992, he graduated from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Managerial Economics, and he was honored as a Distinguished Military Graduate by the University of Puerto Rico’s ROTC Program. Subsequently, he received a Regular Army Commission with an initial two-year branch-detail tour in the Infantry Branch prior to entering the Quartermaster Corps. His graduate-level education includes a Master Degree in Business Administration from Webster University, Saint Louis, Missouri, and a Master of Science degree in Inter-American Defense and Security from the Inter-American Defense College, Fort McNair, Washington D.C. He is fluent in English and Spanish languages. During his thirty-year active duty military career, Mr. Lebron served in a variety of leadership and staff positions including Bradley Platoon Leader, Mortar Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Company Commander, Group S4, Battalion Support Operations Officer, Battalion Executive Officer, Brigade S3, Logistics Planner at the Division level, Battalion Commander for the 498th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Assistant Chief of Staff G4 and Chief of Staff, for the United States Army Special Operations Aviation Command (Airborne). Other distinguishable assignments include Professor of Military Science at the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan; Instructor/ Writer at the United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Command Inspector General for the Puerto Rico National Guard, where he started his career an enlisted Soldier; Tours of duty with the 1st Cavalry Division, the 593rd Corps Support Group, the 2nd Infantry Division, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 18th Airborne Corps, and the United States Army Special Operations Command. Furthermore, he completed two combat tours in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. COL (R) Lebron has two sons: Jarrett and Jayson, and two daughters: Joelishka and Lianny.
Col Saba, Bill N.
Chief of Staff
Colonel Bill Saba is a U.S. Army Foreign Area Officer specializing in the Middle East and Central Asia with a light infantry background. Bill graduated from the National Defense University with a master’s degree in National Security and Resource Strategy. Bill also holds a master’s degree in international policy from George Washington University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Foreign Policy from Liberty University. He speaks fluent Turkish and Arabic and can communicate in Russian. Bill attended Salisbury State University in Maryland for his undergraduate degree in psychology and played three years of football as a defensive end. In the infantry, Bill served as a platoon leader/executive officer in the 82nd Airborne Division and as a Company Commander in the 10th Mountain Division. As a Foreign Area Officer, Bill has served as a Liaison Officer to the Israeli and Turkish militaries, Assistant Army Attaché in Iraq, Army Attache in Turkey and the Senior Defense Official/Defense Attache in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Kenya. Over the past twenty years, Bill has deployed to Kosovo, Bosnia, Afghanistan and twice to Iraq. He is married Dr. Christine McConaughey, who is a graduate of the University of Hawaii, speaks Chinese and is a professor at Liberty University and Lancaster Bible College.
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iadc_protocol@iadc.edu